Greenhouse FAQs

What is the difference between a greenhouse and a solarium?
A greenhouse is a glazed structure designed primarily for horticultural use. Garden rooms or Sun Rooms are greenhouse additions, generally attached to the house, used for “incidental” living space such as a spa enclosure, sitting area or plant room in addition to gardening. Usually a wall or sliding door separates the sunroom from the house. A Solarium is a glazed structure used primarily for living space, usually an integral part of a house. Sturdi-built specializes in horticultural greenhouses for growing plants. Our Garden Sunroom is designed for incidental living space, separated from the house by a door. Custom situations can be accommodated. Click here for more info.

Where should I locate the greenhouse?
When deciding where to put your greenhouse, think about how your greenhouse will best fit in with your home’s landscaping, what kind of exposure it will have to sunlight, wind and weather, your convenience of access and the physical ease of construction and installation. For sun exposure, generally a southeasterly exposure is best for gardening, with east, south, then west exposures following in that order. Adequate natural light is essential for successful greenhouse gardening, although it is possible to supplement with artificial lights. For solar heating, a southerly exposure is best.  More info

How will snow affect my greenhouse?
There are primarily two factors to be aware of with snow. First, while Sturdi-built greenhouses are designed to support typical snow loads, it is important to prevent too much snow from accumulating on any greenhouse. There are several ways to do this. A greenhouse with a steep roof pitch (such as our Tudor model) will allow the snow to slide off more easily. Keeping the greenhouse slightly heated in winter will also help the snow slide off. Lastly, it is important to remove shade cloth before winter snows set in because shade cloth will prevent snow from sliding off. Another factor to be aware of with snow is the location of the greenhouse. Avoid locating the greenhouse below your house roof overhang from which a heavy snow buildup might suddenly "avalanche" down upon the greenhouse.  More info.

What different greenhouse types are available?
There are many different choices for greenhouse styles. A Lean-to greenhouse is attached to the wall of a building; often a convenient structure for access from the house and easier to heat because one side is a solid wall. A free-standing greenhouse stands on its own and can be located almost anywhere. The glass sides of the greenhouse can be tall or short depending on your growing and storage needs. A bench-high base wall (or knee wall) provides for storage space under the benches and the greenhouse will be easier to heat because the base wall can be insulated. A shorter base wall allows for light under the benches for more growing space (keep in mind this lower space can be awkward to get to) and maximum solar heating. When purchasing a greenhouse, it is important to be aware of the total height of the greenhouse to be sure it is adequate for you and your plants. All Sturdi-built Greenhouses are comfortable for people of average height. Sturdi-built Greenhouses is able to offer it's customers many different architectural styles, sizes, and decorative options in both stand alone (freestanding) or lean-to (attached) versions. There are many different choices for greenhouse styles. More info.

What should you look for in a greenhouse design?
A good greenhouse structure must be able to handle wind, rain, and snow, and allow for benches, shelves, hanging baskets, light fixtures and other accessories, such as heaters, coolers and fans. We have 50 years of experience behind our designs. Interior moisture condensation control should be handled with a smooth inside roof surface and sufficient roof pitch, to keep moisture from dripping on you and your plants. Ventilation is important to provide in a greenhouse. Top-opening roof vents provide natural, gentle, quiet venting. When top vents are combined with base wall vents and/or Jalousie (louvered) windows, hot air exits through the roof and cooler air flows in at the bottom. This system is best for preserving humidity. For ease of use, roof vents should be automated. Since Sturdi-built custom designs and equips your greenhouse, we make sure you get the best design features for your situation.  More info.

How big should your greenhouse be?
Select a greenhouse as large as your site and budget will allow. Greenhouse gardeners inevitably wish they had more space to accommodate their growing plants. Again, adequate height is important for your comfort as well as providing room for shelves and hanging plants. Additional growing space can be provided with a shorter base wall that allows for more under-shelf growing space as well as shelves along the walls. More info.





Why does Sturdi-built Manufacturing use clear heart redwood in their greenhouse?
Wood has a warm, natural beauty that fits well with residential architecture, complimenting your home and landscape. Redwood and cedar are naturally resistant to deterioration (specifically the top quality, All Clear Heart Redwood & Finest A Grade Cedar we use). Redwood can be oiled a natural color or stained to match the décor of your home. We strongly recommend oiling or staining the wood to preserve its good looks). Wood is naturally warmer than aluminum, which transmits heat 1400 times faster than wood, and which can be a significant problem in the middle of winter. Wood also allows easy addition of accessories such as shelves, hooks, hanging bars,light fixtures and shade cloth. Every wood part of a Sturdi-built Greenhouse is custom molded to a smooth surface, sloped to drain water and contured for optimal use. More info.

What glazing material is best?
Glass is strong, economical, attractive, clear and long lasting. Our glazing of choice is standard window glass. If there is a high risk of breakage (such as areas with large hail) or when overhead safety glazing is desired, tempered glass, flat fiberglass or twin-wall polycarbonate can be used. Twin Wall Polycarbonate and Flat Fiberglass are translucent products, more expensive than glass and will last 12 to 15 years with UV treatment. Twin wall is more energy efficient than either glass or fiberglass. Factory insulated glass, like that used for houses, deteriorates in moist conditions, therefore is not appropriate for greenhouse use. Again, Sturdi-built will work with you to provide the best materials for your particular site. More info

What accessories are needed in the greenhouse?
Sturdi-built will draw on our 50 years of experience to set you up with the proper equipment for your situation. This usually includes:
Circulating fan: Air movement is essential for a healthy greenhouse environment and helps to reduce heating costs and condensation. We recommend continuous, gentle air movement 24/7 provided by an oscillating fan or quiet re-circulating type fan.
Heater: Type and size of heater needed depends of the size of the greenhouse and the inside and outside temperatures involved. Gas (natural or LP, vented or non- vented) or electric (120V or 240V) heaters can be used. To make a 120V heater more effective add an additional thermostat to turn the heater on and off at specific temperatures.
Coolers: In very hot climates sometimes positive cooling is needed. Air conditioners should not be used because they de-humidify the greenhouse. Nature’s most efficient means of cooling is through the evaporation of water. Evaporative air coolers work by drawing hot air through wet pads using a fan or blower. Water evaporates from the pads, providing cool, clean, humid air.
Humidifier or mister: Plants need adequate humidity when greenhouse temperatures move up. Generally, wetting down a porous (bricks, gravel) floor periodically is the easiest method for creating humidity. An automatic humidifier or a misting/fogging system may be used if additional humidity is needed.
Shading: The need for shading depends on sun exposure and plants being grown. Ways to shade include shade cloth, shading paint, roll-up shades and fiberglass panels. Custom-fit shade cloth panels can be added to all or part of the greenhouse. Attached to the outside of the greenhouse, they are effective, neat in appearance, easy to use, economical, reusable and available in a variety of densities.
Propagation Mats: With good bottom heat, propagation is easy and fast, even in a cool greenhouse. Propagation mats are great for supplying heat to plants in containers, seed flats, etc.
Shelves & Benches: To maximize efficient use of your greenhouse, some type of benches and/or shelves will be needed. Many options are available and will depend on the size and style of your greenhouse. More info.

Do I need a foundation for my greenhouse?
Yes. This foundation can be an existing patio or deck if well built, or a perimeter foundation which can be built from concrete, concrete block, railroad ties or treated timber. A Sturdi-built greenhouse can be adapted to fit many foundation situations. For the greenhouse floor we prefer gravel or bricks set in sand or other porous material . More info.

Do I need a building permit for my greenhouse?
Greenhouses tend to be in a building code “twilight zone”. Local codes and code interpretations vary greatly between counties and even between individuals within the same department! Compliance is the responsibility of the buyer. Generally we have found that a free standing greenhouse with a size of less that 150 sq.ft. usually does not require a permit. Lean-to Greenhouses attached to a wall of the house or garage, even if they are less that 150 sq.ft., are sometimes considered living space and subject to stricter rules. Getting a permit can be as simple as providing basic greenhouse plans and as complicated (and expensive) as having a state licensed engineer approve the plans. Should you choose to obtain a permit it is best to get it before placing a greenhouse order in case there are changes that need to be made to comply with codes. We will do our best to help you through this process.

How is my Sturdi-built greenhouse delivered to my home?
Since greenhouses are generally large structures they are delivered via truck. When you receive your shipment AND BEFORE YOU SIGN THE DELIVERY RECEIPT, carefully check your shipment for missing packages and/or any signs of damage and note it on the delivery receipt. Generally, shipments do not include unloading. Most truck drivers will help off-load the shipment but you should be prepared to assist. If you live in a remote rural location or other area difficult for trucks to access, you should be prepared for some extra costs. Sturdi-built crates every shipment in pine for protection and has the trucking company call you in advance to arrange a delivery time. Units delivered in the Portland, Oregon area are delivered directly by us. More info.

What do I get with my Sturdi-built Greenhouse Kit? Many greenhouse kits come in dozens of small pieces with a great deal of assembly required. While this saves on shipping costs, it costs you a great deal of time. We have tried to find a compromise between freight costs, size limitations and your time. A Sturdi-built Greenhouse comes partially assembled. End walls are prefabricated in large sections; the sides and roof are cut and marked, ready for your assembly; the door is pre-hung in its frame. We sell a complete kit, ready to be put on your foundation or base wall. The kit includes greenhouse frame and door, hardware, glass( or other glazing material), caulking, vents and instructions. You will be proud of the result. More info.

How do I order a Sturdi-built Greenhouse?
Call us to talk through your ideas, situation and environment to come up with a complete list of items to meet your particular greenhouse gardening needs. Our process of talking through issues such as greenhouse location, glazing materials, ventilation, circulation, heating, cooling, shading, etc., allows us to share our experience and knowledge to help you create the greenhouse you desire. We do not sell our greenhouses using the “one size fits all” type of approach. We work with each customer individually to put together the best greenhouse possible. We draw on our 45 years of experience working with customers all over the U.S. (many of whom we have visited), and applying this knowledge to your situation. Give us a call and talk through your order. We enjoy helping people with their greenhouse dreams.