Advice on how to choose a greenhouse
We have been designing and manufacturing greenhouses for over 20 years. In this time we have generally worked to a principle that we can adapt any of our greenhouses to suit a customer’s greenhouses. We understand that each gardener’s needs are different and we are prepared to accommodate these needs. We can happily change our designs to meet height restrictions or to match an existing dwarf wall.
A Wooden or Aluminium Structure
Naturally, we are biased to argue a timber-framed greenhouse is superior to the aluminum equivalent. Wooden framework is naturally a better heat insulate and experiences less heat loss. Another benefit is that larger timber sections also provide more natural shading of the greenhouse and help to reduce the chance of a greenhouse overheating.
Aluminium has its merits also, it is lightweight and resistant to corrosion. This means an aluminum greenhouse, in theory, requires less maintenance than a timber greenhouse. To compete with the low maintenance features of aluminum we have developed a maintenance-free roof system which fits to our timber greenhouses. We also choose to use Western Red Cedar timber in our greenhouses. Cedar’s durability is naturally resistant to rot, decay and insect attacks, which means anything you build with it will last longer and require less maintenance. We expect Western Red Cedar will only require maintenance every 3-4 years – this is limited to the sides if you choose a maintenance-free roof system. To maintain Western Red Cedar, it needs only an application of water-based stain to its exterior faces. A typical 8×10 Western Red Cedar greenhouse with our maintenance free roof will take 2/3 hours to undertake the maintenance task.
The largest benefit to choosing a timber greenhouse is its sustainability. Processing aluminum uses an enormous amount of energy, whereas our cedar comes from sustainable sources. Our cedar is 100% PEFC certified and we can trace the timber we purchase back to the actual forest it was fell from. While other building materials generate greenhouse gasses, western red cedar actually removes greenhouse gasses from the atmosphere. And unlike metals and composites Cedar is renewable and biodegradable.
Shape of Greenhouse
Traditional, Conventional Shape
At Woodpecker Joinery, we have a reputation for our high pitched, narrow paned victorian greenhouses. Our Kingsburg greenhouse is a good representation of a Victorian greenhouse. The Victorian-style complements most English gardens but we understand this is not to everybody’s taste -our Bromley or Chartley greenhouse is a contemporarily styled greenhouse.