polycarbonate vs glass greenhouse
Not all greenhouses are created equal. Most look good online – until they meet wind, snow, or time. Ours? Built in Europe, Built to Last.
Compare benefits
polycarbonate
glass
The better option?
The "better" option depends entirely on your specific needs and priorities.
How a finished polycarbonate greenhouse might look in your garden
How a finished glass greenhouse might look in your garden
CLIMATE PERFORMANCE
Polycarbonate: Twin-wall design provides superior insulation, reducing heating costs by up to 40% compared to glass while maintaining stable temperatures during cold snaps.
Glass: Maximizes limited winter sunlight but loses heat rapidly, requiring more supplemental heating and careful temperature management during extreme cold.
Polycarbonate: Creates more stable temperatures with diffused light that prevents leaf burn and hot spots, while UV-protection prevents material degradation.
Glass: Tends to overheat quickly, often requiring extensive shading and ventilation systems, though provides ideal conditions for desert-native species.
Polycarbonate: Virtually unbreakable (200x stronger than glass) with flexibility that absorbs impacts without shattering, remaining secure in winds up to 65mph.
Glass: High-quality tempered glass withstands winds up to 115mph but remains vulnerable to flying debris that can crack panels.
Polycarbonate: May collect more condensation on textured inner surfaces but prevents the temperature swings that cause excessive moisture buildup.
Glass: Smooth surface allows condensation to run off efficiently, maintaining clearer visibility.
What types of plants grow best?
Polycarbonate greenhouses excel at growing the following:
- Ideal for leafy greens, herbs, and most vegetables, which benefit from the even light distribution that prevents scorching.
- Heat-loving plants like tomatoes, peppers, and cucumbers thrive in polycarbonate greenhouses, especially in cooler climates, as the better insulation maintains warmer temperatures.
- Excellent for seed starting and propagation, as the diffused light prevents delicate seedlings from burning.
- Great for general-purpose growing where consistent, reliable harvests are more important than specialized growing conditions.
Glass greenhouses are superior for light-hungry tropical plants, citrus, and certain orchids that demand intense, direct light.
- The crystal-clear transparency of glass is preferred by serious cacti and succulent collectors who want to maximize light exposure.
- Plants that require precise light angles for blooming, such as certain flowering specimens, may perform better under the direct light of glass.
- Ideal for winter flowering plants that need every available ray of sunlight during short winter days.
- Superior for showcasing specimen plants where visual appreciation is as important as growing conditions.
