While we may all visualize a large, spacious greenhouse as the centre piece of a lavish, spacious estate – most of us aren’t quite that fortunate, and are limited to a small structure in a corner of our garden or allotment. There’s a perfect glasshouse for that situation: the Elite Compact, which has much more to offer than you’d ever expect from a small greenhouse only four feet wide. With almost all of the standard features and options offered in larger Elite models, the Compact line is worth a close look.
Here's the low down...........
Size and Detailing: As befits this line’s name, there are three small versions of the Compact available: 4 x 4, 4 x 6 and 4 x 8; it’s hard to imagine any home or allotment gardener unable to find the space necessary for these glasshouses, and many inner-city residents find greenhouses from this line the ideal choice for their limited gardening area. These models are built to maximize headroom, with more than five feet to the eaves and nearly seven feet to the ridge. All three sizes come standard with one opening roof vent, sliding double doors with lockable handles (even in the 4 x 4) with a low threshold (making it easy to wheel in supplies or plants), and built-in aluminum rain gutters.
Here's the low down...........
Size and Detailing: As befits this line’s name, there are three small versions of the Compact available: 4 x 4, 4 x 6 and 4 x 8; it’s hard to imagine any home or allotment gardener unable to find the space necessary for these glasshouses, and many inner-city residents find greenhouses from this line the ideal choice for their limited gardening area. These models are built to maximize headroom, with more than five feet to the eaves and nearly seven feet to the ridge. All three sizes come standard with one opening roof vent, sliding double doors with lockable handles (even in the 4 x 4) with a low threshold (making it easy to wheel in supplies or plants), and built-in aluminum rain gutters.
Frames and Base: The Elite Compact is made from rust-free aluminum which is available in nine different finishes: unpainted, or powder coated green, brown, black, white, grey, berry, olive or stone. All sizes also come with an integral aluminum base for stability. The greenhouses come with a ten-year warranty.
Glazing: As with all Elite models, there are three glazing choices available. Standard 3mm horticultural glazing is the option for most gardeners, with 2 x 2 panes attached to each other with “S” clips. Long sheets of 3mm toughened safety glass (grade A EN12150 standard) won’t crack or break into large shards, and is a great choice in windy areas or if small children are nearby. 6mm twin wall polycarbonate glazing is unbreakable and provides the best insulation for plants grown in cold regions.
Options: Unlike most greenhouse manufacturers, Elite allows you to opt for bar capping (in green, brown, black, white or grey) to hold the Compact’s glazing in place for greater wind resistance. You can also add a five-slat side louvre vent for increased air circulation and better control of humidity levels, as well as automatic openers (and closers) for both the louvre vent and the roof vent. If you’ve chosen one of the larger Compact models, you can even add another roof vent (available in colours to match your glasshouse frame) if you’d like. Additional options include heaters, several different sizes of aluminum staging and shelving, rainwater kits and water butts.
Glazing: As with all Elite models, there are three glazing choices available. Standard 3mm horticultural glazing is the option for most gardeners, with 2 x 2 panes attached to each other with “S” clips. Long sheets of 3mm toughened safety glass (grade A EN12150 standard) won’t crack or break into large shards, and is a great choice in windy areas or if small children are nearby. 6mm twin wall polycarbonate glazing is unbreakable and provides the best insulation for plants grown in cold regions.
Options: Unlike most greenhouse manufacturers, Elite allows you to opt for bar capping (in green, brown, black, white or grey) to hold the Compact’s glazing in place for greater wind resistance. You can also add a five-slat side louvre vent for increased air circulation and better control of humidity levels, as well as automatic openers (and closers) for both the louvre vent and the roof vent. If you’ve chosen one of the larger Compact models, you can even add another roof vent (available in colours to match your glasshouse frame) if you’d like. Additional options include heaters, several different sizes of aluminum staging and shelving, rainwater kits and water butts.
Gardeners forced to work with small spaces often feel that they just don’t have enough room for a greenhouse, or that they have to settle for a sub-standard product in order to fit their allotment or tiny yard. The Elite Compact is the glasshouse for those gardeners because it provides all of the features you’d get in a larger structure, in a small greenhouse with a price to match. Highly recommended !