Do you have a hard time keeping your indoor plants that love the sun alive? Or perhaps you’d like to build a sizable greenhouse for year-round growing but lack the necessary space. In either case, greenhouse windows might be the best choice. With this special window design, you can enjoy greenhouse benefits without the need for a separate structure. It functions like a small, indoor greenhouse.
Here, we’ll examine why installing a greenhouse window might be a good idea, how a greenhouse window differs from a bay window, and how much money you should budget to install one.
Let’s First know what greenhouse windows are?
What Exactly Are Greenhouse Windows?
A greenhouse window, also referred to as a garden window, is a window structure that projects out from the exterior of your house to create a niche where you can store items and plants. In order to let in as much light as possible, these windows typically have a glass roof that extends 90 degrees from the house.
Costs of Greenhouse Window Installation
Greenhouse windows have become a popular do-it-yourself project among homeowners. If you have the skills and are confident in your ability to install windows, you can save a lot of money.
Don’t be fooled by all the “how-to” YouTube videos. Installing Greenhouse Windows, or any windows, can be difficult. If they aren’t perfectly fitted and sealed, air will leak in and out, raising your utility bills. The window space is also susceptible to dampness and mold.
Saving money on materials and labor may be appealing, but you may end up spending far more than you save in the long run.
The average cost of a garden window with glass panels and frames (excluding installation) begins around $500 and can exceed $2,000, depending on factors such as materials, size, and features.
On the other hand, the labor cost for the installation of greenhouse windows is approximately around $300 to $1000.
The Benefits of Using a Greenhouse Window
Greenhouse windows add functionality as well as style to a room. They are ideal for anyone who wants to incorporate more of the outdoors into their daily lives, as these windows provide plenty of sunlight, a great view of the outdoors, and a great place to grow your own plants, flowers, herbs, or even small vegetables. This makes them very popular in kitchens, where an indoor herb garden is conveniently located near the stove.
These windows’ box design allows you to control the temperature and humidity in a manner similar to that of a full greenhouse, but with the added benefit of being located right inside your home. As a result, greenhouse windows are ideal for homes where a full-sized greenhouse would be impractical. Many greenhouse windows are also operable to improve ventilation and reduce condensation.
On the other hand, if you are looking for DIY Greenhouse Plans for Gardeners on a Budget then you can check out this post.
What Materials Are Used in Greenhouse Windows?
Greenhouses range in size from large, freestanding structures that can house hundreds of plants to small, window-mounted units that only hold one or two plants.
Depending on the design of the greenhouse, the amount of ultraviolet light you want to pass through it, and any privacy concerns you may have, different materials are used for the greenhouse’s windows or panels.
1. Glass
Glass windows and panels are common in greenhouses and provide both permanence and ease of maintenance. Glass panels, when properly installed, are weather tight, retain heat and humidity within the greenhouse, and allow 90 percent of light to pass through.
There are several types of greenhouse glass, including textured glass panels, which are typically stronger than smooth glass. The main disadvantages of using glass in a greenhouse are that it can break easily, requires strong support due to its weight, and can be costly to install.
2. Single-Wall Plastic
Single-wall plastic coverings made of acrylic, polycarbonate, or other similar materials are rigid plastic panels that can be used in the same way that glass or fiberglass can.
This plastic, like fiberglass panels, can discolor and yellow over time; acrylic sheeting yellows at a slower rate than polycarbonate sheeting, though polycarbonate sheeting is typically coated with a UV inhibitor to slow the rate of yellowing.
3. Double-Wall Plastic
Double-wall plastic coverings, like single-wall plastics, are typically made of polycarbonate or similar materials and have two rigid plastic walls with a layer of plastic webbing between them to serve as insulation.
The dual layers of material and insulation layer between them help double-wall plastic coverings retain heat better than single-wall plastic coverings, though they are slightly less flexible when installed on curved surfaces. The two layers of plastic also reduce light transmission slightly, allowing only about 80% of light to pass through.
5. Fiberglass
Fiberglass panes, a less expensive alternative to glass, provide permanence and impact resistance in a lightweight material that does not require as strong a frame to be used. Although fiberglass is available in a variety of colors and opacities, only clear, transparent, or translucent fiberglass should be used for a greenhouse to ensure adequate light transmission. Avoid using low-quality fiberglass because it discolors quickly and reduces the amount of light that your plants receive.
FAQs
Q1. What are the best greenhouse windows?
When it comes to greenhouses, double pane glass greenhouses are the best. Double pane glass greenhouses are the most energy efficient and save gardeners half the heating costs of single pane glass greenhouses.
Q2. Can regular windows be used in a greenhouse?
When attempting to build a greenhouse out of old windows, use lightweight and waterproof materials. Always keep in mind that open ventilation and a slanted roof at 4 degrees are required. If you do not, the rain will not fall properly.
Q3. Is it worthwhile to invest in greenhouse windows?
Provides improved viewing and allows for maximum natural light, giving you a better peripheral view. These windows are energy-efficient because they keep you warm in the winter and cool in the summer. You can bring nature indoors, which is a great home improvement idea for any room.
Q4. Is plastic or glass better for a greenhouse?
This is especially true for greenhouse clear plastic films made of polycarbonate. The product significantly improves plant insulation! Plastic sheets retain heat better than glass sheets. When using plastic films instead of glass sheets, less heat is lost.