Collection: Canopia

Canopia by Palram Greenhouses

Canopia by Palram builds greenhouses around polycarbonate glazing and powder coated aluminium framing. The combination is light, does not corrode and does not shatter, which is why the range appears so often in gardens used by children and on sites that catch the wind.

The manufacturer also produces sunrooms, gazebos and carports on the same construction principles, so the greenhouses share their detailing with a wider outdoor range.

Polycarbonate Glazing

Polycarbonate panels do two things glass does not. The air gap inside twin wall sheet insulates, so warmth is held longer into the evening. And the cell structure diffuses light rather than transmitting it straight through, which reduces the risk of scorching leaves that sit close to the panel.

The trade off is transmission. Polycarbonate passes less light than horticultural glass, and that difference is most noticeable in December and January. For summer growing it rarely matters; for overwintering under low light it can.

Panels do not shatter, so a broken pane is not a clear up job. Over years, UV exposure will yellow untreated polycarbonate, which is why the sheets carry a protective layer on the outer face. Fitting a panel the wrong way round is a common assembly error and shortens its life considerably.

Frames and Assembly

Frames are extruded aluminium with a powder coated finish, so there is nothing to rot, rust or repaint. Most models use a slide in glazing system, where panels drop into channels rather than being clipped individually. That makes assembly quicker and needs no specialist tools.

Two people and a level base still make the job considerably easier than one person on uneven ground. A frame assembled out of square will not accept its panels cleanly, and the doors will bind afterwards.

Preparing the Site

A prepared base comes first. Level, drained and square is the requirement, whether that is slabs, a concrete perimeter or a manufacturer base frame. Because these structures are light for their size, anchoring matters more than with a heavy glazed house.

An anchor kit fitted during assembly is the sensible approach. Retrofitting one afterwards means working around glazing that is already in place.

Choosing a Model

The range spans compact hobby frames through to larger walk in houses. The size guide sets out what each floor area allows in terms of internal layout, which is a more useful comparison than frame dimensions alone.

Once the structure is decided, staging and ventilation are worth planning at the same time rather than adding later.