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A typical greenhouse allows you to extend the season to which you can grow flowers, fruits, or vegetables by 2 to 3 months. If you are a serious gardener who wants to invest on greenhouse materials and equipment, you can even grow plants all year round. Before you think of the rewards, you have to think first which materials will give you the best service against the money spent.

What exactly do you need? The type of materials to buy depends on the purpose of your greenhouse. For example, if you intend extend the growing season, the most basic materials such as film plastic for cover and wood for frame will do. If you intent to produce greens all year round, choose rigid, durable and high quality materials such as fiberglass or double-wall plastics for cover and composite or coated metal for frames. Decide if you will build a portable, semi-permanent or permanent greenhouse. Materials for portable greenhouse should be lightweight and the design should be quick set up and tear down. Materials for permanent greenhouse should be more rigid and can withstand the changing season, especially if you live in the northern part of the country. Materials for semi-permanent greenhouse should have a little bit of both.

What’s the weather in your area? Thicker grazing means better insulation and most suitable if you live in lower average temperature and you want to keep your plants all year round. This is the most expensive too, averaging around $5 per square foot. For higher average temperature, 9 cents per square foot film plastic is good enough.

How’s the wind and precipitation in your area? The most basic glazing and lightweight frames are susceptible to wind. If you plan the cheapest and the thinnest film and a frame that is lightweight, a simple wind blow or snow fall can collapse the entire structure. For windy and snowy region, it is recommended to buy rigid aluminum or wood frames that are securely cemented on the ground and think glazing that can handle high winds and heavy snow.

Finally, a caveat emptor especially for the budget conscious: Choosing materials based on price alone can be a costly mistake. While building your own greenhouse may not be as expensive as building a house, it still requires thinking, planning, and budgeting to get most out of your investment.

Related posts:

1. Buying Guide For Greenhouse Frames
2. Guide To Building A Greenhouse
3. How To Store Portable Greenhouse During Winter
4. Custom-Built Greenhouse vs. Commercially Available Greenhouse Kit
5. Building Your Own Greenhouse – Cold Frames and Grow Racks