Greenhouses are a fantastic investment for a property. Not only do they extend your living space, but they increase the value of your property and (when managed with care) they will last for many years to come.

In order to make your investment worthwhile, you’ll want to make sure your greenhouse completes its full predicted lifespan.

The best way to do this is to protect your greenhouse glass against storms and bad weather, and ensure they remain completely weatherproof.

Not sure how to do this? (Or thought that this would automatically be the case?). Keep reading to find our expert’s guide to keeping your greenhouses weatherproof.

Protecting your Greenhouse from Wind and Storms

Even the strongest greenhouse glass is at risk of wind and storm damage. So, protect your investment by making some weatherproofing precautions.

To protect your greenhouse glass against wind, we recommend:

Buy Strong Glass from a High Quality Supplier

At Abbey Glass, we provide strong, dependable greenhouse glass of the very highest quality. It’s important to buy your glass from a reputable supplier, as you should never buy second-hand glass, or glass from individuals online. As it could be damaged, or not transported correctly.

Invest in a strong frame

Choosing a strong greenhouse frame will increase the resistance your greenhouse has to the elements. Generally speaking, the higher the price, the stronger it will be. But you can always ask the seller.

Choose a sheltered position

Find a spot that has as much shelter from the wind as possible. You could make a space more sheltered by adding hedges or fences, but’s it not recommended to place you greenhouse in the middle of your garden.

Regularly check window glass and seams

This way, you can spot any small faults or damage, before they escalate into a bigger problem. Even the smallest hole in a seam can let in water.

Use silicone sealant

Some greenhouses use clips to hold the glass in place, but silicone sealant is a much stronger option, and has the added benefit of being weatherproof.

Build a sturdy base or perimeter 

You can’t simply construct a glass greenhouse on grass, or in soil. You need a strong, sturdy base or at least a strong perimeter. If building on grass or soil, you can use a wooden perimeter for the base of your greenhouse, making sure the wood is level, and the ground is compacted.

You can also build a similar perimeter with concrete blocks, paving or bricks. For a full enclosed greenhouse, you can build on a patio or even a concrete pad.

Ensure your greenhouse is anchored

You can fit your greenhouse to the floor securely using specialist screws. There should be multiple fixing points, spaced throughout the flooring. We would recommend fixing the base to the ground using anchor bolts.

Close doors and windows during heavy wind

Just like your home, you don’t any windows or doors open during heavy rain or a storm. Keep them fully closed throughout the storm.

Check your greenhouse is insured

For complete piece of mind, some home insurance packages can cover greenhouses. Check with your provider to see whether your greenhouse comes under your home insurance, or if you can add it.

Replace lost or broken panes quickly

If your glass does get damaged, replace it as quickly as possible. Patching any holes or gaps with covers, could cause more issues. At Abbey Glass, we offer panes of greenhouse glass in a range of sizes.

Block holes immediately

If a storm causes a hole, block it as quickly as you can. You can do this with thick tape, or even by securing a thick cover in place. This temporary fix should help prevent the damage from escalating, but as said above, you then need to get a replacement pane as soon as you can.

Holes around the base or perimeter can be a new way for insects and small animals to get into your greenhouse, and eat all your plants! So it’s best to block these with bricks, concrete or wood that can’t be moved easily.

Preventing Leaks in your Greenhouse

If leaks do occur, this is a sign of a fault in your greenhouse. The fault could exist within the glass, the base, perimeter, or in the seals (either surrounding the windows, or between the panes). 

To prevent leaks, we recommend using a strong sealant along the window seams and between each of the panels. If applied by a professional, this should keep your greenhouse weatherproof throughout its lifespan. It’s also important to ensure all seams around the base and perimeter of the greenhouse, and the door are sealed.

Also, you need to ensure that your glass comes from a trusted supplier. Choose a supplier that is committed to the highest industry standards and manufacturing premium quality products.

At Abbey Glass, we have over 40 years of experience working in the glass industry. This, coupled with our extensive industry accreditations, means you can trust us to supply durable, weatherproof and top quality greenhouse glass.

What is the best Glass for a Greenhouse?

There are six types of glass that are commonly used for greenhouse glass. These include Float glass, Toughened glass, Heat-strengthened glass, Tempered glass, Insulated glass, Laminated glass and Horticultural greenhouse glass.

Generally speaking, the best glass for greenhouse panes is tempered glass, which is fixed as a double pane.

This is because double pane tempered glass is exceptionally strong and durable. Plus, if a storm were to damage the glass, then the glass panel will break into small, evenly-sized square pieces. This is far safer than glass that could split into large shards.

Then, for the roof, we recommend using insulated glass, with a tempered glass layer facing into the greenhouse. This will ensure the glass holds strong against wind and storms.

At Abbey Glass, we sell 3mm Horticultural greenhouse glass in the following standard sizes:

• 610mm x 457mm
• 610mm x 610mm
• 730mm x 1422mm

We can also manufacture bespoke sizes of Float Glass and Toughened Glass on request.

To find out more about our greenhouse glass, or for a quote, contact our team.