About Our Vitavia Ida Lean-To Greenhouses
The Vitavia Ida collection offers a smart solution for UK gardeners working with limited space. These compact lean-to greenhouses attach directly to your house wall, transforming patios, balconies and narrow side passages into productive growing areas. Each model features anodised aluminium frames available in silver or powder-coated green, with built-in guttering to channel rainwater away from your property.
You'll find four core sizes in the range: the Vitavia Ida 900 (2x4ft) suits balconies and tiny courtyards, the Vitavia Ida 1300 (2x6ft) works for narrow side paths, whilst the Vitavia Ida 3300 (4x8ft) and Vitavia Ida 5200 (6x8ft) provide serious growing space against patio walls. We include free UK delivery on every greenhouse, and each aluminium frame carries a 10-year manufacturer warranty.
Key Features of the Vitavia Ida Range
Space-Efficient Design
- 2ft, 4ft or 6ft width options to suit your available wall space
- Sliding door system saves space compared to hinged doors
- Single roof vent for temperature control (additional vents available)
Quality Construction
- Choice of anodised silver aluminium or powder-coated green frames
- 3mm horticultural glass or toughened safety glass glazing options
- Integrated guttering system
Complete Package
- Free delivery across UK mainland
- 10-year warranty on all frame components
- Optional professional Greenhouse Installation Service available
- Prices from £269 to £684 depending on size and specifications
Choosing Your Vitavia Ida Lean-To Greenhouse
Size Selection: Your wall length and available depth determine which model works best. The Ida 900 (2x4ft) fits balconies where every inch counts. If you've got a 6ft wall and 2ft of depth, the Ida 1300 lets you grow tomatoes and peppers vertically. The 4ft-wide models (Ida 3300 and 5200) accommodate staging on one side whilst leaving workspace opposite - perfect if you're serious about propagation or year-round salad growing.
Frame Colour Choice: Anodised silver gives that classic greenhouse look and shows less weathering over time. The powder-coated green option blends into garden settings and suits properties where planning considerations matter. Both finishes handle British weather equally well - this decision comes down to aesthetics and how visible your greenhouse will be from the street.
Glazing Options: Horticultural glass keeps costs down and lets through 90% of available light. It's perfectly adequate for most gardens. Toughened safety glass costs 20-30% more but breaks into small, blunt pieces rather than dangerous shards - worth considering if you've got children playing nearby or your greenhouse sits on a busy pathway. Our Greenhouse Buyers Guide explains these differences in detail.
| Model | Dimensions | Door Type | Floor Area | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ida 900 | 2ft x 4ft | Sliding single | 8 sq ft | Balconies, herb gardens, seedling propagation |
| Ida 1300 | 2ft x 6ft | Sliding single | 12 sq ft | Narrow side passages, vertical tomato growing |
| Ida 3300 | 4ft x 8ft | Sliding double | 32 sq ft | Patio walls, mixed vegetable growing with staging |
| Ida 5200 | 6ft x 8ft | Sliding double | 48 sq ft | Larger patios, year-round food production, potting bench space |
Installation: What to Expect
The Vitavia Ida is a lean-to model, which means it must be securely fixed to a solid, stable house wall. It cannot be supported by timber fence panels. You'll need basic DIY skills and 4-6 hours for smaller models, longer for the 6ft-wide versions. Customer reviews consistently mention the assembly instructions could be clearer, particularly around the glazing clips and door alignment.
We've addressed this problem directly. Our professional installation service covers the entire process from base preparation through to final glazing - most jobs complete in a single day. If you're tackling installation yourself, our team at 0800 098 8877 can talk you through the tricky sections before you start. Either way, proper groundwork matters. Check our guide on how to prepare the ground for a greenhouse base before delivery arrives.
Essential Accessories for Your Ida Greenhouse
- Vitavia Steel Base: The matching steel base frame provides a level foundation and simplifies assembly by giving you something square to build from. It lifts your greenhouse 10cm above ground level, improving drainage and protecting the bottom glazing panels from damage.
- Staging & Shelving: A 2ft-deep staging shelf doubles your growing area in the narrow Ida 900 and 1300 models. The wider versions accommodate staging along one wall with floor space opposite for grow bags or larger pots. Check Vitavia Accessories and Spares for sizing that matches your specific model.
- Automatic Vent Opener: Lean-to greenhouses trap heat faster than freestanding models because one entire side is a solid wall. An automatic vent opener responds to temperature changes without you needing to be home - essential if you're away during the day.
- Additional Roof Vents: The standard single vent often isn't enough for models over 8ft long. Adding a second roof vent improves airflow dramatically and costs less than £40 including glazing.
Frequently Asked Questions About Vitavia Ida Lean-To Greenhouses
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What is the Vitavia Ida lean-to greenhouse used for?
The Ida creates a sheltered microclimate against your house wall, perfect for extending the growing season for tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers and salad crops. The 2ft-deep models suit herb gardens and propagation, whilst 4ft and 6ft versions handle serious vegetable production. Many customers use them as potting sheds attached to their kitchen wall.
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How much does a Vitavia Ida greenhouse cost?
Prices range from £269 for the smallest Ida 900 with horticultural glass up to £684 for the Ida 5200 with toughened safety glazing. Frame colour choice doesn't affect price. Steel bases add approximately £50-£80 depending on model size.
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Do I need planning permission for a Vitavia Ida greenhouse?
Most UK properties don't require planning permission for a lean-to greenhouse under 30 square metres, provided it doesn't exceed 4 metres in height and doesn't face the highway. The largest Ida 5200 measures 48 square feet (4.5 square metres), well within permitted development rights. Check with your local planning authority if you live in a conservation area or listed building.
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Can I install a Vitavia Ida greenhouse myself?
Installation is possible with good DIY skills, but customer reviews consistently mention the instructions need improvement. You'll need a drill, spanners, a spirit level and 4-6 hours for smaller models. The wall fixings are critical - you must attach to a solid, structurally-sound wall, not render or fence panels. Our professional installation service removes this stress entirely and typically completes in one day including base preparation.
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What's the difference between horticultural and toughened glass?
Horticultural glass transmits 90% of light, costs less, and performs perfectly well for most gardens. Toughened safety glass breaks into small blunt fragments rather than dangerous shards, making it the better choice if children play nearby or your greenhouse sits beside a footpath. Both options offer identical insulation properties. Toughened glass adds roughly 25-30% to the greenhouse price.
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What accessories do I need for my Vitavia Ida greenhouse?
Start with the matching steel base for easier assembly and better drainage. An automatic vent opener is essential for lean-tos which heat up quickly against walls. Add staging to double your growing area in narrow models, or install a water butt kit to capture roof runoff through the integral guttering. Visit our Vitavia Accessories page - we list only compatible products for your specific model, based on 15+ years selling Vitavia greenhouses.
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How do I add accessories like staging or extra vents?
We make this straightforward on each greenhouse product page. All compatible accessories appear as options before you add to basket - from staging and shelving to additional vents and rainwater kits. This means you see only accessories that actually fit your chosen Ida model. We've sold Vitavia greenhouses for over 15 years and know exactly what works with each size and configuration.
Ready to transform your unused wall space into a productive growing area? Browse the complete Vitavia Ida collection above, or call our team on 0800 098 8877 for help choosing the right model for your property.