How Much Does It Cost To Install A Greenhouse?
Whether you're an amateur gardener or own a professional gardening business, you may have considered installing a greenhouse. Greenhouses are structures with transparent sides and roofing that create a warm environment for plants to grow all year round. These structures allow sunlight to reach plants even during the coldest months and regulate temperatures while circulating the air, allowing them to thrive.
It can be overwhelming when you begin the process of installing a greenhouse because they come in tons of sizes and shapes, such as hoop-style or A-frame, and there are loads of options for materials, such as wood, steel, or polycarbonate. Installing a greenhouse can cost anywhere from a few hundred dollars if you pick up a DIY kit and build it yourself to over $30,000 if you decide to hire a professional to construct it. According to Forbes, the average cost of a backyard greenhouse is around $15,000.
Factors for cost
There are several aspects to consider when installing a greenhouse. With the average cost of a greenhouse ranging from a few thousand dollars to $35,000 for the fanciest ones, according to Happy DIY Home, there is a lot to consider, especially if you're on a tight budget.
Frame materials
There are several frame materials that you can choose from when building your greenhouse, Allied Buildings writes. These structures frequently use aluminum because it won't form rust, costing $1 to $2 a linear foot. PVC is also a good option because it is lightweight and easy to move, at only $0.50 to $2 per linear foot. Wood is another cost-effective choice, costing $1 to $2 per linear foot; however, it doesn't hold up well in humidity. The most expensive frame option and the most long-lasting and durable is steel, which costs $7 to $12 a linear foot.
Covering materials
Different covering materials significantly affect the overall cost of your greenhouse, Fixr notes. For instance, corrugated fiberglass costs $1 to $2 per square foot but doesn't provide excellent insulation. Instead, you may consider greenhouse glass which looks beautiful but can be fragile and costs $2.50 to $3.50 per square foot. Another option is polycarbonate which costs $1.50 to $3 a square foot and is a rigid and flexible material, great for hoop or domed greenhouse styles.
DIY vs. Professional
Another factor to consider when installing a greenhouse is if you are going to hire a professional service to install your greenhouse or if you are going to do it yourself. Properly Rooted discusses that home improvement stores sell greenhouse kits that come with the necessary supplies to build a greenhouse. These greenhouses are typically relatively small, but only a few hundred dollars. If you want a bigger greenhouse, you may consider hiring a professional service, which could cost several thousand dollars, depending on the size, shape, and materials of the greenhouse.
Size
Properly Rooted also explains that size is another factor to consider when installing a greenhouse — the bigger your greenhouse, the more materials you will need and the higher the cost. For example, a 4-foot tall by 3-foot wide DIY greenhouse kit costs around $250, while a 6-foot by 12-foot greenhouse kit costs around $2,000. If you hire a professional service to build your greenhouse, it will cost even more: anywhere between a few thousand dollars and $35,000.
Additional costs
When installing a greenhouse, you may mostly focus on the cost of framing and covering materials, but Greenhouse Info cautions not to forget about the additional costs associated with owning a greenhouse.
Lighting
Your greenhouse may not need lighting, but if this is something you want to include in your greenhouse, make sure to do your research and factor this into your budget. For example, some plants may need grow lights, or you may just want to light the place so you can see in your greenhouse when it is dark. The cost of lighting for this structure will vary based on the size of the lights, the wattage, quality, and other technical factors, but it will probably be at least $40 per light.
Electricity
If you install lighting or fans in your greenhouse, you will see an uptick in your electric bill. Lighting and fans in your greenhouse will use more electricity, so be prepared for potentially higher electricity bills after installing your greenhouse.
Irrigation
The cost of irrigation is another aspect to consider when installing your greenhouse. You may want to set up an irrigation or spray system to keep your plants watered. The cost of these systems may not break the bank, costing as little as $40, but keep in mind that they can sometimes be confusing to install.
Water
Whether you're installing irrigation in your greenhouse, running a hose from your house to the greenhouse, or just filling watering cans with water and taking them to your greenhouse to saturate your plants, you will probably see an increase in your water bill.
Types of greenhouses
Deciding whether or not to install a greenhouse can feel overwhelming when you start researching how many types there are. There are several popular greenhouse kinds you can use as an inspiration. There are also plenty of ways to customize it to fit your needs. Again, each type can be made of different materials, which causes the price to vary considerably, Happy DIY Home explains.
A-Frame
A-frame greenhouses have high roofs that give the structure an "A" shape. These greenhouses are very popular, especially in wintry climates, because the snow can slide off the sides due to the pitched roof. A-frame greenhouses typically use minimal materials but cost $25 to $35 per square foot to build.
Dome-Style
In contrast to A-frame greenhouses, dome-style greenhouses are rounded. These greenhouses are particularly good at capturing light and encouraging air circulation on the inside because of their shape. However, a downside to these is that they are hard to enlarge because adding to the diameter increases the height as well. Dome-style greenhouses cost $10 to $25 per square foot to build.
Hoop-Style
Potentially the most prevalent greenhouse style, these cost-effective greenhouses are made of a series of half hoops staked into the ground with a covering over them to protect plants from the elements. Hoop-style greenhouses are easy to build and suitable for good ventilation and air circulation. And they are one of the cheapest greenhouses with an average cost of $5 to $10 per square foot.
Why you need a greenhouse
Greenhouses can be extremely useful for gardeners of any level of expertise, especially if you want to grow food year-round or live in an extreme climate. Not to mention that greenhouses can look beautiful as well. Here are some specific reasons listed by Outdoor Living Today explaining why you should build a greenhouse.
Year-round gardening
If you live in a colder climate, you only get a few months of gardening weather a year, but installing a greenhouse can allow you to garden year-round. Seasonal weather changes won't affect your plants when they are in a greenhouse, and the warm, humid environment will allow your plants to thrive all year long.
Protection from elements
Greenhouses also protect your plants from outside elements that could harm them, such as extreme storms, wind, and snow. But when your plants are in a greenhouse, they are protected from harmful elements.
Multi-purpose space
Another reason to build a greenhouse is that it is a designated space to store all your gardening tools and equipment. You can store tools in this structure, meaning you won't have to also set up a shed in your yard.
Benefits of having a greenhouse
Both your plants and your health can benefit from installing a greenhouse. There are many benefits to having a greenhouse, and Greener Ideal explains a few.
Keep pests away
One significant benefit of installing a greenhouse is that the structure will keep pests away from your plants. Animals like deer, rabbits, and squirrels are notorious for eating garden plants, but greenhouses are excellent at preventing them from reaching your plants. These structures also keep smaller pests like rodents and bugs away from your plants.
Growing exotic plants
Because greenhouses create a warm, humid environment all year round, you can grow plants that you might not be able to grow in your climate. If you live in a colder climate, having a greenhouse can allow you to grow exotic plants.
A warm, lively place
Another major benefit of having a greenhouse is that it provides a warm and lively area for you to go all year round, especially in the cold, dark winter months. Having a warm place filled with vibrant plants can really help brighten your mood during the winter.