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About our t-shaped wooden greenhouses
T-shaped wooden greenhouses add a central porch that projects from the long side of the frame. This divides the interior into two growing wings. The porch doubles as a potting area, tool store, or seating space. We stock 20 T-shaped models from Swallow, all built from ThermoWood redwood pine. Every model includes 3mm toughened glass, 4 automatic roof vents, a 12-year warranty, and free installation.
Three ranges cover different widths and porch sizes. The Swallow Cygnet is 6ft wide with a 6ft porch and single door. The Swallow Mallard is 8ft wide with a 6ft porch and single door. The Swallow Swan is 8ft wide with an 8ft porch and double doors. Prices start from £8,847 for the Cygnet 6x15 and run to £14,222 for the Mallard 8x32.
Why We Chose This Range
“The T-shape is the greenhouse I’d put in my own garden. The porch gives you somewhere to pot up, sit down, or store tools without eating into growing space. We’ve installed dozens of Mallards and Swans and the build quality is the best we’ve seen. The 8ft width lets you walk down the middle with staging on both sides.”, Matt, Greenhouse Stores
Types of t-shaped wooden greenhouse we offer
Swallow cygnet (6ft wide)
The compact T-shaped greenhouse. 6ft wide body with a 6ft porch. Single hinged door with mortice lock. Ridge height 7ft 9in. Available in 6x11, 6x15, and 6x19 lengths. Also offered with dwarf wall bases and painted finishes. From £8,847.
Swallow mallard (8ft wide, 6ft porch)
The mid-range T-shaped greenhouse. 8ft wide body with a 6ft porch. Single hinged door. Ridge height 8ft 8in. Available in 8x11, 8x15, 8x19, 8x24, 8x28, and 8x32 lengths. The 8ft width allows staging on both sides. From £8,847.
Swallow swan (8ft wide, 8ft porch)
The premium T-shaped greenhouse. 8ft wide body with the largest 8ft porch. Double hinged doors for easy access with wheelbarrows and large pots. Ridge height 8ft 8in. Available in 8x13, 8x17, 8x22, 8x26, and 8x30 lengths. From £9,517.
Cygnet painted & dwarf wall
Cygnet variants with factory-applied paint or brick-effect dwarf wall bases. Painted models come in 9 colours. Dwarf wall versions sit on a low timber panel that mimics a brick plinth. Available in 6x11, 6x15, and 6x19 lengths. From £8,041.
Quick Guide: Which Porch Size?
The 6ft porch (Cygnet and Mallard) fits a potting bench and a few shelves. The 8ft porch (Swan) adds room for two chairs or a workbench. If you plan to use the porch as a sitting area, choose the Swan. For potting and access only, the Mallard gives you the same 8ft body width at a lower price.
T-shaped wooden greenhouse comparison
| Model | Width | Porch | Door | Ridge | Warranty | Price From |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cygnet 6x15 | 6ft | 6ft | Single | 7ft 9in | 12 years | £8,847 |
| Cygnet 6x11 | 6ft | 6ft | Single | 7ft 9in | 12 years | £8,041 |
| Mallard 8x11 | 8ft | 6ft | Single | 8ft 8in | 12 years | £8,847 |
| Mallard 8x15 ★ Matt's Pick | 8ft | 6ft | Single | 8ft 8in | 12 years | £9,919 |
| Swan 8x13 | 8ft | 8ft | Double | 8ft 8in | 12 years | £9,517 |
| Swan 8x22 | 8ft | 8ft | Double | 8ft 8in | 12 years | £11,666 |
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Matt's pick: best t-shaped wooden greenhouseBest For: Serious growers who want dual zones and a 6ft porch without the premium of the Swan Why I Recommend It: The 8x15 Mallard is the one we install most. The 8ft width lets you run staging on both sides with a clear walkway. The 6ft porch handles potting and storage. At 15ft long, each wing gives you 4.5ft of growing space. Price: £9,919 |
Matt's Installation Tip
T-shaped greenhouses need a T-shaped base. The porch foundation must be level with the main body. Most customers pour a single concrete pad covering the full T-shape footprint. Allow 50mm extra on each side. Our team checks the base on arrival and cannot install on an uneven surface. See our concrete base guide for full instructions.
How does a t-shaped greenhouse compare to a standard frame?
A T-shaped greenhouse gives you separate growing zones that a rectangular frame cannot. The central porch divides the interior into two wings, each with its own staging. This lets you keep propagation separate from established plants. The porch itself adds usable space without increasing the overall length. A Mallard 8x15 delivers more practical floor area than a standard 8x16 because the porch projects sideways. Read our wooden vs aluminium comparison if you are weighing material choices alongside the T-shaped layout.
What is included with every t-shaped swallow greenhouse?
- 3mm toughened safety glass, silicone-sealed into grooves on all panels
- 4 automatic Bayliss XL roof vents, wax-cylinder openers that activate at 15°C
- 2 front returned stagings, one in each wing, full length of the growing area
- Mortice-locking door, single on Cygnet and Mallard, double on the Swan
- 20mm PVC damp barrier, screwed to the base to prevent rising damp
- Guttering to all sides, integral aluminium guttering included as standard
- Free professional installation, our team delivers and erects the greenhouse
- 12-year frame and base warranty, covers structural defects and timber rot
Frequently Asked Questions
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How much does a T-shaped wooden greenhouse cost?
Prices range from £8,847 to £14,222 including free installation. The Swallow Cygnet 6x15 is the entry point. Mid-range Mallard 8x15 models cost £9,919. The largest Swan 8x30 costs £13,818. Painted Cygnet models start at £9,137. All prices include ThermoWood frame, toughened glass, and professional installation.
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What is the difference between the Cygnet, Mallard, and Swan?
Width and porch size are the main differences. The Cygnet is 6ft wide with a 6ft porch and single door. The Mallard is 8ft wide with a 6ft porch and single door. The Swan is 8ft wide with the largest 8ft porch and double doors. The extra width on the Mallard and Swan allows staging on both sides with a clear walkway between.
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Can I use the porch as a sitting area?
Yes. Many customers furnish the porch with seating. The Swan’s 8ft porch comfortably fits two chairs and a small table. The Mallard’s 6ft porch suits a single bench or potting station. The toughened glass and ThermoWood frame create a warm, bright space that works well as an orangery-style retreat.
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What base does a T-shaped greenhouse need?
A level concrete pad matching the full T-shaped footprint. The base must cover both the main body and the projecting porch. Allow 50mm extra on each side. Level tolerance is 10mm across the width. Most customers pour a 100mm concrete slab. Paving slabs also work if they are dead level. Our team checks the base before starting installation.
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How long does it take to install a T-shaped greenhouse?
Most T-shaped models take 1-2 days to install. A Mallard 8x15 typically takes a full day. Larger models like the Swan 8x30 or Mallard 8x32 require a second day. Our two-person team handles the full build including glazing, staging, vents, and door fitting. We confirm the installation date 2 weeks before delivery.
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Do T-shaped greenhouses retain more heat than standard ones?
Yes. The T-shape traps heat more effectively than a rectangle. The porch acts as an airlock, reducing heat loss when you open the door. ThermoWood also insulates better than aluminium. In our experience, T-shaped greenhouses stay 2-3°C warmer on cold mornings than equivalent-sized rectangular frames. See our glass vs polycarbonate guide for more on insulation.
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Can I extend or add a larger porch later?
Porch extensions can be added at the time of order. Swallow offers 2ft, 4ft, and 6ft porch sizes on most models. However, extending the porch after installation is not straightforward. If you think you may want a larger porch, specify it when ordering. The cost difference between porch sizes is modest compared to retrofitting.