Why Attached Greenhouses Are Becoming More Popular
Having a greenhouse can add value to your home or property for many reasons. The main reason being that it gives the homeowner a functional place to garden year-round. Other reasons include increased curb-appeal and if the greenhouse is attached to the home, can add a degree of energy efficiency.
This is one reason why people attach greenhouses to their existing homes or buildings on their property. This brings up questions like:
What is the best greenhouse to attach to a home? How can a homeowner or gardener be sure that the greenhouse not only grows well but will add value to the home by not falling apart or fading?
The answer to these questions, according to us at Monarch, is BC Greenhouses.
What Is An Attached Greenhouse?
An attached greenhouse is simply a greenhouse that is attached to a house, barn, shop or shed. They use an existing structure for support and typically come in two styles:
- Lean-to
- Gable Attached
Lean-to’s have a slanted roof that comes off of the house while gable’s maintain the a-frame shape. Neither style is objectively better than the other, the main difference would be the amount of space they can house.
Lean-to’s can extend along the wall of your house simply, giving you the potential for more space. A-frame attached greenhouses can get complicated because of the height of the ridge and the existing roof line of your house.
It is more common to see A-frame greenhouses attached to sheds or smaller structures for that reason.
Attached vs. Freestanding Greenhouses
Design your own greenhouse here!
Choosing between an attached and freestanding greenhouse comes down to how you plan to use the space. Attached greenhouses connect directly to your home, creating a convenient, accessible environment that feels like a natural extension of your living space. Freestanding greenhouses, on the other hand, are separate structures placed in the yard, offering more flexibility in size, placement, and growing performance.
Attached greenhouses are ideal for homeowners who want easy, daily access and a more lifestyle-focused space. They can provide some passive warmth from the home and often double as a sunroom or garden retreat. However, they require careful planning around ventilation, moisture control, and sun exposure since they rely on the orientation of the house.
Freestanding greenhouses are better suited for those prioritizing plant growth and production. Because they can be positioned for optimal sunlight and airflow, they typically offer more consistent growing conditions. They also allow for greater customization and expansion, making them a strong choice for larger gardens or more serious growers.
Ultimately, the decision comes down to your priorities. If you’re looking to integrate gardening into your daily life and home environment, an attached greenhouse is a great fit. If your focus is maximizing growing performance and flexibility, a freestanding greenhouse is often the better option.
Benefits Of Attached Greenhouses
The best part about having an attached greenhouse is ease of access to your garden. Convenience makes greenhouse gardening less of a chore, so when you don’t have to leave your house, it is much less of a burden, especially in the middle of winter.
Another benefit is the house will help regulate the temperature in the greenhouse. The passive solar energy collected in the greenhouse means this can work both ways. This can mean less energy costs than if you were trying to heat a completely separate structure.
The other benefit is the uniqueness and beauty. This can add value to your home, especially if the greenhouse is a high quality structure designed by a reputable company like BC Greenhouses.
Why BC Greenhouses Work Well For Attached Greenhouse Designs
BC Greenhouse Builders has been manufacturing hobby greenhouses for decades and has thousands of installations across North America. Their longevity in the market means replacement parts, customer support, and design improvements are consistently available — something that cannot always be said for mass-produced greenhouse kits sold online.
Their experience in designing, engineering, and manufacturing attached greenhouses is second to none. They will be sure to customize your attached greenhouse to your exact needs. Snow load, wind load, or other permitting requirements will all be dealt with.
The value of BC Greenhouses is sure to increase the value of your home. Their functionality and beauty makes them perfect for gardening, sunrooms, or a mixture of both.
Popular Uses For BC Attached Greenhouses
Because of the prolonged growing season from the added insulation, these greenhouses are often used as easy-access gardens and a place to start seeds. They are ideal garden spaces because of the easy access.
With the right systems, they can be great for year-round growing to supply your kitchen with fresh food.
They truly can be an added living space as sunrooms, pool/hot tub coverings, and hybrid garden/sitting areas. Enhance your lifestyle with
Installation Considerations For Attached Greenhouses
There are several factors to consider when designing and installing an attached greenhouse.
- Foundations
- Location
- Flashing and waterproofing
- Permitting
If you want the highest value and insulation, we recommend using a concrete kneewall foundation. This gives you a strong base to mount to, added insulation, and a nice clean look.
Where you install your attached greenhouse matters most if you want to use it as a year-round or season extending garden space. If this is the case, choose a location on a south facing wall, or a place that will get a lot of sun throughout the year.
BC has a simple system for attaching the greenhouse to a home that doesn’t require flashing. Silicone seals the greenhouse together and to the other structure. Flashing can be added but isn’t always necessary.
Permitting isn’t always required but we definitely recommend checking with your local laws and city ordinances. If you don’t want to deal with getting permits, we can handle it if you buy the greenhouse through us and hire us for the installation.
Who Attached Greenhouses Are Perfect For
These greenhouses are perfect for gardeners that want to extend their growing season, custom homeowners looking to add a unique touch to their home, and homesteaders that want to add a multifunctional space.
BC Greenhouses can provide for any of these situations fantastically.
When a Freestanding Greenhouse Might Be a Better Option
These are better for homeowners that do not have a good location to attach a greenhouse or want to produce and scale their gardens. Freestanding greenhouses are also generally easier to plan for.
Even if you like the lean-to style of greenhouse, just don’t want it attached, BC Greenhouse has options for that.
Final Thoughts: Are Attached Greenhouses Worth It?
From an installation standpoint, both options can perform extremely well when designed correctly. The key difference is that attached greenhouses require more careful planning upfront, particularly when it comes to structural connection, moisture control, and ventilation.
When done properly, however, an attached greenhouse can become one of the most unique and functional spaces in a home—combining natural light, plant life, and year-round usability in a way that a freestanding structure simply can’t replicate.
We have built attached BC Greenhouses on new homes and existing homes and have found the process to be simple and fairly seamless. They look beautiful and perform effectively.
Attaching a BC Greenhouse to your home will indeed be worth the investment.
Learn More:
- Best Backyard Greenhouse for Utah? Why Builders Recommend BC Greenhouses
- The 10 Most Common Problems with Owning a Greenhouse in Utah
- How Much Do Residential Greenhouses Cost?
Can you attach a greenhouse to a house?
Yes, greenhouses can be attached directly to a home and are often referred to as lean-to greenhouses. They are designed to use one existing wall of the house as part of the structure. However, proper design and installation are critical to ensure the connection is structurally sound and properly sealed against water and weather.
Do attached greenhouses cause moisture problems?
They can if they are not designed and installed correctly. Greenhouses naturally create humidity, and without proper ventilation and waterproofing, moisture can affect the adjoining wall. When built properly—with ventilation systems, sealing, and flashing—moisture issues can be effectively managed.
What direction should an attached greenhouse face?
South-facing is generally the best orientation for an attached greenhouse in Utah. This allows for maximum sunlight exposure throughout the day, especially during the winter months when sunlight is more limited. East- and west-facing options can work, but they may require additional climate control to manage temperature swings.
Do you need permits for attached greenhouses?
In many cases, yes. Because an attached greenhouse becomes part of the home’s structure, it often falls under local building codes and permitting requirements. These can vary depending on your city or county, so it’s important to check local regulations or work with a contractor familiar with the process.
Are attached greenhouses energy efficient?
Attached greenhouses can be energy efficient when designed properly. They make use of natural sunlight for heat and light, which can reduce energy usage for growing. With the right ventilation, glazing, and optional heating systems, they can maintain stable conditions without excessive energy consumption.
How much does it cost to build an attached greenhouse?
The cost of an attached greenhouse can vary widely depending on size, materials, and how it connects to the home. Smaller, simpler structures may start in the several-thousand-dollar range, while larger or more customized greenhouses with ventilation, heating, and foundation work can cost significantly more. Installation and site conditions also play a major role in the final price.
Is it better to hire a contractor for an attached greenhouse?
While some greenhouse kits can be installed by homeowners, attached greenhouses typically benefit from professional installation. Because they connect directly to your home, proper structural attachment, waterproofing, and ventilation are essential. Working with an experienced installer helps ensure the greenhouse performs correctly long-term.
Does BC Greenhouse offer attached greenhouse models?
Yes, BC Greenhouses offers several models that can be configured as attached or lean-to greenhouses. Their designs are highly customizable, allowing homeowners to adapt the structure to fit the dimensions and roofline of their home.
Are BC Greenhouses good for attached greenhouse applications?
BC Greenhouses are well suited for attached installations due to their strong aluminum framing and customizable designs. This makes it easier to properly integrate the greenhouse with an existing structure while maintaining durability and long-term performance.
Can BC Greenhouses be customized to match my home?
Yes. One of the advantages of BC Greenhouses is the ability to customize size, layout, glazing, and ventilation options. This flexibility allows homeowners to design an attached greenhouse that complements their home’s architecture while meeting their growing needs.