Now that you have decided that a greenhouse would be a welcomed addition to your home backyard the question remains which type of greenhouse will best suit your needs?
Your first question regarding your greenhouse is whether you want a greenhouse that is attached or freestanding.
Attached greenhouses are known as a “lean-to greenhouse” and they are available as portable or constructed. These greenhouses lean against a structure or building for added support.
Freestanding greenhouses are just that. The most common types can range from mini portable greenhouses to large commercial ones. Portable greenhouses are nice in that once you are done with them you simply disassemble and put away. You can also move them to different areas during the seasons to have more sun or shade at certain times.
Cold Frame greenhouses are usually a wooden frame with a transparent-roofed enclosure, built low to the ground used to protect plants from cold weather. Cold frames can be very cheap to buy or make and are usually utilized in early spring for growing seedlings. They vary in sizes.
Portable greenhouses can be considered cheap in price and offer the most options. Most do not even need tools for assembly. They are fast to assemble and lightweight. Once assemble consider weighting the bottom down with weights or sandbags. Most will last for many years.
Another type of cheap greenhouse is the “pop up” greenhouse. This is by far the easiest greenhouse to set up as it is very similar to setting up a “pop up” type camping tent.
Another cheap greenhouse option is knows as a pvc or hoop-house greenhouse. These are easily assembled with a greenhouse kit and pvc piping and plastic. The size of the greenhouse will determine how strong the pvc needs to be. Since these are so lightweight they may not make it through harsh winter climates.
Greenhouses today are usually made of aluminum frames and clear polycarbonate plastic panels. Wooden framing is still used but is usually more expensive. Polycarbonate greenhouses are able to keep the temperature inside more even because of the insulating effect they have. They are also much more durable than glass against the elements like hail. They also weigh less than glass and diffuse the sunlight reducing the need for shade.
