Greenhouse Buyers Guide 2026
Our guide to choosing the right size, style, and glazing for your garden.
Read Guide →Since 2012, we’ve helped UK gardeners choose greenhouses for their gardens and growing plans. Whether you prefer an Elite aluminium greenhouse, the classic timber of a Swallow, or a starter Vitavia, we offer practical advice and installation options to help you get started. Check the current delivery estimate on your chosen product page when planning your growing season.
Explore specialist brands including Elite, Swallow, Vitavia, Palram Canopia, and Janssens. Our focus is Greenhouses, with practical advice to help you choose the right model.
Free delivery is available on eligible orders. Delivery times and charges vary by product and postcode, so check your chosen product page for the current estimate and any surcharges.
Professional installation is available on eligible models. Check the product options for availability and pricing, and have a suitable level base ready. Manufacturer warranty terms vary by 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.
Photos from customers and our own installers - real greenhouses in real gardens.
| 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 |
| Matt's Pick | ✓ Our pick |
Matt's Pick: the Elite High Eave. Box-section frame and a 20-year warranty. The one we recommend most.
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 guide to choosing the right 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.
Prices vary with size, frame material, glazing and finish. Each product page shows the current price for that model. Allow separately for base preparation, optional accessories and installation where required.
Aluminium greenhouses (like our Elite and Vitavia ranges) have slim, low-maintenance frames. Wooden greenhouses (like our Swallow range) offer a traditional appearance and thicker frame sections. Compare the glazing, ventilation, maintenance and warranty of the particular models you are considering.
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 model, finish and delivery address. Check your chosen product page for the current estimate. Free delivery is available on eligible orders; some products and postcodes have additional charges. See our delivery information for details.
Greenhouse Stores has been a specialist online greenhouse retailer since 2012. Browse our greenhouses and garden buildings, read customer reviews and ask our team for help comparing the options for your garden.
Our brands include Vitavia, Elite, Janssens, Swallow, and Palram Canopia. Product pages show current prices and delivery estimates, including any postcode surcharges.
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. 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.
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.