Want to Attach a Greenhouse to Your House? Here's What You Need to Know First (2024)

For an avid gardener, having your own greenhouse may seem like a dream. A dedicated space to care for your beloved plants all year not only encourages your green thumb, but provides additional living and entertaining space that can increase the value of your home.

While a freestanding structure might not be in the cards due to space and cost limitations, a greenhouse attached to the house is another option for homeowners to consider.

Let’s break down the pros and cons of an attached greenhouse to see if this home addition is right for you.

What Is an Attached Greenhouse?

An attached greenhouse is a structure connected to your home specifically designed to tend and grow plants through controlled temperature, humidity, and sunlight.

Attached greenhouses share a wall with your home that allows you to come and go from the greenhouse and usually make use of the other utility systems within your home, such as water and electrical.

Advantages of Attached Greenhouses

Cost-effective

Attached greenhouses are usually more cost-effective than constructing a freestanding greenhouse since they share a wall with your home. This saves money on labor, materials, and supplies needed to build the structure.

Additionally, the attached structure means you reduce expenses by hooking up your home’s existing utility systems to the greenhouse so there’s no need to establish a separate water or heating system.

Convenient

When your greenhouse is attached to your home, it’s a lot more convenient to visit and tend to your plants, especially in the colder months.

No need to go outside, simply open the door connecting your home to the greenhouse and you’re all set. This makes it easier to monitor your plants and keep an eye out for any pests that might disturb them.

Space-efficient

An attached greenhouse is a better solution for properties that are short on yard space since the structure is connected to the home. A separate structure requires more room surrounding it for additional utilities and entry space, which can pose a problem if you don’t have an expansive yard.

Reusable Energy

A huge advantage of attaching a greenhouse to your home is the ability to use the greenhouse’s solar heating to heat the rest of your house. Greenhouses absorb solar energy for the plants within them, but you can also use some of that heat to warm your home. Install screens in the windows and doors that connect the greenhouse so you can open the solid barriers and enjoy the warmth in the colder months.

More Square Footage

By attaching a greenhouse to your home, you’re also increasing your home’s square footage. This can lead to an increase in home value, as well as provide more living space for your family. You can design your greenhouse to have space for a sitting area or add a hammock for a cozy relaxation spot among the plants.

Disadvantages of Attached Greenhouses

Regulation Requirements

An attached greenhouse may be cheaper to build, but it also comes with the same requirements and regulations as any dwelling space since it’s connected to your home. For example, an attached greenhouse will likely need a cement foundation similar to your home instead of only gravel or dirt floors.

You may need to obtain permits and inspections to build the structure, depending on your local building codes. Check your municipality building regulations and plan accordingly for the funds and time needed to ensure your attached greenhouse is up to code.

Less Sun

Attached greenhouses share a wall with your home, which means there are only three walls where sunlight can shine in, unlike a freestanding greenhouse that uses all four walls. Connecting a greenhouse to your home also comes with limitations since the only space near your home may not have the best direct sunlight, such as on the north side of your home.

Garden Pests

All gardens and plants deal with insects and pests, and an attached greenhouse is no different. Unfortunately, the proximity to your home means these critters may also make their way into your living space as well. Tight, secure screens will help keep insects out of your home, and keep an eye on your plants throughout the year to catch any pest problems early on before it spreads.

Winter Weather

Greenhouses are primarily made with glass or plastic to let the sunlight in, but this means they are also more fragile than other exterior walls and ceilings in your home. Winter weather can be particularly harsh on greenhouses, especially in climates where snow and ice build up.

Greenhouses that lean up against the house need a roof sloped enough to prevent leaks, snow build up, and condensation.

Consider snow and ice falling from your home’s roof as well when designing the structure of your attached greenhouse.