Serving United Kingdom & surrounding areas
Est. 2026
Choose the right size, frame, glazing, base and ventilation for your garden, growing plans and budget.
Choosing a greenhouse is easier when you begin with the garden and the crops rather than a model or advertised discount. Available space, exposure to wind, daily sunlight, access and your intended use should determine the structure you buy.
Greenhouse Guide UK is an independent buying-guide and comparison business founded in 2026 by Stephen Meredith. We compare clearly sourced product specifications and explain the differences between sizes, frame materials, glazing, bases, ventilation and retailer offers. We do not sell, manufacture, install or deliver greenhouses. Any purchase takes place with the retailer you choose.
For a greenhouse for beginners, an aluminium-framed model with straightforward ventilation and low-maintenance glazing is often a practical starting point. That does not make one design right for every garden. A sheltered urban plot, a windy coastal garden and an exposed rural site place very different demands on the frame, anchoring and glazing. Start by measuring carefully, checking the route into the garden and deciding what you genuinely want to grow.
Measure the proposed footprint, then allow working room around the outside for assembly, cleaning and maintenance. Check door swings, paths, fences, sheds, trees, drains and overhead branches. A greenhouse that technically fits may still be difficult to build or use.
Think about usable interior space as well as the external dimensions. Staging takes up width, while growbags, pots and borders need floor area. A narrow model can feel cramped once plants mature. If space permits, allow room for a central path and growing areas on both sides.
Standard greenhouse sizes are commonly described in feet, but confirm the retailer's exact external dimensions. Nominal sizes are useful labels, not a substitute for the manufacturer's specification. Also check eaves height, ridge height and door width. Taller gardeners, climbing tomatoes and shelving all benefit from sufficient headroom.
Before ordering, map the delivery route from the kerb to the intended base. Side passages, gates, steps, shared access and terraced-house routes can restrict long frame components or glazing packs. Delivery is normally to the terms stated by the retailer, so confirm where the carrier will leave the consignment and whether someone must be present.
Measure the structure, working clearance and delivery route before ordering.
Book Your Free InspectionAluminium is low maintenance and widely used for domestic greenhouses. Compare the profile design, bracing, door arrangement and anchoring requirements rather than judging strength by appearance alone. Powder-coated finishes add colour but may increase the price.
Timber has a traditional appearance and can provide convenient fixing points for shelves and accessories. It needs ongoing care, particularly around the base and joints. Check the timber treatment, maintenance instructions and whether the stated dimensions include any overhang.
Standard horticultural glass gives clear light transmission and is often supplied in overlapping panes. It can break into sharp pieces, so consider the garden's use, nearby play areas and the difficulty of replacing a damaged pane.
Toughened glass is stronger than standard horticultural glass and breaks into smaller granules rather than sharp shards. It is heavier and usually costs more. Confirm pane thickness, fixing method and whether the full model or only selected panes use toughened glass.
Twin-wall polycarbonate is light and diffuses light, which can reduce scorching and harsh shadows. Its low weight makes secure fitting especially important in exposed places. Check panel thickness, edge treatment and the manufacturer's fixing system.
Some models combine materials, such as glass sides with polycarbonate roof panels. Read the full specification carefully so you know which material is used in each position and whether glazing clips, capping or seals are included.
Choose the brightest practical position, away from persistent shade cast by buildings, evergreen trees and tall fences. Winter sun sits lower in the sky, so an area that looks bright in summer may receive much less light during the colder months. Observe the proposed spot at several times of day before committing to a base.
There is no universal orientation that overrides local conditions. An east to west ridge may favour winter light, while a north to south orientation can distribute summer light more evenly. In a real garden, avoiding shade, reducing wind exposure and retaining sensible access often matter more than following one orientation rule.
Wind deserves particular attention across the UK. Avoid creating a wind tunnel between buildings or placing a lightweight structure at the most exposed edge of the plot. Nearby hedging or a suitable permeable barrier can reduce wind without producing the turbulence associated with a solid barrier placed too close. Follow the manufacturer's anchoring instructions and keep doors and vents securely closed during severe weather.
Check practical services too. A nearby water source saves repeated trips with a watering can. If you intend to use electricity or heating, obtain appropriate advice rather than relying on domestic extension leads outdoors. Consider falling branches, roof runoff and whether the greenhouse would obstruct access to drains, boundaries or utilities.
A greenhouse needs a flat, square and stable base. Options include a concrete slab, paving, a properly prepared perimeter foundation or another system approved for the model. Concrete is easy to clean but restricts planting into the soil. A perimeter base can retain open ground beds. Always follow the manufacturer's dimensions and anchoring details.
Roof vents release rising hot air, while side or louvre vents admit cooler air lower down. Compare the number, size and position of openings. Automatic vent openers can respond to temperature without electricity, but their settings, lifting capacity and maintenance requirements vary.
Decide whether you want soil borders, containers, growbags or staging before fixing the structure down. Paths should be wide enough for safe movement with watering cans and trays. Removable staging can make a small greenhouse more adaptable through the seasons.
Check whether the price includes the base frame, glazing, door hardware, vents, downpipes, shelves, staging and fixings. Product photographs often show optional accessories. Match the written specification and component list against the image before buying.
Confirm package quantities, weights and handling needs. Glass and long aluminium profiles require careful storage on level ground. Inspect delivered packages promptly under the retailer's stated procedure and retain labels and packaging until the order has been checked.
A greenhouse's total cost of ownership includes more than the advertised structure. Budget for the base, site preparation, delivery, assembly, replacement glazing, anchoring and useful accessories. Depending on how you grow, you may also need staging, shelving, water storage, shading, irrigation or frost protection.
Retail prices vary greatly by footprint, frame specification, glazing and included equipment. A low initial price can become less attractive when the base frame, extra vents or delivery are added separately. Conversely, a larger package is poor value if it includes accessories you will not use.
Before ordering, create one written comparison for each shortlisted model. Record the delivered price, included components, base requirements, warranty terms supplied by the retailer or manufacturer, replacement-part availability and likely assembly needs. Check whether delivery restrictions or surcharges apply to your postcode, particularly for offshore locations and some remote parts of the UK.
Greenhouse Guide UK uses ordinary retailer links while no affiliate partnerships are approved. Our broader comparison of greenhouses in the UK can help you weigh specifications without treating the lowest displayed price as the whole cost.
Compare delivered cost and included components against the written specification.
Book Your Free InspectionShortlist models by external size, glazing, vent area, base requirements and delivered cost before allowing a promotion to influence the decision.
Book Your Free InspectionThe best beginner size is the largest practical model that fits the measured plot, access route and budget without crowding the garden. Allow for staging, mature plants and a usable path. Confirm exact external measurements because a nominal size in feet may not match the finished footprint or manufacturer's base dimensions.
Polycarbonate is light and diffuses sunlight, while glass provides a clear view and usually feels more rigid once correctly installed. Toughened safety glass is worth considering where breakage risk is a concern. In exposed UK gardens, lightweight polycarbonate panels need particularly secure fitting according to the manufacturer's system.
No, a greenhouse does not always need a concrete slab, but it does need a level, square and stable foundation suited to that model. Concrete provides a clean solid floor, while a prepared perimeter foundation can leave soil beds open. Confirm base dimensions and anchoring instructions before any ground work starts.
There is no single vent count suitable for every greenhouse because vent dimensions, structure size, door area and exposure differ. Roof vents let hot air escape, while side or louvre vents bring in cooler air. Compare the actual openings and positions rather than relying only on the number of vents.
Yes, provided the position still has enough light, ventilation and maintenance access and does not breach any applicable restriction. Leave room to clean glazing, replace panes and reach fixings. A close solid fence can cast shade and affect airflow, so observe the position through the day before building the base.
Many domestic greenhouses can be installed under permitted development rights, but the rules depend on the UK nation, property, location and proposed structure. Listed buildings, designated land, boundaries and larger or taller structures can require extra checks. Confirm the current requirements with the relevant local planning authority before ordering or preparing a permanent base.
Allow enough time for the retailer's stated lead time, base preparation, delivery checking and safe assembly in suitable weather. Timing varies by model, stock, postcode and installer availability. Do not book assembly until the foundation is complete and the retailer has confirmed the delivery arrangements.
Compare the exact model code, external dimensions, glazing type, included base, vents, fixings, delivery charge and warranty terms. Confirm whether photographs show optional accessories. Greenhouse Guide UK compares sourced product specifications, but the retailer's current product listing and terms govern the purchase.
Share the sizes and specifications you are comparing, and Greenhouse Guide UK can help you identify the differences that matter before you choose a retailer.
