About Our 8x6 Greenhouses
We stock 56 products in the 8x6 greenhouse size from four manufacturers, priced from £435 to £6,148. Palram Canopia polycarbonate models start at £435 and ship in 3 to 5 days. Vitavia aluminium greenhouses with glass glazing begin at £509. The Vitavia Apollo 5000 at £609 includes its own base plinth and a low-threshold door. British-made Elite models run from £675 with integral bases and locking doors. Every Elite carries a 20-year warranty.
An 8x6 greenhouse gives you 5.0 square metres of growing space. That is double a 6x4 and 32% more than a 6x6. The extra depth means you can fit staging down one 8ft side, grow bags on the other, and still walk between them without brushing past your plants. It is the most popular greenhouse size sold in the UK.
Why the 8x6 Is Our Best Seller
"The 8x6 accounts for more of our sales than any other size. People ring up asking about a 6x4 and I talk them into the 8x6 every time. The reason is simple. A 6x4 holds one row of tomatoes and a bit of staging. An 8x6 holds six to eight tomato plants, a full run of staging, and you can still get a wheelbarrow through the door. The price jump from a Venus 3800 to a Venus 5000 is £60. That buys you an extra 1.2 square metres. I fitted my own 8x6 fifteen years ago and I have never once wished it was smaller."
— Matt, Founder of Greenhouse StoresTypes of 8x6 Greenhouse We Offer
Budget Polycarbonate (Palram Canopia)
The Hybrid and Harmony use polycarbonate glazing on aluminium frames. The Hybrid starts at £435 and pairs an opaque twin-wall roof with crystal-clear sides. Pick the Harmony from £485 if you want clear polycarbonate throughout. Both include a galvanised steel base frame and ship in 3 to 5 days. Virtually unbreakable panels make these a sensible choice for gardens where children play nearby. 5-year warranty.
Mid-Range Aluminium (Vitavia)
The Venus 5000 at £509 is the cheapest glass 8x6 we sell and our best seller across all sizes. It comes with a roof vent, integral gutters, diagonal roof braces, and a free downpipe kit. The Apollo 5000 (from £609) adds a built-in base plinth and low-threshold entry. For curved eaves, the Orion 5000 starts at £639. All Vitavia 8x6 models carry a 12-year frame warranty. Silver, green, or black frames.
Premium Aluminium (Elite)
Made in Bolton, England. The Craftsman 8x6 starts at £675 with two roof vents and an integral base as standard. The door locks with a key. The High Eave (from £749) raises the eaves for tall crops like cordon tomatoes. The Titan at £1,669 is the strongest 8x6 we stock, built for exposed and coastal gardens. Choose from 10 powder-coated colours. 20-year warranty on every Elite model.
Premium Timber (Swallow)
The Kingfisher 6x8 is handmade from ThermoWood-treated Scandinavian redwood that needs no painting or chemical retreatment. Toughened glass and automatic roof vents come as standard. Prices start at £3,154 and include free professional installation by Swallow's own fitters. The Raven 8x6 (£3,579) adds double doors for wheelbarrow access. Allow 8 to 12 weeks for delivery.
8x6 Greenhouse Comparison: Key Models at a Glance
| Model | From | Frame | Glazing | Eaves (mm) | Ridge (mm) | Warranty | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Palram Canopia Hybrid | £435 | Aluminium | Polycarbonate | — | — | 5 years | Budget buyers, fast 3-5 day delivery |
| Vitavia Venus 5000 | £509 | Aluminium | Glass or poly | 1,240 | 1,970 | 12 years | Best seller, best value glass |
| Vitavia Apollo 5000 | £609 | Aluminium | Glass or poly | 1,360 | 2,009 | 12 years | Low-threshold entry, includes base |
| Vitavia Orion 5000 | £639 | Aluminium | Glass | — | — | 12 years | Curved eaves, Victorian look |
| Elite Craftsman | £675 | Aluminium | Glass or poly | 1,292 | 2,122 | 20 years | British-made, 10 colours, locking door |
| Elite High Eave | £749 | Aluminium | Glass | — | — | 20 years | Tall plants, extra headroom |
| Elite Titan | £1,669 | Aluminium | Toughened glass | — | — | 20 years | Exposed sites, heavy-duty frame |
| Swallow Kingfisher | £3,154 | ThermoWood | Toughened glass | — | — | 12 years | Premium timber, free installation |
Buying Guide: How to Choose the Best 8x6 Greenhouse
💡 Tip: An 8x6 greenhouse needs a base roughly 1,930 mm x 2,570 mm. Measure your available space and subtract 150 mm on each side for access. You need to reach every wall for cleaning and maintenance without climbing over plants.
🔧 Matt's Installation Tip: The Difference Between 8x6 and 6x8
An 8x6 means 8ft wide and 6ft deep. A 6x8 means 6ft wide and 8ft long. Most of our models are 6ft wide (1,930 mm) with 8ft depth (2,570 mm). The width matters because it sets the door size and how easily you can move staging in and out. If your space is wider than it is deep, look at the Swallow Raven which runs 8ft across the front and has double doors.
For the base, use paving slabs on 50 mm of compacted sharp sand. Level to within 3 mm corner to corner. Build the base before your greenhouse arrives. The Vitavia Venus needs an optional steel base plinth (£89) unless you choose the Apollo, which has one built in. Read our full paving slab base guide here.
Under £500 gets you a Palram polycarbonate model with fast delivery. Between £509 and £650, Vitavia covers three glazing types across the Venus, Apollo, and Orion. The Elite Craftsman at £675 gives you an integral base, two roof vents, and a 20-year warranty. Above £1,600, the Elite Titan is built for exposed gardens. Swallow timber models start at £3,154 with free installation.
Ventilation matters more than most people expect. A single roof vent is not enough once summer temperatures pass 30°C inside the glass. The Elite Craftsman comes with two roof vents as standard. For other models, budget £38 to £48 for an automatic vent opener that responds to heat without electricity. Toughened glass costs £100 to £150 more than horticultural but it is four times stronger and shatters into safe granules rather than shards.
Frequently Asked Questions
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How much does an 8x6 greenhouse cost?
8x6 greenhouses at Greenhouse Stores cost £435 to £6,148. Palram Canopia polycarbonate models start at £435. The Vitavia Venus 5000 in horticultural glass starts at £509. Elite British-made models with integral bases run from £675. The Swallow Kingfisher in ThermoWood costs £3,154 including free professional installation. All prices include free UK mainland delivery.
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What can I grow in an 8x6 greenhouse?
An 8x6 fits 6 to 8 cordon tomato plants comfortably. Place grow bags down one side and staging on the other. You can also grow 2 to 3 cucumbers trained vertically, 4 to 6 peppers in pots, and salad crops on the staging shelf. A heated propagator extends your growing season by 6 to 8 weeks for seed starting from February onwards.
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Is an 8x6 greenhouse big enough?
Yes, the 8x6 is the most popular size in the UK. The 5.0 square metre floor space is double a 6x4 and enough for a full growing season of tomatoes, staging, and room to work. If you plan to grow year-round with heated propagation zones, consider stepping up to a 10x8 greenhouse.
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What is the difference between an 8x6 and a 6x8 greenhouse?
8x6 means 8ft wide by 6ft deep. 6x8 means 6ft wide by 8ft long. Most greenhouses in this category are 6ft wide (1,930 mm) with 8ft depth (2,570 mm), giving you a narrow front with a longer growing run inside. An 8ft-wide model like the Swallow Raven has double doors and a wider frontage. The growing area is the same either way.
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Do I need planning permission for an 8x6 greenhouse?
No, an 8x6 greenhouse falls within permitted development. It is well under the 30 square metre outbuilding limit. The ridge height must stay below 2.5 metres within 2 metres of a boundary. All our 8x6 models have ridge heights between 1,970 mm and 2,122 mm, so they meet this rule. Check with your local authority if you live in a conservation area.
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Which 8x6 greenhouse is best for beginners?
The Vitavia Venus 5000 at £509 is our top pick. It has a 12-year warranty, reversible sliding door, integral gutters, and roof braces included as standard. Assembly takes a weekend for two people. The Palram Canopia Hybrid at £435 is faster to build and cheaper, but polycarbonate loses clarity over 10 to 15 years. For a model you will keep long-term, glass is the better investment.
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How long does it take to build an 8x6 greenhouse?
Allow a full weekend for two people. Saturday for the frame assembly, Sunday for the glazing. Palram polycarbonate models are quicker at around 4 to 5 hours because the panels slide into channels. Glass models take longer because each pane seats into individual clips. Do not leave a partially glazed frame overnight, as wind can buckle unsupported bars.