What is the best metal for a greenhouse?

11 Apr.,2024

 

Aluminum frame Greenhouses are one of the most popular Greenhouse structures, designed to be robust, sturdy, and incredibly durable. The strong frame protects your plants against all weather conditions, while the material can be designed and adapted to suit any garden style.

Whether you’re a seasoned grower or new to Greenhouse cultivation, discover why a Hartley Botanic aluminum Greenhouse is the best choice for your garden.

What is an aluminum Greenhouse?

Aluminum Greenhouse framing is a smart choice when it comes to structural design.

Aluminum is a chemical element with a lower density than other common metals and will not rust or oxidize, unlike iron or wood. Instead, aluminum forms a protective oxide layer on its surface when exposed to air.

The metal weighs roughly ⅓ that of steel, meaning it’s easy to maneuver and manipulated into various designs. Buying an aluminum Greenhouse is a popular choice and efficient addition to any garden.

The benefits of aluminum framed Greenhouses

From a small aluminum Greenhouse to an extensive large aluminum glass Greenhouse, a painted aluminum frame and well-engineered glass panes create an elegant and versatile garden growing space.

Aluminum is lightweight for easier construction, yet still very strong once built. The material also allows for more slimline window frames, casting less shade into the interior of your aluminum frame Greenhouse and allowing for maximum sunshine.

The result is an aesthetically pleasing Greenhouse, often featuring a solid brick base alongside the weatherproof aluminum frame on top – a combination that will stand the test of time for years ahead.

This gives you an aesthetically pleasing Greenhouse typically with a solid brick base and a weatherproof aluminum Greenhouse frame on top – a combination that will weather the tests of time for years ahead.

What kind of paint do you use on aluminum Greenhouses?

Its natural makeup means aluminum will not rust anyway, however, with Hartley’s choice of visually appealing paintwork finishes, you can give your aluminum glass Greenhouse a touch of color. This subtle addition helps the structure to blend into your garden while ensuring the paint does not oxidize over the years.

Depending on personal design preferences, Hartley aluminum Greenhouse framing can be painted in several colors, including earthier tones or eye-catching hues.

We use a high-quality powder-coated paint that chemically sticks to the aluminum frame Greenhouse, meaning a perfect finish with no flaking, unlike regular paint.

This is one of the first greenhouses made of aluminum.

Aluminum stands the test of time

What about cold weather?

One of the biggest concerns from our potential customers is the reality that an aluminum greenhouse frame conducts the cold and is not as weather resistant. It is true that aluminum will conduct the cold but there are other factors that you should consider.

Wood frame greenhouses expand and contract with the heat and the cold which means it will warp and create gaps in between your frame and glazing, doors, and vents which allows cols air and pests to penetrate the structure. Any thermal benefit that you receive from a wood frame is negated within the first year or two.

On-Going Maintenance

The maintenance of a wood frame greenhouse is not just staining it every year. You must caulk and seal all of the gaps that you will find season to season. In addition, a wood frame greenhouse is vulnerable to wood rot, pests, and fire.

The Cost Difference

Historically one of the benefits of wood frame greenhouses was that they were more economical to build. However, with the ever-rising costs of lumber, we are seeing more potential greenhouse customers connect with us to investigate other options.

Why We Made the Switch from Wood to Aluminum

BC Greenhouse Builders' first products were made of wood when we first started in the early 1950s. We changed to aluminum greenhouses when we realized that offering a lifetime warranty on the frame wouldn't be possible with wood due to the lack of longevity. The regular need for maintenance and inevitable disappointment with the lack of weather resistance were key factors in our change. We have many examples of our aluminum greenhouses 20, 30 and 40 years later! They stand the test of time including changing weather, heavy snow and high winds.

Here are a few photos of greenhouses that are over 35 years old and what they look like today!

A restaurant in Stanley Park.

An old wooden BCG greenhouse circa 1960's

See More Long-Lasting Greenhouses in Our Free Catalog

 

What is the best metal for a greenhouse?

Why Aluminum is the Better Choice for Your Greenhouse