Galvanized Steel Greenhouses

• Galvanized steel is one of the most cost-efficient options to use for a cheap home greenhouse. Thanks to steel's massive strength, the framing itself is thinner and allows more sunlight to shine through. When looking at steel for a greenhouse, consider steel that is galvanized or stainless. Other steels will not hold up as well because of the fertilizer salts produced by the natural humidity of a greenhouse.
  
  

Wood Greenhouses

• Wood is a good option for a cheap home greenhouse due to its curb appeal and the ability to easily attach fans, plotters, shelves and other gardening tools and utensils. The downside to using wood for a greenhouse is that the life of a wooden greenhouse dwindles in environmental elements. Wood that is treated or stained might last a little longer, but the cheaper the wood, the more likely the chance of mold or warping due to conditions within the greenhouse. The only woods that are resistant to moisture are redwood and cedar, which are costly.
  
  

Plastic Greenhouses

• Plastic or Polyvinyl Chlorate pipes are another option. They are growing in popularity because they are easy to set up, affordable and contain heat. PVC works best in climates that aren't dramatically hot because PVC plastic is not built for longevity. After a few hot summers, the UV rays will eventually deteriorate the plastic. This causes drooping and separation that will eventually cause the greenhouse to fall apart.
  
  

Greenhouse Covering

• As far as covering a greenhouse, the most pocket-friendly way is to use UV-treated polyethylene film. The UV polyethylene treated film is usually good for up to five years and is resistant to all of the environmental elements that occur in a greenhouse. Five years might not seem like much, this is the most affordable option. Fiberglass loses its protective cover in five years and costs almost double what UV-treated polyethylene film does. Glass is another option, but it is subject to the elements and allows heat and cold to pass with almost no interference, adding to energy cost.