A gardener's guide to buying polycarbonate greenhouses

When you think of a greenhouse, you probably think of the traditional glass designs... But what if we told you there was an alternative that's lower in cost yet just as high in quality?

Introducing polycarbonate greenhouses! Made with flexible plastic panels rather than rigid glass sheets, they're lightweight yet sturdy and boast impressive damage resistance - whatever the weather. Read on to discover everything you need to know before you buy!

What is a polycarbonate greenhouse?

A polycarbonate greenhouse is made from a group of naturally transparent thermoplastics, which allow light to pass through easily. 

As plastic is thicker than glass, light is spread out more evenly in a polycarbonate greenhouse, giving all plants inside the same advantage. The thicker material also traps more heat, providing better insulation.

The light and heat combined create optimal growing conditions for crops. 

The different types available

There are many different types of polycarbonate greenhouses, including: 

• Multiple sheet - This leaves pockets of air between 'walls', which trap heat and keep the structure at the right temperature. 
  
  
• Two-wall - These are common and provide increased durability and thermal insulation. You may also find three- and four-wall designs, too. 
  
  
• Honeycomb - This mimics the tiny hexagonal cavities found in a beehive, to trap air even more effectively.

Theoretically, single sheets could be used to build a greenhouse, but they wouldn't provide enough insulation to keep heat in during the autumn and winter. For year-round growing, we recommend choosing one with multiple sheets and walls. 

Advantages of polycarbonate greenhouses

As well as being more impact-resistant and insulating than traditional glass greenhouses, polycarbonate offers an array of benefits, including:

Are polycarbonate greenhouses better than glass?

While polycarbonate offers many benefits, is it truly better than glass?

The answer really depends on what you're looking for. While it is a wonderful material for greenhouses, there are some areas where glass still reigns supreme, including: 

• Appearance: The translucence of polycarbonate panelling means it will never look as attractive as glass does.

• Maintenance: Polycarbonate is also prone to scratches and discolouration, so it takes slightly longer to clean.
• Condensation and dust: Moisture can often get in between the walls of polycarbonate greenhouses, allowing condensation and algae to form.

That being said, rather than worrying about which material is objectively 'better', it's always a good idea to choose the option that best fits your needs.

Do you want a greenhouse that won't degrade over time, isn't affected by condensation and looks just as beautiful as the plants within? If your answer is ‘yes’, your best bet is to go for a glass greenhouse.

If you’re looking for a greenhouse that's easy to set up, is weather-resistant and diffuses light for happier plants, go for polycarbonate. 

Still undecided?

Find out more about the different types of greenhouses, including polytunnel, hydroponic, walk-in and wooden, by heading to our greenhouse buying guide. Or check out our full range to find great deals on greenhouses now!