Discover the different types of greenhouses and which one is best suited for your garden.
Do you dream of a greenhouse taking your vegetable garden to the next level? Absolutely right! A greenhouse is a great addition to your vegetable garden, allowing you to grow more and longer. But since there are many different types of greenhouses, you might not be able to see the wood for the trees. That’s why we list the different options with all their advantages and disadvantages. After reading this page, you will definitely know which greenhouse is best suited for your garden and vegetable garden plans!
→ Also read: what is a greenhouse? The main functions and the difference from a garden room and a porch.
Buy a new or second hand greenhouse
At ACD® we put sustainability first. We therefore think it’s a good idea to check whether you can give someone else’s greenhouse a second life. Growing your own vegetables is already a step towards a sustainable lifestyle. With a sustainably purchased greenhouse – read: a greenhouse you buy second-hand – you’re making an extra green effort!
ACD® greenhouses last a long time with their strong materials and innovative design. So you can pass on from generation to generation the green thumb as well as the greenhouse. Thanks to the self-supporting aluminum foundation of the greenhouses, which makes a concrete foundation unnecessary, you can also easily move ACD® greenhouses. Is someone in your family or circle of friends getting rid of their greenhouse or do you see an old greenhouse for sale somewhere? If so, you can certainly see if this is an option for your vegetable garden.
Note: While buying a used greenhouse is a sustainable option, you may also want a greenhouse that you can design entirely to your own style and needs. With a new greenhouse from ACD®, you choose the size, model and additional options from our extensive range based on what you need in your garden.
Different types of greenhouse materials
When you go to buy a new ACD® greenhouse, you should know that there are different types of materials it can be made of. A greenhouse, besides the bolts that assemble it, is made of two materials: the material of the frame and of the windows.
Material of the frame: wood, plastic or aluminum
The frame of your greenhouse is usually made of wood, plastic (PVC) or aluminum. Wood looks warm and soft, but it requires a lot of maintenance because it is an organic material. So you need to clean and treat it regularly. Plastic, on the other hand, is quite easy to maintain and insulates well, but for many, aesthetically a lot less beautiful.
The best option is then aluminum, from which our greenhouses at ACD® are always made. This material is strong, long-lasting, easy to maintain and there are many possibilities in terms of the look and feel of the material.
Moreover, for our ACD® greenhouses we work with circular aluminum, which means that these are recycled materials that can be recycled again. Extra points for sustainability!
Window material: glass or polycarbonate
A polycarbonate greenhouse is sometimes chosen as an alternative to a glass greenhouse, but it has the disadvantage of not lasting as long.
However, using polycarbonate for a greenhouse also has several disadvantages. Plastic is not strong and does not last long. It is very susceptible to weathering and wear and tear, so it must be replaced after a few years to ensure a beautiful appearance and functioning insulation. Because it is double-walled, air and therefore condensation can also occur in the ducts.
Een serre met polycarbonaat wordt soms gekozen als alternatief voor een glazen serre, maar heeft als nadeel dat het niet zo lang mee gaat.
So it is a better idea to buy a glass greenhouse. Again, there are several options:
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Horticultural glass retains heat well in the greenhouse and allows excellent light penetration. It is relatively strong, but heavy and thus requires a strong greenhouse construction. It is also less safe: when horticultural glass breaks, it shatters into large, sharp pieces that are dangerous for injury.
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Float glass is glass that is melted in a tin bath. It has polished surfaces of regular thickness and is still commonly used, but increasingly replaced by its tempered variant.
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Safety glass is tempered float glass. A specific thermal manufacturing process increases its resistance and gives you top-quality glass. This makes your greenhouse less susceptible to heavy winds, hail and snowfall, for example. If safety glass does break, it does so in very many small pieces with blunt edges so that you cannot injure yourself.
At ACD® we always work with greenhouses made of safety glass, which increases the value for money of your greenhouse and ensures optimal safety. Moreover, we provide our greenhouses with a hammered glass roof, which limits the intensity of the sun’s rays and thus prevents your plants from burning. This hammered glass roof is also made of tempered safety glass.
What about tunnel greenhouses?
A tunnel greenhouse consists of a curved frame covered with a plastic film. This type of greenhouse is cheaper than if you were to buy a glass greenhouse, but you lose out on quality. For example, a tunnel greenhouse is very light and wind-sensitive, so it can break down in a storm or heavy rain. So for a long-term sustainable investment, a tunnel greenhouse is not ideal!
A wall greenhouse or a freestanding greenhouse
Within ACD®’s range of aluminum hobby greenhouses, you have several options to arrive at the greenhouse of your dreams. First, you choose between a wall greenhouse or a freestanding greenhouse. Your choice between these depends mainly on your available space. In a larger garden, you can place a freestanding greenhouse further from your home and surrounded by your vegetable garden. Do you have less space or want to walk less far to take care of your plants? Then it’s a good idea to put a wall greenhouse against a wall of your house or an outbuilding. Both types are available in different sizes and with finishes tailored to your needs.
A greenhouse with straight or sloped walls
You can also choose between a greenhouse with straight walls or sloped walls. Sloped wall greenhouses are unique and available exclusively from ACD®. This type of greenhouse is interesting because the weight of the roof is better distributed, the wind is more easily directed over the greenhouse and there is more light and heat collection in early spring and autumn.
So a greenhouse with sloping walls is extra safe if your garden catches a lot of wind. Is that not the case? Then a greenhouse with straight walls is certainly a nice alternative that also allows for more vertical gardening in your greenhouse.
The right size for your greenhouse
Greenhouses come – literally – in all shapes and sizes. From the smallest Piccolo P03 to the large S208H. Which size you choose depends first of all on what your plans are for your greenhouse. Do you only want to grow a few crops in it that don’t thrive in the open ground? Or do you want to use your greenhouse as a cozy dining and living space in the winter? Then feel free to choose a smaller model.
Do you want to grow more crops and/or also use your greenhouse as storage space for your garden furniture? Then you better look at the larger models.
→ Also read: the greenhouse for beginners. The guide to getting started with vegetable gardening under glass.
Second, of course, the size of your greenhouse also depends on how much available space you have. Did you think you had to have a gigantic garden to grow vegetables in a greenhouse? Nothing could be further from the truth! In fact, ACD®’s Urban range specifically targets those with less space.
City garden, courtyard or terrace? Provide it with our small Piccolos and Miccolos.
Choose your favorite RAL color
While you can certainly keep the silver tone of the aluminum, it’s extra nice to personalize your greenhouse in your favorite RAL color. Not only does this allow you to continue your own style, you can also aesthetically match the color of your greenhouse to its surroundings. For example, if you have a black fence around your garden, a greenhouse from our Blackline collection will match it perfectly. An (off) white greenhouse looks nice when you have more wooden accents in your garden. And a dark green greenhouse subtly blends into the landscape when your garden is surrounded by trees and woods.
Can it be something more? Then don’t be afraid to choose a statement color like bright red, pink or purple. This is fun and attracts the bees to visit your garden. Happy vibes guaranteed.
Extra features and accessories for your greenhouse
Once you have decided on the model, finish and color of your greenhouse, you can choose additional greenhouse accessories. Think about a screen door and an automatic window opener for sufficient ventilation. Or work and seed tables to arrange your greenhouse vertically. Everything is possible!
All set to buy the greenhouse of your dreams? Visit an ACD® dealer near you for more information and to place your order. Or you can admire our greenhouses in the ACD® Experience Center in Roeselare (West Flanders). See you soon!