Are cheap greenhouses worth it?
Plastic greenhouses provide an affordable alternative to glass but they have a reputation for collapsing and not keeping out frost at night. However they are a cost effective and flexible way of increasing your growing space that can outperform more costly options such as poly-carbonate greenhouses. HIGH UPFRONT AND OPERATING EXPENSES. For example, cheaper film plastics may provide sufficient conditions to retain heat, but more expensive glass windows will last longer and may help ventilate the greenhouse if able to be opened. With maximum climate control, comes the potential for a very high operating cost.Both polycarbonate and glass can make functional greenhouses. However, polycarbonate is often the better choice for novice growers. It provides optimal lighting and heat retention, making it easier to cultivate plants. Despite being slightly more expensive up front, such options are low-maintenance, too.
What is the most cost effective greenhouse?
Choose the right greenhouse type – A hoop house, cold frame, or recycled window greenhouse are the best low-cost options. Use affordable and sustainable materials – Look for PVC, wood, repurposed glass, and 6-mil plastic sheeting to keep costs low. It will be hot inside a greenhouse in the summer no matter what you do (unless you have evap cooling and the humidity is freakishly low 🤪). But if you can shade your plants and get the air moving through the house you can keep it manageable.Placing your plastic greenhouse where there is morning sun in both the winter and spring but evening shade in the late spring, summer and early autumn, and keeping the door open during the day but closed at night is the best way of preventing extreme temperatures and damage to your plants.Portable greenhouses offer the ability to manage temperature fluctuations more effectively than open gardens. On chilly days, they trap heat, keeping plants warm, and on hot days, vents or doors can be opened to cool down the interior.
How long do greenhouses last?
The greenhouse frame can last you up to 70 years (depending on the soil’s corrosiveness). While the greenhouse frame can last for 20+ years, the polycarbonate panels will last for up to 15 years, at which point you can replace with new ones and install them on the existing frame. What is the lifespan of each structure? Greenhouses built with polycarbonate or glass panels can last 20+ years with proper maintenance. Hoop houses typically last 5–10 years, though the plastic covering may need to be replaced every 4–6 years due to sun exposure and wear.