Can You Join Two Greenhouses Together? (Read This First)

Many individuals have begun experimenting with the idea of joining smaller greenhouses together for various reasons, ranging from spatial limitations to the prospect of saving a few bucks.

When considering the functionality of an environment that is directly responsible for the wellbeing of your precious plants, there are plenty of aspects to consider.

Is it really possible to join greenhouses in a functional way? Furthermore, is it worth it?

This is How you Join Two Greenhouses Together

Greenhouses can be joined at the ends or sides, should generally be the same size, model, and style, and modifications are often necessary to ensure functionality over time. Joining two greenhouses together may be practical, but methods will depend on the greenhouses being joined.

Are Two Smaller Greenhouses Cheaper than one Big? 

Having a greenhouse can be incredibly gratifying, but the budget doesn’t always allow it.

Generally speaking, joining two smaller greenhouses together can amount to lower costs when compared to investing in one large greenhouse. 

The average cost of greenhouses amounts to around $25 per square foot, which would equate to around $2,500 for a greenhouse covering a 100 square foot area. 

However, the cost of some greenhouses is not solely based on the size, meaning that one could get a certain style, shape, and size for differing costs.

Small 6×8′ units are generally made of fabric or plastic costing $240-$250, whereas medium 12×12′ units have glass or polycarbonate walls coupled by plumbing and electric lines, costing $3,500-$7,000.

Large greenhouses cost around $13,000-$25,000 but have numerous benefits such as drainage systems, humidifiers, automated systems, and much more, in addition to fantastic construction. In many cases, the cost of large greenhouses is also higher due to the presence of such amenities and features, not simply because it is bigger.

Thus, a larger greenhouse may pose higher costs compared to the cost versus value for money when joining two smaller greenhouses. But, this is coupled with advantages like better construction, use of high-quality materials, and other beneficial amenities. 

If you need these features, then a larger greenhouse may be worth it, but joining two smaller and cheaper greenhouses may be an option if you are not seeking these features.

In addition, the lack of added features will also result in fewer maintenance costs over time, making it more budget-friendly in the long run.

Have People Done this Successfully? 

Although there are many factors to consider, there are quite a few people who have successfully joined greenhouses together, using them for years without suffering major disadvantages. 

However, most individuals have joined greenhouses in slightly different ways, thus there is no one-size-fits-all when it comes to such a task and it will depend on your unique circumstances.

Tackling this task requires much more than a green thumb, it necessitates a balanced blend of plant life expertise as well as knowledge of engineering, construction, and how natural elements work as well. 

There are quite a few ways one could join greenhouses, and it’s always advised to seek some tailored guidance before you go ahead. 

The most common approach is to remove necessary panels and framework where the greenhouses will be joined, after which the greenhouses should be joined with drilled holes and bolt variants, and sealed with silicone. 

In most cases, people have to make some adaptations in order to make the environment suitable for the plants they are housing, which necessitates the use of additional tools, materials, and substances. 

Examples of modifications include removing the doors to create a large walkthrough greenhouse potentially separated by other materials, taking off end panels, wiring roof vents shut or removing them completely, and much more. 

This will all depend on factors that are specific to you, such as space availability on the property you are using, the type of greenhouses you are joining, and more importantly the requirements of the plant life you are caring for. 

Are There Any Disadvantages? 

There are some potential disadvantages to joining greenhouses, closely related to the structure and style of the greenhouses being joined, as well as the unique needs of the plants it contains. 

Greenhouses utilize the heat and light of the sun, which pass through the glass or other materials from which the greenhouse was created. This allows the customization of factors such as humidity, temperature, and light.

When joining greenhouses, one may end up messing with the intended design of the structure and how it functions, which is dependent on the shape, style, and size is chosen.

As a result, one may face some indirect consequences for joining greenhouses, such as altered airflow, humidity, and light exposure, as well as structural issues. 

Most of these disadvantages can be avoided with appropriate planning and assessment of your circumstances before joining greenhouses, as well as modifications after joining them.

There is also the risk of leakage and tampering with internal conditions if the greenhouses are not sealed together properly when joined. It is necessary to ensure that frames are joined securely for support and sound structure, but it is equally imperative to ensure that the area joined has been sealed thoroughly to avoid such outcomes.

Should I Join Them at the End or Sides? 

Before joining greenhouses together, one will need to assess the shape, as in most cases the shape and style will decide whether you should join them at the sides or at the ends.

It is possible for greenhouses to be joined at the sides or at the ends, depending on goals, space availability, and greenhouse needs. 

The base type will also play a role in how compatible the greenhouses are, as well as how they should be joined. It is always much easier to go with two greenhouses of the same size, make, model, and manufacturer, as it is far easier to match up frames properly and have a uniform approach to modifications where necessary.

There are plenty of options, some of which are more ambitious. But, simpler methods dictate that they are joined at the ends so that they have openable doors at either end or joined at the ends to create two ‘sections’. 

In similar ways, they can be joined at the sides as well, where they may be joined to create one large greenhouse with a door on either side.

Both methods allow the possibility of creating one large greenhouse with universal conditions through the complete removal of panels and frames where they are joined.

They also allow for departmentalized sections with slightly different internal conditions through modifications that create controlled separation between the two greenhouses after they are joined. 

What Tools and Stuff Will I Need to do This? 

The tools and necessities will depend on the specifics of your greenhouse’s make, model, and fittings.

Many of these details should be available from the manufacturer’s installation manual, and the necessities will also depend on what materials the greenhouse is made of. 

However, commonly used tools and necessities for joining greenhouses together and modifying them appropriately include:

• A drill and compatible drill bits
• 100% Silicone
• Caulk Sealant and Insulation
• Adhesive/sealant which is compatible with the material of the greenhouse
• Aluminum Tape
• Aluminet Shade Cloth (60% for summer and 50% for winter, depending on the climate)
• Stainless Steel Nuts, Bolts, Cropped Bolts, and Washers
• PVC pipes
• Polyisocyanurate Foil-Faced Foam 
• UV Protected Bubble Wrap With T-Bolts and Clips
• Levels and Measuring Tools

All of these may be used in different ways, depending on how you join the greenhouses, how you will need to modify them to increase functionality, what plants are housed, as well as what the weather conditions in your area entail. 

Will two Joined Greenhouses be Strong Enough for Bad Weather?

Whether or not two joined greenhouses will be durable enough for bad weather will depend on how it has been joined, as well as the initial durability of the greenhouses which were joined.

Environmental factors should be considered when joining them initially, as this will affect how they cope with snow, rain, wind, or worse. 

Joining the greenhouses’ frames together with bolts that are securely attached will lessen the odds of them coming apart in the midst of bad weather.

Structurally unsound construction may come undone or have harmful effects on your plant life during bad weather by allowing undesirable fluctuations of internal conditions.

It may be necessary to drill extra holes for additional bolts where needed, and it’s always advised to consider the wind direction when joining them as one can clamp doors shut when needed. In some cases, roof vents may pose hazards during bad weather, and securing them shut or removing them completely will help combat the risks involved.

Tackling the task of joining two greenhouses is not simple, but it can certainly be done. It is always best to seek more personalized guidance to ensure that you get the most out of all your hard work.

Sources:

https://www.usbg.gov/sites/default/files/usbg-greenhouse_manual.pdf

https://www.greenhousemag.com/article/greenhouse-0711-style-tech-solutions/

https://www.gardenerscorner.co.uk/threads/greenhouse-s.42173/