Of course, there may only be one site for your greenhouse but if you do have a choice, it’s worth giving it the best possible position.
You’ll need a spot with maximum light and sunshine, away from frost pockets and cold winds.
Look for a level area with maximum exposure to the sun. If possible, find a location where the greenhouse will be getting at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day during the winter. By orienting the greenhouse north to south, the largest side will get full northern sun exposure.
Avoid shaded and exposed, draughty positions. You'll also want to think about access to water and possibly electricity - depending on how you plan on utilising your glasshouse.
Be sure the area is level and the ground well-draining.
Do you need planning approval from your local council before you build your new glasshouse?
How you seek your building approval for your new glasshouse will depend on where you live. Permits usually vary depending on which state, or local council area you live in.
Below we cover the general council approval process that applies throughout Australia. We recommend you contact your local council to get information about the specific process relevant to your property, in some cases council approval is not required to build a glasshouse, however certain criteria needs to be met.
Most councils allow glasshouses up to 10 square metres to be installed without approval as exempt developments. In NSW, glasshouses of up to 20 square metres are allowed without approval. It is likely that there are also restrictions as to how close you can position a glasshouse to the boundary of your property.
The Duchy glasshouses are designed to fit within the allowable 10m2 floor area and under 3m height requirements to abide with most council regulations. We recommend you consult with your local council for more information.
Your greenhouse will need a firm, flat and level foundation on which the frame can be constructed.
Whether you use a paving slab, concrete pad or brick plinth, we suggest consulting with a good local builder to construct the base for your greenhouse. We can advise on the best way to go about laying your base and provide the exact measurements and we can provide base plans for your chosen design.
