Greenhouse novice advice / buying guide?

[sems]

I really want to try get a myself a greenhouse sorted this year but as a complete novice I�m really not sure which way I should go with buying one, there seems to be so many options and variations it seems a bit of a mine field as which way to turn.

Glass, Clear Polycarbonate or twin wall?

I have been looking at the following and seemed to have confused myself as to which would be the best way to go, any advice or warnings would be greatly received.

8 x 6 Waltons Green Extra Tall Polycarbonate Greenhouse

Palram Silver Harmony Polycarbonate Glazed Greenhouses - Metal Greenhouses - Garden Buildings Direct

Palram Green Harmony Polycarbonate Glazed Greenhouses - Metal Greenhouses - Garden Buildings Direct

Halls Silver Aluminium Popular 10 x 6 Metal Greenhouse - Metal Greenhouses - Garden Buildings Direct

Shaun

[Two_Sheds]

There are so many old threads asking the same thing. Have you had a browse through?

[Aberdeenplotter]

you forgot to give yourself the option of horticultural glass or safety glass . Seriously though, buy the biggest you have room for and can afford. I've never bought a greenhouse and presently have 4 + a polytunnel (which I did buy) . Mine are all glass - horticultural, are of different brands which I have no idea what they are, and they all function as they should. The objective is to provide a sheltered environment for your plants. My dad used to use a wooden framework covered in used agricultural manure bags. farm manure used to be supplied in cwt bags and not by the to/tonne as it is now. He used to have to recover every couple of years but the greenhouse worked. the point is you don't need anything faddy or fancy

[bearded bloke]

Well if it was me & given the location (Yorkshire being renowned for wind),from the options above it would be the Halls one

[taff]

What AP said, the biggest one you can afford.

[SarzWix]

Is there any special reason why you're looking at polycarbonate rather than glass? Unless you're in a very sheltered spot, the weight of glass is a benefit in keeping the greenhouse stable, so keep that in mind. Apart from that, get the biggest you can afford, along with an automatic opener for the roof vent, which is the biggest advantage greenhouses have over polytunnels IMHO

[Martin H]

The only other thing to consider is proximity to public pathways. On my last allotment site, the chap with the glass greenhouse discovered he was just a comfortable stone-throwing distance from the path; the local kids used to regularly use it for target practice.

I bet he wished he'd used something a bit less brittle!

Otherwise glass every time for me.

[SarzWix]

A good point Martin H The propensity for blowing out that polycarb has can be dealt with by sealing it in with silicone if needs be

[sems]

Thanks guys,
I�ve had a good read round and the more I read the more I got confused.
The reason for the polycarbonate is I�m a bit worried about some of the grandkids of a neighbour, already had a car damaged with them playing around with stones, the location I have chosen should be safe from them but not sure its worth the risk. The other consideration I have is the cost, polycarbonate seems much cheaper than the glass.

Shaun

[rustylady]

Polycarbonate is fine. It is lighter than glass so you will need to make sure your greenhouse is well anchored.

[Potstubsdustbins]

I have the Waltons 6 x 8 extra tall jobby, it has been in situ for 4 years now with no trouble.

Waltons service was spot on.

The instructions for assembly left something to be desired but all the parts were numbered which eased the problem.

One of the advantages of the Walton is that the poly panels slide into channels instead of using clips. A little decent silicone will help make them secure.

As others have said they are light, I and my son could easily lift the complete structure in to place with no effort so securing them down is vital. This was not a problem for me as it went on a concrete base, this was pre-drilled and the unit tied down with expanding bolts.

Potty

[Paulieb]

The instructions for assembly left something to be desired but all the parts were numbered which eased the problem.

One of the advantages of the Walton is that the poly panels slide into channels instead of using clips. A little decent silicone will help make them secure.

As others have said they are light, I and my son could easily lift the complete structure in to place with no effort so securing them down is vital. This was not a problem for me as it went on a concrete base, this was pre-drilled and the unit tied down with expanding bolts.

Potty

I have a waltons 14*8 polycarbonate and I didn't silicone the panes in. When they blew out last nov I had to take the whole thing apart to get them back in. The gh is now bolted together with braces across the inside walls. Will be siliconed soon too.

Its the cheapest on the market but still does a good job. However if I was buying again I'd be tempted to go for a bit better quality and probably with clip in glass so its easier to replace a single pane.

[sems]

Well finally bit the bullet and ordered the 8x6 Walton extra tall, should be due to arrive tomorrow
It will be going on paving stones and wondered what would be the best way to attach the base to the paving stones? Was thinking of drilling through the paving stones and using anchor bolts/ rawlbolts or just use normal screws and rawlplugs?

Besides lots of swearing and siliconing the sheets after they have gone in, any other tips for building the greenhouse?

[Potstubsdustbins]

Read the instructions, then when you think you have absorbed them, read them again.

Take your time otherwise you will do as I did and assemble something before it should be and then waste time taking it apart again.

Wait for a period where low winds are forecast, you will end up with 4 large panels prior to final assemble each one is a kite, a very good kite.

Have your silicone to hand and use it as you assemble.

You will have dozens of nuts to tighten, the spanner supplied is worse than useless. If you have a battery drill it is well worth purchasing the correct sized nut spinner.

To fasten down. The base is pre drilled and can be used to mark the holes prior to final assemble. 6.5mm holes with brown plugs and 5.5mm screws will do the job. But if you can get some M6 by 40mm exterior coach screws and use a red plug life will be easier as these can be tighten with a spanner instead of a screwdriver which is hard to get in the space allowed.

To see what I mean go to Screwfix.com - Power Tools, Electrical, Plumbing Supplies & more and look up code 98920.

Get some silicone grease your local plumbers merchant will have it. And lubricate the channels before trying to insert the polycardonate sheets. It will make life so much easier.

Oh and did I mention read the instructions.

Finally ask anyone upset by profanity to leave the area.

Colin

[Pinfold Plotter]

Ha - we've have the Waltons 8x6 in a box (well two boxes, one halfway up the stairs, and one filling the spare room) for about three weeks now. Just as it arrived, so did the snow - am itching to put it up. The advice is going to be very valuable!