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Greenhouses & Garden Structures

Canadian made hobby greenhouse, what brand would you recommend?

16 years ago

I'm looking for a decent good quality free standing greenhouse, preferably double wall polycarbonate. I use to have a Halls glass greenhouse, it was a good structure, though for obvious reasons I'm not keen upon glass.

What brand do you have and are you happy with it?

Terry

Comments (9)

greenhouser
16 years ago
I have the 6X8' Harbor Freight GH that I'm quite happy with. I also have the 8.6 X 16.6' Rion. I'm not sure about it yet. It's as airtight as a sieve but silicone wont stick to it to fill the thumb size openings where the roof meets the wall or the large openings at the roof's peak. Also, the roof is too low. We walk into the HAF fans constantly and there's nowhere to hang hanging baskets. All four auto-openers were defective and one didn't work at all. We're still waiting, over 2 months now, for replacements. Given what we know now we would not have bought this GH. It's finally getting sealed up with bubble-wrap and air conditioner sponge insulation that comes in strips. It's cemented to the foundation so it's here to stay.
birdwidow
16 years ago
Some of the very best quality garden GH's on the market are made by BC Greenhouses, in BC. I love my 12 X 16 Cross Country and haven't yet read a post from anyone on this forum who has a BC of any style who has been unhappy with theirs either. They aren't cheap, but if you are looking to replace a glass Hall's and want to upgrade and concurrently, go with polycarb; BC would be an an excellent choice.

They will also babysit you through the process and after, with the kind of personal, competent and immediate response customer service otherwise all but lost in the current market of imports that may, or may not be deliverd with all parts, or all of them in working order.

You can usually buy a BC cheaper from a retail distributor than direct from BC (they won't undercut their own distributors) but that doesn't keep you from working directly with them and they invite it, with toll free calls, answered by live people who really know their product and are willing to fall over backwards to give total satisfaction.

BTW: If you want to use your GH in a Z-3 winter, you might want to talk with Kyle at BC, about a triple wall.

It's easy to contact them for info. and/or a free catalog. Just go to their website: bcgreenhouses.com
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I'd use the upright heater with the fan. You want to move the heat around. But I can tell you that with all that concrete on the floor and lower walls, you are going to have cold seepage. You don't mention what you're going to do with those kneewalls, so here's what I would suggest. Rigid insulation, such as styrofoam boards on the inside of those walls, vapor barrier and some kind of waterproof wallboard. A floating floor above the concrete deck, beginning with 1x2's nailed or glued to the patio, concrete board over the 1x2's and tile, brick or stone covering with a good waterproof coating. We had a similar setup built on our patio up in Colorado and the room was cozy and wonderful even with a blizzard raging outside. It wasn't a greenhouse, it was more of a conservatory, because it had a solid roof, but there were huge windows all the way around the three sides. We used a glazed tile in a terracotta color and it looked real nice. My plants loved it and they thrived in that room. The floating floor was the main reason that it was comfortable in there. Your plan so far looks wonderful. Cheryl
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oakhill (zone 9A, Calif.)
16 years ago
If you would like to know about my very good experience with another BC GH company, please email me. Posting this info here is apparently not allowed.
birdwidow
16 years ago
Cuestaroble:

What isn't allowed?

As long as posts on this forum are NOT by persons who are owners, employees or; or knowingly investors in any GH maker or seller; why shouldn't we post honest opinions; good or bad about any GH or GH product. Few posters have been shy about posting kudos or rasberries, with no ill consequences.

Certainly the webmasters of the site have never raised any objections to open discussions and comparisons on price, quality, etc. by name of mfg and/or retail sellers and indeed: why would they?

Or: did I mistake your meaning? If so, I apologize.
FrozeBudd_z3/4
Original Author
16 years ago
A big THANKS for all the suggestions and the detailed info some have stated here or sent privately to my email. I am very tempted by a few of them and now it's down to the head scratching and what type of greenhouse will most fit my particular needs.

You people have been very helpful ... again, thanks!

Terry
oakhill (zone 9A, Calif.)
16 years ago
birdwidow,
The webmaster does indeed censor mention of at least one BC greenhouse manufacturer. After trying to mention it, as a GH owner not associated with the company, the message was blocked. I do not know why.
birdwidow
16 years ago
Cuestable:

I'm not sure what you mean by "at least one BC greenhouse manufacturer" as there is only one manufacturer: BC Greenhouses, in British Columbia, Canada.

Could the offensive message have been regarding one of BC's distributors?

As the message is gone and I have no recollection of having read it, or the specific issue that caused the webmaster to block it, I guess the answer will remain a mystery to me.
oakhill (zone 9A, Calif.)
16 years ago
It is a mystery to me as well. There is another British Columbia greenhouse manufacturer that is located in Abbotsford, BC and that is where I bought a greenhouse.
two_dogs
16 years ago
Hi,

As birdwidow has attested...I also have had wonderful luck with a B.C, Greenhouse.
We got an 8 x 14' twin wall poly and it is just beautiful.
We ordered right thru the factory and just as Birdwidow states the help is Always there and they are extremely friendly.
Just can't say enough about their Co.
You can get one of their greenhouses thru a number of suppliers in the US.

Good luck,
Two Dogs

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