Choosing a new greenhouse

My 13 year old B&Q £250 softwood greenhouse is deteriorating now after giving me years of enjoyment - the things holding the glass in are failing so the panes are sliding out and it certainly wouldn't be easy to fix. I might get another year or two out of it but am starting to look at new ones. Having had no maintenance in all that time it doesn't owe me anything.

There seems to be a bewildering array of very similar-looking ones at a range of prices. I'd prefer a wooden one but don't want to spend too much, so an aluminium one is likely. I think I'd also pay extra for safety glass as the thought of a glass accident send shivers down my spine. I'm a clumsy oaf.

It will be in a very sheltered position where wind damage is unlikely.

Ease of fixing together is also quite important. I remember vividly the general swearing, grunting and ruffled tempers it took to get the old one up and that was with a professional carpenter on hand, so would prefer a lego one if it were possible!

I will get a 6x6 one, possibly a 6x8 if I think i can squeeze it in.

Any tips, warnings, advice, recommendations?

 

Can you stick on some photos of the bits that are failing, that hold the glass in?

The reason I ask is that my dad's one went the same way, and he paid maybe a couple of quid for the bits to repair it and it was half an hour's work, but it is quite possible that we're thinking of two very different things.

 

There are little somewhat z-shaped metal things which latch onto to the top of the pane below to support the pane on top. The ones near the base have failed - rot sets in from the bottom - so many panes are just sliding gently downwards leaving gaps at the top. I could have a look at this but it would involve taking out the top panes and I hate handling them, they are so sharp and fragile. Also the GH is built up against a shed wall and a fence- the only place available - so it is impossible to get at it from those sides.

The rooflight frame has rotted in one corner. Very difficult to cobble it back together without lying face down on the shed roof (covered with a giant jasmine) and fiddling about with it at arms length or alternatively, leaning across the dodgy greenhouse balanced on a ricketty stepladder, again working at arms length.

As spring approaches I'll give it a go but I'm not looking forward to it one little bit. I'm wondering if I might be able to do a cowgirl job with an instant grab glue? If I slap a coat of trendy black slop on it it will also look a whole load better.