Scottish Rock Garden Club Forum

General Subjects => General Forum => Topic started by: tonyg on April 23, 2008, 12:23:25 PM

Title: Buying a Greenhouse
Post by: tonyg on April 23, 2008, 12:23:25 PM: Slightly off-topic for alpines but can anyone help with advice on a greenhouse for my mums 80th Birthday present. We want to get something sturdy but she has only a small space and will not be growing specialists plants.
Can UK members offer advice on sourcing a standard greenhouse? B&Q, Homebase, Argos, Norfolk Greenhouses? Glass vs PVC. ANy feedback welcome.
Thanks
Title: Re: Buying a Greenhouse
Post by: David Shaw on April 23, 2008, 12:30:59 PM: I am quite satisfied with my B&Q greenhouse, Tony.
You say your mum will be 80. Is she steady on her feet or is she likely to take a tumble? I would bear this in mind when choosing a glassing solution.
Title: Re: Buying a Greenhouse
Post by: Diane Clement on April 23, 2008, 12:48:03 PM: Quote from: tonyg on April 23, 2008, 12:23:25 PM
Can UK members offer advice on sourcing a standard greenhouse? B&Q, Homebase, Argos, Norfolk Greenhouses? Glass vs PVC. ANy feedback welcome.
Thanks

Tony, take a look at http://www.greenhousesdirect.co.uk/
they supply several brands to compare
Diane
Title: Re: Buying a Greenhouse
Post by: Greenmanplants on April 23, 2008, 06:07:45 PM: Tony,

Also www.allotment.org.uk/greenhouse/Greenhouse_Ventilation/garden-555.html
for non standard extras at reasonable prices.
Title: Re: Buying a Greenhouse
Post by: derekb on April 23, 2008, 06:50:03 PM: Tony I had one from Greenhouses direct about 3 years ago, I had toughend glass as I am nearly as old as your Mother, it is a very good firm to deal with.

Derek
Title: Re: Buying a Greenhouse
Post by: tonyg on April 24, 2008, 11:05:08 PM: Thanks for the leads and feedback. There does look to be something suitable there.
Title: Re: Buying a Greenhouse
Post by: Anthony Darby on April 24, 2008, 11:10:18 PM: Isn't toughened glass a legal requirement now? I have a Robinson as it doesn't have those stupid little spring clips that pop out when the wind gets above a moderate draft.
Title: Re: Buying a Greenhouse
Post by: mark smyth on April 24, 2008, 11:52:00 PM: Never too young to fall. I fell in mine last week
Title: Re: Buying a Greenhouse
Post by: Anthony Darby on April 25, 2008, 09:05:32 AM: By sheer coincidence Bushmills, the world's oldest(?) distillery, was on Breakfast television this morning Mark. ::)
Title: Re: Buying a Greenhouse
Post by: Luc Gilgemyn on April 25, 2008, 04:19:27 PM: :D :D :D
Title: Re: Buying a Greenhouse
Post by: derekb on April 25, 2008, 06:42:31 PM: Anthony, Not sure of the law now but 3 years ago you could get either.

Derek
Title: Re: Buying a Greenhouse
Post by: Anthony Darby on April 26, 2008, 11:58:51 AM: My wooden leanto had 'Darbytuf' glass as standard in 1985. I know that Robinson now fit it as standard, but mine, which is post 1990, has ordinary glass in it.
Title: Re: Buying a Greenhouse
Post by: David Shaw on May 06, 2008, 07:16:09 PM: How tough is toughened glass? Does it come in the same thickness as horticultural glass?
I am thinking of my cold frame lights that regularly get bounced by winter gales. I don't want plastic and wonder if toughend glass may be the solution.
Title: Re: Buying a Greenhouse
Post by: tonyg on May 07, 2008, 09:56:27 PM: David - I have it in my access frame. I broke a pane with a careless knock. Not sure if it is stronger per se but of course when it shatters you get tiny cubes rather than lethal shards.
Once had a pane of normal glass blow out from a greenhouse roof - found it impaled in the lawn ... intact!
Title: Re: Buying a Greenhouse
Post by: Susan Band on May 08, 2008, 07:38:33 AM: David,
If you find that the glass is broken in 2 or 3 rather than shatered use some clear silicone sealer to mend them. It is amazing how it can hold full size glass (dutch lights size) together.
Susan