Greenhouses vs Potting Sheds – Which is Best for You?
Greenhouse vs Potting Shed_ almost same from the outside but comes with unique individual aspects.
So which one to consider? Perplexing question with a simple answer.
Both come with their own pros and cons.
Creating a scenario, let’s give a name to both the structures; introvert and extrovert.
Greenhouse got the name of an introvert who just wants to be friends with plants and protect them from the formidable MT’s weather states.
Potting shed, on the other hand, earned the title of an extrovert friend who loves being acquainted with everyone, be it plants, gardening tools, storage material, and whatnot.
Let’s see if your needs are compatible with the introvert or the extrovert one.
Why do we need a greenhouse or potting shed in the first place?
Normal plants have the tendency to bear different weather conditions with praisable resistance, but some sensitive baby buds are not capable of living without shelter.
Some plants just can’t make it through Montana’s weather, no matter how strong they are. For them, a greenhouse or a potting shed is a must. (For MT’s weather, I would say, both are crucial.)
You should never invest in any of these structures unless you want to surprise your neighbors with some non-seasonal home-grown veggies or fruits.
An Expert Greenhouse Builder Can Differentiate Between The Two!
As per experts, the major difference between the two structures isn’t about performance or usability but is about material.
A greenhouse needs polycarbonate glazing in its framework, while on the other hand, potting shed demands something more. Wondering what?
A Potting shed expects solid timber wood along with some glass windows to not compromise on the artistic value. Aesthetic Standards, I see!
Greenhouses vs Potting Sheds
| Properties | Greenhouse | Potting Shed |
| Sunlight Exposure | Yes | Yes (with more windows), No (with limited windows) |
| Temperature Control | Weak Ventilation with Glass, Good Ventilation with Polycarbonate glazing. | Strong Ventilation |
| Practicality | One-Purpose Usage (Enhanced Plants growth) | Multi-Purpose Usage (Enhanced Plants Growth + More room for tools and stuff) |
| Positioning | Complete Flexibility. (Got a flat space? Your greenhouse will be installed within the set time). | No flexibility. (Orientation is crucial, or sunlight won’t reach the plants, and the growing possibility will be nearly zero. So potting shed demands a south orientation). |
| Durability | Glass is fragile while Polycarbonate ensures longevity. | Wood ensures 100% durability, no matter if MT is full of rage and giving the shed a tough time, it won’t be affected. |
Greenhouse: Bright Sides & Bummers!
Let’s get into the grave details of the good and the not-so-good points of this structure.
1) Money Factor
Usually, Greenhouses never put any burden on the wallet.
But can’t promise this fact, as it all depends on the size and the material used in building the structure.
Greenhouses serve as a shield for your plants saving them from strong and straight-up sunlight. All thanks to the material, Polycarbonate glazing panels.
Well, some greenhouses are made up of glass too, but I can’t recommend glass as much as I can recommend polycarbonate.
Reason: Polycarbonate has been seen to be more effective for the plant’s health as it serves as a better filter to stop the explicit sunlight from burning the little sprouts.
But the core justification for choosing polycarbonate greenhouses over glass ones is The Money Factor! You can find a polycarbonate greenhouse at a much more affordable price compared to a glass one.
2) Structural Integrity
To top it off, Polycarbonate Greenhouse commits to longevity of up to 10 years, which is more than enough to choose it over all the other structures.
Brace yourself for a little surprise! Even if you don’t find the polycarbonate greenhouse that appealing, you still have the option to choose the glass one, which also vows to be less expensive than the potting sheds at least.
3) Pitfall (Doesn’t outpace the BENEFITS!)
How can we overlook the pitfall? If you choose the glass one, get ready for more maintenance costs in the future. We all know glass is a sensitive material as compared to the other materials, this is why it is less admired as compared to the others.
But if your goal is to have more healthy plants that grow faster, Greenhouse deserves your foremost consideration.
As both glass and polycarbonate have a thing in common, a best trait, I would say. It’s about letting sunlight touch your plant’s surface. Now this exposure to sunlight, never mind, if it is filtered, adds the heat element to the greenhouse. This is what plants love the most_HEAT!
Big Brother Suggestion!
If plant nurturing is all you want, consider investing in a Greenhouse that is made of good quality material and validates longevity. Most affordable greenhouses catch the eye but don’t certify the long life factor. So, never invest, just because of how cost-effective a greenhouse is.
Potting Shed: Bright Sides & Bummers!
Get ready for the bright and bleak sides of a potting shed.
1) Perfect Designs But Costs Might Surprise You!
Potting Sheds, with competent design elements, don’t promise cost-effectiveness.
But those solid features and impressive details just lock in one thing, Durability!
Potting Shed, a stellar choice for both beginners and expert gardeners. But if you’re just starting out and want a safe space for your green assets to survive the kindling phase, you should consider a potting shed in no time.
With its dual nature of providing both shelter and storage, it’s a winning option for anyone who wants to cut costs without any compromise on practicality.
You can save money on the dual factor, as you won’t need a separate shed for storage, a potting shed will serve as a 2-in-1 option. But, initial costs might surprise you, which is indeed a bleak side of potting sheds.
2) Windows AKA Path of Golden Beams!
How can we forget the soul of a potting shed? Windows, I mean.
We can’t picture a potting shed without its windows, why? Because these are the driving forces that reinforce plant growth. As they provide a passage for the sunlight to get in the shed, plants get heat, resulting in increased growth.
3) Stash Your Tools!
Other than the guaranteed augmented growth, potting sheds provide a spacious storage option where you can stow all of your garden tools, never mind, if it’s a lawnmower or bags of compost, organize them in the shed and get them anytime. A handy option, no?
4) Back Pain? Potting Shed Cares!
To enhance the practicality, builders make sure to add a workbench and shelves in it, so that you won’t get back pain due to continuous bending posture while taking care of your plants.
As for the availability of different sizes, you won’t find potting sheds as diverse as greenhouses, but you can utilize the customization facility to get yourself the shed that you need.
You can avail customization perks only if you buy it from a manufacturer. Suppliers, on the other hand, don’t facilitate any kind of customization demands.
5) Insulation: PROMISED!
As for the crucial warmth needed for the enhanced growth of your garden friends, timber provides enough insulation. As compared to glass, timber is found to be more efficient in terms of insulation. So expect a boosted growth of green pals even in colder months.
Which is best for you?
If your sole goal is about an enhanced production of home-grown plants; including veggies, fruits, flowers, and all, regardless of the season, you must go for a Greenhouse.
But if you’re just into growing some basic plants and flowers, along with storing garden material and all kinds of tools, your hands should stop at Potting shed.
Ordinary seems like a compromise? We hate compromises. At Rockwood Sheds, extraordinarily well-built greenhouses are our top specialty. This is what makes us proud, and this is what that’ll make you feel proud too when your neighbors will praise the veggies you just grew in it.
Why settle for the ordinary when we are promising an extraordinary solution? Your smartphone is still in your hand, we see! Give us a call at 406-802-4682 and we won’t care wherever you’re located in Hamilton, MT, we’ll have it covered as fast as the sunbeams will touch your plant’s surface, never mind the greenhouse that comes in between.