How to buy the best greenhouse

A greenhouse is a major investment for your garden and one that’s not easy to move or replace once installed, so it's important to pick the right one for your needs.

Whether you're shopping for a small greenhouse to protect young plants or a larger alternative to work on fruit and veg, our expert guide can help. We share details on optimal materials and sizes, features to look out for, greenhouse accessories and heaters.

Keep scrolling for an overview of popular greenhouse types, plus our top tips on how to build a greenhouse for yourself.

Breathe new life into your outside spaces. Sign up for our Gardening newsletter, it's free monthly

Types of greenhouse

Freestanding

Pros: Let in light from all sides, lots of choice, often roomy enough to work in

Cons: Can lose heat as all sides are exposed, you'll have to find a way to get power to them

Freestanding greenhouses are often made from wood, aluminium or PVC. They're usually square or rectangular with an apex roof.

Most gardeners will choose a 6 x 8ft (1.8 x 2.4m) or 8 x 10ft (2.4 x 3m) model. To help you determine the right size, think about freedom of movement and what you plan to grow – you might need double doors to move plants in and out, for example.

Freestanding greenhouses allow light in from all four sides, although this means they're more exposed to the elements compared with other types. You can install bubble insulation if needed. As these greenhouses can be quite large, you might also want to run electricity to the space so you can see in low light.

When deciding where to position your freestanding greenhouse, consider which parts of your garden get plenty of sunshine. You also need to think about the impact of strong gusts of wind and whether it will be well protected.

If you need additional space for your gardening equipment, see our guide on how to buy the best outdoor storage.

Which? Gardening Magazine

Expert advice through the seasons so you know what to do and when. £49 a year or £4.99 a month, cancel anytime.

Sign up now

Lean-to greenhouses

Pros: Wind resistant, maximise unused space, can be particularly energy efficient

Cons: Not as much space to plant a variety of crops, fewer sides for light to enter

Lean-to greenhouses join to an existing structure, such as a house or garage (shown above), so won't be exposed to the elements from every angle.

These are a popular choice among gardeners with limited space or those who want a greenhouse closer to their home. This means you won't need to run water and electricity across the full length of the garden.

Lean-to greenhouses are often made from wood, although this needs to be maintained over the years, making aluminium a tempting alternative. The initial purchase cost is similar to a freestanding model, but a lean-to takes up less space and you only need access around three sides. They're also cheaper and easier to keep warm.

Mini greenhouses

Pros: Space-saving, cheaper than a full-sized greenhouse, most can be stowed away

Cons: Can be difficult to tend to plants if you have limited mobility, limited growing space

A mini greenhouse is like a glazed cupboard with shelves that sits on a patio or under a window, using a house wall or garage as protection – perfect if space is limited. It will protect trays or pots of young plants from late frosts in spring and encourage borderline crops such as peppers to ripen.

Ideally, a mini greenhouse should face east or west. South-facing ones overheat in spring or summer unless shaded, and north-facing ones suit only shade-loving plants.

Mini greenhouses are generally easy to set up and maintain, making them well suited to both newbies and experienced gardeners. Some have built-in grow lights, and many models can be dismantled and repositioned (or stored away) when needed.

We've used greenhouses to trial a selection of tomato varieties – see the full results with our guide on how to grow tomatoes and the best varieties.

Wooden vs aluminium frames

Most greenhouse frames are made of aluminium. Wooden greenhouses are also available, though, and many gardeners find them more attractive to look at. However, they need more maintenance compared with metal frames.

Aluminium greenhouses

Pros: Budget-friendly, durable, plain silver is maintenance-free, light and easy to assemble

Cons: Fastenings needed to attach shading material, tricky to extend, insulation can be poor, usually need to add your own base

Aluminium is the most common material for greenhouses, which means you’ll be spoilt for choice. These models are available in a variety of shapes and sizes, so you'll have some options that suit your budget.

Generally speaking, aluminium greenhouses are considered low maintenance as they're able to withstand harsh weather. Aluminium won't warp or crack over time, and the material is rust-resistant. A lightweight metal construction also ensures the greenhouse is easy to move or dismantle.

Wooden greenhouses

Pros: Can stain to a specific colour, easy to attach shading material, better insulation

Cons: Can be expensive, usually need to add your own base (keeping the wooden frame off the damp ground), vulnerable to rot, need regular maintenance

Wooden greenhouses are less common and typically cost more than their aluminium counterparts. It's important to pick the right type of wood. Avoid softwoods, such as deal (pine), which are vulnerable to rot – even if the timber has been treated.

Wood is a natural insulator, so it should retain heat fairly well in winter. You can add additional insulation panels to your wooden greenhouse if needed.

Naturally durable timber – usually western red cedar – can be left to age to a silver-brown. For looks, a western red cedar greenhouse is hard to beat. Look for manufacturers that offer a guarantee against rot.

For gardeners working with a limited budget, be aware that you'll usually need to add your own base to a wooden greenhouse.

If you think you'd benefit from adding a shed to your garden, consult our in-depth guide on how to buy the best shed.

Are plastic greenhouses any good?

Glass is the main glazing material used in greenhouses, hence the alternative name ‘glasshouse’. Horticultural glass is inexpensive and easily replaced, but if you're concerned about breakages or safety, you can opt for a plastic greenhouse.

Plastic greenhouses have twin-walled polycarbonate sheets. Polycarbonate greenhouses let in sufficient light for plant growth initially but, over the years, they can become cloudy and age poorly. Toughened glass is a better option, particularly if the greenhouse is on show.

Toughened or safety glass is stronger than horticultural glass and, if it does break, the resulting pieces are not as sharp. Choosing this option adds about £200 to the cost of a small greenhouse.

Another option is a self-adhesive safety film – this is a transparent film applied to horticultural glass. If the glass is subsequently broken, the film holds the fragments together. However, as the film doesn't reduce breakages, it could end up being more expensive than choosing toughened glass from the start.

To find out which products will leave your plants looking good throughout the summer, see our guide to the best controlled-release fertilisers.

Cheap greenhouses

If you're looking to keep costs down, the cheapest option will be a smaller, aluminium model. You can expect to spend around £200, although prices can rise depending on the quality of the materials used.

Greenhouses on sale for less than £200 are often classed as a 'mini greenhouse' or a 'cold frame greenhouse'. Both are easy to move to a spot in your garden that's well suited for growing specific plants. Models that allow varying levels of ventilation are popular, as are cold frames that you can set up on gravel or paved areas.

Larger, wooden structures and greenhouses with ready-made shelving and additional accessories can cost anywhere between £1,000 and £4,000.

Where to buy a greenhouse

Both generalist retailers and dedicated garden shops offer a wide range of greenhouses. To make sure you're buying a greenhouse that's safe to use, only shop with trusted sellers online or in-store.

Ideally, you'd get to see the greenhouse in-store before buying. If this isn’t an option, find out as much information about it as possible before parting with your money.

Popular online retailers that sell greenhouses include:

• Greenhouse People – offers various guarantees, including a '100% refund guarantee' (within 30 days of delivery) and a '10-year frame guarantee'.
• Greenhouse Stores – sells various types of greenhouse, including aluminium lean-to models from around £280.
• Rhino – has freestanding and lean-to greenhouses starting at a width of 4ft (1.2m). Most are available in a range of colours and come fitted with 'toughened glass'.
• B&Q – stocks a selection of greenhouses made from aluminium, metal, plastic and timber.
• Homebase – prices start at around £70 for a small walk-in greenhouse. The retailer also offers metal greenhouses (from around £350) and wooden models (from around £500).

See which retailers are rated highly with our guide on the best furniture, homeware and DIY shops.

Greenhouse sizes

The size of your greenhouse will be limited to what you can fit in your garden. For most of us it will be fairly modest, especially if you live in a city. Larger structures typically cost more, so even if size isn’t a factor, budget might be.

Your best bet is to opt for the biggest greenhouse you can. Width is an important dimension because this will determine size of the benches and aisles. Below, we've listed some of the most common greenhouse sizes:

• Mini greenhouse: 2-3ft (0.6-0.9m)
• Small greenhouse: 6ft (1.8m)
• Medium greenhouse: 8ft (2.4m)
• Large greenhouse: 10ft (3m)
• Commercial greenhouse: 12-20ft (3.6-6m)

Most people opt for a 6 x 8ft (1.8 x 2.4m) or 8 x 10ft (2.4 x 3m) freestanding greenhouse. This is wide enough for a central path, with shelving on one side to hold a propagator and potted plants, and a greenhouse border on the other side, so tall cropping plants such as cucumbers can be planted directly into the soil.

12ft wide (around 3.6m) is a semi-professional width, and anything above this is typical for commercial use.

When settling on a greenhouse size, make sure you can get in and out of the door easily and that you feel comfortable once inside. Note that low greenhouses can feel claustrophobic.

If space is limited, you might want to opt for a mini greenhouse that sits under a window or against a wall.

Fancy upgrading your gardening equipment? Explore our gardening tool reviews.

Where should I put a greenhouse?

In practice, there are probably only one or two suitable places in your garden. This will limit the size of greenhouse you opt for – which is why most people end up with a small one.

The greenhouse should be sited where there's plenty of light, but not exposed to high winds. A sheltered spot is good, but avoid placing it under trees.

There needs to be access space around the greenhouse for cleaning, as well as room for acclimatising greenhouse-raised plants to the outside (for example, space for a cold frame).

A heated greenhouse gives more scope for raising a wider range of seeds and cuttings earlier in the season. The nearer the greenhouse is to the house, the more economical it will be to get electricity to it. You must, by law, hire a professional electrician to do this. 

Visit Which? Trusted Traders to find a professional near you. You can also use our Trusted Trader search tool below:

Cold frames

What is a cold frame?

Cold frames protect plants from the worst of the winter weather. They’re vital for hardening off plants grown indoors in spring so they're ready to go outside. You can also use them for propagation, such as taking cuttings and sowing seeds, and to extend the growing season.

The cold frames we tested

All the cold frames we tested are listed in alphabetical order below.

Which? members can log in now for the full results and see our recommended suppliers. If you're not a member, join Which? to get instant access.

Access 4ft X 4ft Cold Frame

Easigear Compact Wooden Cold Frame

Forest Large Timber Cold Frame

Gardman Wooden Cold Frame 08895

Garden Grow Wooden Cold Frame

Halls Jumbo Glass Cold Frame

Halls Standard Glass Cold Frame

Outsunny PC Board Greenhouse Adjustable Roof Grow House

Outsunny Wood Cold Frame Greenhouse Polycarbonate Grow House

Rowlinson Alderley Cold frame

Rowlinson Timber Cold Frame

Zest4Leisure Small Space Cold Frame

Make more of your garden – get our free Gardening newsletter for top tips from our experts