Gardening Questions: Full-Size Greenhouse Question.....

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britbrighton Ancram, NY November 14, 2008 9:09 PM	I have been considering getting a full-size greenhouse outside. Does anyone own one? Here is my silly question....do birds often smash into the glass? I was all set to get one until a friend asked me that question. So if anyone knows the answer to this one, perhaps from experience, I would be really grateful. -Brit
ecrane3 Dublin, CA (Zone 9a) November 14, 2008 9:43 PM	I've got a 5x9 one with an aluminum frame and twinwall polycarbonate panels--is that the sort of thing you're talking about? Most of the people I know of have ones like that vs ones made from glass, and if you're looking for something on the cheaper end rather than spending many thousands of dollars on it that's the sort that you'll probably want to look into. The polycarbonate isn't 100% clear so I don't think birds are very likely to smash into it. You'd get the best advice on this in the greenhouse forum, but unfortunately it's only open to subscribers (you can get a couple month subscription for $5 or so though if you want to check it out)
altagardener Calgary, AB (Zone 3b) November 14, 2008 10:56 PM	We have a 10'x20' greenhouse but it's covered in 6 mil poly - so it also has a slight opacity, as does polycarbonate. Anyway, we've never known birds to fly into it... and they'd bounce off if they did, LOL! (A poly greenhouse with an anodized aluminum frame is a cheaper option yet than actual glass...)
cando1 Ozone, AR (Zone 6a) November 15, 2008 1:00 AM	I have a green house with the 6 ml plastic like altagardener and birds have never flown into the plastic but have flown inside when door was open. LOL Vickie
britbrighton Ancram, NY November 15, 2008 1:59 AM	Well, I was hoping to have my greenhouse kind of double as a sun area for battling winter blues so I was thinking NOT opaque but the clear glass. Hmmm.,....We just recently bought our house (so ignore the work in progress) but on the far right, in that alcove with the front stoop; it used to be a hair salon entrance. It is a nice big room in there but outside on the steps it looks rather shabby. We never need to use that porch and door either.I thought tucking one of those lean-to (sp?) style greenhouses, the ones that attach to the house might be nice in that alcove because then I could go out the salon door into it during the winter and during the summer I can access it through the outside as well....What do you guys think????? Need help! View Larger
ecrane3 Dublin, CA (Zone 9a) November 15, 2008 2:03 AM	The plastic isn't opaque, it lets plenty of light in and is very bright inside, but since it's translucent instead of transparent the birds can see it and won't fly into it.
ecrane3 Dublin, CA (Zone 9a) November 15, 2008 2:15 AM	Also I don't know what your budget is, but you might consider having a sunroom put in rather than a lean-to greenhouse--you can still keep plants in there but it'll be nicer for sitting and hanging out, plus it'll be better for resale value somewhere down the road if you ever sell the house. And since it's the front of your house rather than the backyard the curb appeal would be a little better with a sunroom/solarium--I don't know if your neighborhood has an HOA but if you do, having a greenhouse in the front of the house is something I could imagine them not liking very much.
britbrighton Ancram, NY November 15, 2008 12:13 PM	No, this is a farm area. You could put just about anything on your property, for better or worse.........The side of my house that shows from the road is the left chimney side, not the front so that wouldn't be a problem anyway.I just liked the idea of a greenhouse because they are pretty basic to set up. The simpler the better for me! I will consider translucent....that sounds like a good option.
JeanK Deland, FL & Hot Springs Village, AR, AR November 18, 2008 11:28 AM	My DH and I wanted a full-size greenhouse for overwintering our large pots of plants which we had to struggle each fall to put under the house. We spent a lot of time thinking about this and finally decided upon a sunroom attached to our house. We chose a Four Seasons room which we have been extremely pleased with and since it is attached to the house and is next to the kitchen, we use it as a dining room during the summer. I have also had my friends over for lunch. You might not want one as large as ours, however, a smaller atrium built on the side of the house might fit in quite nicely, and you could use it year round. Your plants would also love it!
britbrighton Ancram, NY November 18, 2008 1:42 PM	That is a great idea. I would love to see a pict of your sunroom for ideas! Thanks-Brit
JeanK Deland, FL & Hot Springs Village, AR, AR November 18, 2008 4:10 PM	Brit: Here is a picture taken in the spring/summer. View Larger
JeanK Deland, FL & Hot Springs Village, AR, AR November 18, 2008 4:12 PM	Summer -- lunch with friends. View Larger
JeanK Deland, FL & Hot Springs Village, AR, AR November 18, 2008 4:15 PM	Fall/winter -- plants inside View Larger
JeanK Deland, FL & Hot Springs Village, AR, AR November 18, 2008 4:30 PM	Fall/Winter another view View Larger
JeanK Deland, FL & Hot Springs Village, AR, AR November 18, 2008 4:33 PM	Fall/Winter - more plants hibernating. View Larger
JeanK Deland, FL & Hot Springs Village, AR, AR November 18, 2008 4:39 PM	Another side of the room -- this was taken from the doorway looking out into the room. These rooms can be smaller or larger, depending on your needs and budget, but this will give you an idea of what you can do. View Larger
britbrighton Ancram, NY November 18, 2008 5:24 PM	Wow! I love it...It is just lovely. I also love the stone floor. I am surprised you needed to bring things in because of the cold. I thought it wouldn't be cold enough in your region.....shows how much I know about the states. (I know virtually 0 about state's climates outside of the north) Thats what I get for concentrating my interests on Europe instead! So back to the photos....it isn't an atrium-style greenhouse? I know the greenhouses have pretty decent prices (in my opinion) and relatively easy setup.....but I guarantee your 4 season room will be much more costly. A basic green house on one site ranges from $1700 to $8,000. We are not very handy so building it has to be for virtual idiots.....(me). LOL -Brit
JeanK Deland, FL & Hot Springs Village, AR, AR November 18, 2008 8:38 PM	It was pretty costly, however, it was worth it. We thought about a stand alone greenhouse, but there wasn't too much room in our back yard for it. Also the Architectural Committee has to approve any structures here, and they pretty much frown on stand alone sheds, and things of that nature. Then there was the matter of a greenhouse with pots, bags of dirt lying around, etc., and since this is a part of the house, we have to keep it fairly neat! Actually, I picked out the floor before anything else -- it was love at first sight. They had it in one of their models and I blurted out, "Gimme that floor!" It does seem to make sense to utilize the "beauty shop" area and perhaps build something on to it, and as Ecrane said it would enhance the resale value, should you ever want to sell . More people would find a “sunroom” as part of the house more appealing than a stand alone greenhouse, and you can enjoy it as long as you live there. Unfortunately, (for them) everyone isn’t a gardener and wouldn't appreciate a greenhouse but would appreciate a sunroom! You also asked about birds flying into the glass. We have never had a bird fly into the windows in the sunroom, however, we have had them hit our windows in the house, mostly when they saw their reflection, thinking they were attacking another bird -- what you might call a bird-brain!

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