One of the most important aspects to consider when buying a greenhouse is the type of frame for the greenhouse. A frame is chosen after taking into consideration several attributes. These considerations include, but are not limited to, the weather, technicalities and the look and feel of the frame.
Looking at these considerations one by one can lead the greenhouse enthusiastic to the aluminium frame. Alusminium stands up to extreme weather conditions such as rain, hail and snow. Technical reasons will include the choice of the greenhouse covering, how well insulated it is and how easy it is to look after. If the look of the frame is important to you then you are likely to be led to a wooden frame rather than an aluminium one.
Given that the options available for a greenhouse frame generally include aluminium, steel, wood or plastic. The advantage of aluminium is that it is one of the lightest frames, but still has considerable strength. Frames made from aluminium offer this strength and hence reliability. They are also relatively inexpensive which further adds to the attractiveness. They also do not require any maintenance apart from the general cleaning from time to time. Theses frames are more durable and long lasting as they do not rust like other metal frames and have a much longer lifepsan than wooden frames which need far more attention. Aluminium frames are very strong and therefore can be used with any type of glass or plastic covering. They also work better than glass or plastic frames in areas experiencing snow, hail or windy storms as they can easily withstand such conditions. These frames are very easy to assemble and are usually supplied in flatpacks and so do not require professional installation, which is a further cost saving.
Aluminium frames are known to be value for money and relatively maintenance free and therefore are the popular choice for home greenhouses, especially in the UK. These frames come coated with polyester powder in various colours and therefore can blend aesthetically into most garden environments and landscapes.
If Aluminium is the choice for the home hobbyist, then steel frames are the choice for commercial greenhouses, as they are long lasting and pretty cheap. The greatest advantage of using steel in greenhouse construction is its strength, because of which steel frames can be thinner than others. Thinner frames create less shadow, which gives maximum sun exposure to the plants in the greenhouse. These frames are designed for and are mostly used by commercial producers.
Aluminium, as mentioned previously, is an excellent choice for domestic greenhouses. Aluminium greenhouse design may not be as aesthetically pleasing as other materials, however it is low cost and more importantly low maintenance. A greenhouse can be expensive and so anything that increase the life of the greenhouse such as the the right type of structure and frame is an important consideration. By far, aluminium is more durable than most other metals and so aluminium greenhouses represent better value for money, especially for home enthusiasts. It is no wonder it so popular.