Which starter greenhouse please?

Hello!
I'm new here, but have loved mucking about in my garden since I was toddler! This year has renewed my enthusiasm for my garden, and I've decided again to invest in a small greenhouse. My first home made one had to be dismantled after many years of sterling service, and I thought I didn't need another, until I remembered the thrill of growing and nurturing plants from seed and from seedlings.
My question is, that I haven't a huge budget but want to buy a 6x4 or better still 6x6 greenhouse that could be attached to a wall in my garden (that's to save on heat!). I want the world though, and would like it to have an apex roof and the door at the front not the side!!! I've seen a b&q one and a Palram one, but can't decide. I'm sure my perfect greenhouse is out there, but I'm in no hurry - I don't want to buy in haste, repent at leisure!!!

 

Hi,

Generally a 6x8 is the most popular size and probably the best value too.

Am a bit confused when you say you want it up against a wall ( the house ? ) but an Apex roof and a door at the front .

Typically if you have a solid wall you can have a lean to greenhouse which typically have a much higher roof and give a lot more usable space.

Can you give links or pics of the ones you are talking about.

 

Thanks for your kind reply!
I'm wanting to utilise the warmth from next doors heated garage! Plus I don't want a weedy gap between the back of the greenhouse and a wall/fence.
Here are the ones I like, though I don't want to compromise their strength (and any guarantee) by not using the rear wall if it's not meant to be left off.
As you can see, I've not got much room, so a 6x8 is a bit too big.
Maybe I should revisit the lean to models?
Thank you!

 

Hi again,

The general rule for greenhouses is get the biggest one you can, you always end up wanting a bigger one !

For around the same price you can get one of these smaller lean to 6x4 made by Elite , like our 6x8.
Very good construction and has lasted well, but you need at wall at least 7 Ft high to fix the 6x4 to.
Also it needs properly screwing to your neighbours wall and once built you are likely to want to put shelves etc up along the wall - not sure if thats going to be allowed /possible ??

You do seem to have quiet a bit of space there, looks like a good 8 foot between those two posts, but hard to know what the surround area is and how you want to use it.

If you got the 6x6 Apex, think you could have the door facing whatever direction you wanted...
Do you mean you want the side (eg the side marked Floor Plan) running parallel with the wall or the rear gable end up against the wall , if you see what I mean ?

Seem to remember other forum members mentioning they had been happy with those Palram greenhouses, and it looks like your site is quiet sheltered, so should be a fine addition.

Sure others will come in and give their comments about Palram etc.

 

Thanks for that advice, I think they're like freezers aren't they!? I can attest to that!!!

I can't use all the wall width ways, but I'm sure I've got the 7ft needed for the one you suggest!

I wanted the door facing the wall, as there is paving there coming out about 7ft (I planned on placing it on a small patio that isn't really used) either side of this are beds, but then flags can always be shifted!!!

I can see it's not going to be a simple quest!! However, it'll be worth it if I get it right!!

Thanks again for your help, you're very kind taking such trouble! x

 

I can attest to the quality of the palrams. I have one 6x8 as in the picture and two 6x4's and they are solid, and the polycarbonate lites are virtually unbreakable and won't blow out.

 

Thanks for that! I've seen some mixed reviews, mentioning leaking and badly fitting pieces, not to mention the noise they complain ihg if it's windy!!!

They must be good if you've got three!!!
Wish my garden were that big!!! I'm being picky because it's going to be my one and only!!!

Thanks so much for replying! x

 

Hi. I've only just spotted this thread. All the members comments are of great value.
For what it may be worth, may I add afew bits.

For the private/amateur gardener. Go for the largest to fit your pocket and garden space. IMHO plump for a wooden structure. From experience and the lack of finances and being an avid DIY bloke. A wooden greenhose is so easy to alter, adapt etc.

 

Hi Mike,

Be interested to know what your choice of timber would be for a diy greenhouse ?

Red Cedar being one of the best, supposedly needing no additional treatment, but price is just too great for many.

White Painted wood used to be the norm many years ago, but flaking paint and wood rot used to be a continuous nightmare on older constructions.

Lots of other timer treaments out there, but even some of the well known ones like Sadolin only last a few years.

 

Even I wouldn't go for a timber one.
Only reason I would, would be if it fitted in better appearance wise.

Just too much maintenance required, even the so called cedar ones are not all they are cracked up to be unless you have very deep pockets.

 

Your neighbour might own a small strip beyond the face of their garage wall, for example under a projecting gutter or verge overhang. You also might need to fix your greenhouse to what it buts up against, and would not have a right of support.

Accessing the rear roof slope of a duo-pitch roof for maintenance might be tricky. You would also require a gutter at the rear to prevent rainwater run off from the rear slope drenching their wall.

P.S. You might even get involved with the Party Wall, Etc. Act if you start using a neighbour's wall as part of your structure.

 

Hi Ricky. My post was basically intended to express my preference. Mention of being a bit of a DIY bod. In short. I grew up in the poor classes. If you wanted something. You saved for it, or had a go at making it. So I soon learned many skills.
My choice of a timber GH. Most of us working or pottering about in the GH. I could do with another shelf there, or I could dispence with this bit of stagging and sow a bed. Alterations, and adjustments are so much easier, especially for the newbie. A few bits of timber, some nails or screws and Job done. Tired of that, and so easy to remove.

Also with a timber framed GH. Insulation becomes so much easier to install. GH design also enters my field. I have workd, professionally with various kinds of construction. 70 odd foot timber GH's T&G boatded to bench height. Behind the boarded area were the heating pipe etc.
Then whatever the GH dimensions. Rhe asventuous gardener could, using plastic sheeting, divide the the growing area.

I purchased my Halls cedat wood GH second hand back in 1984. I have treated the outside once with a suprinol painting. I have buggered about inside with all sorts of bits and bobs. Had it been a metallic structure, I'm sure my scope would have been far far limited.

On the mater of self constructing. Simple timber battens. Eg. Tile or slate batten. Plus T&G boatds. You can make a good GH that will give you at leat 20 yrs service.

 

Well that will see us out then.......

 

Gumtree,ebay or freecycle might get you the ideal one and for free ish .
I got lucky with a free 8x8 Robinsons