Are you looking to start a backyard garden but want to have it enclosed? A glass greenhouse is a perfect option. However, you will need to pay attention to certain criteria before you start on a given product. This is why we have helped you gather the five best glass greenhouses on the market.
Glass attracts a large number of gardeners so far. With its total transparency, it provides increased lighting. It also retains the right temperature to create the right growing conditions for plant growth. Taking a look at their sizes, shapes, frame material, price, and glass thickness, types, and quality, we’ve helped you pick five of the best on the market.
More features: 4mm thick safety glass; 3-inch-high foundation frame, 2 roof windows, window auto opener and sliding door; rubber seals hold windows in place
The Exaco Junior Victorian JVIC is for those who want something that would be durable and aesthetically pleasing. It’s manufactured by a company called Exco Trading in Austin Texas and sold through several greenhouse suppliers and big box stores in the US. The product is more affordable while still giving the Victorian glass greenhouse look. This version of greenhouse has 4 inches safety glass panels. It’s I-shaped and the overall dimensions are 150 x 93 x 100 inches.
You can build it on an existing brick patio. The door slides open on the front. There are two roof windows and windows that open automatically. The hinges have a substance in them that expands and contracts depending on the temperature so they open the windows automatically when it gets hot inside. This can be adjusted but you can have them set to open when it’s around 70 degrees inside.
More features: 1/8-inch clear tempered safety glass; 90mph wind load and 25lb snow load aluminum frame; lifetime warranty
This small glass garden greenhouse will delight gardeners that have space constraints at home. It has an 8 feet length with 10 feet width, which takes up a small space in your garden. It allows you to save space so as not to overwhelm your exterior.
As for assembly, the brand has already simplified your task by offering a very detailed manual. It is advisable to choose a well cleared place for its installation. Particularly away from trees as much as possible.
As for its finish, its walls are made of tempered glass. This material allows up to 90% natural light to pass through. It does not require any specific maintenance since the humidity does not create any condensation on the building partitions.
More features: 116 square feet of space, one sliding door, two roof vents, 4 mm thick glass
The Exaco Junior Orangerie J-ORA is fairly similar to the editor’s choice, especially where the name is concerned. There’s also the size similarity as both options have the same dimensions. However, their designs are different, and if you’d rather have a T-shaped tempered glass greenhouse rather than a rectangular one, this option is for you. Notably, the extension at the front that makes it into a T-shape also helps increase the space inside the greenhouse. As such, with this option, you can fit in more plants. Furthermore, you get dual roof vents which help with air distribution and circulation.
Like its predecessor on the list, there’s no reason why you can’t build it on an existing brick patio. However, you’re not limited to that as a base. You can choose other options as well. The Exaco Junior Orangerie J-ORA comes with 4mm thick safety glass, which should be enough to stop birds from flying in and eating your yield. The manufacturer uses single glass panels to provide better insulation while maintaining the greenhouse’s aesthetic appeal. Add in the rubber seals holding the glass in place, and users can be sure they get the best insulation possible. Lastly, the product comes with a glass sliding door to ease access into the greenhouse whenever you need to weed or harvest your yield.
More features: 2 roof windows; 6-inch-high foundation frame and a misting system included; spindle and automatic window opener
The Exaco VI23 is a small royal Victorian greenhouse. This inexpensive glass garden greenhouse has many great advantages despite its affordable price. It owes its strong popularity first of all to its resistance, thanks to its aluminum structure. The rain and the sun do not scare it. This material retains its qualities as long as possible. So you can expect the durability of the model.
In addition to these details, its walls are made of quality tempered glass. This finish promises optimal transparency. It also has good thermal insulation. Its robustness is its other strong point. In the event of hail, it resists shocks. Even if the wall breaks, it leaves non-sharp pieces. This greenhouse has a cultivation area of 80 square feet which seems more than enough for your vegetable garden of any kind.
More features: made in the USA; holds up to northeast winters; 43 wall windows; 90 mph wind rating
The glass greenhouse from Little Cottage Company is a hexagonal greenhouse with a frame made of wood and double-walled polycarbonate roofing sheets that are thick enough to withstand the weather and other elements. You can use it for different types of vegetables like tomatoes or peppers, as well as other plants and herbs.
The cottage model is a great eye-catcher for your outdoor area. The attractive hexagon is not only suitable as a light-flooded greenhouse for your plants. With its great pavilion shape, it is also a wonderful seat for rainy days, where you can relax in style between lush greenery.
Glass in particular has the advantage that you have a clear view inside from the garden. But there is more to a glass greenhouse than this. In this guide, we’ll tell you all the advantages of a glass greenhouse and how to choose a good product for the right price.
A glass greenhouse offers the highest possible light transmission and transparency. You can get up to 94% of light transmission for single layered glasses and up to 85% Trusted Source NEW GLASS COATINGS FOR HIGH INSULATING GREENHOUSES WITHOUT LIGHT LOSSES - ENERGY SAVING, CROP PRODUCTION AND ECONOMIC POTENTIALS | International Society for Horticultural Science www.ishs.org for double layered glasses.
Plants hungry for sun and light get their money’s worth here. The construction resembles a free-standing winter garden and is visually an attractive eye-catcher.
A greenhouse made of glass is the right choice if you are planning a long-term purchase, because the construction is complex. This is due, among other things, to the high weight of the glass plates.
A foundation is essential, which means that you cannot move the built greenhouse at will later. The glass greenhouse and its advantages and disadvantages.
Pros
Cons
If you want to have a professional greenhouse installation, then glass is recommended. By adopting this material, you will not have to frequently clean the greenhouse. In addition, the water from the condensation phenomenon does not fall on the plantations. On the other hand, polycarbonate can satisfy you if you want a cheaper greenhouse with ease of installation. It is possible to install this type of greenhouse yourself. However, polycarbonate is less resistant compared to glass.
Before looking at a price comparison to choose a greenhouse, it is first necessary to consider several purchase criteria. This is essential information that will help you find the installation that is right for your garden.
It is important to determine the area of your planting shelter based on the size of your garden, as well as your intended use.
If you have a lot of space available, the budget is not an issue and you want to grow a lot of plants, you can compare greenhouses with a dimension of 8 square meters and more. However, a building permit may be necessary Trusted Source Tip #11: Does My Greenhouse Need a Permit? | Arcadia GlassHouse arcadiaglasshouse.com for this size. Inquire about the regulations that apply to your property before buying, as otherwise you may incur a heavy penalty for building without a permit and you will have to dismantle your greenhouse.
Even a large greenhouse should not be filled with plants to the last millimeter, as they need enough space to grow. Smaller varieties of plants or vegetables can be grown in larger numbers than large varieties such as tomatoes or chilies, which like to grow in height and width.
The larger the greenhouse, the more complex the maintenance and horticultural work. In addition, you can expect high extra costs for heating and watering.
Glass glazing is certainly the more expensive of all materials for greenhouses. It effectively preserves heat while completely blocking UV. It is preferable to use a thick glass for the roof, and a double glazing for the walls of the greenhouse, to warm it properly.
In particular, you have the choice between horticultural glass or tempered glass. The latter is more resistant to climatic hazards. Tempered glass is also popular for its durability. In addition, unlike horticultural glass, it insulates better and breaks more easily. And even then, there is no risk of injury. The horticultural glass is the most commonly used glazing. The tempered glass is treated to improve its mechanical properties.
Currently, aluminum is the most used material for the structure. It’s used on the Exaco Junior Victorian J-VIC and the Exaco VI23. It is lightweight, in addition to being easy to install. It is very strong, resists bad weather and the appearance of rust. As the aluminum is thin, the light enters more easily.
In the same style, there is the galvanized steel which does not require any maintenance. This material is quite durable, but may falter in gusty winds. It is much heavier which will not be an advantage at the time of installation.
For those who want a fixed and aesthetic structure, there is the wooden garden greenhouse such as the Little Cottage Greenhouse. This material is sensitive to heat and humidity, but nevertheless offers good thermal insulation. If you want a small greenhouse, wood is best.
The doors and windows are important part of the greenhouse as they bring accessibility and ventilation. The window must not flap in the wind, at the risk of breaking. So prefer a sliding door or one equipped with a magnetic system. Depending on its size, the greenhouse should also be equipped with one to four windows to ensure good ventilation. A well-ventilated greenhouse provides quality air and therefore good health of the flora.
The door can be hinged or folding. If it uses hinges, make sure you have the space to open it. Otherwise, opt for the one that rolls up on itself vertically. Having two doors on opposite walls helps with good air circulation.
A heating system will also be necessary if you live in a cold region or wish to experiment with exotic cultures.
A glass greenhouse is a light structure but must have great wind resistance and the glass must be thick enough to be durable. Even if you have chosen its location carefully, it is important to ensure that it is anchored. Remember to check regularly that the cables and stakes are in good condition. Always plan a glass or a polycarbonate sheet in advance. In the event of damage to the wall, the wind would engulf it and the structure could collapse. For a wood structured greenhouse, an annual treatment may be necessary in order for the structure to retain its strength and shine.
if you have a concrete base, take care of the levels. A tiny imbalance would be enough to destabilize the whole structure! Not only would you have difficulty laying the walls, but in the long run, the greenhouse could also collapse. Be careful also with the screws: the aluminum is soft and too violent screwing can weaken or break the nuts. Stainless steel screws should therefore be preferred.
Before starting the assembly, ensure that the terrain is suitable for the installation. The ground must not be uneven. Then, it will be necessary to install a base or a concrete slab on the ground so that the structure is easier to fix. However, for greenhouses of less than 6 m², anchor stakes will be more than sufficient. Beyond that, something more solid will be needed.
The greenhouses are delivered as a kit and designed to be assembled yourself. It takes about two full days to set up a greenhouse, it is also advisable to be at least two to make the task easier. Manuals and video tutorials are always available to help you.
The cost will depend on what type of greenhouse you choose. The prices vary considerably between the individual models. The purchase prices are highest for glass greenhouses. Here you have to expect prices in the four-digit, sometimes even five-digit range. Since greenhouses have a long lifespan, they are worthwhile if you want to be serious about gardening in the long term and if you have space in your garden.
If you want to have a small, lush green space or try your hand at vegetable cultivation while taking care of the aesthetic side of your haven of peace, glass garden greenhouses will undoubtedly meet your needs.
Rated 9.9 out of a possible 10 points, the Exaco Junior Victorian J-VIC Greenhouse is our Editor’s Choice. It is for those who want something that would be durable and aesthetically pleasing. It’s therefore our overall best glass greenhouse.
Sold for under $5,000, The Janco GREENHOUSES Palmetto is our budget pick. This small glass garden greenhouse has an 8 feet length with 10 feet width, which takes up a small space in your garden. Rated 9.7, it allows you to save space so as not to overwhelm your exterior.
The Exaco Junior Orangerie J-ORA is our Premium Pick. Also rated 9.7, it’s made of aluminum frame and 4 mm thick glass walls. It provides lots of space for growing plants and has a fantastic design that beautifies almost any yard you put it in.
