Halls Greenhouses
​​​​​​​Buyers guide

A Greenhouse can be used as an all-weather, all year round, outside room. The focal point for your garden and of course a fantastic growing environment! If you have ever tried to grow plants outside, you will know that we are at the mercy of the British weather. A Greenhouse allows you to control the growing environment to ensure gardening success.



Why buy a greenhouse?

A greenhouse can be used as an all-weather, all year round, outside room. The focal point for your garden and of course a fantastic growing environment!


If you have ever tried to grow plants and vegetables outside, you will know that we are at the mercy of the British weather. A greenhouse allows you to control the growing environment to ensure gardening success.


Buying a greenhouse is a major investment in your garden and we want to make sure you get it right.


This guide is an introduction, but if you need any more greenhouse advice don’t hesitate to contact us.

Choosing a greenhouse

The greenhouse you choose will be an asset to your home for many years to come, it is important that you choose the right model and size for your needs.


We only sell the best greenhouse brands in the UK.


Size is the most important criteria; you should select a greenhouse large enough to accommodate the type of growing you wish to do, with enough room for plants and working area for potting up your seedlings. If you have the room select a size that will enable you to put a table and chair in the greenhouse, this will let you enjoy the garden for more of the year.


It’s a good idea to use some canes and string to mark out where you are considering siting the greenhouse to make sure it fits.


Will the greenhouse be used by wheelchair users or the less mobile? Some greenhouse models have low thresholds to allow wheelchairs (and wheelbarrows) easy access.


Make sure that the door is wide enough and that there is enough ventilation, both for the plants and you. Automatic vents will reduce the need for daily visits to the greenhouse during the growing season and when used in conjunction with automatic watering systems will ensure your plants thrive, even when left unattended for several days at a time.

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SIZE OF THE GREENHOUSE

When investing in a greenhouse, it is important to base your decision on what you intend to use it for. If you have never bought a greenhouse before, identifying your needs can be difficult and, in this event, our best advice is to buy as big a greenhouse as your garden permits.


Because we have never heard a customer complain about buying a greenhouse that was too big. This does not mean that you will not be pleased with a small greenhouse, because you definitely will. This just means that you are likely to become very fond of greenhouse gardening and wish you had space for more. It is nice to have room for a chair and small table in your little “oasis” where you can enjoy a cup of coffee and read the newspaper.


Even in early spring, it only takes a little sunshine to make the greenhouse a splendid place to sit and soak up the wonderful light and warmth.

Mini greenhouses

Not all of us are blessed with a large garden so there is a wide range of mini greenhouses. So even if you have limited space you can still enjoy the benefits of greenhouse growing.


We don’t sell plastic mini greenhouses, they are simply not durable and provide disappointing results.


We do have a range of proper mini greenhouses, many having all the features of their larger cousins, such as roof vents and sliding doors.

Building your greenhouse

Building your greenhouse can seem daunting, however if you are proficient at DIY you should be able to complete the project in around 2 days, one day to construct the base and aluminium frame and one day to glaze the greenhouse. Make sure to study the assembly manual and follow the instructions step-by-step.


Large greenhouses will take longer and we always recommend two people to complete the job.


Ensure you wear safety glasses and use gloves when handling glass.


Alternatively, we can arrange for installation of your free-standing greenhouse by our experienced fitters (at extra cost).


Most greenhouses have optional steel bases available, which make the construction easier and faster.

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Glas vs polycarbonate for the greenhouse?

When choosing the type of glazing for your greenhouse, there are two basic choices: clear glass or semi-transparent polycarbonate sheets. One benefit of polycarbonate is the thermal insulation effect created by air ducts in the sheets, which protects against frost at the beginning and end of the season.


Polycarbonate also diffuses light, which reduces the need for shading. The Halls Traditional models are available with 4-6 mm polycarbonate sheets. Nowadays, glass is the most widely used glazing by far, primarily for aesthetic reasons. Glass is available as either traditionally sectioned greenhouse glass or as full-length toughened glass.


The last-mentioned is far and away the most elegant and is also much stronger than ordinary glass. Also, on impact, toughened glass shatters into tiny pieces, whereas ordinary glass breaks into large shards, with a higher risk of getting cut. ​​​​​​​

Glas vs polycarbonate for the greenhouse?

When choosing the type of glazing for your greenhouse, there are two basic choices: clear glass or semi-transparent polycarbonate sheets. One benefit of polycarbonate is the thermal insulation effect created by air ducts in the sheets, which protects against frost at the beginning and end of the season.


Polycarbonate also diffuses light, which reduces the need for shading. The Halls Traditional models are available with 4-6 mm polycarbonate sheets. Nowadays, glass is the most widely used glazing by far, primarily for aesthetic reasons. Glass is available as either traditionally sectioned greenhouse glass or as full-length toughened glass.


The last-mentioned is far and away the most elegant and is also much stronger than ordinary glass. Also, on impact, toughened glass shatters into tiny pieces, whereas ordinary glass breaks into large shards, with a higher risk of getting cut.


Greenhouse base

  • With smaller greenhouses you can site them directly on the earth by concreting-in the ground anchors to ensure a stable foundation.


  • This method is not recommended for larger greenhouses as the weight can cause subsidence and create problems with the door operation and glass fitment.


  • Our recommended base is either a cast concrete base or well laid slab base.


  • Slabs have the advantage of providing drainage inside the greenhouse.


  • Always check the dimensions of the greenhouse and construct your base slightly larger to ensure the base is not damaged when you drill into it, to secure the greenhouse.


  • Please note that greenhouses are slightly larger than the imperial dimensions, we always advise to use the metric greenhouse dimensions from the installation manual.


Many greenhouses have an optional steel base, these are highly recommended as they speed up the build process and eliminate the need to construct a brick base. The optional base also raises the greenhouse frame and ensures the correct operation of the greenhouse doors.

Coldframes

A Cold Frame is a cost-effective way of increasing your protected growing area, or a way of starting a gardening project where space or funds are restricted.


Cold Frames can also be used as a ‘hardening off’ area to help young plants survive the transition from greenhouse to planting in outside beds. The smaller size makes them an excellent choice for introducing growing to children.


??

Glas vs polycarbonate for the greenhouse?

When choosing the type of glazing for your greenhouse, there are two basic choices: clear glass or semi-transparent polycarbonate sheets. One benefit of polycarbonate is the thermal insulation effect created by air ducts in the sheets, which protects against frost at the beginning and end of the season.


Polycarbonate also diffuses light, which reduces the need for shading. The Halls Traditional models are available with 4-6 mm polycarbonate sheets. Nowadays, glass is the most widely used glazing by far, primarily for aesthetic reasons. Glass is available as either traditionally sectioned greenhouse glass or as full-length toughened glass.


The last-mentioned is far and away the most elegant and is also much stronger than ordinary glass. Also, on impact, toughened glass shatters into tiny pieces, whereas ordinary glass breaks into large shards, with a higher risk of getting cut. ​​​​​​​

Profiles – aluminum or painted

The traditional hobby greenhouse was originally made of aluminium. But much has happened over the years, and in the Juliana range we now offer some of the models in both untreated aluminium and powder coated anthracite-colored aluminium.


The Halls Qube and Cotswold range is offered solely with black. Whereas the Halls Traditional range is offered in black, green, and aluminium. Whether you want the traditional aluminium or the dark gray look depends on your personal taste.

Dreaming of becoming a greenhouse owner?


When choosing your greenhouse, it is a good idea to carefullyconsider what you want to use the greenhouse forand – bear in mind – we have never had a customer whowanted a smaller greenhouse than the one they purchased.There must be enough room for the greenhouse in yourgarden, but you can never have too much space inside yourgreenhouse.

Experience Halls

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Family owned company with factories in Odense, Denmark and Cheltenham, UK

On Juliana, Halls and Gabriel Ash greenhouses

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JULIANA GROUP

Juliana Group is a leading global supplier of quality residential greenhouses. Founded in 1963 by Mogens A. Stærmose in Odense, Denmark, the family-owned company is today owned by third generation, Nikolaj Stærmose. The headquarter remains Odense-based with subsidiaries in the UK and Germany and export to more than 20 countries.

’We help people grow’. That is why our brands Halls, Juliana, and Gabriel Ash all set the frame for experiences that are as natural as they are magical. Despite our long history, we’re future-focused and curious on how we can improve the sustainability of our greenhouses. Learn more about Juliana and find inspiration for life in the greenhouse in our inspirational universe.​​​​​​​