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5ft Wide Wooden Greenhouses
Our 5ft wide wooden greenhouses are built by Swallow, one of Britain's finest timber greenhouse makers. Every Robin model features Finnish Thermowood framing, toughened safety glass, and an automatic roof vent as standard. At just 1524mm wide, the Robin fits narrow gardens and side passages where a standard 6ft greenhouse won't go.
All 5ft Swallow Robin greenhouses include free professional installation by our dedicated fitting team. Choose natural Thermowood (from £2,669) or a factory-painted finish in 8 colours (from £3,521). Five lengths from 4ft to 12ft.
Best Selling 5ft Wooden Greenhouses
About Our 5ft Wide Wooden Greenhouses
Our 5ft wide range features 10 Swallow Robin models in two finishes. Natural Thermowood starts from £2,669 for the compact 5x4. Painted finishes in 8 colours start from £3,521. Every model includes free professional installation, toughened safety glass, and an automatic roof vent as standard.
The 5ft (1524mm) width makes the Robin our narrowest freestanding wooden greenhouse. It fits side passages, narrow gardens, and compact plots where a standard 6ft wide wooden greenhouse is too wide. Despite the narrower footprint, you still get a full-height single sliding door, proper eaves clearance, and enough bench space for serious growing. See our small wooden greenhouses collection for more compact options including lean-to models.
Why We Chose This Range
"The Swallow Robin is the only 5ft wide wooden greenhouse I'd recommend. Most timber manufacturers start at 6ft because it's easier to engineer, but Swallow built the Robin specifically for narrow spaces without cutting corners. The frame sections are the same heavy-duty Thermowood as their full-size models. When we install these, the joinery is tight and the doors run smooth first time. I've fitted Robins in side returns and walled gardens where nothing else would work."
— Matt, Founder of Greenhouse StoresNatural Thermowood vs Painted Finish
Natural Thermowood
The standard finish uses Finnish Thermowood heated to 212°C during treatment. This changes the wood's cellular structure, giving it natural rot resistance without chemical preservatives. The timber arrives in a warm honey-brown tone that weathers to silver-grey over 2-3 years. No painting or staining required. Five lengths from 5x4 (£2,669) to 5x12 (£3,919).
Painted Finish
Choose from 8 factory-applied paint colours including Robins Egg Blue, Olive Green, and Lark. The paint is applied over the Thermowood base, so you get the same rot resistance underneath. Painted models cost roughly £850 more than the natural equivalent. Five lengths from 5x4 (£3,521) to 5x12 (£5,171). The factory finish typically lasts 8-10 years before recoating.
5ft Wooden Greenhouse Size Comparison
| Model | Natural Price | Painted Price | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Robin 5x4 | £2,669 | £3,521 | Propagation, seed starting |
| Robin 5x6 | £2,856 | £3,768 | Herbs, salads, small crops |
| Robin 5x8 ★ Matt's Pick | £3,042 | £4,014 | Tomatoes, cucumbers, year-round |
| Robin 5x10 | £3,229 | £4,259 | Mixed cropping, staging both sides |
| Robin 5x12 | £3,919 | £5,171 | Serious growers, full crop range |
Tip: The 5ft width gives you a 600mm path down the centre with a 450mm bench on each side. That's enough for two rows of grow bags or a single staging shelf per side. For the 5x8 and longer models, we recommend a north-south orientation so both benches get equal sunlight throughout the day.
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Matt's Pick for 5ft Wooden GreenhousesBest For: Year-round growing in narrow gardens Why I Recommend It: The 5x8 is the sweet spot in this range. You get nearly 4m² of growing space, enough for tomatoes down one side and salads down the other, with a proper path to work in. It's the shortest Robin I'd pick for serious year-round growing. Price: £3,042 |
Matt's Installation Tip: Base for a 5ft Robin
The Swallow Robin ships with a timber base frame, but it still needs a dead-level foundation underneath. For the 5x4 and 5x6, paving slabs on compacted sand work well and cost around £100-£150. For the 5x8 and longer, I'd go with a concrete pad because the extra length magnifies any slope across the site. We check level to within 5mm across the full diagonal before bolting the frame down. Get your base sorted before our team arrives. Read our concrete base guide for step-by-step instructions.
All Swallow Robin 5ft greenhouses include free UK mainland delivery and free professional installation. Natural Thermowood models range from £2,669 (5x4) to £3,919 (5x12). Painted models range from £3,521 (5x4) to £5,171 (5x12). Every model comes with a 15-year structural guarantee from Swallow.
Standard features across the range include 4mm toughened safety glass, an automatic roof vent opener, integral aluminium gutters, a single sliding door, and heavy-duty stainless steel fixings. The Thermowood frame needs no chemical treatment and resists rot for decades. Read our wooden vs aluminium greenhouse comparison if you're weighing up frame materials. For winter care advice, our guide covers insulation, heating, and maintenance for wooden frames.
Frequently Asked Questions
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How much do 5ft wide wooden greenhouses cost?
Our 5ft Swallow Robin greenhouses range from £2,669 to £5,171. Natural Thermowood models start at £2,669 for the 5x4 and rise to £3,919 for the 5x12. Painted versions in 8 colours add roughly £850 per model. All prices include free UK delivery and free professional installation by our fitting team.
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What is the difference between natural and painted Thermowood?
Both finishes use the same Finnish Thermowood base with identical rot resistance. Natural Thermowood starts honey-brown and weathers to silver-grey over 2-3 years with zero maintenance. Painted models receive a factory-applied finish in your choice of 8 colours that lasts 8-10 years before needing a recoat. The Thermowood underneath protects the frame even if the paint wears.
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Will a 5ft wide greenhouse fit in a side passage?
Yes, the 5ft Robin fits passages as narrow as 1800mm (about 6ft). The greenhouse itself is 1524mm wide. You need around 150mm clearance each side for rainwater runoff and occasional maintenance. We install Robins in side returns, walled gardens, and narrow plots regularly. Check that your access route is at least 1600mm wide so the glass panels can be carried in during installation.
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Do 5ft wooden greenhouses come with free installation?
Yes, every Swallow Robin 5ft greenhouse includes free professional installation. Our team delivers and builds the greenhouse on your prepared base, typically completing the job in 3-4 hours. Installation covers the frame, glazing, door, vents, and gutters. You just need a level base ready before we arrive.
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What base does a Swallow Robin greenhouse need?
The Robin needs a level, solid base such as concrete or paving slabs. Swallow supplies a timber base frame with every model. For the 5x4 and 5x6, slabs on compacted sand work well. For 5x8 and longer, we recommend a concrete pad to handle the extra length. The base must be level to within 5mm across the diagonals for the doors to slide properly.
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How long does a Thermowood greenhouse last?
Finnish Thermowood frames last 30+ years without chemical treatment. The heat-treatment process removes moisture and changes the wood's cell structure, making it naturally resistant to rot, fungus, and insects. Swallow provides a 15-year structural guarantee. The toughened safety glass is virtually maintenance-free. You can apply optional wood oil every 4-5 years to keep the natural colour, or let it weather to silver-grey.
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Can I grow tomatoes in a 5ft wide greenhouse?
Yes, a 5x8 or longer Robin comfortably supports 6-8 cordon tomato plants. Run your plants down one side with grow bags against the bench, leaving the other side for salads, herbs, or cucumbers. The 5x4 is too compact for tomatoes but works well for propagation and herbs. The automatic roof vent helps manage summer temperatures. See our tomato growing guide for planting advice.
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