Aluminium Hexagonal Greenhouse 175

• Strong aluminium greenhouse frame
• Horticultural glass included
• Sliding door
• 2 free louvred vents
• Eaves height 6'5" (1945mm) including optional base plinth
• Ridge height 8'10" (2695mm) including optional base plinth
• Door height 6'3" (1895mm) including optional base plinth
• Door width 2'0" (620mm)

HORTICULTURAL GLASS: Horticultural glass is the traditional glass for greenhouse glazing and it remains a cost effective option. Although brittle, glass is also rigid and it strengthens the aluminium frame. Glass is also heavy which helps to resist wind. Unless it is broken glass will not deteriorate unlike plastic alternatives which are easily scratched. Although polycarbonate is stable, styrene and perspex quickly lose their transparency. Horticultural glass is normally supplied in small panes up to 24" x 24". Because of this size limitation the glass panes are overlapped. Horticultural glass also features more minor blemishes and imperfections than other more expensive glass but the affordable price makes it a sensible option for any greenhouse.

GREENHOUSE LOCATION: Ideally your greenhouse should have a clear space at least 18" wide on all sides, if possible. This ensures easy access for both installation and future maintenance. In reality this is often not practical and at many sites it is not needed. A reduced clearance is often possible on one or two sides. You should cut back or remove any nearby shrubs and trees. Remember to allow for future growth. Ideally the ridge of a greenhouse should run from east to west. The best position for a freestanding greenhouse is a sunny spot outside the shadow of nearby buildings and trees. A sheltered position is best otherwise additional screening may be advisable. Plants need plenty of water so your greenhouse should be close to a water supply and the site should be well drained.

OCTAGONAL BUILDING SIZES: For ease of reference these octagonal greenhouses are measured as a rectangle. The first dimension listed is the overall width from side to side and the second dimension is the depth from front to back. The external wall sizes are listed alongside the price. These sizes do not include the roof overhang. Many other suppliers quote the overall roof size which is much larger.

• Choice of anodised silver finish or powder coated green finish
• Toughened safety glass with full height sheets where practical (with no glass overlaps)
• Silver finish or powder coated green finish galvanised steel base plinth (makes installation easier)
• Staging
• Extra louvred vents
• Automatic louvre openers
• Automatic watering system
• Propagators
• Electric and gas heaters
• Thermometers and soil gauges

ANODISED SILVER FINISH ALUMINIUM: These greenhouses have anodised silver finish aluminium frames. Silver finish is the natural colour of aluminium before it is painted. It is cheaper than painted aluminum but just as strong and durable. Anodisation keeps the greenhouse frame looking clean by reducing the rate that the aluminium oxidises. Unpainted aluminium gradually oxidises, which appears as fine grey powder forms on the surface of the greenhouse. Oxidisation occurs quicker in areas of high pollution or in coastal areas. This is the aluminium's natural self protection and it does not harm the greenhouse.

POWDER COATED ALUMINIUM: The powder coated finish is more attractive than the stark silver finish aluminium greenhouses. The tough finish also has excellent weathering properties and retains its gloss and colour superbly. A good example of powder coating is the finish on your washing machine. Powder coated aluminium greenhouses have a similar finish.

BASE PLINTH: The base plinth makes installation much easier. It is designed to be a portable and prefabricated foundation beam. The plinth features a flat underside to spread the weight of the greenhouse over a larger area. The base plinth can be placed on any flat and level surface including soil, gravel, decking, concrete or paving slabs. It is best to prepare a perimeter footing of concrete or paving slabs for the base plinth to stand on. However, with care the base plinth can be placed on any surface including soil or gravel provided that the ground is flat and level.

BASE ANCHORS - CORNER PEGS: The base plinth includes corner pegs which are designed to be buried in the ground or set in concrete. This is recommended in less sheltered locations. The pegs are used as angle brackets to fix the corners of the base plinth together but they also extend downwards into the ground. If your greenhouse is sited on an existing patio or paved area you can cut the pegs off at ground level. The offcuts can be used to as brackets to help secure the base plinth into the concrete.

TOUGHENED GLASS: Toughened glass is the best glazing material for use in greenhouses. It is around 6 times stronger than normal glass so it is less likely to break and when it does break toughened glass breaks into harmless small pieces. This makes toughened glass the best option for all the family including children, pets and the elderly. Toughened glass also strengthens the frame and it is heavy which helps to resist wind. Full height toughened glass is supplied in larger sizes than horticultural glass with no overlapping glass.

VENTILATION: Improved ventilation increases the air circulation through the greenhouse for better growing results. Automatic openers react to heat which ensures that in hot weather the vents open in your absence and then close again when its cooler. Louvred ventilators provide a healthy air flow through the greenhouse to ensure improved growing conditions and better crops. Some plants such as alpines require more ventilation than others. If you are not yet sure which plants you are likely to grow improved ventilation will give you more versatility.

HEATERS: We offer a huge range of heaters so whatever your specific requirements we have a heater to do the job. Our electric heaters require a standard domestic 13 amp electricity supply. Our propane gas heaters require permanent trickle ventilation when in use. As an approximate guide, a 3kw heater will heat a greenhouse up to 8'x12' or provide frost protection only up to 10'x15' in normal site conditions. A 1.5kw heater will normally heat a greenhouse up to 6'x8' or provide frost protection only up to 6'x12'. Internal partitions are often used in large greenhouses to create a smaller warm room which is cheaper and easier to heat.

HEATING REQUIREMENTS: Heating requirements vary for several reasons. Location is one factor with more heating required in Scotland than in southern England and less heating required in a sheltered position. The design is also a factor. For example, dwarf walls improve the insulation and lean to greenhouses absorb warmth from the existing wall. Another factor is the materials used. Polycarbonate greenhouses retain heat better than glass and wooden greenhouses retain heat better than metal greenhouses. We recommend you to buy a bigger heater than you need - you can always turn it down.