Gardman 6ft x 6ft & 6ft x 8ft greenhouse

[Chill-Lee]

Hi all, first time posting here but have reading the threads for a couple of months now, great forum. Moved house back in november and it came with my first ever garden and now think its time for my first ever greenhouse as the window sills are becomig a bit crowded. Been looking at the Gardman 6 x6 and 6 x 8 polycarbonate greenhouse but have read mixed reviews on them, mainly with panels blowing out and being hard to construct. So i was wondering if anyone from the forum owned one or had any experience with them.

Thanks Chill-Lee

[Glutton4...]

Hi, and welcome to the Madhouse. Sorry I can't help, I have the use of my Dad's enormous Rhino (I think it's a Rhino - it's built like a tank), but I don't have experience of the others. I know two people with polycarbonate instead of glass, and they both prefer it as they say you get less scorching from the sun, so there is less need for shading paint or mesh

Other than that, all I can tell you is that everyone will say get one as big as you can possibly fit in, because you'll always need more space! Good luck with your search.

[nerdgas]

I have one of the 6x8 ones and I found building it was pretty easy to be honest.

I've not had any problems with panels blowing out but mine is in a very sheltered spot.

[VJay]

I just bought a Guardman 6 x 4 lean-to, there will be times when everything all slots into place, but be prepared for some awkward moments too. Took me 2 days. Hadn't any problems with windows blowing out either. They probably weren't fitted right.

I've found the Guardman to be very strong framed and good value for money.

[mrscorpio]

Hi I have the Guardman 6x8 - I bought it second hand and it came with glass. However I purchased the Polycarb glazing kit as I have a 17 month old bashing everything he sees.
I read many bad reviews on the internet untill I finally came across a review where the chap had used 7 tubes of silicone sealant around the polycarb to hold it in.
I live in a very windy location and decided to do the same - I also tripled up on W clips.
The chap on the review - mentioned he had been ok for many years.

Ok it will be hard to dismantle, but I dont intend doing this. But if I did I would take it apart in large sections as the polycarb is very light and flexible.

PS this is the first year I have had my GH and like many here I will recommend you get the biggest size you can. You can get the gaurdman 8x6 for £300 or less.

[Chill-Lee]

Thanks for the advice everyone, just ordered the 6 x 8 from Summer Garden Buildings on the internet and should arrive by courier tomorrow. Seems like a good deal at £329 which includes an auto vent, louvred window, drain pipes, base kit and free delivery. Got a bricky coming to build a good solid base for it next week so i will post back when its complete.

Thanks Chill-Lee

[mikeh]

Hi there, be really interested to hear how you get on with this, that model is pretty high on my options list.

Cheers

[Chill-Lee]

Just finished building the Gardman 8ft x 6ft greenhouse frame and door today but still to fit the polycarbonate glazing as the foundations are still to be finished ( wasn,t wanting to collect it from the neighbours garden if the wind got up ). Went very well and had the base, frame and door assembled in about 3 hours with the help of a friend even though the instructions could be a little better but shouldn,t be a problem for any D.I.Y. fanatics. Very pleased with the product as it seems very sturdy even without the glazing panels fitted and hasn,t been mounted on its brick foundation yet, although when assembling it feels a bit flimsy but once bolted together its fine. The only complaint would be the self tapping screws for the door frame could be of better quality as one of them snapped on me, but then again i am bit ham fisted. All in, good value for money and excellent service from the supplier who kept in touch after placing the order and was delivered on time.

Thanks Chill-Lee

[mikeh]

Thanks for getting back, sounds good.

Mind if I ask about the glazing - as it is polycarbonate, is it completly clear or hazy (best word I can think of!) - I seem to have seen both on various greenhouses, for some reason I'm being drawn to something that is totally clear.

[Chill-Lee]

Hazy would probably be the best way of describing it but it is double walled.

Chill-Lee

[Bigmallly]

I also have the above 6x8 and have no complaints so far, the pic below gives you an idea of the polycarb.

http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...w-dscf1194.jpg

[mrscorpio]

Thanks for getting back, sounds good.

Mind if I ask about the glazing - as it is polycarbonate, is it completly clear or hazy (best word I can think of!) - I seem to have seen both on various greenhouses, for some reason I'm being drawn to something that is totally clear.

My polycarb kit was "hazy". It also had to be installed a particular way round. I can only assume one side must be uv resistant or maybe reflective.

The hazy polycarb also diffuses the light nicely so the whole area is light without any particular areas suffering from sun burn.

[Rossa]

I've just bought a 6' x 8' from "The Clearance Centre" off ebay for £279 inc delivery. No brand name given but has got 2 opening windows and base was included. Green, with twin wall polycarb glazing and gutters.

Was going to put it up today but too windy and wet. Only me and my Mum so should be fun! Supplier said it had screws and clips so hopefully my range of screwdrivers will mean I have one that will do the job.

Already have a concrete hard standing from where the old shed was so will be stood on that. Only thing I needed help with was deciding which way round to put it. Was going to put it with door facing South, but my Dad said go West-East so the longest side faces the most light. Not had a greenhouse before as you can tell.

Next dry day supposed to be Saturday so here's hoping!

[Rossa]

Just remembered. Looked at 6'x6' but found most were not a lot less than the 6'x8' and when you divide the price by the square foot the 6'x8' was much better value.

[mrscorpio]

I've just bought a 6' x 8' from "The Clearance Centre" off ebay for £279 inc delivery. No brand name given but has got 2 opening windows and base was included. Green, with twin wall polycarb glazing and gutters.

Was going to put it up today but too windy and wet. Only me and my Mum so should be fun! Supplier said it had screws and clips so hopefully my range of screwdrivers will mean I have one that will do the job.

Already have a concrete hard standing from where the old shed was so will be stood on that. Only thing I needed help with was deciding which way round to put it. Was going to put it with door facing South, but my Dad said go West-East so the longest side faces the most light. Not had a greenhouse before as you can tell.

Next dry day supposed to be Saturday so here's hoping!

Hi Rossa
Enjoy your new GH.
If you live in a windy area, I would recommend you fix in your polycarb a bitter better than with just the supplied clips.
This is my first year with the GH, but reading reviews the polycarb will flex in the wind and can pop out of the frame. As it is so light it will blow away.

I personally have put 3 x the amount of W clips in ( these are cheapest in Wilkos ). I have also used silicon sealant around each panel. ( It is very very windy in my garden ) I got this idea from a review on the web. The review suggested 7 tubes - I used 9 but I did go over the top a bit. ( I just used a clear sealant for indoor or external use. It was £2 a tube off the local market )