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Buying a Greenhouse (5)
What is the best floor for a greenhouse?
The best floor for a greenhouse is flooring explicitly designed for your needs and your greenhouse growing intentions.
If you intend to grow directly from the ground or if you would like a decorative flooring, there are solutions for all needs.
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What type of glass is used for a greenhouse?
Greenhouses should ideally have a toughened safety glass to protect from potential damage rather than the standard 3mm horticultural glass which is more prone to breakage.
At Hartley Botanic, we use 4mm toughened safety glass, which is strong and does not splinter if broken.
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What colour should a greenhouse be?
The colour of the outside of a greenhouse is up to personal preference. When choosing the greenhouse colour picture, the greenhouse within your garden, next to your house, and with the potential background.
Hartley Botanic has a large choice of colours to choose from. The greenhouse colour cannot be changed, as our greenhouses are powder coated to provide a long-lasting finish.
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What is the purpose of having a greenhouse?
A greenhouse can extend the growing season at both ends protecting your plants from the cold weather. A greenhouse shelters your plants from the cold, rain, heat, and pests.
Growing your produce in a greenhouse is becoming increasingly popular and important, as more people go organic, and taste and food miles becomes more and more important.
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What is the best shape for a greenhouse?
There are many different styles and shapes of greenhouses, which each have their benefits and specific uses.
Think about the type of plants you wish to grow – do you need extra height? Are you looking for different growing zones, you may require a partition? Do you need wheelchair access? Take into account all the factors when choosing a greenhouse shape. Please speak to a member of our team on 01457 873244 if you have any further questions.
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Delivery (5)
Can you deliver abroad?
We deliver and install Glasshouses and Greenhouses all over the world. In fact, we have delivered and installed in over 20 Countries in the past two years. We welcome enquiries, which would usually be dealt with by our UK Sales team.
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How long does it take for my order to be made and delivered?
Every greenhouse is made to order, and the delivery time depends on the size of the greenhouse and time of year.
In order to estimate the delivery time for your desired greenhouse model, please contact the Hartley team on 01457873244.
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I love your greenhouses but live on the Scottish borders, would this be a problem as I see you are close to Manchester?
We deliver direct from our factory all over the United Kingdom and around the world – distance is no object!
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Do you supply greenhouses to southern Ireland, I live just outside cork city. Or do you have a supplier in Ireland.
Yes, we manufacture and deliver to Ireland direct from our factory in the UK, request a brochure from our website for more information or call us.
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Do you deliver greenhouses to France?
We do deliver and install in France, along with many other parts of the world. We suggest the client prepares the necessary building works, from a detailed plan we would provide at point of order. We do need to take site measurements, as we provide the plans for the clients contractor to follow. We would manufacture the structure (to one of our standard sizes, or to the client’s preferred bespoke sizes), deliver it to the site, and then send our assembly team to the site to complete the installation. If we can assist with anything further please don’t hesitate to get back in touch.
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Greenhouse Maintenance (5)
How much does it cost to maintain a greenhouse?
Multiple variables impact the cost of greenhouse maintenance, such as water, heating, and lights.
The costs to maintain a greenhouse will vary depending on the climate where your greenhouse is located, the size of it, and the materials, for example, aluminium will only require cleaning.
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Does a greenhouse need ventilation?
Ventilation is vital for greenhouses to regulate airflow and to control the temperature. Temperature control using ventilation will protect the plants from excess heat.
Most greenhouses have vents in the roof and on the sides to help the airflow.
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How long does a greenhouse last?
An aluminium greenhouse should last a lifetime and be virtually maintenance-free. At Hartley Botanic, we offer a 30-year lifetime guarantee.
A wooden greenhouse will need maintenance and will deteriorate far more quickly over the years.
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Should I remove each roller blind or just pull them down and clean with soapy water?
We would recommend leaving the blinds in-situ as you may struggle to refit following cleaning. Warm soapy water and a sponge works best and the blinds will dry quicker while extended in the greenhouse.
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How would you change the broken glass in the door of a greenhouse?
To replace broken glass on our doors – Simply remove the infill strip in the centre of the glazing capping. This will expose the stainless steel screws securing the capping to the door which clamps the glass in place. With the screws removed the capping will pull away allowing the glass pieces to be removed. Re-installation is a reversal of the removal process.
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Heating a Greenhouse (5)
How do you cool a greenhouse?
The best way to cool a greenhouse is by making sure the greenhouse has good airflow and ventilation.
In order to improve greenhouse ventilation, and cool it down, make sure to keep vents open, have plenty of opening windows and install blinds. To cool a greenhouse quicker, leave the door open or use a fan to circulate the air quicker where possible.
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When should you insulate a greenhouse?
A greenhouse should be insulated when the night-time temperatures are expected to drop below 5 degrees Celsius.
As the temperature differs from one area to another, keep an eye on the daily weather forecasts.
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How much energy does a greenhouse use?
On its own, a greenhouse does not require any use of energy. If, however, you want to heat it, run lights, propagators, or heaters, then the energy use will increase. In order to help keep the cost down, you could install a solar panel.
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Is it possible to install a Woodburning stove in a greenhouse?
Yes it is possible and we receive this request regularly. We simply replace a sheet of glass with an aluminium sheet to allow the chimney or flue to pass through.
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How to attach bubble wrap to the inside of a greenhouse?
Bubble wrap can be attached by simply using ‘no.8 self tapping screws’ to an appropriate depth. These can be screwed directly into the channels in the aluminium extrusion. Also use washers with the screws to prevent the bubble wrap tearing.
Also useful are strong spring loaded clips (like stationers ‘Bulldog’ clips) i.e. stronger than clothes pegs, although these have also been known to be used successfully.
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Preparing the Site (5)
What is the best position for a glasshouse, what do I need to consider?
The best position for a greenhouse is in as much sunlight as possible during all seasons of the year. Avoid locating your greenhouse in the shadow of tall trees, boundary fences or walls as these will obstruct light.
For lean-to greenhouses placed against a wall, a south-facing position is ideal. For stand-alone structures, the ridge along the top of the greenhouse should ideally run from East to West, this will allow the sun to run along its longest side during the day. Other elemental considerations include a location to avoid prevailing winds to reduce unnecessary cooling and choosing a site which is not shaded, but equally not too exposed to the cold. If possible, choose an area which is easily accessible from the property allowing you to ‘pop-in’ to the greenhouse regularly.
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How do I decide where to site my new greenhouse?
When deciding where to place a greenhouse, basic considerations are good light and shelter from strong winds. Ensure the ground drains easily and is level. If water and power services will be required, make sure these are laid on prior to the arrival of the greenhouse, or make schedule to lay them on at a later date.
All too often greenhouses are relegated to neglected corners of the garden, whereas to be used effectively, the distance from the property should be minimised, so you can simply “pop into the greenhouse” easily. Make sure to have the door closest to the house if possible. Running the ridge “east to west” is recommended to allow maximum light into the greenhouse
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I am looking at a large Victorian greenhouse, but the foundation is tricky; a mix of pavement bits and earth. How do you advise on the foundation work? Do we have to pay extra? We are in Somerset.
Your Hartley Greenhouse once built will last for generations and the base should also be of the same high quality build with sound foundations – you should take advice from a good local builder, we will provide base plans to work to.
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Do you measure and install the greenhouse on two levels?
Yes we would visit site, measure and prepare a quotation for you. If you then placed an order our technical office would visit to take accurate measurements to enable us to prepare detailed drawings for the base to be built. We would then install the greenhouse onto your pre-prepared foundations.
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If we choose a dwarf wall base do you provide this and or the foundations or do we have to arrange this ourselves?
Once you place your deposit with us we would provide base drawings for your own builder to build the base.
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Erecting a Greenhouse (5)
Can I build my greenhouse myself?
Some of our smaller greenhouses can be assembled by the customer, the larger Victorian glasshouses are assembled by us and is included in the price
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I bought a Patio glasshouse last year and have only just got around to assembling it. I have read through the instructions and I am unsure on a couple of points - can I get help?
Sure we’re happy to help. In the video gallery you will see an animated video showing how to assemble the Patio Glasshouse.
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If we choose a dwarf wall base do you provide this and or the foundations or do we have to arrange this ourselves?
Once you place your deposit with us we would provide base drawings for your own builder to build the base.
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When is the best time of year to build a greenhouse?
The optimum time to build a new greenhouse would be either at the beginning or end of the growing season. Orders placed late in the year or early in the year between November and March will enable you to get your new greenhouse up and running for the start of the growing season. However there is really no reason why you shouldn’t put a new greenhouse in at any time which suits you and your circumstances.”
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How do you attach string to go from front to back instead of using canes?
The no. 8 self tapping screw will screw into the channel in the extrusion and are available anywhere, alternatively we can supply ‘D’ brackets with screws for a few pounds each call us on 01457 821963.
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Existing Hartleys (5)
Can I paint my Hartley Botanic a new colour? If so what kind of paint should I use?
As Hartley Botanic greenhouses are professionally powder-coated, you can not repaint them.
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How can I open a stuck greenhouse lock?
If the lock was last used some time ago the bolt may have become stuck due to moisture , debris, corrosion etc. We would suggest a penetrating / water dis-placing oil (WD40 or similar) applied liberally into the lock mechanism. This should release the lock.
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Hi we have just moved into our house and it has an 8' wisley greenhouse with an inward opening door, is it possible to change this to one that either opens outwards or slides as it takes over a lot of the internal space?
It would be helpful to know the age of the greenhouse before we could give an answer to this question In the first instance we would need to talk with you and possibily request a photograph of the greenhouse to see if we could assist.
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I'm thinking of buying a secondhand Hartley 10 Highgrow how can I find how to dismantle it and reassemble it . Thank you in advance.
It’s great to hear that you’re buying a pre-loved Hartley. We have some videos on our website which should help.
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Replacement edging seals
Question: Hi, I have inherited an old 2nd hand Hartley 10, 7 Section polygon greenhouse, which I would like to restore to its former glory. Unfortunately there are several broken or missing panes of glass. Getting 4mm replacement safety glass is not a problem, but the edge seals are missing. This is a square U section and extends ~ 10mm onto the glass and forms the weather seal between the glass and aluminium frake when held in place by the screw-down glazing bars. It is quite thin and flexible, but not rubber. Possibly TPE. Is it still possible to get this or can you recommend a replacement?
Answer: Some of our older greenhouses were supplied with 3MM horticultural glass. We do supply the TPR (thermoplastic rubber). Please call our office for further details.
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Moving a Hartley (2)
I'm thinking of buying a secondhand Hartley 10 Highgrow how can I find how to dismantle it and reassemble it . Thank you in advance.
It’s great to hear that you’re buying a pre-loved Hartley. We have some videos on our website which should help.
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Moving a Hartley greenhouse
Question: I have two questions, firstly I am moving to Scotland in the future and there is a hartley greenhouse that needs to be resited and the seals have shrunk and would need replacing .The glasshouse is approx. 15/8ft. and has a brick base.Would you know which model from this brief description? It is quite old, but in reasonable order and seems to be the style favoured in this area. The second query is related to me getting a quote from an aluminium conservatory company for a conservatory approx. 5mtrx3mtr, but the quote was well out of my budget and I wondered if another option would be a lean to glasshouse but there are no prices shown and I need to have some idea in order to know if this is an option.
Answer: We wouldn’t unfortunately know the model from the brief description, however if you could provide photographs this would help?
If you could give us an idea of size required for the lean to greenhouse, we would be more than happy to provide an estimated cost for you. Please contact us for more information.
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