Halls Popular Greenhouse
£390.15
RRP £459.00-15%
Safety glass or polycarbonate
which glazing is right for your greenhouse?
The right glazing for your greenhouse
When choosing a greenhouse, most people first think about size, design and location. However, the question of the right glazing is just as important. This is because it affects not only the greenhouse’s appearance, but also the lighting conditions, insulation and how it can be used in everyday life.
With Halls greenhouse models, you have a choice of two types of glazing: safety glass and double-walled polycarbonate panels. Both options have their own strengths – and which one suits you best depends primarily on how you intend to use your greenhouse.
Two types of glazing, two distinct characteristics
Safety glass and double-glazed polycarbonate panels differ significantly in terms of their appearance, aesthetic appeal and practical benefits. Whilst glass is particularly appealing for its clear, elegant look, polycarbonate panels stand out for their insulating properties and diffused light distribution. If you imagine how you want your greenhouse to look and be used in the future, this will usually help you make your decision.
Safety glass – clear, elegant & timeless
For many, safety glass is the first choice when aesthetics are a priority. It creates a particularly clear, high-quality appearance and gives the greenhouse a light, open and exclusive feel. In modern greenhouses in particular, glass beautifully highlights the elegant lines of the structure.
Another advantage is its high light transmission. Plants receive plenty of natural light, and from the outside, the greenhouse appears transparent and inviting. Those who wish to use the greenhouse not only for growing plants but also as a lovely spot to spend time in the garden therefore often opt for glass.
With Halls models, the safety glass is supplied in full-length sheets, so that the panes fit precisely into the profiles without the usual overlaps. This creates a particularly clear, uncluttered and high-quality appearance. Compared to double-glazed panels, it offers a completely unobstructed view – both from the outside in and vice versa.
Advantages of safety glass
Safety glass stands out for its elegant appearance, high transparency and clear view. It is more robust than standard horticultural glass and, if broken, shatters into many small, blunt pieces. This means the risk of injury is significantly lower than with conventional glass. It's ideal if you have a family too. Furthermore, the glass is particularly durable and retains its beautiful, clear surface for many years.
Disadvantages of safety glass
Compared to double-glazed panels, glass has lower insulating properties. This means that temperature differences are more noticeable and the greenhouse cools down more quickly in cooler weather. Furthermore, a great deal of direct sunlight enters the greenhouse, which means, depending on the location, providing shade may be advisable in summer.
Halls models with safety glass
Model highlight: Halls Qube Lean-To
This lean-to greenhouse can be integrated seamlessly and space-efficiently into the side of a house or a wall. The choice of glazing is particularly well thought out: safety glass on the sides ensures a clear, elegant appearance, whilst the roof features double-wall polycarbonate panels. The Halls Qube Lean-To combines the premium look of glass with the functional benefits of polycarbonate.
Polycarbonate – functional, insulating and plant-friendly
Polycarbonate multi-wall sheets are a practical solution for anyone who wants to make the most of their greenhouse. They consist of sheets with hollow chambers that trap air. It is precisely this layer of air that provides the insulating effect.
This makes multi-wall sheets particularly advantageous at the start and end of the season, when nights are still cool. The temperature inside the greenhouse remains more stable, and sensitive plants are better protected.
Another advantage is light diffusion. The light does not enter harshly and directly, but is diffused and distributed more softly throughout the space. This creates a more balanced climate and can help ensure that additional shading is not always necessary.
Polycarbonate sheets have a textured, slightly matt surface and consist of several chambers or webs on the inside. This makes them appear less transparent than glass. You can see light and shapes, but do not have a completely clear view through them.
This appearance is more functional and technical, but at the same time has the advantage that the light is distributed more evenly throughout the greenhouse.
Advantages of polycarbonate panels
Polycarbonate panels provide good insulation, thereby creating more favourable conditions in the early and late growing seasons. They diffuse light gently and ensure a more balanced climate inside the greenhouse. They are also robust, lightweight and very practical for everyday use, particularly when the focus is squarely on cultivation. As with safety glass, the polycarbonate panels are supplied in full length for all Halls models.
Disadvantages of polycarbonate panels
Compared to safety glass, polycarbonate panels appear less elegant and less transparent. Those who wish to use a greenhouse primarily as a design feature in the garden or as an open, light-filled space often find glass more attractive. Furthermore, polycarbonate does not offer the same clear view both outwards and inwards.
Halls models available with polycarbonate panels
Which type of glazing is right for you?
The decision depends primarily on what matters most to you when it comes to your greenhouse.
If you place great importance on design, transparency and an exclusive look, safety glass is usually the right choice. It is particularly suitable for anyone who sees their greenhouse as a stylish feature of the garden and wants to enjoy the atmosphere as well as the growing experience.
If, on the other hand, function, insulation and a plant-friendly climate are your main priorities, polycarbonate panels may be the better solution. They are particularly practical if you want to extend your growing season and better protect young plants from cool temperatures.
Aesthetics or function? Choose what suits your everyday life
Both types of glazing have their merits – and both can be the ideal solution depending on your needs. Safety glass impresses with its elegant, clear appearance and a particularly open feel. Polycarbonate panels score points for their insulating properties and pleasant light diffusion.
Ultimately, it’s not just about which material is ‘better’, but which one suits you, your garden and the way you use your greenhouse best.
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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 the third generation, Nikolaj Stærmose. The headquarters remains Odense-based with subsidiaries in the UK and Germany and exports to more than 20 countries.
’We help people grow’. That is why our brands Halls, and Juliana set the frame for experiences that are as natural as they are magical. Despite our long history, we’re future-focused and curious about 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.
