The Best Greenhouses for Windy Areas in Ireland
If you live in an exposed part of Ireland, choosing a greenhouse is about more than size and appearance. Strong Atlantic winds can put considerable pressure on a greenhouse, particularly in exposed coastal and rural locations.
The best greenhouse for a windy Irish garden is one with a strong frame, securely retained glazing, a properly anchored base, suitable structural bracing and a solid foundation. Installation quality is equally important.
In this guide, we'll explain what to look for when choosing a wind-resistant, heavy-duty greenhouse for an exposed location in Ireland.
What can happen to some greenhouses in a windy area.
What Makes a Greenhouse Strong?
There isn't one feature that makes a greenhouse suitable for strong winds. Its performance depends on how the frame, glazing, foundation, anchoring and bracing work together.
When comparing greenhouses, look at these key areas:
Frame strength
Glazing specification
How the glazing is secured
Foundation and anchoring
Structural bracing
Door and vent design
Installation quality
The exposure of the site
A greenhouse that is suitable for a sheltered suburban garden may not be the right choice for an exposed site on the west coast or in the countryside.
If you're looking for the strongest greenhouse for an exposed garden, it's important to look at the complete construction rather than one individual feature.
Choose a Strong, Heavy-Duty Frame
The frame is the structural skeleton of the greenhouse.
For an exposed Irish site, look for a greenhouse manufactured using substantial aluminium profiles, with appropriate reinforcement around the corners, eaves, apex and other high-stress areas.
A heavy-duty greenhouse should have a rigid frame that is designed to cope with the forces created by strong winds, rather than relying on a lightweight structure.
Landmark Greenhouses are constructed from high-grade, heavy-duty aluminium, finished with a durable powder coating to provide long-term protection against corrosion. Strong structural bracing around the eaves and apex adds further rigidity, helping the greenhouse withstand strong winds and severe weather.
Every Landmark greenhouse is guaranteed for 12 years in winds of up to 110 km/h.
Choose the Right Glazing
Glass and polycarbonate are both used successfully in greenhouse construction, but the glazing specification and the way it is installed are important considerations for an exposed site.
Landmark greenhouses use 4mm toughened safety glass.
Toughened glass is stronger than ordinary annealed glass and is designed to break into smaller pieces if it does fail.
However, glass thickness alone does not determine wind resistance. The frame, glazing-retention system, foundation and anchoring are all important.
For a windy location, the better question is:
How has the complete greenhouse been designed to cope with wind?
This is particularly important when comparing different greenhouses. A thicker pane of glass does not automatically mean that the complete greenhouse is stronger.
How Is the Glass Secured?
One of the most overlooked aspects of greenhouse construction is how the glazing is retained.
Traditional greenhouses may use glazing clips, rubber beading or bar capping to hold the glass within the frame.
Landmark Greenhouses uses durable, all-weather rubber beading to securely hold the glass in place.
The flexible rubber acts as both a cushion between the glass and aluminium frame and a weather seal, helping to protect the glazing while keeping rainwater out.
The beading holds each pane firmly against the frame, reducing movement and vibration during strong winds while creating a secure, weather-resistant seal around the glass.
Rubber beading to firmly secure glass into the frame.
How Do You Anchor a Greenhouse in High Winds?
A strong greenhouse still needs a strong foundation.
In an exposed location, the greenhouse should be securely connected to an appropriate foundation. Depending on the design, this may involve a concrete slab or dedicated foundation combined with suitable mechanical anchors.
The foundation should be:
Level
Square
Strong enough to support the structure
Correctly sized
Properly connected to the greenhouse
Simply putting heavy objects inside a greenhouse should not be relied upon as a substitute for proper anchoring.
For a greenhouse in a particularly exposed location, the foundation and anchoring system are just as important as the strength of the frame.
A Landmark on a perimeter base.
Landmark highly recommends laying either a full or perimeter concrete base into which you can anchor the greenhouse.
If you live in Dublin or the surrounding area, Landmark can connect you with a vetted local tradesperson who can survey your garden and provide a quote for preparing a suitable concrete foundation.
If you live further afield, we can work with a tradesperson of your choice, providing them with the correct dimensions and specifications for your particular greenhouse size.
This helps ensure the foundation is prepared correctly before your greenhouse is installed.
Structural Bracing and Storm Bars
Additional structural bracing can help a greenhouse resist movement during periods of strong wind.
Look for strong reinforcement around the:
Eaves
Apex
Corners
Gable ends
Door openings
See the bracing at eaves and apex.
Some greenhouses also offer additional storm bars or structural reinforcement for exposed locations.
Landmark greenhouses include a storm-protecting aluminium crossbeam that can be installed when particularly severe weather is expected. The crossbeam provides additional support to the greenhouse structure and helps provide extra stability against crosswinds.
Each Landmark greenhouse comes with a storm bar, providing additional reinforcement during periods of extreme weather.
We recommend fitting the storm bar when a red or orange weather warning has been issued, giving your greenhouse additional support when strong winds are expected.
The storm bar is quick and easy to install, requiring just a couple of screws and taking around 10 minutes to fit.
Are There Windproof or Stormproof Greenhouses?
You may see terms such as windproof greenhouse, stormproof greenhouse or storm-resistant greenhouse used when researching greenhouses.
However, it's important to understand what these terms actually mean.
No greenhouse should be considered completely immune to extreme weather. Wind performance depends on factors including:
The design and strength of the frame
The glazing and how it is retained
The foundation
The anchoring system
Structural reinforcement
Installation
The location and exposure of the site
Rather than simply looking for a greenhouse advertised as "windproof", ask the manufacturer about its wind-speed rating, wind-load information, construction and recommended anchoring system.
This gives you much more useful information when choosing a greenhouse for an exposed garden.
What About Hurricane-Resistant Greenhouses?
People sometimes search for hurricane-proof greenhouses or hurricane-resistant greenhouses, particularly when researching the strongest possible structures.
However, "hurricane-proof" can be a misleading term unless a greenhouse has been specifically engineered and tested for defined hurricane wind loads.
For an Irish garden, the more useful questions are:
What wind speed is the greenhouse designed or guaranteed for?
How is the greenhouse anchored?
What foundation is required?
How strong is the frame?
How is the glazing retained?
What additional reinforcement is available?
For particularly exposed locations, these details are more meaningful than simply describing a greenhouse as hurricane-proof.
Where Should You Position a Greenhouse in Ireland?
The location of your greenhouse can make a significant difference to the wind it experiences.
Ireland's prevailing winds are generally from the south and west, although local terrain and surrounding buildings, trees and hedges can significantly affect conditions at an individual property.
Where possible, consider a position that provides some shelter while still receiving plenty of sunlight.
Use suitable shelter
A substantial wall, hedge or other structure can reduce direct exposure to prevailing winds.
However, nearby structures can also alter airflow and create turbulence. The effect depends on their height, density and position.
Avoid falling hazards
Avoid positioning your greenhouse directly beneath large trees or in locations where it could be exposed to falling branches or roof debris during strong winds.
It is also best to avoid placing a greenhouse underneath slated roofs, where loose or displaced roof materials could cause damage.
Think carefully about exposed sites
An exposed hilltop, open field or coastal garden may require more attention to structural design, foundation and anchoring.
If you live on the Atlantic coast or in another particularly exposed area, choosing a greenhouse specifically suited to the conditions of the site is especially important.
Don't assume a hedge solves everything
A hedge can provide useful shelter, but it doesn't automatically make a site wind-free.
Nearby structures can change the direction and speed of airflow, so consider the position of the greenhouse in relation to buildings, hedges, walls and other obstacles.
What Is the Strongest Greenhouse for an Exposed Garden?
If you're looking for the strongest greenhouse for an exposed garden, don't judge strength by the frame alone.
A strong greenhouse is a combination of:
A substantial structural frame
Securely retained glazing
Strong structural bracing
A suitable foundation
Proper anchoring
Good-quality installation
Appropriate positioning
Additional reinforcement where necessary
This is why comparing individual features in isolation can be misleading.
A greenhouse with a strong frame can still be vulnerable if it isn't properly anchored. Equally, a greenhouse with toughened glass can still be damaged if the frame or glazing-retention system is inadequate.
The complete structure needs to work together.
How Much Wind Can a Greenhouse Withstand?
This is one of the most common questions people ask when buying a greenhouse for an exposed location.
There isn't one wind speed that applies to every greenhouse or every site. Performance depends on the structure, size, foundation, anchoring, installation and exposure of the particular location.
All Landmark Greenhouses are guaranteed for 12 years in winds of up to 110 km/h.
110 km/h is approximately 68 mph and is equivalent to Force 11 on the Beaufort Wind Scale, classified as a violent storm.
This gives you a clear indication of the level of wind our greenhouses are designed and guaranteed to withstand.
Can a Greenhouse Withstand 100 mph Winds?
100 mph is approximately 161 km/h, which is considerably higher than the 110 km/h wind speed covered by the Landmark guarantee.
It is therefore important not to assume that a greenhouse guaranteed for 110 km/h is automatically designed or guaranteed for 100 mph winds.
If you live in an exceptionally exposed location or are concerned about extreme wind speeds, speak directly to the manufacturer about the specific greenhouse, site conditions, foundation and anchoring requirements.
When comparing greenhouses, look for clear information about wind performance rather than relying on general terms such as "windproof" or "stormproof".
Greenhouses for Coastal Areas of Ireland
Coastal gardens can present some of the most demanding conditions for a greenhouse.
Strong winds, exposure and salt-laden air can all be considerations when choosing a structure.
A greenhouse for a coastal garden should therefore be selected with particular attention to:
Frame construction
Corrosion-resistant materials and finishes
Glazing security
Structural bracing
Foundation
Anchoring
Installation
The position of the greenhouse
A greenhouse that is perfectly suitable for a sheltered urban garden may require more careful planning when installed in an exposed coastal location.
Wind-Resistant Greenhouse Buyer's Checklist
Before buying a greenhouse for an exposed Irish garden, ask the manufacturer the following questions.
Frame
What material is the frame?
How substantial is the frame?
Where is the frame reinforced?
What information is available about its wind performance?
Glazing
What type and thickness of glazing is used?
How is the glazing secured to the frame?
How does the glazing-retention system perform in strong winds?
Foundation
What foundation is required?
How should the greenhouse be anchored to the foundation?
What dimensions should the foundation be?
Is a full concrete base or perimeter base recommended?
Reinforcement
How strong is the structural bracing?
Are storm bars included?
Is additional reinforcement available for exposed locations?
How quickly can additional storm protection be fitted?
Installation
Is professional installation available?
Does the installer have experience with exposed sites?
Will the manufacturer provide foundation specifications?
Wind performance
Is there a published wind-speed or wind-load rating?
Is the greenhouse tested or guaranteed to a specific wind speed?
What conditions apply to the guarantee?
If a manufacturer can't clearly explain how its greenhouse is designed for exposed conditions, ask questions before you buy.
Why Choose a Landmark Greenhouse?
Landmark Greenhouses designs, supplies and installs greenhouses for customers throughout Ireland.
Our greenhouses feature:
4mm toughened safety glass
High-quality, heavy-duty aluminium frames
Secure rubber glazing beading
Structural bracing
Storm-bar reinforcement
Integrated staging
Automatic ventilation
12-year frame guarantee for winds up to 110 km/h
Whether you're looking for a greenhouse for a suburban garden, an exposed rural site or a coastal location, we can help you choose a greenhouse suited to your requirements.
[IMAGE: Landmark greenhouse]
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best greenhouse for a windy area in Ireland?
The best greenhouse for an exposed location should have a strong frame, securely retained glazing, proper anchoring, a suitable foundation and adequate structural bracing. The quality of installation and the location of the greenhouse are also important.
What is the strongest greenhouse for an exposed garden?
The strongest greenhouse is not necessarily the one with the thickest glass or heaviest individual component. Look at the complete structure, including the frame, glazing-retention system, bracing, foundation, anchoring and installation.
Are there windproof greenhouses?
Some manufacturers describe their products as windproof or wind-resistant. However, no greenhouse should be assumed to be immune to extreme weather. Always ask about the manufacturer's stated wind performance, anchoring requirements and guarantee.
Are there stormproof greenhouses?
A well-designed greenhouse can be built to withstand significant wind and storm conditions, but "stormproof" should not be interpreted as meaning that a greenhouse is immune to all storm damage. Site exposure, installation, foundation and anchoring all matter.
Can a greenhouse withstand 100 mph winds?
100 mph is approximately 161 km/h. This is an extremely high wind speed, so you should not assume that a greenhouse guaranteed for a lower wind speed is suitable for 100 mph winds. Speak to the manufacturer about the specific structure and site requirements.
Are hurricane-resistant greenhouses suitable for Ireland?
The term "hurricane-resistant" is generally more relevant to regions that experience hurricanes. For an Irish garden, it is more useful to look at the greenhouse's specified wind performance, structural design, foundation and anchoring.
What is a heavy-duty greenhouse?
A heavy-duty greenhouse typically has a more substantial structural frame and stronger reinforcement than a lightweight greenhouse. However, the overall strength also depends on the glazing, foundation, anchoring, bracing and installation.
Are glass greenhouses suitable for windy areas?
Yes. A glass greenhouse can be suitable for a windy location when the frame, glazing-retention system, foundation and anchoring are appropriately designed.
Is 4mm toughened glass good for a greenhouse?
4mm toughened safety glass is a commonly used specification for quality greenhouses. However, glass thickness alone doesn't determine wind resistance. The complete structure and installation are important.
How do I stop my greenhouse blowing away?
A greenhouse should be properly anchored to an appropriate foundation. Its frame, base and anchoring system should be designed to work together. Simply adding weight inside the greenhouse shouldn't be relied upon as a substitute for proper anchoring.
Are greenhouses suitable for coastal areas of Ireland?
Yes, but exposed coastal sites require particular attention to wind exposure, anchoring, structural strength and corrosion-resistant materials and fixings.
Do storm bars make a greenhouse stronger?
Additional structural bracing can improve stability and reduce movement during strong winds, depending on the greenhouse design. Storm bars should complement, rather than replace, proper anchoring and foundation construction.
Conclusion
Ireland's weather means that choosing a greenhouse for an exposed garden requires more thought than simply selecting the size and style you like.
Frame strength, glazing, anchoring, foundation, bracing and installation all matter.
If you're in a sheltered suburban garden, you may not need the same level of reinforcement as someone living on an exposed hillside or on the Atlantic coast.
The most important thing is to understand your site and choose a greenhouse that is properly specified for it.
If you're unsure, speak to the manufacturer before buying. A good greenhouse supplier should be able to explain how its greenhouse is constructed, how it should be anchored and what information is available about its wind performance.
Ready to Invest in a Wind-Resistant Greenhouse?
If you're looking for a strong, heavy-duty greenhouse for an exposed garden in Ireland, Landmark Greenhouses can help.
We supply and install greenhouses throughout Ireland and can advise you on the most suitable greenhouse, foundation and installation for your site.
