How wide should my greenhouse be?

Eight to ten feet wide fits a single aisle and one bench run. Twelve to fourteen feet gives you benches down both sides with a comfortable walkway. Sixteen to eighteen feet fits a center aisle. Twenty feet and up allows a double-aisle layout. Adding width needs larger trusses, so if you are undecided, add length instead.

Should I choose a lean-to or a freestanding greenhouse?

A lean-to mounted on a sunny house wall is the most efficient option per square foot and the easiest to run power and water to. Freestanding gives you light from all four sides and free placement, which is the stronger growing environment. If the best sun on your property is away from the house, a freestanding lean-to gives you the efficient sloped shape without needing a wall.

What roof pitch does an Arcadia greenhouse use?

Lean-to structures use a 2/12 to 6/12 roof pitch. Freestanding structures use 3/12 to 12/12, and a steeper pitch sheds snow faster.

Which series should I choose for winter growing?

The Sierra series. It uses seven-eighths inch insulated double-pane tempered glass in a thermally broken frame and is engineered to 45 pounds per square foot of snow load and 125 mph wind. The Arcadia GlassHouse and Lord & Burnham series are engineered to 30 pounds per square foot and 105 mph as standard.

What foundation does the planner assume?

Freestanding structures need a slab, a concrete perimeter, or a treated wood frame base, with a footer where you want a kneewall. Anything attached to the house needs a frost-free foundation. Maryland frost depth in our service area is 30 inches, and we build footings to meet or exceed it.

Free Planning Tool

Greenhouse Size and Layout Planner

Answer five questions about what you grow and where the greenhouse would go. You get a width, a bench layout, a configuration, a roof pitch range, and the Arcadia series that fits, all from published Arcadia configuration data. No pricing here, and no email required.

1. What do you want to grow?

2. How big is the collection?

3. Do you want working space inside?

4. Where would it go?

5. Growing through winter?

Your Plan

16 to 18 feet wide

A center aisle with benches on both sides.

Length is made to fit your site. If you are torn between wider and longer, go longer: wider spans need larger trusses, so width is the expensive direction.

Configuration: Freestanding; Freestanding gives you light from all four sides, the strongest growing environment, and complete freedom on placement.
Roof pitch: 3/12 to 12/12, the published freestanding range. A steeper pitch sheds snow faster and looks more traditional.
Series: Arcadia GlassHouse Series; The Arcadia GlassHouse series is fully custom in size, glazing, pitch, and finish, and its welded trusses mean no interior posts in the way of tall plants or hanging baskets. Lifetime frame warranty, 30 pounds per square foot of snow load and 105 mph wind as standard, with heavier engineering available. Lord & Burnham does not offer a freestanding lean-to.
Glazing to look at: Tempered glass gives you the highest light transmission and the classic look. Hybrid glazing, glass sidewalls with a polycarbonate roof, balances clear views with diffused overhead light.
Foundation: A concrete slab, a concrete perimeter, or a treated wood frame base. Add a footer if you want a kneewall. Maryland frost depth in our footprint is 30 inches, and we build footings to meet or exceed it.

Talk through this plan with us Call 443-616-1459

This planner sizes the structure. It does not price it. Greenhouse cost depends on glazing, foundation, ventilation, and utilities, so we give you real numbers after we look at your site.

Two things the planner cannot decide for you

Orientation. Most people assume south. West facing is generally better in our area, because afternoon sun gives steady warmth when the cool months need it. East facing works well too. Southern exposure can get intense enough in summer to stress plants without shade cloth, and northern exposure only suits shade-tolerant plants.

The permit. Harford County requires a permit for every residential accessory structure regardless of size. Baltimore County requires one over 120 square feet, and at any size in a Historic District, floodplain, or Critical Area. Cecil County exempts one-story detached structures at 120 square feet or under. Setbacks can change the size that actually fits your lot, which is why we confirm them before we design. See the county detail on the greenhouse page.

Planner questions

How wide should my greenhouse be?: Eight to ten feet wide fits a single aisle and one bench run. Twelve to fourteen feet gives you benches down both sides with a comfortable walkway. Sixteen to eighteen feet fits a center aisle. Twenty feet and up allows a double-aisle layout. Adding width needs larger trusses, so if you are undecided, add length instead.
Should I choose a lean-to or a freestanding greenhouse?: A lean-to mounted on a sunny house wall is the most efficient option per square foot and the easiest to run power and water to. Freestanding gives you light from all four sides and free placement, which is the stronger growing environment. If the best sun on your property is away from the house, a freestanding lean-to gives you the efficient sloped shape without needing a wall.
What roof pitch does an Arcadia greenhouse use?: Lean-to structures use a 2/12 to 6/12 roof pitch. Freestanding structures use 3/12 to 12/12, and a steeper pitch sheds snow faster.
Which series should I choose for winter growing?: The Sierra series. It uses seven-eighths inch insulated double-pane tempered glass in a thermally broken frame and is engineered to 45 pounds per square foot of snow load and 125 mph wind. The Arcadia GlassHouse and Lord & Burnham series are engineered to 30 pounds per square foot and 105 mph as standard.
What foundation does the planner assume?: Freestanding structures need a slab, a concrete perimeter, or a treated wood frame base, with a footer where you want a kneewall. Anything attached to the house needs a frost-free foundation. Maryland frost depth in our service area is 30 inches, and we build footings to meet or exceed it.

Back to custom greenhouses in Maryland