Greenhouse Buyers Guide 2026
Our comprehensive guide to choosing the perfect size, style, and glazing for your garden.
Read Guide →Since 2012, we’ve served over 150,000 customers and professionally installed 3,000+ greenhouses across the UK. Unlike general retailers, we don’t just ship boxes; we know which models survive British storms. Whether you need the 85mph wind rating of an Elite, the classic timber of a Swallow, or a starter Vitavia, we offer honest advice and professional installation to ensure your growing space lasts.
Since 2012, we’ve become one of the UK’s most trusted greenhouse specialists. We stock 14 brands including Elite, Swallow, Vitavia, Palram Canopia, and Janssens. We do one thing, Greenhouses, and we do it properly.
We work directly with manufacturers to deliver for free. Vitavia and Palram typically arrive in 5-10 working days. Elite takes 2-4 weeks. Swallow wooden greenhouses take 8-12 weeks. Every order ships straight from the factory for safer handling.
Nationwide installation by our own vetted teams. Most installations are completed in a single day. All brands carry manufacturer warranties from 5 to 25 years depending on the model.
Buying a greenhouse is a big decision. Call 0800 098 8877 for a quick double-check. We’ll help you match the right frame to your garden’s specific conditions, giving you total peace of mind that you’ve chosen a model built to last.
| Vitavia Venus | Vitavia Jupiter | Elite High Eave | Swallow Kingfisher | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Vitavia | Vitavia | Elite | Swallow |
| Best for | First-time buyers | Serious growers | All-rounders | Premium timber |
| Frame | Aluminium | Aluminium | Box-section aluminium | Thermowood timber |
| Glazing | Horticultural, toughened, or polycarbonate | Horticultural, toughened, or polycarbonate | Horticultural, toughened, or polycarbonate | Toughened safety glass |
| Widths | 6ft | 8ft | 6ft | 6ft |
| Colours | Silver, green, black | Silver, green, black | 11 colours | 11 paint colours + natural |
| Price from | £395 | £924 | £629 | £2,764 |
| Warranty | 12 years | 12 years | 20 years | 12 years |
Buying a greenhouse is a big decision. Whether you are looking for greenhouses for sale for the first time or upgrading your growing space, our expert guides cover everything from choosing the right model to building the perfect base.
Our comprehensive guide to choosing the perfect size, style, and glazing for your garden.
Read Guide →
Step-by-step instructions for creating a solid, level paving slab foundation.
Read Guide →
A simple DIY guide to pouring a durable concrete base for your new greenhouse.
Read Guide →
Visit our Help & Advice Centre for answers to common questions about delivery, installation, and more
Read Guide →An 8x6 is the most popular size for hobby gardeners — it fits a standard paved area and gives you enough room for staging on both sides with a clear path down the middle. If you grow vegetables year-round or want space for a potting bench, step up to a 6x10 or 8x10. Measure your available base area first, then add 18 inches around all sides for access and cleaning. Our Greenhouse Buyers Guide covers sizing in detail.
Most greenhouses don't need planning permission under UK permitted development rules. Your greenhouse must sit behind the front wall of your house, stay under 4m high (dual-pitch) or 3m (other roofs), and not cover more than 50% of your garden. Listed buildings, conservation areas, and properties in national parks have stricter rules — always check with your local planning authority before ordering.
Greenhouse prices range from around £249 for a small cold frame or mini greenhouse to over £18,000 for a large premium wooden or Belgian glass model. Most customers spend between £500 and £1,500 on a mid-range aluminium greenhouse with toughened safety glass. Budget for base preparation too — a paving slab base typically costs £150–£400 in materials depending on size.
Aluminium greenhouses (like our Elite and Vitavia ranges) are lighter, lower-maintenance, and typically 30–40% cheaper than equivalent wooden models. Wooden greenhouses (like our Swallow range) provide roughly 40% better heat retention. Aluminium suits most gardens; wood suits gardeners who want better insulation and a classic look.
Yes. We provide a nationwide professional installation service on most freestanding greenhouse models. You'll need to have a level base ready before the team arrives. Call us on 0800 098 8877 to add installation to your order.
Delivery times depend on the brand. Vitavia and Palram typically arrive within 5–10 working days. Elite models take 2–4 weeks. Swallow wooden greenhouses take 8–12 weeks. All deliveries are free to UK mainland addresses.
Greenhouse Stores has been the UK's specialist online greenhouse retailer since 2012. We've served over 150,000 customers with a 4.7 out of 5 rating from 3,600+ verified reviews. We only sell greenhouses and garden buildings — we don't sell lawnmowers, fence panels, or anything else. That focus is why we know our products better than the generalist retailers.
We stock 14 greenhouse brands including Vitavia, Elite, Janssens, Swallow, and Palram, with prices from £249 to £18,950. Every order includes free UK mainland delivery direct from the manufacturer.
Why We're Different
I co-founded Greenhouse Stores in 2012 because I couldn't find a retailer that actually knew what they were selling. Fifteen years later, we've installed over 3,000 greenhouses across the UK and I've personally worked with every brand we stock. If a cheaper model does the job, we'll tell you. If you're about to make a mistake we've seen dozens of times before, we'll flag it. That's how we've kept a 4.7 rating across 3,600+ reviews.
— Matt W, Co-Founder of Greenhouse StoresThe single biggest mistake we see is customers ordering a greenhouse before preparing a level base. Your greenhouse needs a flat, solid surface — paving slabs, concrete, or solid timber decking all work. A base that's even 10mm out of level will cause doors to jam and panels to misalign. Sort the base first, then order. We've got a step-by-step guide to help: How to Prepare a Greenhouse Base.
Whether you're a first-time buyer looking at a small lean-to greenhouse or an experienced grower upgrading to a large wooden greenhouse, our Greenhouse Buyers Guide will help you choose the right model for your garden, your budget, and your growing plans.
For friendly advice or to place an order, call our UK team on 0800 098 8877.