Greenhouses are a great way to have easy access to fresh vegetables and beautiful flowers. Here in Mountain View, the plentiful sunshine makes a greenhouse a fine addition to anyone’s backyard, who wouldn’t want the chance to grow your own veggies, fruits and flowers? But adding a greenhouse to your home can be a confusing and overwhelming process. Fortunately, there are ways to make the process a little easier on you and your home.
The following article is a detailed guide on how to incorporate a greenhouse into your home. It also includes a brief guide on the different styles of greenhouses and how long it takes to install one, on average.
How Do I Choose Where to Put My Greenhouse?
The greenhouse’s location should be easily accessible and conducive to plants growth. The perfect location for your greenhouse depends on a few factors, such as:
- The size of your greenhouse
- The number of plants you plan to grow
- The direction and intensity of the sun
The location of your greenhouse should be given significant thought. This is because once you select a place, you won’t be able to move your greenhouse to another location. The size of your greenhouse should be in accordance with the size of your house or yard. For example, if you have a smaller house or backyard, you’ll need a smaller greenhouse.
You’ll also want to consider the size of any structures you already have or are planning to put in your yard, such as:
- A pool
- A garden or garden shed
- A trampoline
Each of these can take up a significant amount of space, so make sure you have enough room for a greenhouse before you decide to build it. Similarly, the size of your house is a huge indicator of how big your greenhouse can be. For example, if you have a large house but neighbors that are close by, you might want to consider installing a smaller greenhouse.
The location should also accommodate the number of plants you plan to grow. If you want a greenhouse to grow a few herbs and small flowers in, then the location doesn’t have to be that large. But if you plan to grow an extensive vegetable or flower garden, then the location should be larger.
Lastly, the direction and intensity of the sun plays a part in how healthy your plants will be as they grow. The location of the greenhouse will dictate how much or how little sun your plants will get. If you want to grow plants that require more sunlight, then placing the greenhouse in an open location is the best idea. But if your plants require a little less sunlight, then placing it near a shady spot is recommended.
Should I Attach a Greenhouse To My House?
If you have the space, then attaching a greenhouse to your home is a great idea. It’s an innovative way to give you easy access to your garden, while also providing your home with extra heat and oxygen.
The first step to attaching a greenhouse to your home is to get a permit to build one. Some neighborhoods don’t allow greenhouses to be built attached to houses, so it’s important to double check. If you need a permit, they usually cost anywhere from $300 to $1,000, depending on where you live.
Once you have your permit, you’ll have to consult with a building professional where the best place for the greenhouse is. It should be somewhere that has access to water and electricity, so you can give your plants the care they need. You should also place it somewhere that’s away from most of the house but still lets you access it easily.
When you have a permit, and the location is set, the professionals will get to work. Once it’s completed, it’s recommended that you make sure everything is working properly before you start planting seeds. This will ensure that any issues will get fixed before your greenhouse is running fully.
What Side of The House Should a Greenhouse Be On?
The best place for a greenhouse to be is on the south or southeast side of the house. That side gets the most sunlight through the fall and winter and will ensure your plants get all the nutrients they need to survive.
If you aren’t able to attach your greenhouse to the south or southeast side of the house, then there are other options available. The next best location is the east side of the house. This side will still get plenty of sunlight, but it might cause some plants to burn and shrivel up. Avoid plants that don’t need a lot of sunlight if you have to install the greenhouse on the east side.
The third best option for a greenhouse home attachment is the southwest or west side. This side won’t get as much sunlight, especially throughout the winter and fall. If you plan to grow plants that thrive in cooler conditions, then this option will still work.
The last option you have is installing the greenhouse on the north side of the house. This is the worst place for a greenhouse since it receives hardly any sunlight. If this is your only option, then installing grow lights is recommended to keep your plants healthy.
What Should I Look for When Buying a Greenhouse?
The main things you should focus on when buying a greenhouse are:
- The size of it
- The frame material
- The glaze on the glass
All of these play a significant role in how many plants you’ll be able to grow and how healthy they will be.
When it comes to buying greenhouses, going bigger is always better. It’s recommended that you buy the biggest greenhouse you can afford while still leaving room for it to expand. As your garden grows, you might want to add more plants or extra space for the plants you already have. Buying a large greenhouse will help you be prepared for that occurrence.
What Types of Frames Are Used for Greenhouses?
The most common materials used to make greenhouse frames include:
- Plastic
- Steel
- Wood
- Aluminum
While each one has its advantages and disadvantages, aluminum is the most popular frame material. But the other materials might be better depending on where you live.
Plastic is lightweight and mainly used for smaller greenhouses. But this material is flimsier than the others. So, if you live somewhere with intense storms or wind, this material isn’t the best option. It also doesn’t conduct heat as well as aluminum or steel, so it would hinder your plants’ growth if you live somewhere cold.
Steel is the heaviest of the frame materials and is mainly used for large and permanent greenhouses. It conducts heat very well, which can be beneficial for your plants and your home. The extra heat promotes plant growth and can help keep your home warm in a sustainable way. The main downside is that steel frames rust easily, so they aren’t recommended if you frequently have rainy weather.
Wood is the easiest frame material to work with. You can easily attach shelves and hanging baskets to it, making the most of the space in the greenhouse. If the frame is consistently maintained and kept dry, the wood could last for years. If not, then it will rot easily.
Finally, aluminum frames are rust proof and extremely durable. They are the most popular frame material for greenhouses since they last for years and hold significant weight. They are also excellent at conducting heat and are a great option if you live somewhere with colder weather. But if you leave somewhere hot, the extra heat might cause your plants to wilt.
Which Glazing Is Used The Most for Greenhouses?
Greenhouse glazing refers to the transparent cover that goes in the windowpanes. The most common glazing materials include:
- Polycarbonate
- Glass
- Polyethylene
Each one has its pros and cons, and one material might be better than the other for your greenhouse.
Polycarbonate is the most common glazing used on smaller greenhouses. It’s very lightweight but still durable and long lasting. They are translucent instead of transparent, meaning they let in a softer and more diffused light than other glazing materials. They’re great for plants that need a small amount of sunlight, but they might not be the best material for greenhouse plants that require a lot of sun to survive.
Glass was the main material used for glazing greenhouses for years. But since other, more beneficial materials have replaced it, you won’t find it used as much. It’s great at letting light in, but it has to be layered on thick in order to be damage resistant. Even then, harsh weather can cause it to crack and break, and glass is fairly expensive to replace.
Lastly, polyethylene is the least expensive glazing available for greenhouses. It works best on small greenhouses that have plastic or steel frames and is most beneficial to plants that enjoy hot climates. The main downside is that it can tear easily in intense weather, mainly extreme temperatures and harsh winds. So while it’s inexpensive to replace, it can get tiresome to maintain if you live somewhere with that kind of weather.
What Are the Three Basic Styles of Greenhouses?
The three basic styles of greenhouses include:
- Starter greenhouses
- Cool greenhouses
- Hot and warm greenhouses
Each one is designed to perform a specific function. You should choose the greenhouse you want based on the plants you’ll grow and how the weather is where you live.
Starter greenhouses do exactly as the name suggests. They serve as a starting point for anyone that wants to start their own greenhouse. They’re great for propagating seeds that will be transported to an outdoor garden bed. They’re also great for storing gardening supplies, making them the perfect starting point for new gardeners.
Cool greenhouses are designed to always have an internal temperature of 40 to 45 degrees Fahrenheit. This is because cool greenhouses are also referred to as “nursery greenhouses.” They’re designed to germinate seeds and get the plants growing before summer hits. They’re perfect for starting to grow vegetables and other plants that thrive in the summer months.
Finally, hot and warm greenhouses have temperatures designed to grow heat loving plants. Warm greenhouses have temperatures ranging between 50 and 55 degrees, while hot greenhouses range from 65 to 70 degrees. These greenhouses are designed to grow vegetables and tropical plants since they thrive in warm temperatures.
Final Thoughts
Adding a greenhouse to your home can be a tough decision. There are a lot of things to consider, including where to put it and the materials it should be made from. But if you take the time to see what each material and location has to offer, you’ll be growing a thriving garden in no time.
Element Home Remodeling is a home remodeling contractor in Mountain View, California. We specialize in home additions, including greenhouse construction in Mountain View and the Bay Area. Contact us today for a free consultation.
