Greenhouses are structures made of wooden or aluminum frames and transparent or translucent walls. They are used to grow plants, flowers, and trees. Many people also use them to cultivate their own crops.
A greenhouse’s walls operate as a solar collector, meaning they absorb the sunlight and convert it to heat for the plants and crops. The windows and vents release heat if the greenhouse absorbs too much of it.
Whether you build or buy a greenhouse, growing your own flowers and crops is productive, cathartic, and environmentally friendly.
In the gardening world, most people wonder, how to build a greenhouse cheap? Or, what are the best greenhouse kits? Or, more frequently, some combination of the two questions. Well, here’s where we’re going to find out whether it’s better to buy or build a greenhouse!
Tips for Buying a Manufactured Greenhouse Kit
Investing in a greenhouse is an exciting step toward producing greener, healthier crops. It’s comparable to buying a new house or a new car in terms of financial commitment.
Before buying a greenhouse kit, there are a few things to consider:
Material
Greenhouse kits are available in two different materials: glass and polycarbonate.
Most people prefer polycarbonate since it is less expensive and easier to install. Glass, on the other hand, might be more expensive since it lasts longer and has a more elegant appearance.
Lean-to or Walk-in Greenhouse
As the name indicates, a lean-to greenhouse is built against one of your home’s walls. It’s ideal if you have a small backyard because it doesn’t take up as much space as a walk-in greenhouse. Lean-to greenhouses can also use your home’s electricity and water.
Do you want to learn more? Check out our guide to the different types of greenhouses available to you then!
Size
Size is an essential consideration when determining which greenhouse is best for you and your needs. A typical mistake is purchasing a size that is too small, resulting in insufficient storage space. Greenhouse kits come in a variety of sizes, ranging from 6’x4′ to 10’x20′.
Price and Budget
Greenhouse kits range in price from $100 to $10,000. The price depends on the size and the material of the kit you’re going for. For example, timber greenhouses cost more than aluminum ones.
Now that we’ve run over some things to consider before purchasing a greenhouse kit, let’s look at some pros and cons.
Pros
- They come in several sizes and a variety of designs.
- Doesn’t take long to deliver and install.
- You can customize your own greenhouse kit.
- All greenhouse kits have a warranty.
Cons
- Kits are typically pre-assembled and cost more to customize.
- Modification is very limited.
- You don’t need to get a building permit.
- Limited materials. You can’t really get creative with it.
Tips for Building Your Own Greenhouse From Scratch
Building your greenhouse from the ground up is an enjoyable experience that allows you to be creative and also provides you the flexibility and freedom to fit whatever needs you may have.
If you’re interested in taking the DIY route, there are a few things to consider and plan for.
Greenhouse Material and Design
This is a crucial part of greenhouse construction, as it determines the overall functioning and success of your project. Every greenhouse structure is custom-made for specific uses and may be used in a variety of ways.
Research each type of greenhouse material to choose which structure will meet your demands and budget.
Hardware
Another essential stage in greenhouse construction is choosing the hardware that will keep your structure together. You must make sure that your greenhouse designs include the necessary fittings, screws, and bolts to guarantee that your construction is as robust as possible under even the most extreme weather conditions.
Cooling, Heating, and Ventilation
To provide your plants with an appropriate growth environment, you need sufficient heating in the winter. You also need proper cooling in the summer to keep your plants and crops from overheating.
Study the different ways you can provide both to ensure your plants get what they need.
You now know the factors to consider before building your own greenhouse. Let’s have a look at some pros and cons.
Pros
- You get to custom-make pretty much everything.
- Building a simple greenhouse costs less than buying a kit.
- Polyfilm and other covering materials are readily available.
Cons
- Building a greenhouse takes a long time.
- You may need a building permit.
- Not all materials are available for use.
- There is no warranty; only the materials you use are covered.
How Much Do Both Cost?
A common misconception that people have is that building a greenhouse from scratch will cost less than buying a manufactured kit. This isn’t necessarily true.
Purchasing a kit with no customizations is less expensive than buying and assembling the bits and pieces to build your own greenhouse. Plus, manufacturers are likely to be more knowledgeable about costs and can get you a better bargain.
However, if you choose a fully customized kit with specific size and material demands, it will surely cost more than building your own greenhouse. You can also reduce costs by using recycled materials if you’re doing it yourself!
Which One is Cheaper?
In simpler words, there is no way of knowing which one is cheaper. It all depends on the size of your greenhouse, the materials you plan to use, and any other customizations you have in mind.
We can tell you one thing, though. It’s not easy to build a greenhouse from the ground up. It requires a great deal of construction experience. And aside from the material cost, there are also heating, cooling, and ventilation systems to consider.
Should You Build or Buy a Greenhouse?
A greenhouse is a wonderful way to cultivate healthy crops and plants. You can either build your own greenhouse from scratch or buy a ready-made kit. Both of these have their own sets of pros and cons. But is it cheaper to build or buy a greenhouse?
There is no definite answer to this question because it really depends on what kind of greenhouse you’re going for. For example, if you want to buy a heavily customized kit, it will probably cost you more than building your own greenhouse. However, building a greenhouse requires building experience, a permit, and heavy research.
