Review of greenhouses with opening roof 2022.

Today we will conduct a comparative review of new greenhouses with a sliding roof and with opening sides.

For comparison, we have selected eleven of the most popular greenhouses with an opening top on the Russian market:

Marusya
Tulip
Kremlevskaya-Rublevskaya
Orion
Delta
Flora-Cabriolet
Nurse-Clever
Assistant-Gardener
Sesame
Sim-Sim
Gift

Comparison information is taken from manufacturers' official websites and verified consumer reviews.

All greenhouses will be sorted in ascending order by cost of a 6-meter long frame for the period January 2022. Some models cannot be installed without a foundation, so we have added the cost of a foundation or lugs to the price.

So, let's move on to our competitors.

Greenhouse "Marusya"

, Moscow Plant website: https://greenhouses-from-polycarbonate.rf No foundation required. Square profile 40x20 and 20x20 mm. Frame price 6m 24,900 rub.

Advantages: Produced since 2016, during this time several upgrades have been made. It is equipped with Premium polycarbonate 4 mm, density 0.7 kg/m2 with effective UV protection on the surface, service life 15 years. The width of the expanding polycarbonate sheet is 1 meter; if desired, it can be reduced to 65 centimeters. The frame does not rust, is made of galvanized square pipe. The design allows the installation of automatic vents. Inexpensive, repairable polycarbonate guides with UV protection. Collapsible, convenient for transportation.

Disadvantages: Difficulty in self-installation.

Description of design

The Volya company produces many basic and additional models of greenhouse structures. Their sizes and shapes are designed for different operating conditions. As evidenced by reviews on summer cottages, with a small area of land, it is best to use spherical greenhouses. The Volya Orion greenhouse belongs to this category.

Prefabricated greenhouse

Why is this option interesting? Everyone knows that snow and rain linger on a flat roof, which can lead to leakage and even deformation. Sediment does not linger on the slope, which eliminates this threat. The semicircular shape of the roof does not allow rain and dry snow to linger for a minute. Only wet snow can remain here. In addition, this particular shape is resistant to wind, since it does not represent a plane. In addition, spherical greenhouses are not prone to tipping over; a foundation is simply not needed here.

We recommend reading: Installation and repair of a galvanized roof, how to install it, what is the weight of a galvanized sheet, how to install a roof apron, photo and video instructions

Greenhouse elements

Orion is a spherical frame structure with sliding upper doors. The frame is made of a square pipe, the material for which is galvanized steel, which is not prone to corrosion. This is a budget solution. For the elite model - Premium, for example, a special metal profile is used. The standard kit from the manufacturer includes 3 semicircular arches and elements connecting them. The frame is assembled using self-tapping screws, screws and nuts.
Slots for sliding

The length of the base module from the manufacturer is 2 m, width – 3 height – 2.1 m. To increase the design, the manufacturer offers an additional package with extension inserts. Each such module increases the total length of the structure by 2 m. You can find all the necessary components on the official website.

For the coating, cellular polycarbonate with a thickness of 4 mm is offered. For the basic module, 2 sheets are enough. The polycarbonate is fixed with special H-shaped profiles - the kit includes 3 profiles 3 m long. Press washers are used as fasteners.

The manufacturer's kit includes all the necessary fasteners and sealing profile.

The main feature of the design is the retractable roof. In the model, it consists of 1 sheet and moves when opened in any convenient direction. In the more expensive version - Orion Premium, the sliding doors move in different directions.

The second plus is two swing doors with windows. The windows can be opened in any direction at will and can be closed both from the outside and from the inside.

Greenhouse "Orion"

, Dubna Official website: https://teplica.lobachev.org No foundation required. Profile pipe 40*20 mm. Price 3*6m – 26,700 rub.

Advantages: Has been in production for over 7 years, has good user reviews. We offer branded polycarbonate 4 mm "Volya Premium Garant" with a density of 0.7 kg/m2, service life 15-20 years. Rubber seals included. The width of the sliding part is 1 meter. Galvanized. Polycarbonate guides. Collapsible, easily fits in a car.

Disadvantages: Difficulty in self-installation.

Greenhouse frame and coverings

The material for the “skeleton” of the Tulip greenhouse is galvanized stainless steel pipes. Section dimensions - 40×20 and 30×20 mm. The authors of the development insist: saving on the thickness of the material leads to a sharp drop in the rigidity of the assembly and the overall stability of the greenhouse. A thicker profile is difficult to install and adds unnecessary weight to the greenhouse.

The gardener receives ready-made modules from profile pipes. Their connection within one part is made by welding. The longitudinal and transverse parts are mounted between each other using know-how. The method involves the use of 4 bolts at one connection point.

In greenhouses, polycarbonate sheets with a density of 0.65 kg/m3 and higher are used. The gardener chooses one of the coating options:

polycarbonate standard thickness 4 mm;
reinforced “Premium” sheets 6 mm thick;
or the customer completely refuses the factory polycarbonate and installs his own.

Attention! Using separately purchased coating material will not complicate the assembly process. The method of fastening polycarbonate is universal.

The moving parts of the cladding are mounted in guides. They are additionally reinforced with rubber seals. You should assemble the Tulip according to the text instructions. The official website also has a video tutorial with a visual demonstration of the intricacies of the procedure. It is available only after purchasing a greenhouse and entering the appropriate code from the product passport. All necessary fasteners and fittings are included with the product.

Attention! Dealers of TM Botanik in the Russian Federation offer the services of assembly specialists, but you can install the greenhouse yourself.

Greenhouse "Flora-Cabriolet"

, Vladimir region. Factory website: https://7teplic.ru The frame is galvanized or painted. Profile 20 mm. The roof is removable. A foundation is required. The frame costs 28,000 rubles. + foundation for 4500 rubles = 32500 rubles.

Advantages: Straight walls – more usable area. You can order a galvanized frame.

Disadvantages: The painted frame will rust over time. Welded, welding seams rust. High walls have greater windage. Bulky, inconvenient to transport in a car. Not convenient to use. The edges of the removable roof are located at a height of 2 meters, making it difficult for short people to use. Before winter, it is necessary to completely remove the roof and put it away, and in the spring, insert a long three-meter sheet into the guides in place; this requires two tall people and a free space of 2-3 meters on one side. The length of the polycarbonate sheet on the roof is 3 meters; you need to have a free space of 2-3 meters on one side to use it. In summer, the sheets cannot be extended more than 20 cm, otherwise the wind will fray the free ends and may even tear them out of the guides or break them. There are no seals, the heat will escape through the cracks. The kit does not include high-quality, durable polycarbonate. Greenhouses “Flora Cabriolet” are equipped only with cheap polycarbonate from the KS Profplast plant without UV protection on the surface in the form of a film, but only “in bulk”. Such polycarbonate can be destroyed by the sun within 5 years. The walls are covered with weak, “lightweight” polycarbonate with a reduced density. Difficulty in self-assembly.

Greenhouse Botanist “Tulip Antistorm 2021”

Production: "AGS-Service", Republic of Belarus Website: https://ags-agro.by Top and sides move apart. Installed on the foundation. Profile 40x20 mm. The cost of a frame 6m long is 41,700 rubles.

Pros: Opening top. Galvanized.

Disadvantages: Large windage of 2-meter sliding polycarbonate sheets. Polycarbonate is a soft, elastic material, with such windage it can be torn out by a gust of wind. There are no rubber seals around the cracks through which heat escapes. In winter, snow gets into the cracks between the opening roof and the sides, bursts the polycarbonate and squeezes it out of the guides.

When installed without a foundation, on piles, due to large spans, skew and polycarbonate may fly out of the guides.

The guides are made of plastic containing various additives, vinyl chloride, which upon contact destroy polycarbonate over several years. Factories prohibit contact of polycarbonate with PVC, and you lose the warranty from the SPK manufacturer. Difficult to install. The profile guides are not transparent, the frame is not visible through them, which makes it difficult to secure them with a self-tapping screw exactly in the center and the sliding elements get wedged as a result. Thick plastic guides and metal frame have different coefficients of thermal expansion. In winter, the plastic loses elasticity in the cold and becomes rigid, the guide pulls the screw out of the metal and, as a result, gaps form between the frame and the guides.

Expensive replacement of guides in case of breakdown; they can only be purchased from the manufacturer in Belarus; in Russia, greenhouse sellers currently do not sell guides separately. Bulky, inconvenient to transport in a car.

Greenhouse "Sim-Sim"

Produced by Greenhouses of the North LLC, Cherepovets. In 2020, the plant stopped producing this model. A copy of the Sesame and Tulip greenhouses with all their shortcomings. Installed on the foundation. The width of the transoms is 2 meters. There are two options: The first is from a 40x20 mm profile. Copied from the Tulip greenhouse. The second is made from a 20x20 mm profile with a double arc, a copy of the “Helper-Gardener” and “Sesame” greenhouses. In 2022, a 6-meter frame cost 25,100-27,000 rubles. + foundation made of timber 3000 rub. + you need to buy lugs for the timber (at least 1 piece every 2 meters).

The same as for all greenhouses with opening sides. Large windage, loose polycarbonate sheets are torn out of the guides by strong winds, and in winter they are also squeezed out by snow.

To reduce the final cost of the Sim-Sim greenhouse, the Greenhouses of the North plant equips its frames with cheap, lightweight, 0.55 kg/m2 density, without UV protection on the surface, 4 mm polycarbonate. Such polycarbonate with so-called UV protection “in bulk” can begin to deteriorate after just three years. Complex and time-consuming assembly. There are no rubber seals around the gaps through which heat is blown out. “Crab system” for attaching pipes (it becomes loose over time). The guides are made of plastic and may begin to crumble after a few years when exposed to the environment. Replacing broken guides is expensive and can only be purchased from the manufacturer. According to reviews on the forum, the lower side parts of the Sim-Sim greenhouse are difficult to open. Welded, seams may rust. Bulky, requires a truck for transportation.

Assembly and installation

Orion should be installed in an open area, at a distance of at least 2 m from buildings and trees. This is necessary so that in winter large snowdrifts do not fall from the roof of the house and the crowns of trees onto the greenhouse and damage it.

According to the manufacturer's manual, assembly is carried out in stages:

Assembly of arched ends, the design of which includes door frames and base profiles. All pipes are connected using special screws and fasteners.
The central arcs are assembled.
The arcs and ends are connected by purlins 2, 2-1.
T-shaped pegs are attached to the base.
The diagonals of the finished frame are measured, and if necessary, the greenhouse is leveled.
The pegs are buried in the ground to the ground.
Doors and windows are assembled and hinges are attached to them.
Polycarbonate sheets are cut into the required pieces and inserted into frames and screwed. Open honeycombs are sealed with tape. A door seal is also attached, which eliminates the risk of drafts.
Door leaves (top and bottom) with screwed handles are attached to the frames.
For printed sheets, the open honeycombs are immediately sealed with tape.
The uncut material is applied to the end frame, screwed to the pipes, and then the excess part is carefully cut off with a sharp knife.
The sliding roof panels are assembled. Pieces of polycarbonate are cut off, and the sections with open honeycombs are sealed with tape. Special metal corners are attached to the upper and lower edges of the polycarbonate, to which handles are pre-attached.
The walls of the greenhouse are covered with polycarbonate as usual.
Special H-shaped profiles are attached to the arches on top, along which the roof sashes will move. Prepared roof panels are inserted into these profiles. They should move freely in both directions all the way to the ground.
The corners of the ends are sewn up with a special rubber seal.

Video: assembly and installation of a greenhouse with a sliding roof “Orion”

Greenhouse "Delta"

, Dubna Since June 2022, the plant no longer produces. The roof is removable. No foundation required. Profile pipe 20x20 mm. The price of the frame is 37,500 rubles.

Advantages: Galvanized. Polycarbonate 4 mm Premium with a density of 0.7 kg/m2, service life 15-20 years. Rubber seals included. “House” shape with straight walls. Polycarbonate runners. Collapsible, takes up little space.

Disadvantages: The complex roof structure, which consists of two parts and is latched in the middle, requires additional time to assemble it yourself. It is demanding on the condition of the soil; when installed on a heaving and swampy area, it is better to mount it on a foundation. In summer, it should not be opened more than 20 cm.

Which model to choose

Just a few years ago, gardeners were surprised to greet a new product - the innovative greenhouse design Tulip, but today many are faced with the painful question of choice. The fact is that the manufacturer introduced a new improved Antistorm model with expanded functionality. Let's figure out what the advantage of the new design is over the classic one, and which one you should choose for your site.

Classic Tulip:

The basis for the greenhouse is a metal frame. All elements are galvanized, the fasteners reliably fix the position of the pipes.
The sheets are made of polycarbonate. Depending on the type of material, the service life increases. The minimum service life of a greenhouse is 10 years.
The greenhouse has an arched shape; in addition to the side openings, there are windows in each door. There are 2 doors in total.

It would seem like an ideal greenhouse, what else can be improved in it? The new product for 2022 will appeal to every summer resident, and it will be fully appreciated by those whose plot is located in the zone of gusty winds. The model has a self-explanatory name “Antistorm”, from which it is easy to guess about the main improvements:

The updated fastening system is designed for use in windy areas and prevents polycarbonate sheets from falling out.
A common problem with the classic model was condensation - the side sheets stuck to the top sheets when lifted. Now the gaps between the sheets are increased and the possibility of polycarbonate adhesion is eliminated.
The design has become lighter. Instead of heavy metal handles, gardeners are offered super-durable plastic.

Greenhouse "Kremlevskaya Rublevska" with opening roof and sides.

Production "New Forms", Kimry. At the end of 2022, the plant stopped producing this model. Installation on a foundation or on piles. Double profile 20x20 mm. Price in 2022: frame 6 meters 24,300 rub. + pine foundation 3000 rub. + lugs 1 set (4 pcs.) 600 RUR, you need to buy at least 2 sets.

Advantages: Galvanized frame. There is a wide selection of SPK varieties; the assortment also includes expensive, high-quality polycarbonate, just suitable for sliding greenhouses.

Disadvantages: The Rublevskaya greenhouse with a sliding roof and sides is a simplified version of the Kremlevskaya greenhouse, it has only three longitudinal lintels. Mounting on "crabs". The opening sides and 2-meter-wide sliding roof have a large windage area; strong winds can tear the soft polycarbonate out of the guides, making it difficult to insert back. When polycarbonate moves up and down, the protective layer from ultraviolet radiation on the lower sheets can be worn off due to friction, which will lead to its rapid deterioration. When condensation forms on the inner surface of the greenhouse, the wide sheets of SPC stick, and the sides will not rise until the top dries. The rising sides are quite heavy for older people. Difficult to assemble.

Sliding greenhouse: what to make the base of the structure from

To create the frame of the greenhouse, you can use different materials - steel or aluminum profiles, wooden beams, metal-plastic curved pipes.

Related article: Options for extensions to a house with a mansard roof

To build a high-quality and durable greenhouse with a sliding roof, they mainly use a rectangular steel profile of different diameters. Today you can purchase ready-made structures with polycarbonate covering material. Greenhouses come in different widths and lengths, and their heights also vary.

Greenhouses made of wood are also very popular, in the manufacture of which both timber and window frames are used.

Residents of Soviet-era apartment buildings, when replacing wooden windows with metal-plastic structures, are wondering what to do with the old frames. Many owners of dachas or country cottages manage to adapt them as greenhouses for growing early vegetables and herbs. The covering material can be glass or a thick film that will protect from wind and precipitation.

Making a greenhouse from frames is quite simple - the frame is assembled from entire wooden frames into a single box, fastened together with self-tapping screws or bolts. The greenhouse can be rectangular or square. After installing the walls, you can attach the roof - most likely a gable roof. The cost of manufacturing a greenhouse is much lower than purchasing a polycarbonate “Oasis” or “Botanik”.

For compact greenhouses, a frame made of metal-plastic pipe is also suitable. It bends easily, so the structure can be given absolutely any shape - arched or gable. Such a greenhouse is covered mainly with dense polyethylene film.

The choice of frame and covering material depends on how long the greenhouse will be assembled, whether it will be stationary or portable, and what size the structure will be. A greenhouse with a retractable roof can be purchased at a store or built with your own hands.

Greenhouse "Helper-Gardener"

Manufactured by "World of Greenhouses", Yaroslavl. In 2022, the plant stopped making this greenhouse. The roof and sides extend. Installed on the foundation. Profile 20 mm. Price in 2022 – frame 6 meters = 32,200 rubles. + timber foundation 2500 + lugs (1 piece – 200 rub.)

Pros: Opening top.

Disadvantages: The disadvantages of the Helper Gardener greenhouse are the same as those of the Tulip greenhouse. Large windage, loose polycarbonate sheets are torn out of the guides by strong winds, and in winter they are also squeezed out by snow. There are no rubber seals around the gaps through which heat escapes. “Crab system” for attaching pipes (it becomes loose over time). The guides are made of plastic; they can begin to crumble after a few years under the influence of the environment, and replacing them is a problem, expensive and time-consuming. Difficult to install. Bulky, inconvenient to transport in a car.

Tips for use

The performance indicators of the Tulip greenhouse are characterized by increased reliability to weather conditions. However, any product loses its performance over time during use. In order for the structure to last longer, it is necessary to carry out seasonal inspection of the structure in the fall after harvesting and in the spring after wintering.

Warning! In the fall, it is necessary to turn off the water to the drip irrigation system so that the pipes do not burst due to frost. If water is supplied from a plastic barrel, it must be brought into a barn or other utility room.

When inspecting the structure, you should pay attention to the crab fasteners. Bolts and screws must securely and firmly fix the structure. If the connecting unit is loose and the elements become loose, the bolts must be tightened and, if necessary, replaced.

The guidance system of the retractable roof and sides of the Tulip greenhouse requires seasonal inspection. After winter weather, sudden temperature changes can cause the rubber seal to crack. If this happens, it must be replaced.

Greenhouse "Sesame"

Manufactured by Rosteplitsa, Dedovsk. The greenhouse is no longer produced. The tops of the sides move apart. Installed on the foundation. Profile 20 mm. A frame of 6 meters costs 32,200 rubles. + timber foundation 3500 + lugs 1 piece – 200 rub. (at least 1 piece is required every 2 meters).

Pros: Sliding top.

Disadvantages: The Sesame greenhouse is similar to all greenhouses with an opening roof and sides and therefore has the same disadvantages. The 2-meter expanding polycarbonate sheets have a large windage and can easily be torn out by a strong wind. Heat loss due to the lack of rubber gap seals and the “Crab system” becomes loose. Replacing broken guides is expensive. Difficult to install. Bulky, impossible to bring in a car.

How does it differ from analogues

The differences between the Tulip greenhouse and similar greenhouses are presented in the table:

Regular greenhouse	Greenhouse Tulip
Collapsible arches are susceptible to destruction in winter and in very windy weather. The structure is unstable.	Solid bent arches increase the rigidity of the structure. Increases stability.
Products are made from profiles with a cross section of 20*20 mm. The thin pipe cannot withstand harsh weather conditions.	The production uses galvanized all-welded pipe with a cross-section of 20*40 mm. This increases the reliability of the structure under loads.
Cheap H-shaped guides made of plastic cannot cope with the load. In winter, when exposed to snow, polycarbonate swells and is squeezed out.	The innovative guide system is equipped with a rubber seal. This improves the ergonomic properties of the design.
Complex assembly. Lots of fasteners.	Welded parts greatly simplify the installation of the greenhouse. The greenhouse remains to be assembled like a construction set.
An open roof does not provide adequate ventilation. When the door and roof are open, a draft occurs, which reduces the immunity of plants. The sides are equipped with expensive windows. There is no opening mechanism.	The sliding system raises the sides and lowers the roof, which allows you to ventilate the greenhouse in 2 minutes in natural conditions without drafts. There is an opening mechanism.

Greenhouse "Present"

, Dubna. In 2022, the plant stopped producing this model. No foundation required. Profile 33x33 mm. The frame costs 37,800 rubles.

Advantages: Polycarbonate 4 mm with a density of 0.7. The frame has a 1st class metal anti-corrosion coating on the outside and inside - 275 g of zinc per square meter. Anti-corrosion guarantee 15 years! Rubber seals included. The width of the sliding part is 1 meter.

Disadvantages: Highest price. Complex and longer to assemble than all other greenhouses with an opening roof.

Greenhouse “Nurse-Clever – Standard”

Manufactured by Metal Service, Novosibirsk. – the plant closed in 2019. Profile 20 mm. The roof can be opened with a winch. Foundation required, not included. Frame price from 19,400 rubles. + the cost of your foundation + lugs 1 pc. – 250 rub. (for reliable fastening of a frame 6 meters long, a minimum of 8 hooks are required)

Pros: The roof opens and closes quickly. Galvanized.

Disadvantages: Requires the purchase of a foundation. There are no dealers in the regions; frames are sent throughout Russia by a transport company. Difficult self-assembly. It is impossible to open part of the roof, for example, in the middle or along the edges, you can only open the entire roof at once. The winch may break.