Alton Evolution Octagonal 12x9 - Hybrid Cedar Greenhouse

• Western Red Cedar frame (a managed and replanted natural resource)
• All timber used in the construction of this greenhouse originates from sustainable forests
• 10 year frame guarantee
• All timber is treated by total immersion in a high quality preservative which is colourless to enhance the natural beauty of the wood
• Grey powder coated aluminium base plinth (makes greenhouse installation easy)
• Strong frame requires no diagonal braces
• Morticed and tenoned frame joints
• Morticed and tenoned door
• Toughened safety glass
• Puttyless glazing with substantial external capping screwed in to ensure the glass is tight fitting
• Partially clad sides offer maximum heat retention in the winter and are ideal for growing shade-loving plants such as ferns
• Full height glass above the cladding with no unsightly glass overlaps
• Grey powder coated aluminium gutter with downpipe
• Black round PVC downpipes and stopends
• Durable aluminium retaining clips ensure that the roof glass is retained securely at the eaves
• The glass overhangs into the gutter to ensure that the cedar framing is not exposed at the eaves
• Stainless steel fixing screws
• Aluminium base fixing bolts
• Roof lantern containing 2 free roof vents with automatic openers included
• 2 free louvred vents included
• Half boarded hinged double doors
• Good quality lock fitted with handles and keys
• Low threshold doorway for easy access
• Grey powder coated aluminium door threshold
• No door timber in contact with the ground
• Eaves height 6'6" (1989mm) including base plinth
• Ridge height 9'8" (2948mm) including base plinth
• Door height 5'11" (1810mm)
• Door width 4'9" (1450mm)
• This building is easy to deliver if access is restricted - all sections will pass through a normal single door.

THIS ALTON EVOLUTION OCTAGONAL GREENHOUSE: Alton greenhouses have been a traditional favourite with UK gardeners for many years. In 2018 this wonderful range was thoroughly reviewed and modernised. The result is stronger and longer lasting greenhouses with a more sophisticated dry glazing system, improved door performance and more controllable ventilation. At the same time the natural beauty of the high grade cedar has been improved with thicker and stronger framing with less bracing and a modern colourless finish. Behind the striking new look most of the popular old features have been retained including toughened safety glass as standard, no overlapping glass and low threshold doors. Some of the old features have been significantly enhanced. The result is an even better range of greenhouses which evolved from the old market leader, hence the new models are known as the Alton Evolution.

HYBRID ALUMINIUM AND CEDAR CONSTRUCTION: This modern hybrid greenhouse combines the warmth and beauty of cedar with the rigidity and durability of extruded aluminium. Intelligent use of aluminium protects the timber and prolong its life. The base plinth and the door threshold are aluminium which ensures no direct contact between any timber and the ground. Almost all of the cedar framing is enclosed and internal which ensures lasting strength and good looks. The aluminium components are powder coated in a shade of grey which compliments the cedar when new and as it fades.

HEAVY DUTY CEDAR FRAME: The cedar frame features substantial timber which requires no additional bracing. The design combines traditional joinery features such as morticed and tenoned joints with modern production techniques to ensure great strength and fast installation. All cedar is treated with a colourless preservative which provides a waterproof seal without hiding the beautiful natural colour of the cedar. Rounded edges enhance the soft natural feel of the wood.

DURABLE ALUMINIUM COMPONENTS: Most of the aluminium components are used in the parts of the greenhouse which are the wettest. This includes the base, the door threshold and the gutters. The aluminium components are powder coated in a shade of grey which has been chosen to complement the appearance of cedar when it is new but also as it fades to a silvery grey colour.

WESTERN RED CEDAR: Western Red Cedar is a naturally resilient timber which lasts longer than pine and other softwoods, even if never treated from new. It has been widely used in construction for over a century. During this time cedar has deservedly earned an unrivalled reputation for its attractive appearance and extraordinary durability. It is the ideal choice for people who are too busy to maintain their garden building. This oily timber has a strong but pleasant aroma which repells insects. Cedar contains hardly any knots. If untreated it will fade to a silvery grey colour. Western Red Cedar is a sustainable resource from the well managed forests of North America.

POWDER COATED ALUMINIUM: The powder coated finish is more attractive than the stark silver finish aluminium greenhouses. The tough finish also has excellent weathering properties and retains its gloss and colour superbly. A good example of powder coating is the finish on your washing machine. Powder coated aluminium greenhouses have a similar finish.

TOUGHENED GLASS: Toughened glass is the best glazing material for use in greenhouses. It is around 6 times stronger than normal glass so it is less likely to break and when it does break toughened glass breaks into harmless small pieces. This makes toughened glass the best option for all the family including children, pets and the elderly. Toughened glass also strengthens the frame and it is heavy which helps to resist wind. Although size limits apply, toughened glass panes are longer than horticultural glass, with no overlapping glass and fewer joins. Where required, joins are neat in-line H-profile joins. Greenhouse glass is subject to lower visual standards than other more expensive glass and may include blemishes or imperfections which do not adversely affect the performance.

CEDAR PANELLING: The integral cedar panelling is tongued and grooved cedar matchboarding. Cedar panelling offers better heat retention in the winter than fully glazed greenhouses. It is also ideal for growing shade-loving plants such as ferns. The cedar cladding boards are fully built into the greenhouse frame as an integral part which cannot be detached.

BASE PLINTH: The base plinth makes installation much easier. It is designed to be a portable and prefabricated foundation beam. The plinth features a flat underside to spread the weight of the greenhouse over a larger area. The base plinth can be placed on any flat and level surface including soil, gravel, decking, concrete or paving slabs. It is best to prepare a perimeter footing of concrete or paving slabs for the base plinth to stand on. However, with care the base plinth can be placed on any surface including soil or gravel provided that the ground is flat and level.

GREENHOUSE LOCATION: Ideally your greenhouse should have a clear space at least 18" wide on all sides, if possible. This ensures easy access for both installation and future maintenance. In reality this is often not practical and at many sites it is not needed. A reduced clearance is often possible on one or two sides. You should cut back or remove any nearby shrubs and trees. Remember to allow for future growth. Ideally the ridge of a greenhouse should run from east to west. The best position for a freestanding greenhouse is a sunny spot outside the shadow of nearby buildings and trees. A sheltered position is best otherwise additional screening may be advisable. Plants need plenty of water so your greenhouse should be close to a water supply and the site should be well drained.

OCTAGONAL BUILDING SIZES: For ease of reference these octagonal greenhouses are measured as a rectangle. The first dimension listed is the overall width from side to side and the second dimension is the depth from front to back. Sizes are sometimes rounded to the nearest nominal size for ease of reading but the correct external wall sizes are listed alongside the price. These sizes do not include the roof overhang. Many other suppliers quote the overall roof size which is much larger. All sizes are approximate.

• Choice of cedar or aluminium external capping
• Grey powder coated aluminium staging to both sides and the rear
• Grey powder coated aluminium high level shelves to both sides
• Grey powder coated aluminium high level shelf to the rear
• Louvred vents
• Automatic louvre openers
• Potting trays
• Seed trays
• Cedar cold frames
• Attractive wooden slatted water butts
• Propagators
• Electric and gas heaters
• Thermometers and soil gauges
• Automatic watering systems
• A choice of composite decking kits

CEDAR CAPPING: The external capping protects the main structural framing timber which remains dry in all weather. Cedar capping provides a softer and more traditional appearance. The natural durability of cedar combined with the use of aluminium in vulnerable areas ensures that cedar capping will last. The cedar capping is treated with a colourless preservative.

ALUMINIUM CAPPING: With aluminium capping specified, there is hardly any external timber. The appearance is more modern but the overall impression remains of a beautiful cedar greenhouse. With the main structural timbers protected from the elements, the aluminium capping provides the ultimate performance with the look and feel of cedar and the durability of aluminium. The aluminium capping is powder coated grey.

VENTILATION: Improved ventilation increases the air circulation through the greenhouse for better growing results. Automatic openers react to heat which ensures that in hot weather the vents open in your absence and then close again when its cooler. Louvred ventilators provide a healthy air flow through the greenhouse to ensure improved growing conditions and better crops. Some plants such as alpines require more ventilation than others. If you are not yet sure which plants you are likely to grow improved ventilation will give you more versatility.

HEATERS: We offer a huge range of heaters so whatever your specific requirements we have a heater to do the job. Our electric heaters require a standard domestic 13 amp electricity supply. Our propane gas heaters require permanent trickle ventilation when in use. As an approximate guide, a 3kw heater will heat a greenhouse up to 8'x12' or provide frost protection only up to 10'x15' in normal site conditions. A 1.5kw heater will normally heat a greenhouse up to 6'x8' or provide frost protection only up to 6'x12'. Internal partitions are often used in large greenhouses to create a smaller warm room which is cheaper and easier to heat.

HEATING REQUIREMENTS: Heating requirements vary for several reasons. Location is one factor with more heating required in Scotland than in southern England and less heating required in a sheltered position. The design is also a factor. For example, dwarf walls improve the insulation and lean to greenhouses absorb warmth from the existing wall. Another factor is the materials used. Polycarbonate greenhouses retain heat better than glass and wooden greenhouses retain heat better than metal greenhouses. We recommend you to buy a bigger heater than you need - you can always turn it down.

WPC COMPOSITE DECKING KITS: This superb quality WPC wood plastic composite decking closely resembles real wood, with the same look and feel. However, it is virtually maintenance free and it will never rot. At a glance it is difficult to tell the difference between this composite material and real timber decking with a stained finish. Furthermore, the similarities are not skin deep like a thin veneer. The realistic finish has a fibrous surface which looks similar to the grain of real wood. This synthetic composite is also heavier and stronger than real wood. The strength, durability and lack of maintenance make this superb decking a popular choice with pensioners and discerning commercial buyers such as care homes. Occasional cleaning with soapy water normally restores the original appearance. If any dirt or stains become ingrained after prolonged neglect even the most stubborn marks can be cleaned with a pressure washer.

Our WPC composite decking is a revolutionary material which provides all the benefits of real wood without the maintenance. It can be left outside uncovered all year round. Unlike real wood this synthetic wood is a weatherproof material with no knots, splinters, machining marks or other imperfections. It will never develop splits or shakes and no sap will ever ooze out of it. Our wood plastic composite is an equal mixture of real wood and recycled plastic. Even the wood is a mixture of sawdust and unusable offcuts, so it is the ultimate environmentally friendly alternative to wood. The colour pigments are mixed in before the powdered composite is moulded into shape, so the colour runs all the way through the finished product. The boards are completely impervious to water. The boards can be sawn, drilled and screwed, just like real wood. You can fix it with standard woodscrews. Being heavier and denser than real wood, screw fixings are actually stronger in composite boards.

RECYCLED PLASTIC BASE KITS: Our durable eco-grid and eco-paving base kits are a practical and affordable alternative to slabs or concrete. Lightweight and easy to install within a few minutes, these 100% recycled polypropylene pavers simply click together with no fixings needed. The interlocking design ensures greater rigidity. Designed to spread weight, our plastic bases are self draining and fully relocatable, unlike paving or concrete. A fully paved base has no soil inside the greenhouse. Alternatively, a perimeter base features a single row of pavers laid around the perimeter of the greenhouse with soil inside. You can also add a footpath in the centre of a perimeter base. The base is normally at least 2" or 50mm larger than your building. Where space permits the base is normally laid full size but if required in a tight location our plastic pavers can be cut. Fast delivery within 3-5 days ensures that you can start work quickly.

ECO-GRID BASE KITS: Eco-grids are recommended if the sub-base is soil, sand or pea shingle but not on hard surfaces such as concrete, because the underside is not flat. Integral pegs on the underside help to level the base grids more easily in soil or sand or shingle. Our eco-grid plastic bases can support up to 200 tonnes per square metre. We supply exactly the same eco-grids for use in driveways and carparks. Each eco-grid is 472mm x 472mm and 40mm thick with an immensely strong 60x60mm hexagonal cell structure. The kits include weed control membrane which is laid below the pavers. Extensive preparation is not normally required. First the ground is levelled and then the membrane is laid directly on the soil. The pavers are laid on the membrane or on a thin layer of sand or pea shingle. The pavers should be backfilled with gravel or pea shingle which is not supplied. Approximately 15-20kg of shingle is required per paver. We recommend checking this with your supplier or, if you can, buy less gravel than you need to start with.

ECO-PAVING KITS - BASES, FLOORS AND FOOTPATHS: This durable floor kit is a practical and affordable alternative to slabs or concrete. Easy to install within a few minutes, these recycled polypropylene pavers simply click together with no fixings needed. The pavers are easily prised apart so the floor is even quicker to remove if required. Eco-paving is recommended if the sub-base is a hard surface such as concrete or paving slabs, because the pavers feature a flat and level underside. Our eco-paving is less brittle than concrete paving slabs, with a strong supporting structure. The surface looks and feels similar to pressed concrete slabs, with a slightly textured finish. Each eco-paver is 385mm x 385mm and 40mm thick. The pavers are quickly and easily laid over an existing hard surface. Laying eco-paving directly on soil is not recommended. Eco-pavers can be laid on a layer of gravel or pea shingle if it is carefully compacted and levelled. The kits include weed control membrane which can be laid below the pavers. Each paver should be fully supported. Eco-pavers can be used to build a perimeter base but care is required to provide a solid sub-base. Ideally the sub-base should be concrete or a similar hard surface.

The Eco-paving internal floor sometimes fits comfortably inside the greenhouse with a few inches to spare. Sometimes it is overlength but it can be cut to fit. The finished floor is self draining and suitable for wheelbarrows and wheelchairs. Laying eco-paving directly on soil is not recommended. Eco-pavers can be laid on a layer of gravel or pea shingle if it is carefully compacted and levelled. Each paver should be fully supported.

A durable Eco-paving footpath is inexpensive and easy to install inside any greenhouse. The footpath is normally laid inside the greenhouse after the assembly is completed. The kit sometimes fits comfortably inside the greenhouse with a few inches to spare. Sometimes it is overlength but it can be cut to fit. Designed to spread weight, the finished floor or footpath is self draining and suitable for wheelbarrows. Laying eco-paving directly on soil is not recommended. Eco-pavers can be laid on a layer of gravel or pea shingle if it is carefully compacted and levelled. Each paver should be fully supported.