Timber greenhouse repair is inevitable over time. For many gardeners and homeowners, the Cedar frame Greenhouse is the ultimate growing house. Timber greenhouses have been proven to outperform their aluminium counterparts. These beautiful structures also look more natural in the garden environment adding focus that the planting can be built around. However, after many years in the elements the frames start to suffer, glass starts to slip and break.

What if we could show you away to get the greenhouse looking better than the day you purchased it and even give you a guarantee for the whole structure for peace of mind.....

There are always plenty of people who offer an on site fix for garden building issues. Perhaps a liberal application of wood filler, some timber from the local DIY store nailed in, lots of plastic blocks and screws added before a liberal coat of shed paint is applied to cover it all up......

and they never GUARANTEE the building after they finish.

For most it's a year at best on the work they have done.

'Good from far - but far from good'

Sometimes the greenhouse looks to be too far gone and then it would seem that replacement is the only option

BUT Wait...there really is an alternative

What if it was possible to turn the clock back on your greenhouse.​ 

To make the greenhouse like new once again or even better....

Get rid of all the rot,  make repairs so that it will last for many years without issue. Better still, it will be easier to maintain with our simple tips and advice.

Don't be fobbed off with 'it can't be done,' or 'it's too expensive and not worth it.'

This is not some handyman short term fix. It is a full restortion of the greenhouse...... and its is always less than a like for like replacement , if not  we will and do say.

• We do most makes and models
• We provide accurate quotes and costings that we stick to.
• There is no need for a new expensive greenhouse and installation costs.
• There will be no expensive waste costs for disposal of the old greenhouse.
• No need to lay that new base that most new models require.
• PLUS IT IS better for the environment, 'save and reuse.'
• THIS IS NOT A TEMPORARY FIX that will fail again after a few years. Once we restore your greenhouse we will guarantee the whole structure again for 5 years  and if you follow our simple maintenance advice and we will even extend that.

We do not use pictures of other people work. All the images on this site are of work we have undertaken. There are No 'stock images' or pictures 'borrowed' from social media. 

This Alton amateur Greenhouse with severely rotting roof and sides frames was just hanging on- we just got her down before Storm Goretti hit.

The Same Greenhouse back after restoration and 30% cheaper than a replacement.

A Gabriel Ash 'classic 6' completed rotted around the base frames and breaking up, with glass slipping and mulitiple leaks it needed major restoration.

The same greenhouse 3 weeks later Fully restored and now treated and finished to last. Again 30% cheaper than replacement

Remember these are not 'temporary' repairs with cheap timber from the builders Merchants, there is no 'wood hardener and wood filler' and no thick coat of paint to fool you.

The natural oil finish clearly shows the wood and its condition. There is no attempt to hide behind thick paint.

The Greenhouse is repaired back to as it was manufactured but now finished to last much longer.

This is a C. H. Whitehouse ltd 'Heexalight' greenhouse, 

They are no longer in business so a replacement would definetley need a new base laid.

Now after restoration and again far cheaper than a replacement.

The client described it as 'like magic.'

The Alton Octagonal was the alternative to the Hexalight as with this rather rotted example.

After restoration and repair the original charm and beauty of the greenhouse shone through again

Or this lovely old C H Whitehouse that was on the point of collapse and the owner too afraid to go in it.

Restored and located to another part of the garden.

The owner said they could never hope to afford a new one like this.

Our system works, it really will be as new, not a temporary fix that will fail.

Here are a few images of the sort of previous 'greenhouse repairs' that we encounter. From DIY steel repair plates and incorrect timber choices to copious amounts of mastic or filler. Even concrete and mortar used as wood filler.....

Most failed again within 2-3 years and some within a year.

   Rather than a cheap fix or shoddy repair we look to restore the greenhouse back as it was originally. That way it not only looks good but will last for decades again.

     Here are just a few of the many comments we get when we return the greenhouses.

That is what we do...

             This is not a repair that might last a year or two.

    It is a FULL Restoration back to as it was the day it was delivered and we can do this to virtually any make of cedar greenhouse.

The amount of damage won't stop us, even when other say it 'CAN'T BE DONE'

Just look at this pair of Alton Amateurs, one from 1950s the later possibly 1990s.

Completely buried under brambles for years. discovered by the new owners whilst clearing the site.

If everyone else was to be believed these would be in LANDFILL now...

Not as now, the two stunning greenhouses that the owners are proud of and form part of their planned new garden design.

We have done this to scores of greenhouses, all different sizes and models. All saved from landfill and working again

Names such as Alton Greenhouses, Gabriel Ash, C.H Whitehouse and Halls are just a few of the many companies that for over 100 years have produced these cedar greenhouse frames, with many still working decades later.  They do hoever suffer with time and the elements.

Whilst Cedar is resistant to rot it is not immune, this is also true of insect damage as some think, 15 to 20 years is the typical life of the timber if unprotected. Over time the timbers natural resistance is lost and then the most common issue, wet rot a natural fungal growth, will attack the timber.

If Left unattended the rot, which is largely invisble will consume the timber and will spread out through the entire frame . The frames strength is lost, joints will fail. The glass will come loose and potentially break and ultimately the structure will collapse.

Poor repairs simply do not address this. They simply attempt to rectify a particular issue such as loose glass, whilst ignoring that the fungus is continuing on, causing more damage.

The fungus has very minimal needs essentially a host and moisture. So an old greenhouse with its moist humid atmosphere and our wet climate is ideal. The places you cannot see and treat are where it lurks and only when the damage is already done will there be any evidence.

We specailise in a program that erradicates the fungus and the damage it has caused in the timber frames. We then can repair the frames properly treat all the surfaces and coat to prevent moisture entering the timber and thereby restore the greenhouse to as new again.

See below how we can dismantle and fully repair / restore your old greenhouse frame back to as near new condition including glass and standard internal fittings. Before returning to site and re-erecting.

• Time on site 3-4 hrs to take away and 5-6 hours to re-erect, total time for restoration  is typically 14 -20 working days  (this is only a guide)
• For most small commercial greenhouses we can generally travel up to 100 miles, even  to 120 miles at maximum and still complete the work, more than this is not practical. and often provide free quotes based on suppied photographs of the structure.
• We unfortunately do not make spare parts for mail order for greenhouse 
• We can usually supply costings and quotation from good pictures of the greenhouse we ask that you send over and can usually get a quote back over in 5-7 working days 

More examples in all sizes, shapes and age.

AS TO WHY RESTORE AND NOT BUY A NEW ONE CONSIDER, most Alton Amateur greenhouses for example are at least 15 to 20 years old and many far older before they develop issues. (We have worked on some well over 70 years old.) However because of the way the building is created with its sloping walls, it is naturally very strong. They can easily stand in exposed gardens battered by gale force wind, rain, snow and endure blistering summers. Many customers speak about the great storm and how there greenhouse survived when other aluminum models were destroyed They are perhaps the most succesful greenhouse design ever created, far better in design than most of their replacements.

      Their failure is sometimes in the quality of the material used when built, sometimes incorrect after care leads to issues. Of course there is our UK cold wet climate that also tesdts the structure and creates issues over time. However its repair / restoration along with treating all the original frame will once again produces a very strong and resilient greenhouse.  WE DO NOT CUT CORNERS ... Every piece of the greenhouse is taken apart and cleaned repaired or replaced...we call it a 'stick by stick restoration. 

Restoration means once again a strong, pleasing and fully functioning greenhouse again, There sis no expensive Upfront cost of a new structure, you avoid the cost and time required in disposal of the old greenhouse and potential costs of creating  a new foundation. It will once again look pleasing and continues to fulllfill the purpose it was intended and with little additional impact on the environment. 

 if you factor in all the costs then restoring your old greenhouse always makes sense.

Covering the South Coast and home counties (we will travel up to 100-120 miles to collect a greenhouse. Distances over this are often not cost effective.)

Note all prices shown are correct at the date shown but prices will vary with time.

Of course in some cases the original company may have gone out of business and so a replacement may be more challenging as with this unusual C H Whitehouse 'Hexa-Light' Greenhouse but we still aim to get them back in service.

The 'hexa-Light' was a hexagonal greenhouse made by C H Whitehouse, This one is about 35 years old and was in serious need of attention. Frames were completed rotted through and glass was literally falling out. but 10 days later it was back as original and ready to provide for the home owner once again. The company ceased trading in 2011 so a replacement to fit the extensive foundation built on a steeply sloping site was no longer readily available.

It helped that the client had regularily painted his greenhouse  and all glass was intact. A new greenhouse including removal of the old one, delivery and erection of the new one was costed by the client at over £3500. We completed the work for less than £2100 quicker than they could even deliver a replacement. (work undertaken March 2018)

Here is the clients reaction

Every now and again you get to work on a project that means much more than just a greenhouse.

We recently restored a 16ft by 10ft Alton amateur purchased in 1972 by a family. Purchased after the loss of a family member the greenhouse had been moved from Sussex to cornwall and back via ashort stay in Dorset. 50 Years old and showing the signs of age we restored it back to as original and to see the family visit the greenhouse and their reaction was truly moving. But 50 years on the greenhouse lives on to support a remarkable family again.

Sometimes the failures are through poor maintenance and age but in some cases the issues are as a result of the way the greenhouse was built in the first place. The market place for wooden greenhouses is very competitive and manufacturers are constantly looking to cut cost to make the product affordable and protect profit margins. Inevitably these 'cuts' will impact on the durability of the greenhouse.

It goes without saying that you should look to buy the best greenhouse that you can afford. Be wary because there are lots of makers with 'interesting' claims about their product. One leading producer for example has a good guarantee for their workmanship but only a 5 year guarantee against the wood rotting !!!

It should be said that ALL the greenhouses used in the images above were restored back to as new again. Some took a little more work but they all went on to continue their role in the owners garden.

We think so..         

Any timber building can be repaired or restored. Timber is environmentally friendly and its re-use doesn't create or add to polution. 

         Old timber tends to be slow grown and seasoned naturally over many years, Old timber greenhouses tend to be made from higher grades of timber than some of the more commonly produced models today. 

         The reality is that though the frame may be rotted in places, much will not be and most of the glass is usually intact. Damaged timber can be replaced and repaired.

         Consider that a new 10 foot by  8 foot cedar greenhouse today at its cheapest will be around £5000 with benches and shelves add £350 for its disposal and perhaps erection at another £500+. You will be looking to spend around £6000 to £6500.  We have always been thousands of pounds cheaper than this and your greenhouse will be like new again. Plus we can normally do it quicker than you can order and get a replacement erected

        of course you could pay to have it removed and install one of the many aluminum framed greenhouses now produced. At the flimsy end of the budget models we are looking at £800 - £1000 and they are certainly not comparable in looks and style to a timber greenhouse. Of course there are better quality aluminium frames and for a good quality make with a powdered coated frame you are more likely to spend £2500 to £4000 to replace it. We can often match even this price point.

|All we ask is that you look again at your old greenhouse and consider that It can restored.

Obviosly there are many factors in determining cost, Such as distance travelled, how much repair is required and if any changes are to be made. We often work from supplied photographs but can come and see the 'patient' and always try and aim to give a fixed quotation. A few more of the one we have done 

There are many sites on the internet that say that after a while it isn't commercially viable to repair a timber greenhouse - most of these site also happen to sell new greenhouses, we don't take this stance and yes we do make greenhouses. 

              Most importanty it was ALWAYS cheaper than buying a new one if we don't believe that is the best course of action we will say so.

Here are just a small selection of some of the greenhouses we have brought back to life and what the client made of the experience.

This Client had tried four other companies who all said it was beyond repair...... It is a very large example of a C H Whitehouse greenhouse .

Inherited with a house purchase, The building was leaning so badly that the client refused to go into it.

However it was restored back to its original condition and even relocated in the garden.

The Clients Reaction:

Everybody else said it was beyond repair, we are so glad we found you, just to go inside and feel the warmth and space is special and the smell is amazing.

The clients reaction:

When you said it would look like new i thought that was a bold claim...

                   but it has to be said you do not disapoint..

65 Years old and just hanging on.

This Very old greenhouse had stood at the edge of a wind swept field for years The glass gradually being stripped off by the wind. Destined for the waste tip.......could we save it?

Of course we did,  plus The client wanted it to be moved into a new more exposed location and asked for a system that allowed them to easily change glass should it break. The solution was that we installed the glass with custom made hardwood blocks to clamp it in place these can be simply unscrewed to remove a pane of glass.

     Here the client had thoughtfully collected glass from other greenhouses and also supplied reclaimed oak boards that were used in the base. 

And the clients reaction:

Some would have simply walked away but you actually seemd to relish the challenge. It has been on this site since before our time and now will go on for many years to come. Now I actually have friends with 'greenhouse envy.'

Some of the oldest we have done are from the Edgelss's company. Generally they are 80+ years old. But still they can be made to look as good as new again as with these two example.

The clients reactions:

 greenhouse 1 : Who would have guessed that hidden in that derelict pile of wood was such a beautiful greenhouse.

Greenhouse 2 : I have always wanted a timber greenhouse, it was a small part of the reason we purchased the house. I just love my restored building and the neighbours still can't believe its the same building.

For every gardener their greenhouse is the beating heart of the garden and we are here to see it and the gardener thrive.