Choosing the right greenhouse for a UK garden — cost, size, material, planning permission, and side-by-side comparisons written by the team that installs them.
Matt W · 3rd Jun 2026
After 16 years fitting Swallow wooden greenhouses, we compare ThermoWood with softwood, set out real fitted costs, the yearly maintenance job and the five models we install most across UK gardens.
Matt W · 27th May 2026
Greenhouse combi sheds give you a shed and a greenhouse in one footprint. Our UK installers compare 5 Swallow ThermoWood models from £4,082 - which one fits your garden best, with free delivery and fitting included.
Matt W · 19th May 2026
Which greenhouse survives a Scottish Highland winter? Two ranges come back to us a decade later with no failures: the Elite Titan 1000 heavy-gauge aluminium range and the Swallow wooden range in thermo wood. UK wind zones, frame gauge, anchoring, glazing, snow load, plus a 10-point site survey checklist for exposed plots.
Matt W · 19th May 2026
Five UK greenhouse roof shapes compared by installers: apex (gable), curved-eaves, lean-to, orangery lantern, dwarf-wall and combi greenhouse-shed. Real prices, heat retention data, decision tree, plus the four shapes we deliberately do not stock and the honest reasons why.
Matt W · 15th May 2026
Are coffee grounds good for plants? After 16 years installing greenhouses and watching customers experiment, we cover fresh vs used grounds, the slug deterrent myth, the compost activator role, and which UK crops actually benefit from a mulch.
Matt W · 14th May 2026
Twin-wall or single-wall polycarbonate? After fitting both for 16 years, we compare U-values, light transmission, hail resistance and lifespan — plus when single-wall makes sense and which UK greenhouses to buy at each spec.
Matt W · 6th May 2026
Six greenhouse base types compared: concrete, paving slabs, EcoBase floor kits, timber perimeter, decking, and bare ground. Costs, lifespans, and which base fits which greenhouse, from installers with 14 years of experience.
Matt W · 5th May 2026
The 8 potting shed accessories that earn their keep, ranked by what installers see customers reorder. Auto-vents, benches, drip kits, seed trays, and the small extras that turn a shed into a year-round growing space.
Matt W · 14th Apr 2026
ThermoWood lasts 25+ years vs 10-15 for pressure-treated timber. We compare both treatments after 16 years of installing garden buildings across the UK.
Matt W · 13th Apr 2026
12 best modern greenhouse styles for UK gardens in 2026. Black and anthracite frames, pent roofs, orangeries and European designs from £484 to £7,360. Every product in stock with buy links.
Matt W · 9th Apr 2026
Expert guide to the best mini greenhouses in the UK. 27 aluminium and glass models from Access, Stali, Elite, and Palram. Comparison tables, size guide, and honest recommendations from 12 years of experience.
Matt W · 7th Apr 2026
65% of returning customers wish they had bought bigger. Signs your greenhouse is too small, space-saving tricks, and when to upgrade. Real data from 3,000+ UK installs.
Matt W · 6th Apr 2026
Real UK greenhouse prices from £329 to £36,630. Comparison tables by size, brand and material plus base, installation and accessory costs. From installers with 16 years experience.
Matt W · 10th Mar 2026
The 8 best tomato varieties for UK greenhouses, from sweet Sungold cherries to meaty Marmande beefsteaks. Tried and tested by our installers over 16 years.
Matt W · 8th Mar 2026
Metal raised beds outlast wood by 10 to 15 years in UK gardens. We compare aluminium and wooden raised beds on price, lifespan, drainage, and growing performance — with real data from 13 years of fitting them.
Matt W · 6th Mar 2026
Compare six greenhouse watering methods from hand watering to solar-powered irrigation. Real UK prices, seasonal schedules, and holiday solutions from expert installers.
Matt W · 3rd Mar 2026
An honest comparison of greenhouses and polytunnels covering cost, durability, heat retention, wind resistance, pest control and property value. Includes 15-year cost breakdown.
Matt W · 3rd Mar 2026
A practical guide to greenhouse staging and shelving. Covers heights, materials, weight capacities, layout planning by greenhouse size, and the five mistakes we see on every other install.
Matt W · 3rd Mar 2026
A practical guide to lean-to greenhouses covering wall positioning, sizing, thermal benefits, installation prep and what to grow. Includes comparison table, product recommendations and planning permission rules.
Matt W · 2nd Mar 2026
Real monthly heating costs for UK greenhouses. A 6x8 on frost protection costs around 20-30 per month with insulation. Worked examples for 3 sizes.
Matt W · 2nd Mar 2026
Most domestic greenhouses do not need planning permission in the UK. A simple 5-point checklist confirms whether your greenhouse is permitted development.
Matt W · 2nd Mar 2026
65% of returning customers wish they had bought bigger. Our installers explain which greenhouse size you actually need, with plant counts and real dimensions for every size.
Matt W · 24th Feb 2026
Wooden vs aluminium greenhouses compared by installers with 15 years experience. Heat retention, maintenance, cost, and appearance with a comparison table.
Matt W · 21st Jan 2026
While glass is the heavy-duty standard for British gardens, polycarbonate offers specific safety benefits. This guide compares the technical specifications, thermal performance, and wind resistance of both glazing types to help you decide.
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