Tip #1: Choosing an Attached or Freestanding Greenhouse and N,S,E,W Orientation | Arcadia GlassHouse (2024)

FAQs

What is the best orientation for a glasshouse? ›

For lean-to greenhouses placed against a wall, a south-facing position is ideal. For stand-alone structures, the ridge along the top of the greenhouse should ideally run from East to West, this will allow the sun to run along its longest side during the day.

Due to all four sides being exposed to the elements, freestanding greenhouses are less energy efficient compared to an attached structure. Freestanding greenhouses are less convenient to access because the gardener must go outside to enter the greenhouse.

The freestanding greenhouse is more easily adapted to the builder's ideas of location, size, and shape than attached greenhouses. It also provides more light, but requires more heat at night because of the additional exposed surface area.

We don't recommend building the greenhouse without adequate southern exposure — greenhouses facing due east or west – unless you are willing to accept limitations in what you grow. If this is your only option, you should plant accordingly. Cool-weather and/or low-light crops will do better in east-facing greenhouses.

To make the most of the sun for warmth and natural light, your home's main living areas (or any rooms you use a lot) should face north. The main glazing in the house, such as windows and glass doors, should also face north. Anywhere between 20°W – 30°E of true north is fine.

Typically a south-facing home gets sun for most of the day, especially at the front of the house, and is therefore usually brighter and warmer. A north-facing home gets sun at the back of the house and is typically darker and naturally cooler than a south-facing one.

Cons of Attached Greenhouses

While attached greenhouses are great for saving space, they are often smaller in size compared to freestanding models. You may find the space in an attached greenhouse too limited if you have a lot of plants or want to grow larger vegetables.

Glass and clear plastic function in basically the same way, by allowing light to pass through while trapping heat inside. Plastics are generally lighter weight and less expensive, but not as durable to weather and age. Glass greenhouses cost more to build initially, but hold up better over time.

Gutter-Connected (Block) Greenhouses:

Heating costs can be up to 25% lower thanks to the low glazed area. Disadvantages: It can be more expensive to build and maintain than independent greenhouses.

According to our research and insights from our own experience, a greenhouse typically requires a minimum of at least 6 hours of sun each day to maintain warmth. However, after a sun-soaked 10 hours, they can start to dry out and you might need to learn how to cool a greenhouse without electricity.

What is the best side of the house for a greenhouse? ›

However, if you're just going to use your greenhouse in spring and summer, it's better if the ridge runs north-south so both sides of the greenhouse get an equal amount of light. For lean-to greenhouses the best location is south-facing, with the supporting wall on the north side.

Another disadvantage to greenhouses is that they tend to need more maintenance than outdoor gardens. You'll need to clean the windows and other transparent surfaces, use insect screens to keep pests out, and regularly maintain any heating, ventilation, or watering systems you have in place.

Don't put your greenhouse directly under trees. They'll cast shade, which encourages green algae to build up, blocking even more light, while falling branches and leaves can cause damage and block guttering. Honeydew from insects on the foliage of trees can make the glass or plastic sticky and dirty.

To maximize light and plant growth inside your greenhouse, the most optimal orientation of the greenhouse is for one of its longest walls facing south, or within 20 degrees of south. In this orientation, the greenhouse receives morning, mid-day, and afternoon sun.

We recommend placing your greenhouse close to your house or a place with easy access to water and electricity supplies. Avoid shade and exposed, draughty position. Your greenhouse should be situated lengthwise North to South to catch the maximum amount of light, on a surface with good drainage propensities.

One of the main things to keep front of mind is that here in the Northern Hemisphere, the ideal glasshouse orientation would be to have a ridge running from East to West so as to maximise the sun light available throughout the day.

An east-west alignment creates structural shadows in the same part of the crop through the day which can affect crop productivity and plant health in this area. Subsequently, to minimise shading effects, greenhouses are generally oriented north-south.

If you like sunbathing and you're a green-fingered gardener, a south-facing garden may be best for you. But if you don't like intense heat during the summer, a west or east facing garden may be better, depending on whether you prefer morning or evening sun.