Aluminium vs Wooden Greenhouses: Which Type of Greenhouse Should I Buy?

So, you’ve decided to buy a greenhouse. You’ve made a great decision. You can now extend the growing season, get to appreciate a wider range of plants, and sample unbeatably tasty homegrown fruit and veg the whole year round. And don’t forget, more gardening means you’ll enjoy better physical and mental health.

All in all, what’s not to love about owning a greenhouse? Your only problem now is choosing one.

Pros & Cons of Aluminium & Wooden Greenhouses

The type of greenhouse frame is probably the biggest decision you’ll need to make. Will you opt for a state-of-the-art aluminium-framed greenhouse or will you succumb to the traditional charms of a wooden greenhouse?

Let’s take a look at the pros and cons of both to see if we can help you decide…

Which Greenhouse Is Stronger?

Aluminium greenhouse frames are virtually unbreakable and completely resistant to rust.

Dip-treated wooden frames, on the other hand, are susceptible to rot if left untreated. And not even rot-proof pressure-treated wood is as tough as aluminium.

Even though wooden greenhouses tend to come with longer guarantees than their aluminium counterparts, we still believe that aluminium greenhouses are the stronger of the two.

Which Is the Most Stylish Type of Greenhouse?

All of our greenhouses are beautiful structures and will enhance any garden.

Aluminium greenhouses are arguably better suited to a modern outdoor space, while wooden greenhouses blend in exceptionally well in a more traditional setting.

On balance, we don’t think anything beats the charm of a wooden greenhouse. Wood looks classy, smells divine and ages gracefully. It is the perfect material to complement the other natural aspects of your garden. Wood gets the nod here.

Which Greenhouse Is Lower Maintenance?

Aluminium greenhouse frames last for years with no real maintenance required. An annual wipe down with soapy water usually does the trick.

With wood, the level of maintenance depends on the treatment. Dip-treated wooden frames require annual retreatment to protect them against rot. Pressure-treated wood should not require any further treatment but you still might need to coat it in a water repellent if you live in a particularly wet part of the country.

So, aluminium greenhouses are lower maintenance than their wooden counterparts, saving you money and leaving you more time to care for your plants.

Which Has the Better Greenhouse Glazing?

Aluminium greenhouses invariably come with polycarbonate glazing. You may well regard this as a plus point because polycarbonate is virtually unbreakable, completely UV protected, and provides an excellent growing environment inside the greenhouse. This is because it diffuses direct sunlight and improves insulation, ensuring a stable internal temperature to benefit your plants.

Wooden greenhouses are available with a variety of glazing options. Sometimes, they will be glazed with styrene, which shares polycarbonate’s tough, shatterproof qualities. However, more often than not, wooden greenhouses are fitted with real glass. When this is toughened, it will easily be strong enough to withstand the rigours of a modern garden. Close up, it is more aesthetically appealing too.

Purely on the basis that there are more glazing options available, we vote for wooden greenhouses here.

Which Is the Most Versatile Greenhouse?

Aluminium greenhouses usually come with a silver-coloured frame, although powder-coated finishes in green or grey are available too.

Wooden greenhouses might not come in a variety of colours but there’s nothing to stop you painting the frame any colour you desire. It’s also worth noting that it is easier to fix thermometers, shelving and other greenhouse accessories to a wooden frame.

This makes wooden frames more versatile.

Which Is the Best-Value Greenhouse?

You know when you shop at B&M that you always get unbeatable value for money.

That said, aluminium greenhouses are cheaper to manufacture than wooden ones, so tend to be sold at a lower price.

And the Winner Is?

We’re sorry but we’re going to have to sit on the fence with this question. As you can see, both aluminium and wooden greenhouses have their own unique qualities. We’re sure you’ll be delighted with either of them.

Premium Greenhouses for Sale

Whatever type of greenhouse you choose to buy, if you shop at B&M then you can rest assured that your new greenhouse will be premium quality and exceptional value for money.

Take the first step to owning a greenhouse now, by viewing our great range of greenhouses for sale at B&M Garden Buildings. You can get free delivery* and pick your delivery date!

*Please note that there are delivery surcharges for a few remote postcodes. T&Cs apply.

Have we persuaded you one way or the other? We'd love to see your new greenhouses, whether they're wooden or aluminium! Share your buys with the B&M Community on Facebook, Twitter & Instagram.