How to buy the best greenhouse Glasshouse or plastic greenhouse?
Glass is the traditional material for glazing greenhouses
Glass is the main glazing material used in greenhouses, hence the alternative name ‘glasshouse’. Horticultural glass is inexpensive and easily replaced, but if you are concerned about breakages or safety, here are the alternatives.
Toughened glass
Toughened or safety glass is stronger than horticultural glass and, if it does break, the resulting pieces are not so sharp. Choosing this option adds about £200 on to the cost of a small greenhouse.
Plastic greenhouses
Instead of glass, plastic greenhouses have twin-walled polycarbonate sheets. Polycarbonate greenhouses let in sufficient light for plant growth initially, but, over the years, they become cloudy and do not age well. Toughened glass is a better option, particularly if the greenhouse is on show.
Self-adhesive safety film
This is a transparent film that is applied to horticultural glass. If the glass is subsequently broken, the film holds the fragments together. However, as the film does not reduce breakages, it could prove relatively expensive over the option of choosing toughened glass from the start.
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