Alton Evolution Greenhouses

A whole new concept for a Cedar Greenhouse…
Since 1921, Alton has been at the forefront of the Cedar greenhouse market. The Iconic sloping sided Amateur greenhouse has led the market for decades and at the time of its introduction in the 50s it was at the cutting edge of greenhouse design. Now, the Alton design team have been pooling their vast knowledge and experience along with years of feedback from our customers in order to create a Cedar greenhouse fit for the 21st Century. We’re calling it the Alton Evolution range…

Designed and manufactured in the UK

Your Alton Evolution model is crafted in our own workshop in Staffordshire. Every piece of Cedar is machined in-house in our fully equipped workshop. Some of them have been reliably making Alton greenhouses for over 40 years. Other more modern additions use CNC technology to give highly accurate results. Advances in machining and joinery technology have enabled for the first time a flatpacked greenhouse which actually takes no longer to assemble than the old system of awkward to handle fully glazed panels.

Here are four reasons why Alton Evolution models are even stronger…

More wood! It sounds simple, but it is surprising how some greenhouses both aluminium or Cedar have become thinner over the years in order to save cost. The Alton Evolution models use thick glazing bars which are based on 44x 44mm timbers or 44x69mm in places. How do we do this and remain cost effective? When these models were being designed, we carefully studied the whole process from raw material and delivery and we discovered that a large part of the cost of the greenhouse was coming from double handling, storage and distribution costs mainly because the greenhouse was in large unwieldy fully glazed panels. By delivering the Alton Evolution models in a flat packed format massive efficiencies are made, which means that you get more for your money.

Bar capping system

Most wooden Greenhouses have glass held in by a beading or a groove. The result of this can be that the glass ‘rattles’ in the frame. The Alton Evolution’s newly developed bar capping system uses the toughened glass as an integral part of the overall strength of the greenhouse by gripping it tightly. When you feel the greenhouse, there is little or no movement in it and you can see that it is far stronger (and you don’t get a rattling sound from the glass).

Mortice and tenon joints

The Cleverly designed jointing system on the Evolution has the duel benefit of making assembly straight forward and adding strength to the framework.

Toughened safety glass as standard

The 3mm Toughened safety glass that is supplied as standard with these models is in large panes which means that every pane is helping the rigidity of the overall structure. Toughened glass is 5-7 times stronger than standard horticultural glass and if you are unfortunate enough to break a pane, then it will disintegrate into hundreds of small pieces (like the side window of a car) – greatly reducing the chances of injury.

Metal base

This keeps the wood well away from the base where water can sit. Plus this unique design feature allows the glass to sit directly onto the metal base – which means that the side water is not running onto the wood (which is a ‘rot-spot’ on other greenhouses). The Metal base is included on every model, regardless of which kind of capping you choose.

Glass overlaps at eaves

This feature allows the water from the roof glass to run straight into the guttering. Again this means that no water is running over wood – removing another potentially vulnerable area. Included on every model regardless of which kind of capping you choose.

Guttering

Takes the water away and allows you to collect it. Included on every model regardless of which kind of capping you choose.

Roof vents

A generous allocation of roof vents is included with every model and every roof vent has an automatic opener included as standard. These clever devices work through heat expansion alone to open your roof vents gradually as the temperature changes. Fully adjustable, they help you to create the perfect growing environment.

Louvres

Your new Alton Evolution model will also include one or more louvre windows. These work in tandem with your roof vents – as the automatic roof vents open and release the warm air, the greenhouse effectively sucks air in through the louvres. These can be positioned near the bottom or the top and on most models at the side of the greenhouse or at the rear. Supplied as manual opening as standard and you can add automatic louvre openers if you wish.

High eaves

The eaves height of 5’7″ on the Alton Evolution models is excellent and is as much as 18″ higher than the lowest greenhouses on the market. The extra height gives you several advantages: There is more air in the greenhouse creating a better growing environment, you have more head room and a higher door, and you have plenty of room for a high level shelf in the greenhouse.

Easy access doors with no step

The unique Alton Evolution door system includes the low-profile door threshold. This popular feature means that you have no step at the door (many other greenhouses have a step at the door). Models of 8′ wide and above have 4′ wide access double doors which allow easy entrance for a wheelbarrow or wheelchair.

Extend to any length

If you are looking for a serious greenhouse then our EIGHT, TEN and TWELVE models should suit – they’re extendable to any length, so you can easily specify a 10×30 or any size that you wish (in 2′ increments).

Internal Partition

On wider models, you can add an internal partition with sliding door. This enables you to create separate environments – for example for propagation in the spring, or frost free in the winter.You can position your partition anywhere except the joint of an extension.