6 Best Glass Greenhouses

VIA MERCHANT

What To Consider When Buying a Glass Greenhouse

If you’re a dedicated gardener and want to protect your plants from excess heat, cold and pests, consider a glass greenhouse. These transparent structures use real glass, not polycarbonate, which adds a classic, romantic look to your garden.

Their pleasing aesthetic aside, glass greenhouses have their drawbacks.

According to Shelby DeVore, founder of Farminence, a glass greenhouse’s impressive light transmission means you’ve got to clean the glass frequently. “Even a minuscule amount of dust on your greenhouse glass can reduce the amount of natural sunlight that comes in,” she says. The glass panes also lack polycarbonate’s durability, and the panes are troublesome and expensive to replace.

Consider these factors to ensure a glass greenhouse is the best option for you, your plants and your landscape:

• Weather: DeVore says if you live somewhere with frequent hailstorms or high winds, “choose a greenhouse covering durable enough to handle the weather, but also resilient enough to not break under hail or heavy wind.” Polycarbonate would be a much better option than glass in those areas.
• Light: Consider the natural light your greenhouse will get, keeping in mind trees and other buildings will have an impact. Because glass greenhouses provide the best light transmission, they’re ideal for areas with limited natural sunlight.
• Frame material: According to DeVore, “Since the frame is literally the backbone of your greenhouse, use the best materials that you can.” She recommends aluminum as the best choice, citing its durability and long lifespan. Wood is second-best, but humidity inside a greenhouse can negatively affect it.
• Flooring: You’ll need sturdy foundation to walk on and support shelving and planters, as well as to keep out pesky weeds. Concrete is best because of its durability, as well as weed and temperature control. If you can afford it, DeVore recommends pouring a concrete pad, a DIY project. If your budget is tighter, she suggests pea gravel covered with a weed control fabric.

After extensive outreach to gardening and landscape professionals, Ceres and BC Greenhouse were the only glass greenhouse manufacturers with products available to U.S. customers that made our list. Their high price may be an obstacle for many residential users. You may be better off going with an affordable and still effective polycarbonate greenhouse.