Wood or Aluminium Frame?
Over the last 20 years, aluminium has rapidly overtaken wood as the most popular form of greenhouse construction. However, wooden framed greenhouses still have a couple of areas in which they are better than aluminium. 

The most obvious reason is that wood is considered by many to be better looking than aluminium. This alone is sufficient reason for many people to buy a wooden greenhouse. A second reason, not often appreciated, is that a well glazed wooden greenhouse is significantly warmer than the aluminium alternative. This means that wooden greenhouses are often cheaper to heat.

Types of Wood

Western Red Cedar (Thuja plicata) Possibly the best compromise for cost, strength and durability. It's only drawback is that it is not suitable for commercial greenhouses which require long lengths. Typically Western red Cedar is a medium strength wood (385kg per cubic metre or 24lb per cubic foot) with good resistance to decay. The wood itself looks great and can easily be treated with oil to make it look good for many years.

Baltic Redwood (Pinus sylvestris) Another good-looking wood, Baltic Redwood is strong (497kg per cubic metre or 31lb per cubic foot). This wood takes preservatives very easily making it long-lasting and it does not split when nailed.

British Columbian Pine (Pseudotsuga menzieii taxifolia) Similar to Baltic Redwood in strength, British Columbian Pine has a bulk/strength ratio of 529kg per cubic metre or 33lb per cubic foot. It's main drawback is that it does not take preservatives as well as other woods making it suspect as far as ageing is concerned.

Norway Spruce (Piceea varieties) This is the best choice where cost is the main consideration for a wooden greenhouse. Norway Spruce is a strong wood (variable 485 kg per cubic metre or 30lb per cubic foot) which takes nails very well. It's major drawback is that it needs to be treated well with preservative, and possibly painted if it is to age as well as some other woods.

Teak or Oak (and other hardwoods) The king of woods as far as wooden greenhouse, porches and conservatories are concerned. the primary drawback is cost - hardwoods are very expensive and this trend continues as supply is becoming shorter as the years go by. Very strong (720kg per cubic metre or 40lb per cubic foot), very easy to work, very long lasting and delightful to look at.

Do note, that some manufacturers combine different woods in some greenhouses and this often can be very beneficial in getting low costs but long life.  

Aluminium
The first aluminium greenhouses did in fact corrode seriously. This problem has been solved for many years and although you will see powder form on modern aluminium greenhouses, this not a sign that they are seriously corroding.

Aluminium provides a very light and strong frame for a greenhouse. The ability of aluminium to be formed into various shapes is a great advantage in greenhouse construction making aluminium a much cheaper alternative to wood. 

There are different types of aluminium although all those currently used give the same benefits. If you have decided on an aluminium greenhouse, the shape, size and sometimes glazing methods are the areas to consider most. 

 

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