August 17, 2023 Julia White

Polycarbonate vs Glass Greenhouses

Greenhouses offer a haven for gardening enthusiasts, creating a controlled environment where plants can thrive year-round. One of the most crucial decisions when purchasing a greenhouse is choosing the right glazing material. Polycarbonate and glass are two popular options, each with its own set of advantages and disadvantages. In this blog, we'll dive into the debate of Polycarbonate vs. Glass greenhouses to help you make an informed decision that aligns with your gardening needs and preferences.

Polycarbonate Greenhouses: Modern Innovation

Polycarbonate is a lightweight, durable, and thermally efficient plastic material that has gained immense popularity in greenhouse construction. Here are some key points to consider when contemplating a polycarbonate greenhouse:

Insulation and Heat Retention: Polycarbonate panels are known for their excellent insulation properties, making it easier to maintain a stable temperature within the greenhouse. This can be a game-changer for cultivating plants that require specific climatic conditions, especially during colder months.
Impact Resistance: Polycarbonate panels are highly resilient and shatterproof, making them a safer option, especially in areas prone to hail or strong winds. This durability ensures a longer lifespan for your greenhouse - and its also the reason why the standard Sproutwell Glasshouses come with polycarbonate roofs.
UV Protection: Many polycarbonate panels are designed with built-in UV protection, shielding your plants from harmful sun rays. This reduces the risk of plant damage and promotes healthier growth. UV protection also ensures the longevity of your polycarbonate panels, as without it they will quickly discolour and become brittle. Many brands offer 20 micron UV protectant layer (and some even have NO protection at all). We only stock Sproutwell polycarbonate, which goes through a Solar grade co-extruded process using a double layer equaling 50 micron UV protectant (which also allows them to offer a 10 year guarantee with their panels).
Light Diffusion: Some polycarbonate panels offer light diffusion, spreading sunlight more evenly throughout the greenhouse. This eliminates the risk of hotspots and shadows, providing optimal conditions for plant growth.

Sproutwell Orangery Polycarbonate Greenhouse

Glass Greenhouses: Timeless Elegance

Glass greenhouses have a long-standing tradition and offer a classic, sophisticated aesthetic. Here's why you might lean towards a glass greenhouse:

Visual Appeal: Glass provides unparalleled clarity, allowing you to enjoy an unobstructed view of your plants. The transparent nature of glass creates a visually pleasing space that can be an extension of your garden.
Natural Light: Glass allows maximum light transmission, enabling plants to receive the full spectrum of natural sunlight. This can be particularly beneficial for sunlight-hungry plants and for creating an inviting atmosphere for gardening.
Longevity: While glass can break, it'll never fade or discolour over time. Its also flame resistant so can work well if in close proximity to a BBQ.

Sproutwell Orangery Glass Greenhouse

Choosing the Right Greenhouse for You

Ultimately, the choice between polycarbonate and glass comes down to your specific requirements and preferences:

If you prioritise energy efficiency, durability, and ease of installation, a polycarbonate greenhouse might be your best bet.
If you value aesthetics, unfiltered sunlight, and are willing to invest in a potentially more delicate yet timeless option, a glass greenhouse could be the way to go.

In Conclusion

Both polycarbonate and glass greenhouses have their merits, and the decision hinges on factors like climate, plant type, budget, and personal taste. Consider your long-term gardening goals and the conditions your plants need to thrive. Whether you opt for the modern innovation of polycarbonate or the classic elegance of glass, your greenhouse will undoubtedly become a sanctuary for nurturing your botanical passions.

Previous article Why You Should Continue to Fertilise Your Indoor Plants Over Winter

Next article All about Aroids

Worth it

I’m surprised that how well it is packed with well protection is and the plant is lovely and undamaged though the box broken as rag. Its quality is way better than other “liven” too.

Packaged with care and consideration. A very happy plant. Thank you x

Sturdy! Also it’s the perfect size for my small space.

Arrived Damaged

Average product. Arrived damaged, had a dent in the pot, probably due to inadequate packaging. Also no mention of the drainage hole in the pot. As using internally would have been good to know.

Hi Bradley,

Thank you for your honest feedback and for bringing this to our attention. We’re sorry to hear that your pot arrived damaged and for any inconvenience this caused. We’ll be updating the product description to clearly mention the drainage hole to ensure there’s no confusion for future customers.

To resolve the issue with your damaged pot, please send us some photos at info@greenmyspace.com.au, and we’ll arrange a replacement right away. Also, if you decide the product isn’t right for you, we’re happy to offer a change of mind return.

We genuinely appreciate your support and the chance to make this right.

Kind regards,
The Green My Space Team

Traumatised plant

The plant took over a week to arrive from ordering and the soil was stone dry on arrival. The plant only had 3 blooms. One was broken and dead on arrival. The second had very bruised petals, was clearly struggling and lasted less than a week. The third flower looked better but as the week progressed it too was struggling and the petals started withering. It’s under grow lights with other plants and I’m going to persist and hopefully can save the final petal and other stalks will grow and bloom.
It was my first online plant purchase and I acknowledge the light weight of the package no doubt contributed to it being knocked around a lot during transit but I was disappointed. I won’t be buying plants sight unseen again.

Hi Petra,

I’m truly sorry to hear that your first experience purchasing a plant online wasn’t as positive as we had hoped. I wanted to address a couple of things that may help ease some of your concerns and clarify what happened with your plant.

Firstly, thank you so much for your feedback. We really value all feedback, as it helps give our customers a true understanding of what they can expect. Your experience highlights what was mentioned in the product description: 'Please note that these plants have delicate leaves. They can struggle with the stress of being shipped and may lose their leaves once you receive the plant. If this occurs, you will find that the plant will quickly grow new leaves once in your care.' We always ensure that the corm is in good health before shipping, giving the plant every chance to thrive in its new home.

We also avoid watering plants right before shipping to reduce the risk of corm and root rot during transit. Since plants don't need water without light, especially in the dark conditions of a delivery box, this helps ensure they arrive in the best possible condition.

Regarding the shipping timing, our product page explains that we only ship plants on Mondays to minimise the time they spend in transit. Your order was placed after business hours on a Monday, so your plant was shipped the following Monday, and I’m glad it arrived the very next day.

I completely understand that buying plants online can feel uncertain at times, but depending on your location, it can offer access to a wider range of plants than you may find locally. With proper care, I’m confident your Purple Oxalis will start thriving soon. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any further questions or need advice.

Thank you again for your understanding, and for giving online plant shopping a try.

Polycarbonate vs Glass Greenhouses

Added to your cart:

Let customers speak for us