If you’ve been looking to elevate your gardening and extend your growing season, perhaps you’ve considered a greenhouse for your outdoor space. Greenhouses are wonderful enclosures for your garden that provide the ideal environment for you to take gardening to the next level.
Although you may know you want a greenhouse, finding the right material can be tricky. As with most things, there are a lot of options out there, and it can feel overwhelming.
Fortunately, we’re here to help. When it comes to the best materials for a modern greenhouse, you’ll want something sturdy, wind-resistant, and well-insulated. We’ve got you covered:
For The Structure, Consider Cedar
The most important part of your greenhouse is the structure. For that, you’ll want a material that is durable, long-lasting, and stylish. Here are a few reasons why cedar is the optimal choice:
- Strength. Cedar is among the strongest woods, and its strength allows it to hold up in the harshest of conditions. This includes heavy winds during storm season.
- Durability. When you think of wood, you may think about rot and mildew. Not with cedar. Cedar is naturally rot-resistant, allowing it to last season after season despite the rain and snow.
- Style. Nothing beats the traditional look of a wooden greenhouse. Not only does this look rustic and stylish, but it blends well with its natural outdoor surroundings.
For The Walls and Roof, Opt For Commercial-Grade Polycarbonate
With the structure in place, it’s time to consider the material for your window and roof panels. You’ll want something that allows plenty of sunlight in for your plants and flowers, but something that’s also strong and helps extend your growing season. Commercial-grade polycarbonate is the best choice here.
- Sunlight. Commercial-grade polycarbonate panels allow sunlight to pour through, which is essential for your plants and flowers to grow.
- Heat Retention. Commercial-grade polycarbonate panels improve heat retention by up to 30 percent more than standard double-wall polycarbonate. This makes your greenhouse ideal for year-round use and extends your growing season.
- Strength. In addition to holding up against strong winds, the roof can hold more than 50 pounds per square foot, which is ideal for cold weather climates with lots of snow accumulation.
Live Out Your Gardening Dreams With A Backyard Discovery Greenhouse
If you’ve been in the market for a greenhouse and are ready to transform your gardening experience, consider one from Backyard Discovery.
Backyard Discovery’s line of greenhouses are all made of sturdy cedar and have windows made of commercial-grade polycarbonate. These greenhouses are PRO-TECT™ Tested & Proven to withstand up to 100 mph winds and up to 50 pounds of snow load per square foot. This superior strength is backed by an industry-leading Five Year Limited Warranty.
In addition to the materials, there are several other notable features that make these greenhouses a must-have. Each Backyard Discovery greenhouse comes equipped with a temperature-activated exhaust fan, allowing warm air to exit and cool air to flow in during the warm months to create ideal growing conditions. There is also an exterior/interior hose hookup in each for easy watering, and several greenhouses have foldable staging shelves that create flexibility while growing. Each of the greenhouses also comes with an exclusive PowerPort™. Best of all, these greenhouses come in ready-to-assemble kits with pre-drilled holes and easy-to-follow instructions.
With all of these features included, all that’s missing from a greenhouse is you! Explore Backyard Discovery’s greenhouse options today.
FAQs
Commercial-grade polycarbonate is the best choice here. Sunlight. Commercial-grade polycarbonate panels allow sunlight to pour through, which is essential for your plants and flowers to grow. Heat Retention.
Which is better for a greenhouse PVC or polycarbonate? ›
Different Types of Greenhouse Plastic
PE offers superior light transmission, while PVC stands out for its durability. On the other hand, Polycarbonate provides excellent heat retention, while EVA combines light transmission capacity with resilience, showing its versatility.
Is glass or plastic better for a greenhouse? ›
Cost and Efficiency of Glass and Plastic Greenhouses
On the flip side, glass greenhouses, though commanding a higher upfront cost, potentially offer better long-term value. Their durability and minimal maintenance needs can make them a more economical choice over time despite the initial investment.
What is the best surface for a greenhouse? ›
Concrete Pad
By far the most practical and durable foundation for any greenhouse is a solid concrete base. A good option for large greenhouses and can be set above ground level quite easily.
Should a greenhouse be in full sun? ›
The best spot to place a greenhouse is the sunniest spot. It's important that the structure (and therefore the plants within it) receive at least six hours of winter sun exposure.
Can plants get too hot in a greenhouse? ›
Temperatures above about 27°C (81°F) can begin to cause damage to some plants, so have a maximum-minimum thermometer on hand to monitor the situation.
What are the disadvantages of a polycarbonate greenhouse? ›
However, there are also some cons to consider when choosing between glass or polycarbonate. Polycarbonate panels can scratch more easily than glass, and over time, they may yellow or become cloudy, reducing light transmission. While they are more affordable than glass, they are more expensive than plastic greenhouses.
What can I use in my greenhouse instead of glass? ›
Both acrylic and polycarbonate are many times stronger than greenhouse glass and also transmit more light so they are ideal alternatives.
What should be on the floor of a greenhouse? ›
Landscape rock is a good choice for greenhouse flooring because it is durable and easy to clean. It also provides good insulation. However, landscape rock can be expensive to install and it requires regular maintenance to keep it looking its best.
Which is the most inexpensive covering material in greenhouse? ›
Plastic films
Films are the most common and lowest cost type of covering material. The types of film available are polythene (polyethylene), EVA (ethyl vinyl acetate) and PVC (poly vinyl chloride). With the constant improvements in plastics, these covering materials offer a lot of flexibility and performance options.
Direct sunlight is especially necessary for starter plants that will ultimately be transplanted outside of the greenhouse or into the natural ground. In the same way that light goes directly through glass, clear greenhouse plastic sheeting is the best choice for crops needing direct sunlight.
What is the most efficient type of greenhouse? ›
1 Passive solar greenhouses
They use features such as thermal mass, insulation, glazing, orientation, and ventilation to maintain optimal temperatures and humidity levels for the plants. Passive solar greenhouses can reduce heating costs by up to 90%, while also improving crop quality and diversity.
What is best for greenhouse polycarbonate or acrylic? ›
Acrylic actually lets more light through than glass as its rate is 92%. Polycarbonate comes in third place as its rate of transmission is around 88% - but that is still more than high enough to encourage growth! Polycarbonate does have the added benefit of being UV-resistant.
What is the best and cheapest way to build a greenhouse? ›
Selecting the right materials is key to building a low-cost greenhouse. Consider using PVC pipes or rebar for the frame; these materials are durable and budget-friendly. For the covering, opt for UV-resistant plastic sheeting, which is affordable and effective.
