Collection: Glass for greenhouse

Replacement Greenhouse Glass

Panes break. Storms, footballs, a ladder set down carelessly, or simply the frame shifting on a base that has settled: a broken pane is a routine event rather than a disaster, and replacing it is straightforward once you know the size.

Leaving one out is what causes real damage. A missing pane lets cold air pour through, drops the internal temperature below what the rest of the structure is holding, and admits driving rain onto staging and stored compost. It also loads the neighbouring panes differently, which is how one break becomes three.

Measure Before Ordering

Greenhouse glazing comes in standard sizes, and most aluminium framed houses use one of a small number of them. Measure the aperture rather than a neighbouring pane if you can, and measure twice.

• Note the thickness as well as the height and width, since 3 mm and 4 mm are both common.
• Roof panes are often a different size from side panes on the same house.
• If the frame has settled, the aperture may no longer match the original specification.

Glass or Polycarbonate

Horticultural float glass is the traditional replacement and transmits the most light. It is the cheapest per pane and breaks into sharp pieces.

Toughened safety glass costs more, transmits almost as much light, and breaks into blunt fragments. It is the sensible choice at low level, beside a path, or anywhere children pass.

Twin wall polycarbonate can be cut to fit most apertures. It insulates better and will not shatter, though it transmits less light and looks different from the panes around it. Mixing materials on one house is entirely workable if appearance is not the priority.

Fitting

Clear the channel of grit before seating the new pane, since a hard particle trapped underneath concentrates load in one spot and is a common cause of a repeat break. Fit new glazing clips rather than reusing the old ones, which have usually lost their tension.

Wear gloves and eye protection. Handling glass in a confined space surrounded by more glass deserves the caution.

Preventing the Next One

Most repeat breakages trace back to a frame that is not square or not anchored. If panes keep cracking in the same area, check the base is level and the frame is fixed down properly with an anchor kit before buying more glass.

The wider spare parts range covers glazing bars, vent arms and door fittings for the repairs that usually accompany a broken pane.