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6 x 6 Greenhouses
FAQs
This is largely dependent on what type of greenhouse you have/intend to purchase. The plastic glazing on our polycarbonate greenhouses allows them to last for an extended period of time, thanks to being stronger and more durable than glass in a glass greenhouse. A greenhouse which is well looked after and not exposed to exceptionally bad weather conditions all year round can be expected to last for a number of years.
In most cases, you don’t need planning permission for a greenhouse as long as it meets permitted development rules. These generally require it to be under 2.5m tall if close to a boundary, not placed in front of your home, and not take up more than 50% of your garden space.
For full details, read our guide to planning permission for garden buildings.
Greenhouses help trap heat and stay warmer than outside air, even in winter. However, without insulation or a heater, temperatures can still drop below freezing. To grow plants year-round, you may need to add bubble insulation, thermal mass, or a small heater.
Wooden greenhouses typically stay warmer than metal ones due to the naturally insulating qualities of timber.
At Garden Buildings Direct we believe that wooden framed greenhouses with polycarbonate glazing offer the best all-round options. They:
- Are sturdy and durable
- Are competitively priced
- Maintain a traditional aesthetic
- Are safer than glass
- Maintain ambient temperature well
You will find a greenhouse worth it if you will commit to growing your own vegetables for food, or you are enthusiastic about growing plants year-round instead of just seasonally. You don't necessarily have to be able to say you will tend to your plants every single day (ask a friend to water them when you go on holiday), but a greenhouse is a must-have for anyone who is serious about gardening and growing their own produce.
This depends partly on the material your greenhouse is made out of, with some maintenance general tips shared between the models.
- If you have a wooden greenhouse, maintaining the timber frame will likely be the most important part. Give your greenhouse regular top-ups of wood paint and treatment, and make sure any damage to the frame is fixed quickly and effectively.
- Metal frames are less maintenance intensive, but you should ensure the galvanised coating remains intact to reduce the risk of rust forming on the building.
- No matter the frame, ensure the glazing of your building is cleaned regularly and is kept intact. Breakages to the glazing, whether it is glass or the plastic of a polycarbonate greenhouse, means that the seal is broken and heat will be able to escape. Replace any broken glazing as soon as possible, and keep the gaps between frame and glazing tightly sealed.
Consider the size of your garden and how many plants you wish to grow.
For the size, it is important that the greenhouse doesn't take up more than half of your garden (otherwise it would require planning permission, not to mention the impact on your enjoyment of your outdoors). It also needs to fit somewhere that is level and solid, or can be made that way.
For the plants, think about how much each one will need. Our greenhouses are all tall enough for most of the plants people will want to grow (stopping perhaps at tall trees). Look at the recommendation for how much growing space your plants will need surrounding them, and plan your greenhouse layout from there, leaving yourself plenty of working space.
Our greenhouses start from just 3 feet deep and 6 feet wide, which provides room for up to 10 standing plants - more if you add tables to have multiple pots growing on top of each other!
Common downsides include:
- Initial cost of setup (which is why we have a range of cheap greenhouses)
- Risk of overheating in summer unless ventilated
- Wooden greenhouses require yearly maintenance unless pressure treated
- Limited space for large-scale growing
Despite these, most gardeners love having a greenhouse due to how it can expand their planting and growing potential.
Affordable alternatives include:
- Cold frames
- Polytunnels
- Mini greenhouses
- DIY cloches or row covers
These can offer adequate protection at a fraction of the cost, but they don't provide the warm climate and support for tall plants that a standard greenhouse give you.