When assembling or building a greenhouse, choosing the flooring can be exciting. There are so many options: pine needles, gravel, wood, cement, brick, flagstones, and more. Whatever shall you choose?

Here are some things to consider before deciding:

1. Drainage. Drainage is crucial in a wet environment like a greenhouse. If you're leaning toward a solid flooring material, like concrete or wood, keep in mind that you'll need to install drains to help keep your greenhouse flooring dry and your plants healthy and free from mold. Organic materials like pine needles, sawdust, and plain dirt floors have the best drainage capacities. Other materials, like gravel, bricks, and flagstones, are also relatively decent in the no-fuss drainage department.

2. Decomposition. Some flooring materials, like sawdust or wood, will decompose over time and need replacing. They may be cheaper to begin with, but costs will ad up over time.

3. Price. The cost of flooring materials is by far one of the most important factors to consider when selecting between greenhouse flooring options. Hardwood and composite wood floors are the priciest, and some materials, such as sawdust or pine needles, may be free if you know the right people.

4. Heat. Live in a colder climate? Heat retention is vitally important! Brick and flagstone will trap the much needed heat from the day and slowly release it as the night air falls. Read: Your heating costs will be lower!

5. Comfort. You will be standing for hours on end caring for your plants. What do you want to stand on? Soft materials like pine needles or hard concrete? What can your knees, feet, and back take?

6. Traction. Your greenhouse floor will often be wet or covered in spilled soil. This can lead to slips and falls if you’re not careful. If you opt for a gravel floor, you may want to choose a coarse stone that will provide better traction, or brushed concrete verses smooth.

Choosing between greenhouse flooring options includes considering many different factors. Drainage, decomposition, price, heat retention, comfort, and traction vary between flooring types and allow for a customization of your greenhouse that extends beyond visual appearance.

Choosing the best greenhouse design for your personality can help you gain more enjoyment from your greenhouse gardening hobby. Your greenhouse should reflect your likes and personality as much as your home does, and this often begins with selecting an appropriate structural design for your greenhouse.

Traditional Glass

A glass greenhouse design reflects a preference for the traditional. These types of greenhouses are often elegant, beautiful to observe, and pricey. They often have elaborate adornments, and can be green, gray, black, or even wooden in some cases. Wrought iron accessories compliment the traditional glass greenhouse well. These greenhouses reflect elegance, calm, and a connection with nature.

Go with glass if you really want to make a statement.

PVC and Plastic Greenhouses

Welcome to the future. PVC and plastic are man made materials that are built to last. They are well suited for most gardeners, and can be personalized quite easily.

Lean-to Style Greenhouses

What are lean-to greenhouses? These are added to an existing structure, most often a home. They can have any type of siding that you wish, oftentimes matching the home or structure it is attached to; stone, cedar, vinyl, etc. They lend a contemporary feel, and generally will actually raise the value of the property.

Lean to greenhouses are generally sparsely accessorized, and water hoses and the like are generally well concealed. Asian themes and Zen-like gardens are very popular with this style.

Portable-type Greenhouses

Portable greenhouses speak of convenience and functionality. These are the workhorses of the greenhouse family, and while they can be visually attractive, the focus is most often placed on the crops growing inside than on the greenhouse itself.

Choosing the best greenhouse design for you is an exciting process. One of the best ways to determine which type is right for you is to set a budget, and then browse pictures of existing greenhouses to see which appeal to you the most. This will allow you to select a greenhouse that perfectly reflects your tastes and style.