Landmark 8×10 vs Vitavia Phoenix 8×10: Which Greenhouse is Best for Irish Gardeners?
We start our comparison series on the top five premium greenhouses in Ireland 2025 with a side-by-side look at the Landmark 8×10 and the Vitavia Phoenix 8×10.
We’ve analysed all the specifications of both models so you can compare them clearly.
We’re focusing on:
Strength and durability
Warranty
Glazing
Beading
Growing size
Ventilation
Service
True cost
Who We Are
Established more than a decade ago, Landmark Greenhouses1 is a family-run business based in Carlow and Dublin, delivering ultra-strong, all-in-one greenhouses to Irish gardeners.
As lifelong gardeners, we became dissatisfied with the quality of greenhouses available in Ireland. Most were either flimsy and cheap, or expensive imports with long lead times from the UK.
In 2015, we sourced and designed a greenhouse that combined everything we felt serious gardeners need: durability, elegance, and performance. We called it The Landmark Greenhouse.
Methodology: How We Compare Greenhouses
Choosing the “best” greenhouse in Ireland is subjective — every gardener has different needs and budgets.
For this comparison, we’re focusing on:
Premium aluminium greenhouses with toughened safety glass
Traditional pitched roof designs (no lean-tos)
Models that are readily available in Ireland
We may have skin in the game, but we’ll also highlight where other greenhouses have genuine advantages over our own.
The Contenders: Landmark vs Vitavia Phoenix
Landmark 8×10
A premium, ultra-strong, all-in-one greenhouse made of aluminium and toughened glass.
Available directly from landmarkgreenhouses.com1, priced around €3,500.
Vitavia Phoenix 8×10
Billed as a premium greenhouse and widely available in Ireland through suppliers such as Greenhouses.ie and A1 Greenhouses. Priced around €2,000, though costs increase significantly once you start adding extras.
| Feature | Landmark 8×10 | Vitavia Phoenix 8×10 |
|---|---|---|
| Glazing | 4 mm toughened safety glass | 3 mm toughened safety glass1 |
| Polycarbonate / Horticultural Options | ❌ Not offered — toughened only | ✅ Optional polycarbonate or horticultural glass1 |
| Staging Shelves | ✅ Two tiers of integrated aluminium staging (adds structural ballast) | ❌ Not included — optional extra |
| Louvre Windows | ✅ Two included as standard | ❌ None included — optional extra |
| Roof Vents | 2 × automatic temperature-based openers | 4 × manual vents |
| Doors | Double sliding doors | Double sliding doors |
| Threshold | Strong threshold for wind resistance | Low threshold — weaker frame but good for wheelchair accessibility |
| Base / Plinth | ✅ Full-frame base included | ✅ Included, but low-threshold design is structurally weaker |
| Frame | Heavy-duty aluminium, reinforced for Irish conditions | Lighter aluminium with standard bracing |
| Glazing Fixing | Rubber beading system — secure, weather-tight, prevents leaks | Metal clips (standard) — can rattle and leak; bar capping upgrade available (extra) |
| Ventilation Strategy | Automatic roof vents + low-level louvres = full air circulation | Manual roof vents only; no louvres by default |
| Colour Options | Green | Green or black1 |
| Warranty | 12 years (manufacturer direct) | 10–12 years depending on retailer2, 3 |
| Delivery | €120–€180 delivery fee (heavier frame) | Free nationwide delivery2, 3 |
| Price (Toughened Glass) | ~€3,5004 | ~€2,070 base model2, 3 + extras for louvres, staging, openers, bar capping |
1 Vitavia – Phoenix Product Page
2 Greenhouses.ie — Phoenix pricing, warranty, delivery
3 A1 Greenhouses — Phoenix pricing, warranty, lead times
Built for Irish Weather
Ask any seasoned Irish greenhouse gardener what to consider when buying, and they’ll all say the same thing: the weather.
The Landmark 8×10 is engineered specifically for Irish conditions. It features a heavy-duty aluminium frame, a fully integrated base, and anchors that can be sunk into a foundation, making it a greenhouse designed to last decades1.
The Vitavia Phoenix 8×10, by contrast, has decent bracing but uses a lighter frame and a low-threshold base, which is good for accessibility but weakens the structure considerably.
Years ago, Landmark tried selling low-threshold greenhouses. At first, we were excited about the easier access, but after a series of customer complaints — and one greenhouse that was damaged in a hurricane (admittedly 150mph winds) — we switched entirely to full-frame, high-strength thresholds, which we now consider essential for Irish conditions.
Landmark structures are also more architecturally robust for other reasons: heavier glass, a rubber beading system, built-in staging that adds ballast, and, as of late 2025, a new storm cross-beam that can be fitted in advance of severe weather1.
While the Phoenix is more affordable than the Landmark, we feel it sits at the lower end of the premium market and is structurally weaker compared to Landmark and Vitavia’s own higher-end models such as the Vitavia Zeus.
Warranty and Support
Landmark offers a 12-year structural warranty on the aluminium frame1. Its stormproof engineering allows it to withstand winds of up to 110 kph when properly installed.
The Vitavia Phoenix warranty ranges between 10 and 12 years, depending on the retailer — Greenhouses.ie2 and A1 Greenhouses3 typically offer 10 years.
Glazing and Beading: Landmark is Stronger
The Landmark 8×10 uses 4 mm toughened safety glass throughout, providing excellent light transmission and a stronger, safer structure1. As mentioned earlier, the extra thickness provides added ballast and stability to the frame in high winds.
For Vitavia greenhouses, Irish suppliers list both 3 mm and 4 mm glass for the Phoenix, but the official Vitavia website confirms the Phoenix uses 3 mm toughened glass4, compared to Landmark’s 4 mm.
Beading vs Clips
Equally important is how the glass is secured.
Landmark’s glass is held in place with continuous rubber beading, which creates a tight, weatherproof seal. This:
Prevents leaks, even during wind-driven rain — a common issue in Ireland
Holds the glass firmly, reducing rattling, vibration, and the risk of movement during storms1
Vitavia Phoenix, by contrast, uses lightweight metal clips. This is standard at its price point, but clips don’t create the same seal, allowing panel movement in high winds and increasing the risk of leaks4.
Vitavia offers an optional bar capping system for improved sealing, but this comes at extra cost and isn’t listed on many Irish retailer websites23.
If you’re considering polycarbonate glazing, Vitavia offers it4 — but Landmark doesn’t, because we don’t recommend it. Polycarbonate is lightweight and doesn’t provide sufficient ballast, making the structure more vulnerable in strong winds.
Climate Control and Ventilation
The Vitavia Phoenix offers four manual roof vents4, whereas the Landmark has two automatic vents that open and close based on temperature1.
In addition, Landmark includes two louvre windows, allowing fresh air to enter from below and create a through-draftthat pulls warm air out through the roof — crucial for preventing humidity build-up and fungal diseases.
With double doors, we don’t believe four vents are necessary on a greenhouse this size. Balanced airflow matters more than quantity.
If you want louvres or automatic openers on your Vitavia, you’ll need to buy them separately — and many Irish retailers don’t offer these upgrades online23.
Customisation
Landmark is designed by gardeners for gardeners — our goal is to take the confusion out of buying a greenhouse by including everything we believe you’ll need1. The downside is less customisation.
Vitavia allows more choice4:
Colour options (black or green, vs Landmark’s green only)
Optional staging, louvres, and automatic openers (Landmark includes these by default)
But be careful. Once you start adding these extras, the total price of the Vitavia quickly climbs significantly beyond the advertised base price.
Delivery
Here, Vitavia wins.
Greenhouses.ie2 and A1 Greenhouses3 offer free nationwide delivery for Vitavia models.
Landmark charges €120–€180, reflecting the cost of delivering a heavier, fully framed structure1.
Service and Installation: From Planning to Planting
At Landmark, we support you through the entire journey:
Free on-site consultations
Showrooms in Dublin and Carlow, or viewings in existing customer gardens
Trusted local installers who know our greenhouses
You pay installers directly and only pay us once the greenhouse is fully installed1
The Vitavia Phoenix is available through multiple retailers, usually shipped from the UK with 8–12 week lead times23. Installation costs vary but are typically €300–€400.
Growing Size
The Vitavia Phoenix is slightly larger in both length and width, giving it a few extra inches of growing space4.
Price and Value: The True Cost of Ownership
At first glance, the Phoenix looks cheaper:
But when you factor in what’s included, the gap narrows significantly.
Landmark includes:
A stronger frame
Full threshold base
Stormproof cross-beam (on late 2025 greenhouses)
Two tiers of integrated staging (adds ballast)
Two louvre windows
Two automatic vent openers
A longer warranty
Rubber beading system
Advantages of Landmark
The Landmark 8×10 features a stronger, wind-resistant frame, 4 mm glass for ballast, and rubber beading for superior sealing1. The integrated staging and optional hurricane bracing make it genuinely built for Irish weather.
Louvre windows, staging, and automatic vents all come as standard.
Where the Vitavia Phoenix Excels
The Phoenix has strengths too: it’s more affordable upfront, comes in two colours, has four roof vents, and is slightly larger overall4. For budget-conscious gardeners in sheltered sites, it’s a solid choice.
Final Verdict: Which Should You Choose?
We built Landmark Greenhouses because we wanted a greenhouse that had everything serious Irish gardeners need. So it’s no surprise which we think is better.
Ultimately, the choice depends on your site and priorities:
If you want maximum strength, storm protection, and long-term value, Landmark is the clear winner.
If you want customisation and have a sheltered site, the Phoenix can work well — but expect to invest more in upgrades.
Ready to Grow?
If you’d like to learn more about the Landmark 8×10, get tailored pricing, or talk to us about your growing goals, we’d love to hear from you.
👉 View the Landmark 8×10 Greenhouse1
Or contact our family team for friendly, expert advice. We’re here to help Irish gardeners grow — and we’ll never push you toward something that isn’t right for your garden.
