Can I Attach a Greenhouse to the House?

Location

• Choosing the right side of the house to put the greenhouse on is key to keeping the greenhouse warm enough for the production of plants. Putting the greenhouse on the north side of the house, for example, will keep it in the shade for longer portions of the day. Find a location on a south-facing side of the house for installing the greenhouse, as this allows the greenhouse to receive more sunlight year-round.

Doors

• Choosing the location of the greenhouse also depends on the location of a door and whether or not an internal access point to the greenhouse is desired. As long as there is a door into the greenhouse itself, the building can be placed along a portion of the house that does not have a door; however, having access to the greenhouse from the house is beneficial for winter gardening. Installing a new door in the side of a house is expensive.

Building the Greenhouse

• Attaching the greenhouse to the house is one of the key parts of creating a working greenhouse system. The wall of the greenhouse that is against the house must be flush against the wall to prevent the loss of heat and moisture. Space between the walls also makes it easier for pests to get into the greenhouse. Siding, uneven walls and stone can all make it more challenging to attach a greenhouse to a house. Find a spot where the greenhouse can be set flush against the house.

Heating

• Heating the greenhouse, especially during the winter months, is important for maintaining a high enough temperature to continue to grow plants. A house furnace, while it will help raise the temperature of the greenhouse if there is a door or window connecting the house and greenhouse, is not efficient. The house furnace will take much longer to heat the extra space and raise heating bills. A greenhouse needs its own small heating system to keep the temperature elevated.