Overview of greenhouses
A greenhouse is essentially an enclosed space warmed and lit by the sun. Short‑wave solar radiation penetrates through glass or other transparent or semi‑transparent materials and heats surfaces such as soil and plants inside. By design, greenhouses also allow control of variables such as temperature, humidity, and light. How well a greenhouse performs these tasks depends on your choices. The shape, size, and location of the greenhouse should be selected based on available space, budget, maintenance time, and access to electricity and water.
Since everyone has different space and budget limitations, this article provides a broader definition of greenhouses, making the information useful for almost anyone. When choosing the most suitable type of greenhouse, consider location, access to soil, resources and utilities, and of course the overall purpose and seasonality. Below we review several of the most popular greenhouse types.
Freestanding greenhouse
This is the model most people imagine when thinking of a greenhouse. It is the most common design, with a supporting frame made of wood or metal posts, and glass or translucent polycarbonate used as the covering material. While they can be assembled manually, they usually require significant labor. Ready‑made greenhouses are available as kits in various sizes, or you can hire professional installers.
A freestanding greenhouse that can be placed anywhere.
Kits range from small hobby sizes (about 2x4 m) to industrial‑scale structures that can be equipped with heating and ventilation systems. This option is suitable if you want a permanent greenhouse and have a sufficient budget to cover construction costs. It is especially relevant if you need a foundation and additional amenities such as ventilation, lighting, water access, and electricity. Freestanding structures generally provide more even light distribution and fewer shadow problems, but they may be less energy‑efficient than wall‑attached greenhouses due to the larger exposed wall area that radiates heat.
Hoop (tunnel) greenhouse
For those seeking a less permanent, more affordable option, hoop houses are worth considering. The main structural difference is that they are made of plastic sheets. They are less likely to include heating or ventilation systems and are much more economical. These greenhouses are easier to build and can be adapted to required dimensions. They are also available as kits, which you can install yourself or with professional help.
A hoop greenhouse built from arches.
Unlike traditional greenhouses where the environment can be controlled, tall tunnel greenhouses usually rely on passive heating, cooling, and humidity regulation. Plants are often grown directly in the existing soil rather than in raised beds, which are more common in other greenhouse types.
Wall‑attached greenhouse
For gardens with very limited space or no outdoor area, a wall‑attached greenhouse can be a good choice. These greenhouses are designed so that at least one side is connected to an existing building, ideally a south‑facing wall. However, depending on the location and the structure it is attached to, wall‑mounted greenhouses may experience shading from the adjacent building.
A wall‑attached greenhouse facing south.
The size of attached greenhouses is determined by the length and height of the wall they are built against, so they are usually smaller than freestanding ones. Due to their narrower design, it may be difficult to fit all desired crops, but a major advantage is that utilities such as electricity and water from the existing building can be used in the greenhouse, making this option more economical.
Cold frame
This is not a standard greenhouse but an excellent first project for those who want to explore greenhouse concepts without the budget or ability to build a larger structure. Used to extend the growing season, a cold frame is the simplest (and cheapest) option.
A wooden cold frame with an opening lid.
A cold frame is a glass or plastic cover for your garden that protects seeds, seedlings, and plants from low temperatures, wind, snow, and rain. Cold frames can be semi‑permanent, built in one location, or portable to move around the garden as needed.
Conclusion
In summary, choosing the right greenhouse model for your garden requires considering several important factors. First, think about location, size, and structure type based on available space, budget, and growing needs. A freestanding greenhouse is a versatile choice for those seeking a large, permanent structure, while a tunnel greenhouse offers a more economical option for temporary or budget‑friendly use. A wall‑attached greenhouse is ideal for small spaces and those who want to use existing utilities. A cold frame can be a great starter option to extend the growing season. By considering these aspects, you can make the best decision to match your gardening goals and possibilities.A free-standing conventional greenhouse
This is the model most people imagine when they think of a greenhouse. This is the most common design, where the supporting structure is made of wooden or metal poles, and glass or transparent polycarbonate is used as a covering material. Although they can be assembled by hand, they are usually labor intensive. Ready-made greenhouses can be purchased as kits of various sizes or you can use the services of professional installers.
A greenhouse of the usual type can be built anywhere.
Kits are available in a variety of sizes, from small-scale for hobby use (about 2x4m.) to industrial sizes that can be easily integrated with heating and ventilation systems. This is suitable if you are sure that your greenhouse will be a permanent structure and you have a large enough budget to cover the construction costs. This is especially true if you need to build a foundation and add amenities such as ventilation systems, lighting, water access and electricity. Freestanding structures generally provide more even light distribution and fewer shadowing problems, but may be less energy efficient than wall-mounted greenhouses due to the large wall area that can radiate heat.
Tunnel greenhouse
For those looking for a less permanent, less expensive option, hoops are worth considering. The main structural difference is that they are made of plastic sheets. They require less heating or ventilation and are much more economical. This type of greenhouse is easier to manufacture and adapt to the required dimensions. Such greenhouses can also be purchased as sets. You can install them yourself or use professional greenhouse installation services.
A tunnel greenhouse made of hoops.
Unlike a greenhouse, where the growing environment can be controlled, high tunnel greenhouses usually rely on passive heating, cooling, and humidity control. In addition, plants are more often grown in existing soil rather than in beds, which are more commonly used in other types of greenhouses.
Wall greenhouse
For gardens with very limited space and/or no outdoor space, a wall greenhouse can be a good option. This type of greenhouse is designed so that at least one side is connected to the existing building, preferably a south-facing wall. However, depending on the location of the greenhouse, depending on the structure to which it is attached, attached greenhouses may have shadows from the adjacent structure.
The wall greenhouse faces south.
The size of attached greenhouses is determined by the length and height of the wall they are attached to, so they tend to be smaller than freestanding greenhouses. The narrower design of these greenhouses can make it difficult to easily accommodate all the desired crops, but a big positive is that the existing building's utilities, such as electricity and water, can be used in the greenhouse, so this solution can be even more cost-effective.
Warmth
This is definitely not a standard greenhouse, but a great first project alternative for those who want to start exploring greenhouse concepts but don't yet have the budget or ability to install a larger greenhouse. Used to extend the garden season, heather is the easiest (and by far the cheapest) option.
A wooden greenhouse with an opening lid.
A greenhouse is a glass or plastic structural cover for your garden that protects seeds, seedlings and plants from too low temperatures, wind, snow and rain. Greenhouses can be semi-permanent and placed in one place or transported as needed in the garden.