A greenhouse suited to your plants and your site
A longer growing season, protected seedlings or somewhere to overwinter plants: a greenhouse can serve several purposes. Size and purchase price alone do not establish its suitability. Location, anchoring, glazing and practical climate control need to match how you will use it.
Intended use determines the equipment
Seasonal vegetable growing may need a different setup from overwintering tender plants. An unheated greenhouse warms up in sunlight but is not automatically frost-free. If you intend to heat it regularly, consider running costs, insulation and local energy requirements before buying.
| Project | Key considerations |
|---|---|
| Seasonal growing | Light, ventilation and sufficient growing and working space |
| Overwintering tender plants | Plant temperature requirements, enclosure and suitable heat supply |
| Assembling an existing kit | Model, complete components and correctly prepared foundation |
| Repairing a greenhouse | Damage, spare parts and the condition of frame and fixings |
Assess location and usable space
Observe sun and shade during the seasons when you intend to use the greenhouse. One fixed orientation is not best for every crop and location. Large trees can reduce light and introduce a falling-branch risk.
Allow for paths, door opening, working aisles and access with a watering can or wheelbarrow. Lean-to structures also require suitable wall connections and drainage. On a balcony or roof, loading, anchoring and access must suit the specific building.
A base frame is not necessarily a finished foundation
A supplied metal frame does not automatically replace the required ground support. The system may need pads, strip foundations or another approved form of anchoring. Ground conditions, level and the manufacturer’s plan matter.
Have dimensions and diagonals checked before assembly. A distorted base can affect doors and glazing later. The quote should therefore address excavation, ground preparation, anchoring and reinstatement of existing surfaces.
Glass, multiwall sheets or film?
Glass can provide clear views, depending on its finish. Safety glass behaves differently on breakage from ordinary horticultural glass. Multiwall sheets can reduce heat loss and diffuse light, with properties depending on material and construction. Film is part of its own support and fixing system and needs an appropriate maintenance and replacement plan.
Compare the complete structure rather than sheet thickness alone. It must suit local wind and snow conditions. A description such as ‘winterproof’ or one advertised load figure does not replace that assessment.
Plan ventilation and shading from the outset
Sunlight can raise temperatures quickly. Opening areas, air exchange and any shading must suit the intended use. An automatic vent opener helps with daily operation but still needs checking, alongside conditions for the plants.
Humidity also matters. Watering, ventilation and any heating interact. A garden greenhouse does not automatically need the complex climate equipment of a commercial nursery. Plan water and electrical connections where they are actually useful.
Separate purchase price from total project cost
One Swiss listing checked in October 2026 offered roughly 9 m² in polycarbonate for about CHF 2,000 including assembly and VAT. Delivery was extra and a prepared load-bearing base was required. This is not a market average.
Model, size, foundation and access determine your own project price. A low-cost kit cannot be compared directly with a greenhouse installed on newly constructed foundations.
- Supply. Check frame, glazing, doors, vents and fixings against the exact model specification.
- Building work. Separate foundations, excavation, assembly, wall connections and drainage.
- Transport. Distinguish kerbside delivery, carrying to the installation site and packaging disposal.
- Equipment and operation. Allow for openers, shading, shelving, irrigation and future heating and replacement-part costs.
Three checks before ordering
- Local requirements. Ask the municipality about approvals, boundary distances and any heating requirements. There is no single Swiss exemption threshold suitable for every plot.
- Site condition. Describe the existing surface, slope and access. A paved patio is not automatically a suitable base.
- Documents and responsibilities. For a purchased kit, the make, model and instructions are useful. Agree who checks components and obtains missing parts.
Allow for maintenance and repairs
Keep gutters and moving components working and inspect fixings and glazing after unusual weather. Follow manufacturer instructions for cleaning and winter precautions: unsuitable products can damage sheets or coatings.
Broken glazing or loose components should be made safe properly. Replacement panels need the right system, material and installation orientation as well as dimensions. A leak does not necessarily mean replacing the entire greenhouse.
Frequently asked questions
Will an unheated greenhouse stay frost-free?
No. Sunlight warms it during the day, but temperatures can fall substantially at night. The need for added heat depends especially on the plants and intended winter use.
Can someone assemble a kit I bought myself?
Yes. Give the make, model, dimensions and condition of the base. Supply of the greenhouse, foundation preparation and assembly should be clearly separated.
Does every greenhouse need a concrete slab?
No. Foundations must suit the system, ground and site. Concrete-set anchors, strip foundations or other manufacturer-approved solutions may be suitable.
Is glass always better than polycarbonate?
No. Transparency, insulation, breakage behaviour, maintenance and compatibility with the structure differ. Intended use matters more than the material name alone.
How long does assembly take?
That depends on the model, size, preparation and access. An assembly time quoted from a ready foundation excludes earlier excavation and any necessary foundation waiting periods.
