Greenhouse Checklist -
Everything You Should Check Before Buying a
Greenhouse Or Glasshouse
A greenhouse can be a fantastic to any garden or yard,
particularly if you are very keen on growing flowers or
vegetables. If you are thinking about buying a greenhouse
or glasshouse you should make sure you take the following
features into account:
Ridge
Height. Check that the ridge
height is at least 1.7 m (5 ft 6 in), making sure that you
take protruding roof ventilator openings into account.
Headroom. The amount of headroom
will also depend on the height of the eaves. For a
comfortable working space, these should be at least 1.35 m
(4ft 6 in).
Cross Bracing. Check that the cross
bracing on aluminium alloy greenhouses is sturdy enough to
make the structure rigid.
Standard Pane Sizes. It can be expensive to
replace glass of a non-standard size such as those used in
a Dutch light greenhouse, so bear this in mind when
choosing a design. A standard size is 60 x 45 cm (24 x 18
in) or 60 cm (24 in) square.
Double Glazing. If you are going to
need your greenhouse to be consistently warm over the
winter, think about installing double-glazing. However,
this will increase the cost significantly.
Roof Ventilation. Bear in mind that the
total roof ventilation area should equal one sixth of the
floor area - you may need to install additional
ventilators.
Drainpipes. Gutters and downpipes
are often optional; however, they are very useful for
channeling rainwater so that it may be collected and used
for watering. They will also prevent rain from flowing from
the roof, damaging nearby plants.
Side Ventilation. Side ventilators are
excellent for providing a through-flow of air during the
summer. Make sure that these close tightly to prevent heat
loss in the winter.
Door Openings. Sliding or hinged
doors must be at least 60 cm (24 in) wide - more if
wheelchair or wheelbarrow access is required, and without a
'lip'. Sliding doors have the advantage that they can be
opened at any width to provide additional ventilation, and
will not slam in wind. Make sure that any door shuts
tightly and does not let in draughts.
Kick Panels. A kick panel at the
base of the door reduces the risk of the glass panel
breaking.
Bases. When comparing prices
between different greenhouse models or suppliers, bear in
mind that a base may be an optional extra. The majority of
timber- framed structures will need one. Some bases will
come with a step, which may make wheelchair access and
wheelbarrow use difficult.
Remember that any greenhouse that is not attached to a
brick base should be secured using ground anchors.