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A greenhouse can be double-glazed. Not only is it possible, but it can also be an effective way of keeping a greenhouse warm through the winter months, helping certain plants or shrubs thrive. Although double glazing is generally more costly, it is a long-term investment that can save money on heating in cold weather.
We will cover the many benefits of double-glazing a greenhouse and how even the initial extra cost of doing so will be more than well covered by the return on the investments and benefits.
Factors to consider when using double-glazed Glass for a greenhouse
Double glazing will provide both the best possible growing environment and energy efficiency. On average, gardeners have half the heating costs of single-pane glass greenhouses. The only real downside to double glazing is the initial cost, which is significantly more than a single-pane greenhouse.
Double glazing your greenhouses is a long-term investment
Although prices are, on average, much higher, it is essential to consider the long-term investment aspect of double glazing.
If your greenhouse will be a permanent fixture and you are unlikely to be swapping locations, investing in double glazing will begin to pay off within a few years.
Heating a greenhouse in the winter months can be very costly, but the heat retention of double-paned Glass significantly lowers these costs.
Double-glazing greenhouses save heating costs.
Another way that double-glazed windows stay warm is by installing a special low-energy reflective coating, which is fitted on the inner glass pane. This coating acts as a highly effective insulator and reflects heat.
Benefits of double-glazed greenhouses
Below is a list that breaks down the benefits of double-glazed greenhouses:
- It provides around three times as much resistance to heat loss
- Less extreme temperature shifts
- Saves money in the long term
- Improved sturdiness & durability
- More aesthetically pleasing
Another great thing about double-glazed glass panes is the potential to get them cheaply and build your own. Windows are constantly popping up on upcycling websites, so if you have some construction skills or know someone who does, this could be a great option.
You can grow plants all year round with double-glazed greenhouses
Although building your greenhouse might seem daunting, it is well worth it. You could grow all year round, even in the winter, if you choose double glazing.
Double-glazing is worth investing time, money, and energy in, whether you buy second-hand Glass or a new greenhouse.
How much light doubled glazed Glass lets in?
Light penetration is one of the main concerns for a gardener when it comes to greenhouses. It is generally thought that the more sunlight gets in, the better. This is true sometimes, but it depends significantly on what you intend to grow in your greenhouse. Some plants and vegetables will thrive in hot, sunny conditions, whereas others are better suited to less exposure to the sun.
Comparison of double-glazed Glass to single-glazed Glass for greenhouses
If we compare single-glazed horticultural Glass with plain double-glazed Glass, the results concerning light transmission are not hugely different.
Single glazing allows 95% of sunlight to get through, while double glazing allows 80% of the light to be transmitted.
Certain vegetables fare better with less sunlight throughout the day and can cope with the shade. So the slight drop in light transmission would benefit these winter growers.
The lower percentage of light streaming in from double-glazed greenhouses is not a problem.
The 15% decrease may seem significant, but it still lets more than enough light in for the greenhouse to be a thriving, growing environment. It is, in fact, only slightly lower than many twin-wall polycarbonate sheeting greenhouses, so it is nothing to worry about.
As long as a double-glazed greenhouse is in a position where it will get ample sunlight, there is no reason it cannot be a brilliant growing environment.
The positioning of a double-glazed greenhouse
Another point to consider concerning a double-glazed greenhouse is where to position it. This is greatly influenced by the space available in your garden or allotment, but there are a few general rules to try and adhere to get the full potential out of your greenhouse.
Situate the double-glazed greenhouse where against the harsh nature
Each garden essentially has its micro-climate, and all conditions are unique. When positioning your greenhouse, a general rule is to avoid fierce winds and frost pockets while getting plenty of sun exposure.
Places that receive the full sun are best for double-glazed greenhouses
Again, it is essential to establish what you will be growing in your greenhouse. Do plants generally need a lot of sunlight? Sun exposure is significant, as is afternoon shade to some plants and shrubs.
Factors to be considered when positioning a greenhouse would be the intensity of sunlight it will receive in said position and its access to water or electricity.
However, too much-stored heat within the greenhouse will also not be great for plants. It is best to look into ventilation systems, especially for more enormous greenhouses.
I have made this article on why greenhouses should have ventilation to aid you with this. It covers the benefits for plants of doing so, such as added natural air flowing within to aid with photosynthesis and many more important considerations for having a greenhouse.
Flat surfaces with great draining ground are also best for double-glazed greenhouses.
A greenhouse should be built on a flat structure with good ground-draining capacities, and this will avoid frost building up in the wintertime.
It is also best to situate a greenhouse on the south side of a house, as this area generally gets the most sunlight throughout the day. Positioning it lengthways from north to south gives the greenhouse more light in most cases.
The best-suited flooring for a double-glazed greenhouse
It’s a common misconception that concrete or brick foundations are the best materials to use when it comes to the floor of a greenhouse.
These floorings, however, can cause mold and harbor diseases.
Bricks can be used as flooring for double-glazed greenhouses but with considerations.
Bricks can add humidity to the greenhouse but should be laid over the sand to provide stability and drainage. Using these materials is also much more costly and requires more work.
Pea gravel is a great flooring option for double-glazed greenhouses
A more straightforward option would be better suited for the floor of a double-glazed greenhouse. One of the best combinations is pea gravel and specifically designed flooring for greenhouses.
The gravel flooring provides good drainage capabilities, while the specifically designed flooring helps to prevent weeds.
This flooring can also be easily cleaned and sanitized if signs of disease show – unlike concrete.
Wood foundation with stone is another good flooring option for double-glazed greenhouses.
You may make your greenhouse foundation from wood and then fill it with crushed gravel or stone. This can then be overlaid with weed cloth.
This type of floor will be well-draining, reasonably inexpensive, and easy to clean.
Look into lava rocks as a flooring option for double-glazed greenhouses
Landscape and lava rock also provides an exciting greenhouse flooring option.
The lava rocks are great for soaking up excess water and adding to the general humidity levels, but they may be difficult to clean.
Greenhouse flooring has no right or wrong, but certain materials will promote insulation, and others can lose heat. Again, it is essential to decide, considering the plants you intend to grow and the specific needs of your greenhouse.
FAQs on Can a greenhouse be double glazed?
Should I leave my greenhouse door open?
Ventilation of your greenhouse is essential, especially in the summer. If you think the weather might change that day, open the doors and vents slightly, especially during sunny days, and it will limit extreme temperature changes while providing fresh air for your plants.
Which plants and vegetables are good to grow in a greenhouse?
The best-suited plants to grow in greenhouses thrive in containers and are compatible with the microclimate of your greenhouse. Cool-season crops such as broccoli, peas, carrots, and lettuce are great for unheated colder greenhouses, as they can withstand cold nights and shade.
What is the best glazing material for greenhouses?
The best glazing material for greenhouses would be Glass. This is due to its ability to let 90 percent of light in. Glass can reflect said light and heat the greenhouse within instead of losing heat. Hardened Glass can also be used as doors of the greenhouse for uniformity.
Which plants and vegetables are good to grow in a greenhouse?
The best-suited plants to grow in greenhouses thrive in containers and are compatible with the microclimate of your greenhouse. Cool-season crops such as broccoli, peas, carrots, and lettuce are great for unheated colder greenhouses, as they can withstand cold nights and shade.
Does a greenhouse need to be in full sun?
It is ideal for situating your greenhouse, where it can receive a lot of sunshine and protect it from winds or things that may shatter its fragile walls. The high amount of natural light will also ensure that your greenhouse can warm the plants and cause them to thrive.
Conclusion on Can a greenhouse be double glazed?
Double-glazed glass panes are more effective for all-year-round growing. This is due to their ability to retain heat, which is much better than single-pane Glass or plastics. The difference in price compared to the single pane ones pays for itself in the years to come.
Another tip, if you want to maximize heat retention in your greenhouse, is to install a reflective layer on the inside of the double-glazed panes. This coating reflects the light and heat in the greenhouse, keeping it warmer for longer.
Hopefully, this article will be a great help to you! If you liked this one, subscribe to the form below to be notified about future content and releases.
