Prefabricated Hobby Greenhouses


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Types of Prefab Hobby Greenhouses

I will preface this by saying that I have not yet found a greenhouse I thought worth buying, at least given my situation. I like to have more control and customization than is available from a prefab greenhouse, and I don't want to spend a lot of money on a structure that doesn't suit my needs. I build my greenhouses to my own plans.

There is certainly a place for prefab greenhouses, though. If you're not all that handy, don't have a lot of tools and a lot of time, or just want somewhere to start a few vegetables a few weeks early, then one of these choices might just be for you.

On the other hand, if you expect to get a greenhouse that just "works" out of the box, stays cool in summer and warm in winter, doesn't burn your plants or bust your budget, your expectations may need some fine tuning.

Wood Frame Greenhouses

There are a few companies offering wood frame hobby greenhouses, usually made from redwood with glass glazing. In this case, the glazing material, though brittle, is actually somewhat more long lived than the frame. These greenhouses can be functional, customizable, and beautiful, but the COST for a quality product is out of many peoples reach.

A point of trivia is that in the past, many greenhouses were built in this way, using wooden framing and glass panes. The most famous example is probably the San Francisco Conservatory of Flowers, pictured here.

These days, some wood frame greenhouses are designed using polycarbonate glazing, which provides better insulation and breakage resistance than glass, as well as being somewhat more economical. The downside of the polycarbonate is that it is not completely clear, and therefore the greenhouse may not be as beautiful with this type of glazing option.

A third glazing option occasionally offered is clear plexiglass. This is not as insulating, and may have problems with aging over time, but it is clear.

Prefab Plastic Greenhouses

Perhaps the cheapest greenhouse you can buy as a kit is the sort of prefab greenhouse manufactured by companies like Rion. These vary in quality and construction so much that it is difficult to generalize, but they tend to be offered in smaller sizes than the other options, and therefore their price is less. In fact, it's not uncommon to see a plastic prefab greenhouse for under a few hundred dollars.

Your local Costco, Sam's Club, Home Depot or even hardware store may either stock, or be able to order you a completely plastic prefab greenhouse.

The upside of these plastic greenhouses is twofold. First, you probably won't have to deal with motor freight shipping in order to get one, and it should be otherwise relatively inexpensive. Second, it will probably be fairly easy to assemble. This, unfortunately, is about where the benefits end.

Even with the advances brought about by more modern plastic, a plastic frame greenhouse with plastic glazing is inevitably subject to aging from sunlight. The less expensive ones have relatively poor structural integrity, and the plastic construction is difficult to modify securely. Many of the best looking models have very poor insulation ( the PVC glazing doesn't stay clear for long, and doesn't insulate much at all ), and the ventilation options are very limited.

If you must go with a plastic greenhouse, look for one from a reputable company, with real twin wall polycarbonate glazing, and large, closely spaced support members which you will be able to drill to mount aftermarket ventilation and heating equipment.

Aluminum Frame Greenhouses

Aluminum framed greenhouses have one advantage over almost any other type - unlike plastic and wood, aluminum won't degrade over time. These aluminum frame buildings may have either plastic or glass glazing, and often are offered as kits.

Aluminum greenhouse structures also have the advantage of being available in a very wide range of designs. Most commercial greenhouses are aluminum framed with some sort of plastic or fiberglass glazing that is changed on a semi-regular basis.

The downside of aluminum greenhouse structure, other than the cost and need for motor freight shipping, is that they often use proprietary hardware and are therefore difficult to repair or modify. If you are satisfied with the availability of ventilation, heating and utility equipment from the original vendor, an aluminum frame greenhouse can be an excellent investment.

PVC Frame Hoop Houses

Just a word about the many plans floating around out there for making hoop houses out of PVC tubing and 6 mil plastic sheeting. These structures do have a place, but in most climates they are not suitable for growing tropical plants at any time of the year, much less year round. They are certainly useful as season extenders in cerain applications, but if you truly want to keep healthy orchids and tropical plants, you either need to be home and awake 24 hours a day to regulate temperature, lighting, watering and airflow, or you need to automate. And these plastic hoop houses are quite unsuited to automation.


Albert's Greenhouse Pages are Copyright 2004-2008, Albert M. Huntington

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