Buying a greenhouse

cric13

Dear Green fingered money savers,
I'm seeking advice regarding purchasing my first greenhouse.  As it is for a family garden we are looking at getting a 6x8 polycarbonate greenhouse but don't know anyone who owns one and wondered what they were like.  Any advice on where to buy one from would be most helpful.  Thanks in advance for your help.
Best wishes,
Claire

-taff

I would say get the biggest one you can get because no matter what size it is, you''ll wish you had a bigger one. Personally, although I don't have one, the polycarbonate ones appeal to me because they're safer than glass ones [ think flimsy alminium frame and you're there] . However, if I had the money, I'd go much bigger and impressive victorian type with stronger glass.

cric13

Thank you.  Just enjoying trying to find one online now - lots say out of stock so perhaps we're all having the same idea during lock-down! 

greenbee

I ordered a greenhouse a few weeks ago, and it's due to be delivered now. It took a while to find the right one, as I need the door in the long side due to the size/shape/position. I kept getting distracted by beautiful, expensive wooden ones, but have gone for a more budget-friendly option - I did get additional vents and automatic openers, but have since been wondering whether I should have got more... I also opted for the toughened glass. 

Davesnave

I've never bought a new greenhouse, but I've had 3 second-hand ones, including a cedar wood 25' x 10' which was definitely the nicest. Now I have a 42' x 21' polytunnel, which has the advantage of sheer size, but it's not as pleasant to work in as the old cedar house, especially when it rains, when the noise can be deafening.

I would say go for a 10' x 8' if possible. I picked up one of those locally on Freecycle a while ago and it felt right to me.Maybe one day soon I'll put it together....yes, I did label all the joints in indelible marker before dismantling! (Top tip )

I'm not sure if the polycarbonate mentioned above referred to the frame or the panes. It's my understanding the polycarbonate panes can pop out in extreme weather, whereas glass generally doesn't.

silverwhistle

I used to have a greenhouse, second hand naturally... I rented my house out for a few years whilst I went away, put in polycarbonate panes where possible for safety for the tenant, but the whole thing had disappeared when I returned, so I never replaced it.

Yesterday however I had a new backdoor put in, one which works and doesn't have the handle come off in your hand.. and they took out the old sealed glass unit for me. It'll almost cover a small and deep sided raised bed at the allotment, so next year I'll be able to start some tender plants early without losing them like I did this year.. Latest frost anyone can remember at the allotments here in southern Hampshire - must be the clear unpolluted skies!

Silvertabby

Agree that you should go bigger if you have the room.  My greenhouse is 12 years old, and in all that time I've only had to replace one pane of  toughened glass (hint:  when you cut the lawn,  make sure that there are no pebbles lurking that the mower can pick up and flick...)  I'd kept the original paperwork, which gave the exact measurements of each pane, so it was an easy job to order a replacement from our local glass merchants. 

CapricornLass

And another to say that you should get as big as you can afford and got the room for.  We got a 10 x 10 Rhino greenhouse with toughened glass a couple of  years ago and are very pleased with it.  We had a 6 x 6 before, and it really was a bit small.   Maybe you can see what you can pick up in the sales on-line?

I believe that polycarbonate isn't quite as good as transmitting light as glass?

Whatever you go for, make sure you can stand upright it it!  Otherwise your back is going to say some very unpleasant things to you about it. 

Coveredinbees!!!!

Another vote to get a big one, it's like day of the triffids in mine at the moment, can hardly get in the door. The other problem I have is hitting my head on the top of the door frame as they seem to think people over 5 ft 6 don't want to go in a green house but they all seem to be like that.

greenbee

Coveredinbees!!!! said:

Another vote to get a big one, it's like day of the triffids in mine at the moment, can hardly get in the door. The other problem I have is hitting my head on the top of the door frame as they seem to think people over 5 ft 6 don't want to go in a green house but they all seem to be like that.

My door is fine - but I took advice to check the heights of the apex, door and sides to makes sure it was usable when standing. I have had comments about it being tall since it went up. 

-taff

We raised ours up this year on wooden blocks because of the triffid factor this year, it was a good move and I've only tripped twice forgetting the door step was a lot higher.

I mentioned the polycarbonate dave because they said family friendly. I meant windows of course...Poly won't cut children or smash when hit by a football....