Installing a greenhouse on a property has significant practical benefits, but it also has the potential to increase property value.
Spending some time to decide upon the best style of greenhouse and its best location is a vital first step.
A greenhouse is an investment
A good greenhouse represents a fairly significant investment in a property. It is wise to bear in mind that once installed, the greenhouse is a permanent structure and not easily moved.
A look at a leading greenhouse supplier in the UK will benefit as a starting point to give a clearer picture of the potential range of structures available.
Deciding on the intended use of the greenhouse
The intended use of the planned greenhouse is the first factor that needs to be considered. Is the greenhouse going to be used for the temporary housing of small potted plants and seedlings? If so, how many plants will likely be housed at any given time?
For those with bigger or more complex grounds and gardens, it is likely that the new greenhouse may need to be larger to permit and range of different sized plants to be housed. A larger space may be required, permitting the gardener room to move around and work with plants on multiple benches.
The greenhouse may also serve to store related potting equipment and soil product, permitting re-potting and planting work inside the greenhouse.
The types of greenhouse
The style of greenhouse selected is dependent upon a number of factors. A primary consideration is the amount of space available for the installation. A larger garden area will naturally allow for a larger greenhouse, and a freestanding structure will likely be the first choice.
A lean-to style may be the solution for smaller garden areas or properties with narrower runs of open ground. Affixed to a wall area, the lean-to style can make optimum use of unused spaces against back or sidewalls.
A further key consideration in the siting of the greenhouse is the access to natural light. The freestanding greenhouse potentially takes advantage of sunlight from all four sides as well as the roof area. For the lean-to style, bear in mind that one side of the structure – the wall side – does not benefit from the sun, so the location should be sufficiently unobstructed to permit sunlight entry from the roof and three sides.
Smaller structures are readily available, so even the more confined garden areas can benefit.
Siting the greenhouse
Whilst the general siting of the proposed greenhouse will be dependent upon available garden space and layout, a couple of further factors should be taken into account. First, whilst the freestanding greenhouse takes advantage of sunlight from all sides, a larger structure may also lose heat rapidly and require heating. This may mean the installation of a greenhouse heater in colder climates and possibly the requirement to run power out to the greenhouse.
A lean-to-style greenhouse may be more energy-efficient, with the solid wall reducing heat loss.
A sheltered area is ideal for the greenhouse and potentially clear of overhanging trees.
To take the best advantage of available light, the optimum orientation for the greenhouse is with the longest sides of the greenhouse structure facing south. The north-facing side of the greenhouse collects far less light, and may also require protection or insulation in colder climates.
Summary
With a little planning, a greenhouse can add a practical and welcome touch to a garden, as well as adding value to the property.
