Palram - Canopia HGK125 Snap & Grow Hobby Greenhouse w/Starter Kit, 6'x8'x7', Silver

I bought this greenhouse after several months of research for a small, not-too-expensive greenhouse with heat-venting options, as we live in an area with hot summers and it's mostly to be used in the fall/winter. An acquaintance bought this greenhouse (after looking, as I did, for a while). What I was looking for was METAL construction, because everything here rots, if it's wood, but on a budget. Not too big, but not tiny. So, lucky me, I caught my Palram Snap and Grow 6 X 8 on sale, and I jumped in in, so I could have it up by the cold weather (which usually here is in late December). The reviews had been mostly good about construction being relatively easy, and my husband and I have built two houses, several sheds, and put together IKEA furniture (that being the most important one, it turns out). Still, putting it up was was not as easy as my acquaintance had me believe, but there are reasons. Immediately after receiving the greenhouse kit, the rains began. And, it got cold. This led to delays, because we were putting in a foundation for it, which meant the ground had to dry out for a day or two--which didn't happen for a while. This put us into mid-December. We first built a foundation, using recycled plastic 'lumber' , filling it up with 2 inches of builder's clay and topping that with 2 inches of decomposed granite. That had to sit for a bit and then--we had cold, wet weather. Since we were building this outside (no way to carry it from the opposite side of the house where the garage is), the both we and the parts of the greenhouse were COLD. I know high 30s and mid-40s are summer in some places, but that was too cold to do this construction. Every part that had to fit together just didn't fit.By now, we thought we were doing it wrong. The instructions are all pictures, with few written directions (thank you, earlier reviewer, for telling us to look back for the numbered instructions at the front of the booklet, and for telling us to lay out all the parts before we start). We watched UTube (no help! Can someone PLEASE build one of these on UTUBE?). We would have called customer service in frustration, but because most of this was done on weekends, they weren't available.Finally, we resorted to shaving the plastic connectors with a box cutter to get them to fit together. That helped. Silicone spray helped. A rubber mallet is essential. After getting most of the greenhouse put together, we finally had a warm (55-60 degree) weekend. The last part went together like it was meant to, all the parts fitting without complaint or shaving. We realized then, the temps had something to do with it.We ended up removing the metal base and using 4 X 6 posts for a base, screwing the frame down to it directly. This really helped with the headroom, because, even though the center is 7 ft tall, the sides are low enough that a 5'4" person can bump her head. Not to mention 6'1" husband.And, because it can be 40 at night and 90 in the daytime here in winter, we purchased an automatic opener for the roof vent. Unfortunately, it comes on when the heat is on in the greenhouse (at about 55 degrees), which sort of negates the heat running, so we disconnected it for now, and ordered the parts to put a second window in the end of the greenhouse opposite the door. Now, when it's hot, I can open both ends and let the heat flow out, even with the shade cloth covering it. If you choose to do this, I suggest you order the parts when you get the greenhouse (parts come from Palram directly), and do it all at the same time. There is a little bit of making-do, but it can work.So, to recap: Check to make sure you have ALL parts necessary. There will probably be extras.Read the instructions BEFORE you start. This will prevent needless delays later. We know.Put the thing together in temperatures 50 degrees or warmer, or be prepared to have to modify parts to fit.Two people are necessary for parts of the construction. One will do for other parts.Don't believe that just because other reviewers say they built this in 6-8 hours that you will be able to. Maybe you will. Maybe it will take you 3 weekends.If you have the 6 X * ft greenhouse, the metal shelf that Palram sells is not as useful as it could be. It would fit better in the larger house, as it can only fit between verticals without braces, unless you want it very low. It won't fit on the ends at all. If I didn't have it already, I would not purchase it. You can buy metal shelving on sale that is much more useful.Do have a fan of some sort to put in your greenhouse. Even a small one will keep the air moving and help prevent fungus and other problems.I love my finished greenhouse. I've started seeds and cuttings, and put my lemon tree inside and it's blooming up a fragrant cloud. It was worth it, just wish we had been able to do it in warmer weather!

If you don't want to read below, quick response, I would buy it again.Order and arrival was prompt.... week early. You will need two people to move the box. It is heavyYOU HAVE TO INVENTORY THE PARTS... MAKE SURE EVERYTHING IS THERE. Hardware in pre-packaged bags does not need to be checked. All of them were accurrate.The green house base whatever you use, has to be level or the parts won't fit.You will need two people for at least 6 hours. I had help for first day and completed second day by myself 10 hours total. You will need ladder(s)There is a manual in the box, take a picture of the cover with the ID information tag. You will need this for any replacement parts or correspondence.There is a hard cardboard angle, about 20 inches long in the box. You will need it, so don't throw it away. It says don't throw away on the side of it. ( I threw it away and then retrieved , lol )I separated the two shipping box halves and put them side by side on saw horses. There are many parts and you don't want to be bending over 300 times. I also marked the inventoried items with a red marker. If you don't you will forget if you counted it.PROS:1. Parts manufactured appear to be of good quality and accurrate2. Assembly of parts was medium to sometimes difficult, but all parts fit.3. The Green House faces the North and side walls East and West. It has sustained constant 30 mph winds for 10 hours , with gusts to 40 mph on three occasions. Stays put, handled it well. I did not do any additional achoring.4. Temperature difference between outside air and green house was average 25 to 30 degrees hotter in the green house in day time. At 70 F and above outside air, you have to open vent and doors. Very Good .5. The acrylic panels are easy to install , very durable, bendable and don't scratch easily.6. I was missing a part and the 24 hr. online service for replacement parts was easy and I recieved the part in one day . ( I assembled on weekend, recieved on Monday) Good service.CONS:1. Instructions are difficult to understand, since they are mostly pictures. They are quite a puzzle and quite ingenious at the same time. This will test your patience.2. Many of the parts numbers on the pieces were not readable or scrapped off in shipping. So I had to match by pictures. I did not like that. Poor tagging or they used old tags with faint ink.3. Door which is assembled at factory would not stay together. Had to use sheet metal screws at the joints.4. The gutters, which are part of the horizonal structure will catch anything that lands on the green house. Clog easy. When they clog, water will seep inside the green house if hard rain. MODIFICATIONS:1. There are about 10 push and turn fasteners used. ( Items 22 and 23) They would not stay in place and when the wind blew , they popped out on the floor. I bought T-bolts and nuts and replaced them. Worked fine. (M6x25mm T-Slot Drop-in Stud) May have to file them a some.2. I added automated roof vent actuator with a thermostat . If you buy the pneumatic one made for this green house, you cannot change the set point . I also added rain detector so it would close when raining.3, I added a solar light inside.For the price, it is well worth the investment, just read the instructions a few times before you start the build. I read many reviews here before buying and that helps. So I knew upfront the instuctions were bad.So it was not a suprise.

Update - This did not even last one season! Within 4 months the metal roof supports started snapping. Approximately 7 months after erection, wind has left this greenhouse in a pile. It is a complete loss! I live in Illinois. We are not subject to regular extreme wind. This was not tornado or straight line wind damage. This was an extremely poor quality product that continued to fail in very average Midwest conditions. $2000+ worth of garbage that I now have to pay to dispose of. This is the most disappointing purchase I have ever made. I feel taken.Below was my first review: Parts in the box were broken and one plastic part was improperly formed. This is obviously a quality control issue, not damaged in shipment. This greenhouse is flimsy and of a low quality. I worry every time the wind blows. None of the roof vents seal. When it rains everything under them is flooded. Many of the parts in the box were not marked with any numbers, making it a process of elimination just to try to figure out the correct pieces to use while constructing. The instructions are drawings only, no written instruction, leaving some of the construction a bit confusing. This was a disappointing purchase. Upon completion, I felt if there was an option to put it all back in the box and send it back I would have done so without hesitation. Definitely not worth the money and TIME spent!

Not junk I put one together with the wife in a day it handled strong winds already never moved . It is time consuming to put together and noisy when the wind blows but works good so far no problems.