Greenhouses need to be well built and also allow in the appropriate amount of light. Too many products on the market are flimsy and end up breaking down within a year or two of purchase. Buy one of the best greenhouse kits to prevent this issue.
For gardeners who want to take their gardens to the next step, a greenhouse is the perfect choice. These glasshouses make it much simpler to start seedlings, grow your own food, or cultivate a wide variety of colorful flowers or other decorative plants that couldn’t normally be grown in that area. A heavy duty structure can also withstand winter weather, protecting your plants from frost, snow, or wind. Below, we explore a few options on the market that make it simple to create your own garden wonderland.
Make sure you check out our general gardening articles here on the Green Pinky. One of the best things you can do for you plants is to make sure you make living soil.
Below you will find our most recommended products
Comparing Our Top 3 Recommendations
Table could not be displayed.
At A Glance
- Outsunny Walk-In Garden Greenhouse
- Grandio Element Walk-In Kit
- Abba Patio Greenhouse
- ShelterLogic High Arch Greenhouse
- ShelterLogic Greenhouse-in-a-Box
These brands receive our recommendation. They use quality materials and provide great protection for your plants. Please keep reading below to learn more about each one.
Best Heavy Duty Greenhouse Kits
Outsunny Walk-In Garden Greenhouse
Outsunny’s product is designed to be attractive, durable, and incredibly useful. The frame is made of powder-coated aluminum alloy, which is lightweight but also very strong. The durability of the base and frame mean that it can stand up to snow, harsh rains, or wind up to 12 miles per hour. The powder coating also means that it is resistant to rust. A rain gutter also helps to direct water away to avoid puddles or water collection around the frame. This durable but lightweight construction also means that it can be easily moved if adjustments need to be made in the garden.
In addition, the panels are made of UV-resistant polycarbonate, which is a strong thermoplastic polymer. This means that your plants will be protected from severe direct sunlight and will instead receive diffused natural light.
The Outsunny features a rooftop vent, which gardeners can open to let out heat or humidity in order to maintain the perfect growing environment. The door to the greenhouse can also be opened easily thanks to a sliding design.
There is no floor, so gardeners will either need to simply use the soil of their garden or construct a base. You can also opt to place it on a patio or deck.
Grandio Element Walk-In Kit
The Grandio Element features a very sturdy powder-coated aluminum frame and twin-walled polycarbonate panels. It is six feet by eight feet and is eight feet tall, so gardeners can add plenty of shelves or can grow taller plants. It also features roof vents, so gardeners can easily adjust the temperature and humidity inside.
The Grandio Element is designed to be very easy to put together, but it’s also made to be durable. It should be able to withstand a wide variety of weather conditions, including heavy snow or harsh wind. The company also offers an extension kit if you feel that you want to expand your garden.
The Grandio Element does not have a floor, which gives gardeners several options. It can be placed directly over the soil so that plants can be grown right in the ground. As an alternative, a tarp or pavers can be laid down first to create a secure floor. In addition, the company offers several pre-constructed flooring options, depending on what type of surface the greenhouse will be placed.
Abba Patio Greenhouse
The Abba Patio is fully enclosed and features a two zipper door for easy entry. This door can also be rolled up to provide ventilation when necessary. In addition, six windows can be rolled up to provide direct sunlight or ventilation in order to adjust to the perfect growing temperature.
Its frame is made from powder-coated steel, which is extremely durable and strong. The covering is polyethylene, which is a very common form of plastic. Polyethylene is opaque and provides the diffuse light that growing plants need in order to thrive. Polyethylene will withstand most weather conditions, including rain and snow. However, this covering may not do well in places with extreme heat or constant sun and will most likely need to be replaced after a few years due to regular wear.
The Abba Patio is designed to be lightweight and easy to put together. No tools are needed. Instead, the pieces simply screw together with wingnuts to create a sturdy frame. Some customers suggest adding a base frame of wood or paving stones if the greenhouse is to be set up in a particularly windy area, as the lightweight nature of the house can make it slightly unstable at times.
ShelterLogic High Arch Greenhouse
ShelterLogic’s large greenhouse is designed to be the perfect working environment for the serious gardener. The frame is made of heavy duty steel which has been powder coated in order to eliminate the threat of rust. The covering is a durable opaque fabric that can help to eliminate harmful UV rays. This fabric is also waterproof and provides excellent insulation thanks to its triple layer construction.
The sides of the ShelterLogic can be easily rolled up in order to release heat or humidity. A zip-up door also allows easy access while offering a convenient way for gardeners to create a cross-breeze.
The ShelterLogic is made to be simple to put together and comes with all the necessary pieces to assemble the frame and secure the cloth covering. The base is also very stable, and 15-inch augers are included so as to easily secure it to the ground. The only drawback to its lightweight design is that it may not stand up well to heavy winds or snow.
ShelterLogic Greenhouse-in-a-Box
For something that is incredibly simple to install and can provide an optimum growing environment for your plants, the ShelterLogic Greenhouse-in-a-Box is an excellent choice. It features a powder-coated metal frame that resists rust and corrosion while also providing stability and support. Steel stabilizers also help to give it added stability so it can withstand different weather conditions that include winter storms or harsh winds.
The fabric covering has been treated to resist UV rays while offering diffuse light that helps plants grow. In addition, the fabric is triple layered, so it’s waterproof and incredibly durable. The fabric also makes it simple for gardeners to roll up the sides or door panel for easy access and to simply and quickly adjust the interior temperature and humidity level.
This greenhouse is also designed to be very easy to assemble. The kit includes detailed instructions and all the necessary hardware. The assembly also utilizes an easy slide rail system that helps to keep the frame even and square while securing the cover.
Guide to Greenhouses
A greenhouse is often the central point in a garden or yard. The protective qualities of the plant conservatory can mean many new adventures in gardening and can even help families grow their own food. There are many different benefits for gardeners.
It’s important to consider how you’ll use the greenhouse and where it will be placed in order to ensure that it is both efficient and productive.
You may also be interested in our article on ideas and tips for starting a garden.
Benefits
Ideal Growing Spaces
There are many different benefits, but perhaps the biggest and broadest is that it provides an ideal growing space for your plants. Greenhouses can help to regulate temperatures. This means that during months that are generally too cold for growing, plants can still thrive. In addition, in areas that are too cold or where the sun is too harsh, the growing season can be extended. This often makes for a growing season that can potentially last all year long.
Protects Your Plants from the Elements
In addition, gardeners with a greenhouse never need to worry too much about the weather. Plants will be protected from harsh rains or storms, snow, ice, frost, and wind. Depending on the material it is made out of, plants may also be protected from strong, direct sunlight. Gardeners can also rest assured that they will never have to work in their garden during bad weather. You will always be protected from the elements, just as your plants are, and only need to worry about the walk from the house.
Gardeners who invest in a greenhouse can also enjoy keeping a very wide variety of plants. With outdoor gardens, gardeners are often restricted by their region, the soil condition, and the weather. They may only be able to grow certain plants at certain times. However, because plant conservatories create a balanced, enclosed environment, a wide variety of decorative plants, flowers, fruits, and vegetables can all be grown simultaneously.
Customization to Your Exact Needs
Greenhouses are also incredibly customizable. It’s often easy to select a size, shape, and material that suits your exact needs. In addition, the inside can be customized to hold any sort of plants you want. Shelves can also be added for extra growing space, while other plants can be hung from the ceiling.
They also create an ideal environment for beneficial insects such as ladybugs or praying mantises. These bugs can be added and, if surrounded by plants they like, will thrive. In addition, they will not leave because the greenhouse is enclosed. These bugs can help to cut down on any harmful pests that may be introduced when new plants are added or when the door or panels are opened for ventilation. They may also help with pollination. Conversely, animals such as deer or rabbits that enjoy munching on plants will not be able to enter for the same reason that the beneficial insects won’t leave. In addition, the beneficial insects will be safe from birds or other animals that prey on them.
Types of Greenhouses
Greenhouses are available in a wide variety of sizes, shapes, and materials, and each choice allows gardeners to create an environment that perfectly suits their particular needs. Two key factors—the material it is made of and whether it will be heated—are very important to consider when choosing what to build.
Materials
When you think of a greenhouse, two images generally come to mind. The first is of an opaque or translucent plastic greenhouse, and the second is of a transparent glasshouse. In actuality, they are available in a wide range of materials, all of which not only look different but also serve slightly different purposes.
Glasshouses
Glass is a popular choice because it looks beautiful and lasts for a very long time. However, glass can be very expensive, and it can also be easily broken. Acrylic is even more expensive than glass. However, this material looks beautiful because it’s as clear as glass. It’s also extremely durable and won’t scratch. Fiberglass is another good option for panels. It’s durable and resistant to weather. However, it can often become discolored.
Plastic
People also commonly choose plastic as a covering. Plastic is incredibly durable and will often last for many years. In addition, it’s relatively inexpensive. However, plastic may not look quite as nice as other covering options and may not be as sturdy. Polycarbonate, polyethylene, and double-layered polyethylene, also known as double-walled or twin-walled polyethylene, are the most popular choices.
Double-layered polyethylene is perhaps the most popular plastic covering option. It is durable and looks good, although it is opaque and not transparent. It’s also much less expensive than glass or acrylic. In addition, it has strong insulation properties. However, this material, like most plastic covering options, does wear down and will need to be replaced every few years.
Clear vs Opaque Panels
Clear panels let in more direct light, so they are often optimal choices for starting seedlings or for plants that require full sun. Opaque covering options are generally good choices for growing plants older than seedlings. The diffused light helps plants grow more evenly without becoming leggy as they stretch towards the sun. Gardeners who wish to grow both seedlings and more mature plants may want to choose a combination of coverings, such as a section that is glass and a section that’s made of opaque material. If you’re hoping to grow a wide variety of plants, you may also want to consider a greenhouse made of opaque material with windows that can be opened or sides that can be rolled up to let in direct sunlight at certain times of the day.
Frame Materials
The material that the frame of the greenhouse will be made of also needs to be considered. Plastic or PVC piping are common choices because they are inexpensive, durable, and allow gardeners to get creative with the size and shape. Metal, such as iron or aluminum, also works well because of its durability. However, it’s slightly more expensive than plastic. Wood also looks lovely and can be painted to match any design ideas. However, wood is susceptible to rotting and insects.
Regulate Temperature
Some greenhouses are designed to provide a warm, temperate or even tropical growing environment for plants all year long, even during very cold weather. Others are built simply to protect plants from insects, pests, and weather such as harsh winds or snow.
Cold houses are the simplest to create. They have no additional heating elements and are designed only to protect plants from the elements. Cool houses and warm houses provide some heat so that plants can stay alive during the coldest months without being exposed to frostbite. Hot houses provide a warm growing environment all year long.
In order to maintain a constant temperature, cool, warm, and hot houses all generally require additional heating elements, depending on the region and outdoor weather. Whether or not you want to add electricity and heating elements may help you decide which type is most suited for you
Where a greenhouse is placed can also play a roll in how warm it is, though. Those that are set up in the shade will protect plants from direct sunlight, but those that are built in the sun may retain more heat and therefore require less energy to remain warm year-round.
Other Consideration
Before making a purchase, there are several other very important things to consider. Deciding what the greenhouse will be used for, where it will be placed, and what weather it will need to stand up to can make your choice much easier.
It’s important to consider where the house will go and how big it will need to be before settling on a choice. For those who are looking to grow seedlings in a safe, warm environment before transplanting them to an outdoor garden, a smaller greenhouse may be a better, more economical choice. For more mature plants, more space will be needed.
You should also consider how far the greenhouse will be from the main house. Conservatories often make it much easier to garden in the winter, but a long walk through a snowstorm is not a good option. Zoning laws may also dictate where you can build your greenhouse. In addition, you should try to place it in a space that’s not only appropriately sized and convenient to access but somewhere that enhances the appearance of the rest of the garden or yard. You may want to draw a diagram of where you plan to put gardens or other yard features before deciding on the location. This can also help you choose one with the correct size and shape.
Before deciding on any greenhouse, we also recommend that you check out reviews to get a feel for what other customers thought. Many people also offer construction or assembly tips and tricks. Looking into what materials were used and how it is constructed can also help you determine if it will be sturdy enough for your needs and durable enough to withstand the weather in your area. In addition, it’s generally a good idea to see what warranties and technical support are offered. Many companies offer service if anything goes wrong and may also be able to provide gardeners with replacement parts, bases, or extension kits. Having good service means that you’ll never need to worry about your greenhouse or the safety of your plants.
The Youtube video below (not created by this site) will give you some more helpful information.
Bottom Line
Again, I recommend buying the Outsunny Walk-In Garden Greenhouse. Whatever brand you end up buying, make sure it is made of high quality materials and is built to last. Other than good protection and space for your plants, you also want to buy one that won’t break down on you.
Happy Gardening!