4 Things to Consider When Buying or Building Your Own Greenhouse
If you’ve always wanted to build, grow, and care for a garden of plants year-round, you need a greenhouse. With warmth, light, and space, a greenhouse provides the perfect climate for year-round gardening. Moreover, with a greenhouse, you’re able to keep your plants growing even in the coldest months of the year.
Before you begin mapping out where you’ll place your plants, it’s important to consider certain factors. You need to ensure your greenhouse is the right size, uses the right materials, and has the right environment to grow flowers, fruits, and other plants.
Whether you’re a new home gardener or well-versed in home greenhouses, make sure to consider the following four factors when buying or building a new greenhouse.
1. The Size of the Greenhouse
One of the most important aspects of a greenhouse you need to consider before you build or make a purchase is the size. While greenhouses can be bought or built-in many different sizes, opting for one that’s too big or too small can create many problems.
First, decide what you’d like to do with your greenhouse. Are you hoping to store plants indoors during the cold months of the year only? If so, you may only need a small starter greenhouse that features enough room for a selection of plants short-term. Are you planning to grow many different plants inside the greenhouse and keep them there? You may need a large “grower” greenhouse that allows you to fully garden inside the greenhouse.1
You can also decide to go bigger. It’s easy to fill a greenhouse. Therefore, you’ll likely find that no matter what size your greenhouse is, you’ll reach its capacity in no time. Plus, it’s cheaper and more cost-effective to purchase a large greenhouse, then it is to try to add onto a smaller greenhouse.2
Greenhouses range in size from just a few meters wide to more spacious options. Assess what you’re planning to grow and how you’ll use your greenhouse. Then measure your available space. Your outdoor space will help you decide how big or small of a greenhouse you can fit on your property.
2. The Material the Greenhouse is Made From
Next, you’ll need to consider what materials your greenhouse will be made from. Whether you’re building your own greenhouse or purchasing a premade option, the materials used to create the structure are important. In fact, they can actually affect the plants you place inside.
You’ll want to consider the frame and the siding, or glazing, when comparing different greenhouses.
Frame Materials
The frame of a greenhouse keeps the entire structure together. You can choose from three different types of frame materials:
- Wood;
- Metal, or;
- Plastic or PVC.
Wood frames are often the most affordable. However, affordability doesn’t mean a lack of quality. In fact, wood frames are so sturdy that they can provide support in even large greenhouses.
Metal frames, which are usually made from aluminum or steel, are more lightweight than wood. Although strong and durable, a metal frame is typically more expensive.
Plastic or PVC frames are an excellent choice for anyone on a budget. However, they do require special anchoring to support your greenhouse.
Siding Materials
The siding materials, or glazing, on a greenhouse is the most important piece of the entire structure. These materials actually make your greenhouse effective, providing sunlight, insulation, efficiency, and warmth for your plants.
There are two types of siding or glazing you can consider:
- Glass: Lets in a lot of sunlight, but it can be expensive.
- Polyethylene Film: Cheaper, lightweight, and very versatile. However, it typically needs to be replaced every two to five years.3
3. Your Local Climate
Once you’ve considered different frame and siding materials for your greenhouse, you’ll want to think about your local climate. Your climate will help you determine just how insulated your greenhouse – and the plants inside – needs to be.
Assess your neighborhood’s weather. Do you live somewhere where ice and snow are common in winter? Is it often cold, damp, and rainy? You’ll need a well-insulated greenhouse if so. You may also need a greenhouse that can handle snow accumulation or one that won’t rust in frequent rain. Are your winters milder? If so, your greenhouse won’t need to be as weather-ready.
If you don’t have to worry about windstorms, heavy weather, or other potential problems, you may be able to get away with a cheaper, less durable greenhouse.
It’s also a good idea to consider the sunlight your greenhouse will get year-round. Sunlight can affect the temperature inside a greenhouse. A lack of sunlight may mean you need a more insulated option.4
4. Your Budget
Lastly, you need to consider your budget and what kind of greenhouse you can afford. There are so many different greenhouses available to purchase. Also if you’re building your own, you can customize the greenhouse and its cost in many different ways.
You can fit a greenhouse into any kind of budget. Some greenhouses are small and made from affordable materials. However, if you have the budget for it, you may be able to purchase or build an upgraded greenhouse. It can be bigger in size, made from more expensive materials, and include special features inside.
No matter what your greenhouse budget is, it’s important to do some research on prices. Research how much materials will cost if you plan to build your own. Search for different greenhouses and compare their materials, features, and prices if you’re opting for pre-built. Plus, make sure to look for cost savings and ways to make your new greenhouse more affordable.