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Once you've decided you want a greenhouse, the next question is usually the harder one: what should it actually be made of? Glass, cedar, and polycarbonate all do the same basic job — trap heat and light for your plants — but they get there differently, and the right one depends more on your priorities than any one material being objectively "best."
Glass: the classic look, the most light
Glass lets in more usable light than any other glazing material, which matters if you're growing light-hungry plants or just want the clearest possible view of what's inside. It's also the material that looks the part — a glass greenhouse reads as a genuine garden structure, not a utility building, which is why glass dominates high-end Victorian and Orangerie-style greenhouses. The tradeoff is cost and fragility: glass is the most expensive glazing option up front, and while tempered safety glass (what we sell) is far tougher than a typical window pane, it can still crack under serious hail or impact in a way twinwall polycarbonate won't.
Cedar: the warmest frame, the best insulator
Cedar isn't a glazing material — it's what the frame is made of, usually paired with glass panels — but it changes the greenhouse's performance more than people expect. Western Red Cedar has a naturally higher R-value (insulation rating) than an aluminum frame, roughly 1.35 versus glass's 0.95, so a cedar-framed greenhouse holds heat a little better and fights condensation and temperature swings more effectively. It's also naturally rot- and insect-resistant, ages to an attractive silver-grey if left unfinished, and simply looks warmer than an all-metal structure. The tradeoff: wood needs more upkeep over the decades than aluminum, and cedar-framed kits generally sit in the mid-to-upper price range.
Polycarbonate: the toughest, most affordable option
Twinwall or triplewall polycarbonate panels are virtually unbreakable, UV-protected, and noticeably more affordable than glass — which is why polycarbonate dominates the entry-level and mid-range hobby greenhouse market. The air gap between the panel walls also acts as built-in insulation, similar in spirit to double-pane glass. What you give up versus glass is some clarity (polycarbonate has a slight diffusion to it, which actually helps prevent leaf scorch) and the traditional look — most polycarbonate greenhouses have a more modern, utilitarian appearance.
How to decide
- Budget-conscious or a first greenhouse: polycarbonate gets you the most durable structure for the money.
- Want it to look like a genuine garden feature, not a utility shed: glass, especially in a Victorian or Orangerie style.
- Cold climate or want the best natural insulation: a cedar-framed structure, paired with either glass or polycarbonate glazing.
- Low-maintenance is the priority: aluminum-framed polycarbonate or glass, since there's no wood to maintain.
You don't have to choose blind
We carry all three materials — glass, cedar, and polycarbonate — across every price point, and we're happy to talk through what actually fits your climate, budget, and how you plan to use the space, rather than just pointing you at whatever's priciest. Call or text us at 732-806-7959 and we'll help you land on the right one.