Table of Contents
- How Much Does a Greenhouse Cost? A Complete Breakdown for Colorado Gardeners
- The Real Cost of a Quality Greenhouse
- What a Typical Setup Actually Costs
- Entry-Level vs. Mid-Range vs. Premium: What's the Difference?
- What to Look for in a Colorado Greenhouse
- Essential Features for Colorado
- Compare That to Other Regions
- "Buy Once, Cry Once" vs. "Good Enough"
- What About Those $500 Amazon Greenhouses?
- FAQs
How Much Does a Greenhouse Cost? A Complete Breakdown for Colorado Gardeners
If you've searched "greenhouse cost" online, you've probably seen prices ranging from $200 to $20,000 and wondered what on earth accounts for that difference. The short answer: quality, longevity, and whether it'll actually work.
At South Table Sheds, we've spent 17 years building outdoor structures in the Denver metro area and partnered with Exaco, a major greenhouse supplier, who's sold thousands of greenhouses and personally sources high-quality designs from Europe. We've toured their showroom, worked closely with their team, and understand what separates a greenhouse that lasts 15+ years from one that blows over in your first Colorado windstorm.
Here's what you actually need to know about greenhouse cost and what you should realistically budget.
The Real Cost of a Quality Greenhouse
Our customers typically spend around $9,000 on a complete greenhouse setup. That includes the greenhouse kit itself, foundation, and basic accessories.
That number surprises people, especially when Amazon shows greenhouse costs for as little as $500. But here's what those cheap options won't tell you:
- They're built with thin aluminum frames
- Flimsy plastic glazing, and hardware that rusts within a season
- In Colorado's intense UV, heavy snow loads, and unpredictable winds, a budget greenhouse becomes an expensive mistake.
What a Typical Setup Actually Costs
Here's a realistic example of what a Colorado homeowner might spend on a greenhouse:
A homeowner looking to extend their growing season, particularly through Colorado's cold winters, might choose a Riga 3s greenhouse. At 81 square feet, the Riga 3s provides enough space for serious year-round growing while fitting in most suburban backyards.
Item | Cost |
Riga 3s Greenhouse Kit (81 sq ft) | $6,599 |
Foundation Frame Kit | $1050 |
Site Prep (gravel, leveling) | $200+ |
Professional Assembly (optional) | $500+ |
Total Initial Investment | $8,350+ |
Annual Heating/Cooling (ongoing) | $100-$500/year |
Large Polycarbonate Greenhouse | Exaco RIGA
$6,899.00
RIGA Series Greenhouse Kit FREE SHIPPING (lower 48) All polycarbonate panels (8mm sides, 10mm gable ends) Complete aluminum frame with all extrusions and connectors Barn-style hinged door with key lock (30" W × 72" H) Roof ventilation window(s) with automatic… read more
This puts the all-in cost at roughly $8,350 before annual operating costs. For a greenhouse that'll last 15-20 years and actually extend your growing season, that's a solid investment.
Entry-Level vs. Mid-Range vs. Premium: What's the Difference?
Not everyone needs or wants a $9,000 greenhouse. Here's how the tiers break down:
Tier | Price Range | Materials | Lifespan |
Entry-Level | $2,000-$4,000 | Light aluminum, single-wall poly | 3-7 years |
Mid-Range | $5,000-$20,000 | Heavy aluminum, twin-wall poly | 10-15+ years |
Premium | $20,000+ | Commercial-grade, glass options | 20+ years |
Our recommendation for most Colorado gardeners? The mid-range tier. You get materials that handle our climate, a structure that'll last over a decade, and features that make year-round growing practical.
Hidden Costs Most People Miss
The sticker price is just the starting point. Here's what catches people off guard:
Site Preparation (approx $500-$1,000)
Your greenhouse needs level ground. If you're working with a slope, drainage issues, or rocky soil, expect to budget for gravel, leveling, and prep work before the greenhouse even arrives.
Professional Assembly (approx $500-$1,500)
Most of our greenhouse kits are designed for DIY assembly, and we provide detailed guides and video resources. However, if you want it done quickly with peace of mind, professional assembly typically runs $500-$1,500 depending on size and complexity. At South Table Sheds, we can assemble greenhouse kits for customers throughout the Denver metro area.
Annual Heating/Cooling Costs (approx $100-$500/year)
Colorado winters require supplemental heating for year-round growing. You can reduce this significantly with passive solar design, thermal mass (water barrels), and proper insulation, but budget for ongoing energy costs.
All of these costs can be reduced with proper planning. That's why we recommend calling us before you buy. We'll help you think through site prep, assembly, and climate control so you don't get surprised later.
What to Look for in a Colorado Greenhouse
Colorado's climate is demanding. Our high altitude, intense sun, cold winters, and unpredictable weather mean your greenhouse needs specific features to perform well here.
Essential Features for Colorado
Superior glazing for heat retention:
Twin-wall or multi-wall polycarbonate holds heat far better than single-pane glass or thin plastic, which is critical for our cold winters.
Snow load capacity:
A March blizzard can dump 2+ feet overnight. Budget greenhouses collapse; quality ones are engineered for heavy loads.
UV protection:
At altitude, UV intensity is brutal. Cheap plastic degrades within 1-2 years; quality polycarbonate includes UV stabilizers that last decades.
Heating and ventilation systems:
Short growing seasons mean you need reliable climate control to extend your harvest.
Compare That to Other Regions
In hot, humid climates like Georgia or Florida, the priorities flip. Gardeners there spend more on shading, ventilation, and cooling to prevent heat stress, not on heat retention and snow loads. Same budget, different allocation.
"Buy Once, Cry Once" vs. "Good Enough"
We hear this phrase a lot in construction, and it applies perfectly to greenhouses.
"Buy once, cry once" means investing in a high-quality greenhouse built to withstand Colorado's harsh conditions. You'll spend more upfront, but the structure lasts 15-20+ years with minimal maintenance. These greenhouses feature heavy-duty aluminum frames, multi-wall polycarbonate or tempered glass, and are engineered for snow loads and wind. The Riga series is a great example.
"Good enough" greenhouses use lighter materials and simpler construction. They're fine for temporary use, mild climates, or situations where you're not sure greenhouse gardening is for you. But in Colorado, "good enough" often means replacing the structure within 3-5 years—which ends up costing more long-term.
Our honest advice: if you're serious about year-round growing, invest in quality. If you're experimenting, consider starting with cold frames or season extenders before committing to a full greenhouse.
What About Those $500 Amazon Greenhouses?
We'll be direct: don't waste your money.
Those ultra-cheap greenhouses are essentially plastic tents with flimsy frames. They're not engineered for any real weather let alone Colorado's wind, snow, and UV exposure. The plastic degrades quickly, the frames bend or break, and the seals fail within a season or two.
Could you use one as a temporary season extender in spring? Maybe. But if you're looking to actually grow year-round, protect plants through winter, or have a structure that lasts more than a couple seasons, you need to budget higher.
The minimum we'd recommend for Colorado is around $3,000-$4,000 for a small, quality kit and even then, you're compromising on some features.
Questions to Ask Before You Buy
Whether you buy from us or someone else, ask these questions to avoid expensive surprises:
- "How much heat will I lose at night with polycarbonate vs. glass?" Multi-wall polycarbonate actually insulates better than single-pane glass. If a seller can't explain the R-value differences, that's a red flag.
- "How do the ventilation and cooling features work?" Automated roof vents, louvered side panels, and circulation fans matter, especially in Colorado where temperatures swing 40+ degrees in a single day.
- "What are the biggest installation challenges?" A quality seller will walk you through foundation requirements, leveling needs, and potential assembly complications before you buy.
- "What's included in the warranty and what voids it?" Look for warranties that cover the frame, glazing, and hardware separately. Understand what installation mistakes might void coverage.
Bottom Line: What Should You Budget?
For a quality greenhouse that'll last in Colorado:
- Greenhouse kit: $4,000-$10,000+ depending on size
- Foundation kit: $500-$1,000
- Site preparation: $200 - $500
- Professional assembly (optional): $500-$1,500
- Annual heating/cooling: $100-$500/year
Total first-year investment: $6,000-$14,000+
Yes, it's a significant investment. But spread over 15-20 years of extended growing seasons, fresh vegetables year-round, and the satisfaction of a structure that actually works, it's worth every dollar.
Ready to Find Your Greenhouse?
We carry a curated selection of high-quality greenhouses designed to handle Colorado's climate—from compact backyard models to larger hobby structures.
Browse our greenhouse collection to see what's available, or contact us to discuss your specific needs. We offer professional greenhouse assembly throughout the Denver and Front Range area, so you can skip the DIY headaches and start growing sooner.
South Table Sheds — 17 years of construction experience serving the Colorado Front Range.
FAQs
1. How much does a quality greenhouse cost in Colorado?
Most Colorado homeowners spend around $9,000 for a complete greenhouse setup, including the kit, foundation, and basic accessories. Budget $6,000-$14,000+ for your first year when you factor in site preparation and optional professional assembly.
2. Why are cheap Amazon greenhouses a bad investment for Colorado?
Ultra-cheap greenhouses use thin aluminum frames and flimsy plastic that can't handle Colorado's intense UV, heavy snow loads, and strong winds. The plastic degrades within 1-2 years, frames bend or break, and seals fail quickly. You'll end up spending more replacing a cheap greenhouse than buying quality upfront.
3. What features should I look for in a Colorado greenhouse?
Prioritize twin-wall or multi-wall polycarbonate glazing for heat retention, frames engineered for heavy snow loads, UV-stabilized materials that won't degrade at altitude, and reliable heating and ventilation systems. Colorado's climate demands structures built for temperature swings of 40+ degrees in a single day.
4. Can I install a greenhouse myself or do I need professional assembly?
Most quality greenhouse kits are designed for DIY assembly with detailed instructions. However, professional assembly ($500+) ensures proper installation and saves time. South Table Sheds offers greenhouse assembly throughout the Colorado's front range and Denver metro area for customers who prefer expert help.
5. How much does it cost to heat a greenhouse in Colorado?
Annual heating costs typically run $200-$500 depending on greenhouse size and your growing goals. You can reduce this significantly with passive solar design, thermal mass like water barrels, proper insulation, and multi-wall polycarbonate glazing that retains heat better than glass.
