Your Guide to selecting a Greenhouse.
Questions to ask yourself before you start.
1. What size Greenhouse ?
Plan for now and the futureGreenhouse size is often determined by three factors: your available space, your available funds, and the size in which you feel most comfortable with. If you have a certain size in mind now and that size is related to the collection of plants that you have to put in the greenhouse, then consider this first. Think back to when you started and what size the collection was then. What do you think it will be in 5 to 10 years? (or 10 to 20 years). How long do you think you will have your greenhouse before you grow out of it or have to add on to it? Greenhouses can easily last 25 years so plan for growth. Another important size to consider is side wall height and center ridge height. Make sure you have ample head room especially if you are planning to have hanging baskets or store small shrubs or trees for the winter. The bigger and taller the greenhouse the easer it is to control the temperature because you have a larger buffer area between the plants and the outside elements.
2. What do I want to use the greenhouse for?
What are you planning to grow? Bedding plants, vegetables, shrubs, trees or maybe orchids, tropical, and exotic plants? Do you think you would want to use the greenhouse year around? Or do you just want to get a head start on the growing season and then extending the season into the fall? What you plan to grow and when, will dictate whether you plan to keep a cooler or a warmer greenhouse.
Greenhouse covering or glazingTraditional single glass greenhouses are normally considered cooler greenhouses because they have the least insulating value. Twin walled 6mm polycarbonate greenhouses are also usually cooler houses but do have better insulating value for keeping the heat in over the winter months. Double-walled glass and 16mm triple-walled polycarbonate panels are often used when you plan to keep your greenhouse at higher temperatures. Heating and cooling costs can vary a lot from one end of the country to the other but it’s something to consider early on for your long term budget.
Traditional glass has proven to be a long lasting quality cover. Single glass can last you over 30 years if you don’t have anything fall against it to cause it to break.
Double-paned glass units can have up to a 10 year manufacturer’s warranty and can last 20 years. Both glass units will provide maximum light transmission and a clear view into and out of your greenhouse. You will have to consider shading or white wash over the glass in the summer months to stop the burning effects of the sun. Double-walled and triple-walled polycarbonate panels are very popular now. Benefits include better insulating qualities than single glass. The panels will not crack or break like glass and because of the fluted design your plants receive diffused light which encourages better growth. Light transmission is 85% so burning from the summer sun is less of a problem. The panel has a UV coating on one side to protect it from the sun’s damaging rays. Most manufacturer’s warranty it for 10 years against discoloration or breakage.
3. Do I want my greenhouse to be architecturally pleasing?
Today there are many different designs that are available to our customers to fit your specific style: traditional straight eaves, curved eaves, cape cod or cottage roof pitches; custom color painted frames to match your house; additional doors or opening windows for function or convenience. We also have lean-to greenhouses to attach to your house or garage. If you have a design or size that you have in mind let us know. We have built many custom Greenhouses and conservatories to fit our customers needs.
4. What type of accessories will I need in my greenhouse?
Control your environmentYour first concern for your plants should be to control and maintain as much as possible, an even temperature and environment inside your greenhouse. Controlling your cooling and heating systems should be the first items on your list. Ventilation is key to controlling the excess heat gain in your greenhouse. This can be achieved through roof venting, side venting, exhaust fans, motorized intake shutters and shading. All of these items can be automated to create the controlled environment you need while you are not in your greenhouse.
Most hobby greenhouses are heated by small electric or gas heaters which are controlled by thermostats. Heaters usually only run during the nights when the temperature dips because the sun has gone down or during the colder winter days. Other accessories which you may find useful are benches, shelving, max.-min. thermometer, circulating fans, soil cables and watering items.
5. Where should I place my Greenhouse on my property?
The average greenhouse should be placed in an area that will get sun most of the day. If you’re not getting enough sunlight your quality and production will be poor and you will become frustrated with your efforts. We recommended placing the ridge of the greenhouse running east west so you have one side wall facing directly south.
If you need to shade in the summer months it will be easier to shade the roof and side wall than the gable end. If at all possible place the greenhouse in an area that will get early morning sun so you are able to utilize the sun to warm up the greenhouse after the cool night. It would also be a benefit if the greenhouse was shaded naturally by deciduous trees in the summer months.
A building, large tree or a vine that could give shade in the mid afternoon would give you some control over the heat in the summer months. Most vegetables and flowering plants like to have sunlight for at least 12 hours during the growing months, and at least 6 to 8 hours in the winter or dormant months. Remember that during the winter months the sun is much lower in the sky and so the sun’s reach will be less. Place the greenhouse in a area that is a reasonable distance from where you may want to connect to electricity or water. Having the greenhouse close to the house makes it more likely that you will go out more often during the colder winter months.
6. What type of foundation do I need?
Most smaller greenhouse can be mounted on naturally resistant wood timbers such as cedar which is best, but pressure treated wood is usually less expensive. It is recommended that the timbers be placed on a bed of 3” to 4” of 1/2” or 3/4” crushed gravel with a landscape fabric underneath the gravel to prevent grass and weeds from growing through the greenhouse floor. If you place the timber directly on the dirt or grass there is a good chance they will rot and have to be replaced. A second or third row of timbers can give you extra height in your greenhouse. It will also give you extra protection at the base against rocks or branches from your lawn mower or from mud splashing up off the ground when it is raining.
Be sure of your exact outside dimensions of your greenhouse before you start. Greenhouse sizes vary from one manufacture to the another. It’s important to build your foundation exactly level and square so that when you install the greenhouse you won’t be fighting any twisting in the frame and all your panels should fit in with much less effort. To ensure your foundation is square, measure diagonally from the corner to opposite corner and if the length is the same on both diagonals than your foundation should be square. You will find that it will be easier and you will be more exact if you use at least a 4’ level when leveling you foundation.
For larger greenhouses and if your budget allows it, a concrete footing or brick wall will outlast your greenhouse. If you want a floor, lay paving stones as a walkway or throughout the whole floor area. This will give you a solid level work place for benches to stand or just to placing your larger potted plants.
Paving stones also will allow any excess water to just drain through the cracks into the ground. There are many different styles and colors available and they are not that hard to install. Another benefit to using paving stones is that they absorb the heat during the day and release the heat back off again at night when it cools down.
If you would rather pour a concrete slab as a floor be sure you install a proper drain that you will be able to easily unplug, as soil and plant leaves seem to end up there. Also remember to run pipes for your electrical and plumbing needs before you pour any concrete. It’s also a good idea to check your local building codes regarding permits and site requirements.
Greenhouse Structure and Design
Specifics on our Greenhouses
Quality.Our greenhouses are manufactured using the best quality materials and are of the highest engineering standards for structural strength and function .They are therefore able to withstand extreme weather conditions.
Function and Flexible DesignThese greenhouses are not only built to cover and protect your plants but are also designed to easily accommodate accessories such as shelving, lighting, hanging baskets, heating and cooling systems. Many different sizes are available because they are built in 24” modular increments. All glass and polycarbonate framed are interchangeable and so we can build a glass greenhouse with polycarbonate roof or the other way around.
Manufacturing Procedure ISO 9001 2000 CertifiedThese greenhouse are all prefabricated and packaged as kits and you should not have to cut or drill any parts in order to fit them together. Every part has been measured cut and re-measured and than checked and re-measured by another person, to ensure that the part you receive is the right size. This system of manufacturing is recognized as the ISO 9001 2000 certified.
FramingThe greenhouse frame is made from sturdy aluminum extrusions and the paint is baked on to ensure a strong surface which will not flake or chip. Each standard greenhouse includes 5’6” side walls with a standard roof pitch at 5” per foot. (other roof pitches available are 2 1/2”, 8 1/2” and 12” per foot) Also included is one single glass storm door complete with sliding window, screen, lock and key. Most medium size greenhouses included two roof vents with two auto vent openers.( screens are not included but are available). Many other accessories and additional options are available as well for most greenhouse.
Glass and Polycarbonate panel coveringsThe greenhouse coverings that are available are; single glass, 6mm twin-walled polycarbonate, double glass and 16 mm triple-wall polycarbonate panels. All glass is clear tempered to ensure your safety. All polycarbonate panels have a 10 year manufactured warranty against discoloration and breakdown.
FoundationsFoundations are required for the greenhouses but are not included with the kits. Every site and situation is different and has to be accessed. Please check your local building codes regarding permits and site requirements for your foundation.
Customer Service and Instructionshen you purchase your greenhouse from us you can feel secure to know that you will have access to trained knowledgeable people to answer any of your questions. When you decide to order we will contact you directly to confirm your order and keep you notified as to the shipments schedule for departure and arrival. We will send a pre-delivery package which will include a video, installation instructions which you will be able to preview before the greenhouse arrives. As well we will send a warranty document. You will have technical support for your greenhouse installation and we will follow up to assure you are satisfied.