Frequently Asked Questions
Still have questions? Here are the answers to our most frequent questions, but if you have a question we haven’t covered, please use our chat facility or contact us.
Mini Greenhouse Watering
The watering only takes 5 minutes once or twice a day. The hose is connected on to the unit with a quick connector, allowing the hose to be used for other things between watering. Alternatively we sell a 2 way tap adaptor to give two outlets to your tap.
We sell a hose end timer that will automate the watering while you are away.
The brass quick connectors we use are compatible with the popular ‘snap-on’ hose fittings found in garden centres.
The amount of water used by the watering system will be much less than the amount of rain that would have fallen on the wall if the Mini-greenhouse had not been there. In addition, being under the glass will ensure the wall is warmer and drier than a standard outside wall.
The connection for the mist watering system can be fitted either end on Classic models; on Value models the optional watering only fits on the right hand end. For Cold Frames the optional watering can be fitted either end.
Unfortunately due to the pressure required for the nozzle to atomise the spray, you cannot run the system from a water butt.
Ventilation
The vent is an ingenious device which will open and close on its own, using just the power of the sun. It does not need to be connected to an electrical supply and there are no running costs.
It is operated by a cylinder filled with a plant oil. As the oil expands in the heat, it pushes down on a piston that slowly opens the vent. As the temperature drops, the oil contracts and a pair of powerful springs close the vent. The vent starts opening at around 13 –18 degrees Celsius (55 –65 degrees Fahrenheit).
The sliding doors allow excellent ventilation of the greenhouse and cold frame – the panels can be opened just an inch or two on a cool day or fully open on a hot day. In addition, the roof glass can be opened for extra ventilation, or even removed completely during very hot Summer months.
The advantage of the automatic louvre is that it will open and close on it’s own if you are not there or are asleep. This is especially useful in the springtime when the nights are cold but the sun rises early to warm the frame.
The louvre vent, as standard, fits on the left hand end, however there is an optional adaptor kit to fit the vent on the right hand side on the Classic models.
Location, fixing and Assembly
All of our units need to be assembled, but we do pride ourselves on the clear and comprehensive instruction booklets we supply. These give a step-by-step guide to assembling the units.
If you are uncertain about any aspect of the instructions, then as a small family firm we are only too happy to give advice over the telephone.
People fit them to walls or fences. The wall will give additional stability to the structure as it is very solid and the mini greenhouse will be bolted to it. There are fixing points on the greenhouse framework. On Classic models the wall fixings are supplied – on Value models use rawlplugs and wood screws.
If the lean to mini greenhouse is fitted to a fence, it should be a sturdy fence that does not move in the wind. When fixing to a fence, stainless steel bolts should be used and on the far side of the fence large washers (sometimes call mudflap washers) should be used to spread the load.
If there are gaps in the fence, you could consider adding a custom cut Dibond mirror panel to the back- these are available online and can be cut to size. They have the advantage that they reduce draughts and also boost light levels.
Many people do not have a suitable wall, so we offer glass backs on most of our models – this makes them completely freestanding.
If you have a suitable wall, there are a number of advantages. The wall will act as a storage heater, regulating the temperature inside the mini greenhouse and reducing the temperature fluctuations. In the daytime the wall will absorb the heat from the sun and then as the temperatures drop in the evening, the wall will give that warmth back off.
The wall will also be warmer than a glazed back, reducing the winter temperature drops. A lean to greenhouse is also cheaper as there is no cost of the back – effectively the wall becomes the back.
The main advantage of a free standing mini greenhouse is the flexibility of location. With no wall required, the greenhouse can be located anywhere in the garden – a big advantage in small gardens where every part of the garden need to be productive.
A freestanding mini greenhouse will also be lighter inside as light can enter from all angles – this will be especially noticeable on the lower levels on the mini greenhouse. The disadvantage of a freestanding model is the greater temperature fluctuation inside the greenhouse compared to one fitted to a wall.
The best aspect for a mini greenhouse is East or West, so the structure is getting some sun either in the morning or the evening. However, any aspect will work with a mini greenhouse, even a North facing area – you will not be able to grow Chillies or Peppers but it will be fine for bringing on seedlings and salad crops as long as there is good ambient light. In fact, a shady area can be a real advantage if you are trying to germinate seedings later in the season as it will not be too hot.
A South facing greenhouse will be great for Mediterranean crops, but will probably need shading to prevent it getting too hot in Summer.
As the ventilation is so good in an Access mini greenhouse, generally you only need a shade cover if the unit is facing South and has no shade during the day, or if you want to grow more delicate plants later in the season.
The Classic range has the option of a shade that will roll down and reach to the floor even on the tall models. Other shades will cover the roof or the top part of the frame.
Due to their small size, and the fact that they can be classed as a temporary structure, it is highly unlikely that your mini lean to greenhouse will require planning permission.
However, as regulations differ from council to council, you may want to contact your local authority for full clarification.
Access Mini-greenhouses and cold frames are very stable, even in very windy conditions. We design them to withstand storm force winds. Lean-to models are designed to be fixed to a wall, and come with stainless steel fixing screws (except value models). Single tier free standing models do not need fixing down unless they are fitted on top of raised brickwork or sleepers. All of our taller free standing models also come with ground fixings to enable them to be bolted down to slabs.
During windy conditions it is important to ensure that all of the glass panels are slid shut to prevent wind entering the unit.
If you are in a VERY windy moorland or coastal location then you can use thread lock on the stainless steel bolts to prevent them from working loose in the constant breeze.
Product Range
The Value range provides a good quality frame at a more competitive price. The Value models do not have the ‘frills’ of the Classic range. The glass is still toughened safety glass, but is the standard 3mm horticultural thickness rather than the 4mm of the Classic range. When sliding the doors, the Value range does not have corner trims or full length handles. The rails on the seed tray shelves are of a lighter weight. Also, the mist watering and middle staging are optional extra on the Value range.
Our Product Range page gives more information on the differences between the Classic and Value models.
We only manufacture mini greenhouses, we do not offer a walk-in range with a few smaller models tagged on. This means we are totally focused on making the most of a small growing space.
Inside the mini greenhouse the unique shelving system creates flexibility, with shelves able to change height and be removed as necessary. The ability to drop a shelf flat against the back of the greenhouse when not needed also makes changing the layout quick and easy.
Most taller models have glass centre staging for plants and these can be removed in the summer for taller plants or as the tomatoes grow. The toughened safety glass on the centre staging is very strong, but lets the light down to the lower levels.
The centre staging and shelves also follow the principle that we must maximise the light inside the greenhouse. Light is vital to the growth of the plants, but too many greenhouse suppliers make dark boxes where no plants will thrive.
Ventilation is another unique point for the Access range – the doors slide just a little bit in early Spring and fully open in the middle of Summer. In addition, the roof glass can be opened or removed.
The mini greenhouses are manufactured from architectural aluminium and are glazed in toughened safety glass. The fixings are stainless steel.
The mini greenhouses and cold frames are designed and manufactured in the UK and we have been producing them since 1958. They are designed as a long-lasting alternative to the cheap and flimsy mini greenhouses available in garden centres and they are built to last a lifetime. The framework comes with a 25 year guarantee and the stainless steel fixings ensure the greenhouse can be taken apart if you ever move house.
All our greenhouse and cold frame models are made from architectural aluminium which has a very long life. The powder coating is therefore just for visual effect.
There are cheaper coatings on the market, but as the units are outside in the sun, rain and snow, we go for the best quality coating we can find. We also ensure that the coaters put on more than the minimum thickness of coating. The aluminium also has to be carefully degreased and then acid etched to ensure that the coating does not lift off. All of these things push the price up, but we think that it is worth doing the job properly!
We only supply toughened safety glass with our units. This is the same type of glass that is supplied in the side windows of cars. It is very strong, but if it does break, then it will shatter into small pieces, rather than large, dangerous shards of glass.
Our Value range has 3mm safety glass, this is the same thickness as traditional greenhouse glass but is toughened for strength and safety.
Our Classic range uses 4mm thick safety glass, this is stronger and is the same glass that is used in house windows and doors.
For more information on the advantages of toughened safety glass and the difference between 3mm and 4mm glass, take a look at our comprehensive blog.
Glass is still regarded as the best glazing material for greenhouses. It has excellent light transmission and traps the sun’s warmth better than plastic. It is also more scratch resistant than plastic or acrylic and does not bend and flex under snow or wind loads. The glass also provides plenty of weight to keep the greenhouse structure on the ground during stormy conditions.
For more information on the benefits of Toughened Safety Glass, take a look at our blog.
Delivery
Classic greenhouses include delivery to mainland England, Wales and southern Scotland. For other areas we can provide a carriage cost. Cold Frames and Value Frames are delivery extra. For more information on delivery charges, see our delivery charges page.
No! When you order, we need instructions where to leave the goods if you are out – such as ‘round the back’ or ‘with a neighbour’. If there is nowhere the goods can be left, then we can send the goods to arrive on a pre-arranged day for an additional charge.
If you place an item in the basket, you will see our current delivery estimates. If however you need a frame for a special date then give us a call and we will do our best to oblige.
