Bring Them In: Greenhouse Materials for Your Grow
Gardeners are always looking to extend their growing season, and what better way to do this than by implementing a greenhouse? Greenhouses are an appealing option with benefits, including gardening through the winter, extending crop options, and preventing pests. Some growers build their own, while others buy ready-to-assemble greenhouse kits. Which way is right for you?
Read on to learn about the different types of greenhouse materials and how they can give you more control over your grow.
The Perks of a Greenhouse
Greenhouses are a great addition to your garden. They allow growers to extend their growing season by insulating plants from cold temperatures and inclement weather. They also enable gardeners to grow plants that wouldn’t otherwise survive in their growing zones by controlling light cycles and temperatures. Greenhouses also provide a handy physical barrier between plants and pests!
With so many great benefits, adding a greenhouse to your yard is a no-brainer. Let’s look at the types of greenhouse materials you could use for your new construction!
Greenhouse Materials
While there are a wealth of options available, a few materials are common for use in greenhouse projects that may help you narrow down your style.
Frames
Structural support is a vital consideration when building or buying a greenhouse. You want to make sure that you have a durable, reliable frame upon which to build your new gardening room!
Wood
Wood is a common greenhouse frame material for its ease of use and customization. When building with wood, there are some things to consider, including what cover type you intend to use: a wood frame is great for glass or PVC plastic! It’s also essential to be sure to get a moisture-resistant type of wood, either something resilient like redwood or treated wood, to ensure that it doesn’t rot before you’re done using it!
Metal
Metal makes for a sturdy frame material, but it can be hard to customize unless you’re a welder! It does make an appearance in greenhouse kits and builds as a ready-to-buy option. Metal is compatible with poly, PVC corrugated plastic, cloth, and even some glass construction. Just be sure your metal is treated or painted to avoid rust buildup over time and extend the life of your greenhouse.
PVC Pipe
PVC pipe frames are cloth and poly-friendly and affordable for gardeners looking to start greenhouse growing at a lower introductory price. Easy to cut and with a wealth of connector options available, PVC piping is a customizable framework that can make your greenhouse installation a breeze. It’s not as sturdy as wood or metal, but you don’t have to worry about rust or rot!
Covers
Greenhouse cover material is what makes or breaks the survival of your plants! With lots of options, it’s important to consider your needs, your local weather, and the plants you intend to grow.
Glass
Glass is an attractive and durable material that makes for a great greenhouse when paired with wood or metal. However, if you’re installing it yourself, it can be heavy and dangerous to handle, and broken glass often needs to be replaced rather than repaired. Plus, glass is great for keeping heat and humidity up but can sometimes overheat the greenhouse if the weather outside gets too hot.
PVC
Corrugated PVC sheets are a cheaper alternative to glass when constructing a greenhouse from wood or metal. It’s usually much thinner and lighter than glass, and less delicate when dropped, allowing for an easier DIY project. PVC greenhouses also retain heat and humidity well.
Poly
Polypropylene sheeting pairs well with PVC pipe or smooth metal as a greenhouse cover. Poly like our Sungrower Greenhouse Poly is an affordable option for new greenhouse growers that want a product that will keep in heat and humidity while retaining flexibility and allowing for customization and easy repairs. It’s also easy to toss a shade cloth up to lower the temperature or install blackout poly for different seasonal or light deprivation needs!
Cloth
Cloth greenhouses are the cheapest option for new greenhouse growers and can extend your garden space for most of the season if you use them correctly. However, because most garden cloth is slightly porous, cloth greenhouses can be at the mercy of outside temperature changes and inclement weather more than other greenhouse material options.
Choose What’s Right for You
For growers looking to extend their growing season, a greenhouse is the way to go. We hope this article will help you choose the right material and construction for your garden so you can keep on growing!
Read about more winter garden activities on our blog.
