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About Our Polycarbonate Greenhouses
Polycarbonate is the glazing to choose when you want warmth and toughness over glass-clear views. The twin-wall panels trap a layer of air, so a polycarbonate greenhouse holds heat better than single glass, and the sheets will not shatter if a ball or a branch hits them. We stock 100 models, from £229, across Palram Canopia, Elite and Vitavia frames.
It is worth knowing how polycarbonate differs from glass. The twin-wall sheets diffuse light rather than letting it straight through, which actually suits seedlings, they get even light with no scorch. The trade-off is you cannot see in clearly. For windy, exposed or family gardens the safety and insulation usually win; for the clearest light, a toughened glass house is the alternative.
Why We Chose This Range
"Polycarbonate gets a bad name from cheap, thin sheets that yellow and pop out in a gale. The ones we stock are a different thing, proper twin-wall panels that clip into the frame and stay put. I fit them for anyone on an exposed or coastal plot, or with kids and footballs about, because nothing shatters. The light is softer than glass too, which seedlings prefer. Just keep the inside faces clean, that is where the green film grows and steals your light."
— Matt, Founder of Greenhouse Stores💡 Tip: Always fit polycarbonate with the UV-protected side facing out, it is marked on the film. Get it the wrong way up and the panel clouds and goes brittle years early. Peel the film only after the sheet is in the frame.
🔧 Matt's Installation Tip: Clip and tape the panels properly
Polycarbonate expands and contracts a lot with temperature, so it must be held by the glazing clips, not pinned tight. Tape the open flutes at the top with the proper vented tape to keep bugs and damp out of the channels. Done right, the panels stay clear and secure for years.
Matt's Pick: Palram Canopia Mythos 6x4
Best For: A tough, warm starter greenhouse for an exposed or family garden.
Why I Recommend It: Twin-wall polycarbonate that holds heat and will not shatter, a rust-proof frame, and a price that makes it an easy first greenhouse.
Price: from £344
Polycarbonate versus glass
| Glazing | Best for | Trade-off |
|---|---|---|
| Twin-wall polycarbonate ⭐ Matt's Pick | Warmth, safety, exposed plots | Diffused, not clear, views |
| Toughened glass | Clear light plus safety | Less insulating, costs more |
| Horticultural glass | Clearest light, lowest price | Thin panes, not child-safe |
Frequently Asked Questions
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Are polycarbonate greenhouses any good?
Yes, twin-wall polycarbonate is warm, tough and shatterproof. It insulates better than single glass and copes with wind and knocks, which makes it ideal for exposed or family gardens. The light is diffused rather than crystal clear.
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Is polycarbonate warmer than glass?
Yes, twin-wall polycarbonate holds heat better. The air gap between the two skins slows heat loss, so the greenhouse warms quickly and stays warmer into the evening than a single-glazed glass house.
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Does polycarbonate go cloudy?
Good panels last many years if fitted correctly. Keep the UV-protected side facing out and clean the inside faces, where algae grows. Cheap, thin sheets fitted the wrong way up are the ones that yellow early.
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Is polycarbonate or glass better for a greenhouse?
It depends on your plot. Polycarbonate wins for warmth, safety and exposed sites; glass wins for clear views and the brightest light. Both grow excellent crops, so choose on your conditions.
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Will polycarbonate survive strong wind?
Yes, when clipped in properly. The panels are light but tough, and held in the glazing bars they ride out gales that strip glass. Anchor the greenhouse base well and tape the panel flutes.