Find the right greenhouse kit in 3 questions.
For most backyards the answer is a 6x8 aluminum kit with twin-wall polycarbonate, like the Palram Mythos. Yours might need something else. Answer three questions and we'll match you to one pick and the guide behind it.
Where will your greenhouse go?
What's your budget?
What are your winters like?
The best greenhouse kits right now
Ranked for most backyards, with published wind and snow ratings side by side. Filter by what matters to you.
- 1Best overallPalram Mythos 6x8
First real greenhouse in a cold-ish climate on a budget; twin-wall all round for heat retention.
Wind56 mphSnow15.4 psf$689–$889typical, Oct 2026 - 2Best for snow & windRiverstone MONT 8x8
Cold/snowy regions wanting a heavy, made-in-USA aluminum kit that can be extended later.
Wind65 mphSnow24 psf$3,150–$4,150typical, Oct 2026 - 3Best valuePalram Hybrid 6x8
Seed starting and general growing: clear walls for light, diffused roof against scorch.
Wind56 mphSnow15 psf$505typical, Oct 2026 - 4No published wind or snow rating$125typical, Oct 2026
- 5No published wind or snow rating$800–$1,000typical, Oct 2026
- 6Wind100 mphSnow30 psf$2,800–$3,300typical, Oct 2026
- 7Best hoop houseBootstrap Farmer 10x12 Hobby Hoop House
Backyard hoop house that fits typical 120 sq ft HOA/accessory-structure limits.
No published wind or snow rating$650typical, Oct 2026
Wind and snow bars show published manufacturer ratings on a scale of 100 mph and 30 lb/sq ft. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you; retailers can't pay for a pick. Disclosure.
Browse by type
Each guide compares the kits worth buying in that category, with prices and the trade-offs that matter.
Kits by sizeSmall greenhouse kitsCompact greenhouse kits from 6x4 to 8x8: which one fits your yard, budget and winter.
Kits by typeWalk-in greenhouse kitsWalk-in greenhouses from cheap film shelters to large heavy-duty kits, compared on headroom, doors and storm ratings.
Kits by typeLean-to greenhouse kitsWall-mounted greenhouse kits, which wall to use, how to attach one safely and when you need a permit.
Kits by typeHoop house & high tunnel kitsBackyard hoop houses, NRCS-ready high tunnels, caterpillar and low tunnels: which kit fits, and what the price leaves out.
Kits by sizeMini greenhouses4-tier and 5-tier shelf greenhouses, tabletop tunnels and mini cold frames: which one fits, and how to keep it from blowing over.
Kits by typePortable & pop-up greenhousesPop-up and walk-in film greenhouses compared: which ones hold up, how long covers last, and how to anchor them.
Kits by typeGlass greenhouse kitsAn honest glass vs polycarbonate comparison, plus the tempered-glass kits from Janco and Exaco/Janssens that are worth the money.
Kits by typeWooden & cedar greenhouse kitsCedar and wood-frame greenhouse kits compared: panels, R-values, upkeep and how long they really take to build.
Kits by typePolycarbonate greenhouse kitsTwin-wall vs clear panels, thickness and R-values, plus six aluminum hobby kits from starter 6x8s to snow-country builds.
Kits by budgetCheap greenhouse kitsThe cheapest greenhouses worth buying at every budget, and the $30 of upgrades that keep them standing.
Kits by typeCold frame kitsTwin-wall, cedar and budget cold frame kits, how many degrees they really add, and when a greenhouse makes more sense.
Kits by typeGreenhouse shed combosThe few real greenhouse-shed combo kits, shed-style greenhouses, and smart ways to pair or convert a shed instead.
Choose with confidence
The two decisions that matter more than the brand, at a glance.
Size: buy one step bigger
Floor plans drawn to the same scale. Most growers wish they'd bought the next size up.
Cover: warmth vs light
What the panels are made of decides heating costs and lifespan.
| Cover | Insulation | Light | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|
| Twin-wall polycarbonate | Long | ||
| Glass | Decades | ||
| Clear polycarbonate | Long | ||
| PE film | A few years |
Plan it, build it, grow all winter
Costs, foundations, heating and ventilation, with the numbers you need to decide.
Build guideHow to build a DIY greenhouseFour ways to build a greenhouse yourself, a full 8x10 step-by-step, real material costs and when a kit is the better deal.
Cost guideHow much a greenhouse costsGreenhouse prices by type and size, cost per square foot, the hidden extras and what heating really costs per night.
Build guideGreenhouse foundations and basesEvery greenhouse base option compared, with step-by-step timber and paver builds, squaring, anchoring and flooring.
Growing guideWinter greenhouse guideKeep a greenhouse productive in winter: what to grow, how big a heater you need, insulation, thermal mass and safety.
GearGreenhouse heatersElectric and propane greenhouse heaters, sized with the BTU formula, plus thermostats, running costs and safety.
GearGreenhouse fans and ventsExhaust fans, automatic vent openers and shade cloth, sized with the 12 CFM per sq ft rule for hobby greenhouses.
Kits by size6x8 greenhouse kitsBest 6x8 kits, how many flats and tomato plants fit, and when to size up to 8x8 or 6x10.
Brand reviewCostco greenhouse reviewEvery greenhouse Costco sells, ranked by owner ratings, what the return policy really covers, and where alternatives win.
How we pick
We don't claim hands-on tests we didn't do. Every pick shows what it's based on. Read our method.
Garden projects from the archive
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