- 4ft 8" (1400mm) Wide
- ThermoWood® Timber
- Single Door with Mortise Locks
- 3mm Toughened Glass
- Auto Roof Vents
- Full Length Staging to one side
- Dwarf Wall Version Available
- 12 YEAR WARRANTY
- Free Installation
£50 OFF Everything!
Use code NEWYEAR50 at checkout min order £999 (Everything)
Wooden Greenhouses
Wooden greenhouses built from ThermoWood® — kiln-treated at 215°C to remove moisture and prevent rot without chemical preservatives. Our range includes Swallow (handcrafted in the UK) and Lichfield models, priced from £2,089 to £6,552+. All include 3mm toughened safety glass, auto roof vents, full-length staging, and free professional installation. Timber frames offer 20% better insulation than aluminium, making wooden greenhouses the best choice for year-round and winter growing in UK gardens. 12-year warranty on all models.
Wooden Greenhouses by Size
Wooden Greenhouses by Type
T-Shaped Wooden Greenhouses
Painted Swallow Greenhouses
Dwarf Wall Greenhouses
Why We Chose This Range
ThermoWood is the only timber I trust for long-term UK use. The heat-treatment process at 215°C creates dimensional stability that standard pine or pressure-treated softwood can't match — I've seen untreated wooden greenhouses start rotting within 3–4 years in the British climate. We've been selling Swallow greenhouses since 2012, and in over a decade I can count on one hand the number of structural warranty claims we've had. The frames arrive with mortise-locked doors, auto roof vents, and full-length staging included — that's around £300–£400 worth of accessories you'd pay extra for on an aluminium model. The Lichfield range gives us a second option at a slightly different price point, using Redwood Pine with a similar durability profile. I include free professional installation on every wooden greenhouse because timber structures need precise assembly — if the frame is even 5mm out of square, the doors won't close properly and the auto-vents will bind. Having our team install it removes that risk entirely.
— Matt, Co-Founder of Greenhouse Stores (16 years in the greenhouse industry)🔧 Matt's Installation Tip: Preparing for a Wooden Greenhouse
Wooden greenhouses are heavier than aluminium models — a Swallow Kingfisher 6x8 weighs around 180–220kg fully assembled, so your base needs to handle this. I recommend a poured concrete pad (100mm thick on 75mm compacted hardcore) for all wooden greenhouses. Paving slabs can work for the smallest 4x4 models, but anything 5ft wide or above needs concrete. Critically important: leave a 25–50mm air gap between the base and any soil or garden beds. Timber frames must not sit in contact with damp earth, even ThermoWood. If your base is on a slope, get it professionally levelled first — our installers can adjust by up to 15mm on site, but anything beyond that needs groundwork before delivery day. One final tip: if you plan to paint your greenhouse a custom colour, do it before the glass goes in. Our installation team will pause the build at the right stage if you tell us in advance. Re-oiling every 1–2 years with Osmo UV Protection Oil keeps the ThermoWood looking fresh rather than weathering to grey.
Comparing Wooden vs Aluminium Greenhouses
| Feature | Wooden (ThermoWood) | Aluminium |
|---|---|---|
| Insulation | High — timber is a natural insulator, 20% less heat loss through frames | Low — aluminium conducts heat, cold frames in winter |
| Winter Growing | Holds 2–4°C warmer than aluminium overnight | Requires additional heating to match |
| Maintenance | Oil or preservative every 1–2 years to maintain colour | Zero maintenance — wipe clean only |
| Lifespan | 20–30 years (ThermoWood with maintenance) | 25–30+ years (powder-coated aluminium) |
| Aesthetics | Traditional, warm, country garden feel | Modern, clean lines, contemporary |
| Starting Price | From £2,089 (includes staging + installation) | From £269 (staging and installation extra) |
| Installation | Free professional installation included | Self-assembly or paid installation (from £150) |
| Included Accessories | Staging, auto-vents, mortise locks included | Usually sold separately (£150–£400 extra) |
| Condensation | Lower — timber absorbs and releases moisture naturally | Higher — metal frames cause condensation drips |
| Best For | Year-round growing, winter use, traditional gardens, serious growers | Budget-conscious, low-maintenance, modern gardens |
Our honest take: If you mainly grow in spring and summer and want the lowest upfront cost, aluminium greenhouses are the practical choice. If you plan to grow year-round, overwinter plants, or want a greenhouse that looks at home in a traditional garden setting, wooden is worth the investment. The 20% insulation advantage and included accessories (staging, auto-vents, installation) narrow the true price gap significantly once you factor in the add-ons that aluminium models need.
Our Wooden Greenhouse Ranges
Swallow Greenhouses — Handcrafted ThermoWood
Swallow is our primary wooden greenhouse brand. Every model is handcrafted in the UK using ThermoWood® — Finnish Spruce heat-treated at 215°C for rot resistance without chemical preservatives. The range includes four width options:
- Swallow Lark (4ft wide) — from £2,575. Compact model for smaller gardens. Sizes: 4x4, 4x6, 4x8, 4x10.
- Swallow Robin (5ft wide) — from £2,669. Mid-size model with comfortable working space. Sizes: 5x4 to 5x12.
- Swallow Kingfisher (6ft wide) — from £2,764. The most popular width. Sizes: 6x4 to 6x20.
- Swallow Raven (8ft wide) — from £2,989. Full-size double-door model. Sizes: 8x4 to 8x20.
All Swallow models include: 3mm toughened safety glass, auto roof vents with openers, full-length staging on one side, mortise-locked doors, and free professional installation. Available in natural ThermoWood finish or painted in a range of heritage colours. Dwarf wall versions available for raised brick bases.
Swallow Combi Greenhouses — Greenhouse + Shed in One
The Kingfisher Combi (from £3,182) and Raven Combi (from £4,120) combine a greenhouse section with an integrated timber shed — perfect if you need storage for tools, compost, and pots alongside your growing space. The shed section includes tongue-and-groove flooring as standard.
Specialist Styles
We also stock T-shaped wooden greenhouses (a unique layout that creates separate growing zones), modern designs with clean contemporary lines, small wooden greenhouses for compact gardens, Lichfield Redwood Pine models for gardeners who prefer a different timber species, and the Palram Canopia Natura — a timber-framed polycarbonate option at a lower price point.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need planning permission for a wooden greenhouse?
Generally, no. Wooden greenhouses are treated as "permitted development" provided the structure is under 2.5m tall (if within 2m of a boundary), does not cover more than 50% of your garden, and is not forward of the front elevation of your house. If you live in a conservation area, have a listed building, or your permitted development rights have been removed, check with your local council before ordering.
Does the price include staging and installation?
Yes. Every Swallow wooden greenhouse includes full-length staging on one side, auto roof vents with openers, mortise-locked doors, and free professional installation by our trained team. This is worth approximately £300–£400 in accessories and £200–£400 in installation fees that you'd pay separately on an aluminium greenhouse — so the true price gap between wooden and aluminium is smaller than the sticker price suggests.
How long does a ThermoWood greenhouse last?
20–30 years with basic maintenance. ThermoWood is kiln-treated at 215°C to remove the moisture and resin that fungi and rot spores feed on. This makes the timber dimensionally stable — it doesn't warp, shrink, or rot like standard softwood. The 12-year manufacturer's warranty covers structural integrity. To maintain the original rich brown colour, apply a wood oil (we recommend Osmo UV Protection Oil) every 1–2 years. If left untreated, the timber will weather naturally to a silvery-grey — this is purely cosmetic and doesn't affect the structure.
What is ThermoWood and why does it matter?
ThermoWood® is Finnish Spruce that has been heat-treated at 215°C in a controlled kiln process. This "baking" removes moisture and resin from the timber cells, destroying the nutrients that fungi, rot, and insect larvae need to survive. The result is timber that's 20–30% lighter than untreated wood, dimensionally stable across seasonal temperature changes, and naturally rot-resistant without the chemical preservatives used in pressure-treated pine. For greenhouse use specifically, ThermoWood performs better than standard timber because it doesn't absorb moisture from the humid greenhouse environment.
Are wooden greenhouses warmer than aluminium?
Yes — timber frames insulate approximately 20% better than aluminium. Timber is a natural insulator, while aluminium is a heat conductor. In practice, a wooden greenhouse holds 2–4°C warmer temperatures overnight compared to an aluminium model of the same size and glazing. This makes wooden greenhouses the better choice for overwintering tender plants, year-round growing, and reducing heating costs. If you plan to use a greenhouse heater in winter, a wooden frame wastes less of that heat through the structure.
Can I paint my wooden greenhouse?
Yes. We offer a factory-painted range in heritage colours applied before delivery and installation. If you prefer to paint it yourself, we recommend doing so before the glass is fitted — let our installation team know in advance and they'll pause the build at the right stage. Use an exterior-grade microporous paint that allows the timber to breathe. Avoid gloss or polyurethane finishes as they trap moisture and can cause the timber to blister.
How does the 20% deposit payment work?
You pay just 20% of the total price at the time of ordering. The remaining 80% is due on the day of installation, once you've seen the completed greenhouse and are happy with the build. This protects you from paying in full before the work is done. The deposit secures your build slot in the production schedule, and we'll confirm your installation date once the greenhouse is manufactured.
Can't find the size or specification to suit your needs?
Our wooden greenhouses are available in custom sizes, painted finishes, and dwarf wall configurations. Learn more about our bespoke options.
Call us on 0800 098 8877 for your Free Quote!
Related Categories
- Swallow Greenhouses — browse the full Swallow ThermoWood range by model.
- Small Wooden Greenhouses — compact ThermoWood models for smaller gardens and patios.
- Palram Canopia Natura — timber-framed polycarbonate greenhouse at a lower price point.
- Aluminium Greenhouses — compare zero-maintenance aluminium alternatives from £269.
- Potting Sheds — dedicated timber potting sheds if you need more storage and workspace.
- Greenhouse Accessories — heaters, shelving, auto-vents, and growing supplies.
- Greenhouse Buying Guide — our complete guide to choosing the right greenhouse for your garden.
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