Best Green Houses

A lean-to greenhouse is perhaps the simplest and most versatile form of greenhouse available.

It lends itself to home construction and can be fitted into a limited space. Its characteristic

feature is that is makes use of an existing structure. It might be built against the wall of a house,

garage or a boundary wall.

A lean-to greenhouse might be a simple temporary structure made of plastic sheeting or it might

be an elaborate permanent structure that could be dignified with the name "conservatory".

Either way it is a lean-to greenhouse. It differs from other types of greenhouse in not being a

free-standing structure.

The lean-to greenhouse has a reputation for being a make-shift structure, but there is no reason

why it should be. The classic vine house of the nineteenth century was often a lean-to structure

build along the wall of the vegetable garden of an English stately home.

Those of us with smaller budgets can still take advantage of the benefits offered by a lean-to

greenhouse. The main advantage that is unique to the lean-to greenhouse is that the wall

against which it is built acts as a heat store. A south-facing wall that receives the sun's rays

throughout the day will give out heat all night. The wall acts as a kind of storage heater. Owners

of other types of greenhouse try all kinds of expedients to achieve the same kind of thermal

properties that a lean-to greenhouse has naturally.

A lean-to greenhouse has greener credentials because it retains heat in this way. Less

supplementary heating is needed for a lean-to greenhouse than a free standing structure. It may

also offer benefits to the house that it is built against. The lean-to greenhouse can act as a

source of solar heating for the house.

The other main advantage of the lean-to greenhouse is its height. Its height is limited by the

height of the wall against which the lean-to greenhouse is built, but even so there is less wasted

space than in many other types of greenhouse. A lean-to greenhouse offers more usable space

than the popular dome shaped greenhouse.

For this reason the lean-to greenhouse is the ideal choice where space is limited. The lean-to

greenhouse can even be constructed on a small patio or balcony. Even a roof garden could

accommodate a lean-to greenhouse. No one need be excluded from greenhouse gardening. A

comparatively small space can yield impressive results with a lean-to greenhouse.

In some cases it is possible to fill the while of a lean-to greenhouse with plants without reserving

any space for an access path. The gardener can access the plants from outside the lean-to

greenhouse if the sides can be opened by means of sliding panels.

As in any other greenhouse the lean-to greenhouse needs adequate provision for heating,

ventilation and watering. You will probably want to automate these systems to some extent. It

may be possible to achieve this more easily in a lean-to greenhouse because of its proximity to

the house. With a lean-to greenhouse it is easier to run in a supply of water and electricity than

it would be at some distance from the house.

Are there any disadvantages to the lean-to greenhouse? Yes, but not many and they can be

overcome.

When constructing a lean-to greenhouse it is important to ensure that the a good waterproof

seal is achieved with the wall. This is particularly essential if it is build against a house wall.

Flashing must be used in this context. Otherwise you will get water seepage and the wall will

become discolored with mould. If you are building against a garden wall this is not such a major

problem.

It may be necessary to check whether your proposed lean-to greenhouse contravenes any

building regulations. The size of structure or the materials may be limited. so find out before you

start and make a costly mistake.

So free-standing structure or lean-to greenhouse the choice is yours. But there are many

advantages to the lean-to greenhouse. The lean-to greenhouse offers the best use of space and

good thermal properties. Do not let the old image of the lean-to greenhouse put you off. It is

possible to develop an aesthetically pleasing design for the lean-to greenhouse.