Wooden vs aluminum frame greenhouses is one of the first choices you will make. Aluminum is lighter, lower in upkeep and usually costs less per square foot. A good cedar frame holds heat better and looks warm and classic, but it costs more and needs some care. Both can last for decades when they are well built and set on a solid base.
We are a small, woman-owned greenhouse business in Georgia, and we sell both kinds. Our customers ask us this every week. Here is the honest comparison we give them, with real models and numbers.
✅ Quick answer
- Choose aluminum for low maintenance, slim frames that let in more light and a lower price per square foot.
- Choose cedar for better insulation at the frame, less condensation and a furniture-like look.
- Aluminum conducts heat well over 1,000 times faster than wood, so metal frames lose more heat in winter.
- Look for rot-resistant cedar kept off the ground, or heavy aluminum with good seals.
- Either way, the foundation and anchoring matter as much as the frame.
Wooden vs aluminum frame greenhouses: how do they compare?
Here is the side-by-side view. We go deeper into each point below.
| Feature | Cedar wood frame | Aluminum frame |
|---|---|---|
| Heat loss at the frame | Low; wood is a natural insulator | Higher; metal carries cold through |
| Light | Thicker bars cast more shade | Slim bars let in more light |
| Maintenance | Treat every few years to keep the color | Wash and check seals and hinges |
| Rot and pests | Cedar resists both; keep it off wet ground | No rot, no insects |
| Cost per sq ft | Higher | Lower |
| Hanging things | Easy; screw right into the wood | Use clips and bolt channels |
| Look | Warm, natural, traditional | Clean and modern, or Victorian in black or green |
Which frame is stronger in wind and snow?
Both can be very strong. What matters is how the frame is engineered, how thick the parts are and how well it is anchored. A thin, cheap frame in either material will struggle.
- Aluminum is light for its strength. That makes long spans and big glass houses practical. Heavy, well-joined profiles are the key.
- Wood flexes a little under gusts and then springs back. Thick timbers, good joints and braces make it very sturdy.
Look for published ratings. For example, the aluminum Cross Country Legacy 8x8 is rated for 32 psf of snow and 85 mph wind. The Royal Victorian VI46 is rated for 25 psf ground snow and 115 mph wind on the specified concrete base. Our guide to the most durable greenhouses for wind, snow and harsh winters compares more models.
Do aluminum greenhouses lose more heat than wooden ones?
Yes, at the frame. Aluminum moves heat very well. Engineering tables put aluminum at about 205 W/m·K and softwood at roughly 0.1 to 0.12 W/m·K. In plain words, metal pulls warmth out of the greenhouse far faster than wood does.
That has two effects on a cold night:
- More heat loss through every frame bar.
- More condensation on the cold metal, which can drip onto plants.
Keep it in perspective, though. The glazing covers far more surface than the frame, so it matters more. A single-pane aluminum glass house loses much more heat through its glass than its bars. Good aluminum kits narrow the gap with rubber seals, thick twin-wall panels or insulated glass.
💡 Our tip: if winter growing is your goal, pick the glazing first and the frame second. An aluminum Riga with 8 mm twin-wall polycarbonate will hold heat better than a cedar house with single-pane glass.
Which frame lets in more light?
Aluminum usually wins here. Metal is strong enough to be made into slim bars, so more of the wall and roof is glass. Wood needs thicker bars to carry the same load.
The Alton cedar greenhouses we carry, for instance, use glazing bars based on 44 x 44 mm timbers, and 44 x 69 mm in places. That is sturdy, but it does cast more shade than a slim aluminum bar. For most hobby growers, the difference is small. For light-hungry seedlings in a northern winter, it can matter.
How much maintenance does each frame need?
Aluminum
Aluminum does not rot, warp or attract insects. Painted or powder-coated frames need only a wash now and then. Each year, check the seals, oil the hinges and test the automatic vent openers.
Cedar
Western red cedar has natural oils that help it resist rot and insects. Left alone, it weathers to a soft silver-gray. If you want to keep the honey color, plan to clean and treat it every few years.
- Keep wood off wet soil. Alton cedar greenhouses sit on an aluminum base frame, so the wood never touches the ground.
- Check the bottom rails and door each spring for soft spots.
- Clean gutters so water doesn't sit against the wood.
⚠️ Not all wood is equal: pine and other softwoods rot much faster, even when treated. If you buy a wooden greenhouse, look for naturally durable cedar or redwood and a real warranty.
Is a wooden greenhouse more expensive than aluminum?
Usually, yes. Premium cedar costs more to buy and to craft into a greenhouse. The fairest way to compare is price per square foot of floor.
📐 Compare greenhouses fairly
Cost per sq ft = Kit price ÷ Floor area (sq ft)
Use the same kind of glazing when you compare · Add foundation and assembly separately
🧮 Worked example (prices from October 2026)
- Alton Cheltenham 8'8" x 12'6" (cedar, glass): about $20,328 ÷ 108 sq ft = about $188 per sq ft.
- Royal Victorian VI34 (aluminum, glass): about $11,499 ÷ 150 sq ft = about $77 per sq ft.
- Riga 4 (aluminum, polycarbonate): about $8,099 ÷ 135 sq ft = about $60 per sq ft.
These are estimates from list prices when we wrote this. Each kit includes different extras, so compare features too.
| Model | Frame | Glazing | Floor area | Approx. price* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alton Cheltenham | Western red cedar | Toughened glass | 108–181 sq ft | From about $20,328 |
| Royal Victorian VI34 | Aluminum | 4 mm tempered glass | 150 sq ft | About $11,499 |
| Cross Country Legacy 8x8 | Aluminum | Glass walls, poly roof | 64 sq ft | About $9,500 |
| Riga 4 | Aluminum | 8–10 mm twin-wall poly | 135 sq ft | From about $8,099 |
| Riverstone MONT 8x12 | Aluminum (US-made) | 8 mm twin-wall poly | About 96 sq ft | From about $4,150 |
*Prices checked in October 2026. Prices can change and sales may apply, so click the model name to see today's price.
📌 About prices: manufacturers update their prices during the year, and we often run sales and promotions. The price on the product page is always the current one. Prices in this article are a guide from when we wrote it (October 2026), not a quote or guarantee. Found a lower price for the same model at an authorized retailer? We offer a Price Match Guarantee - please check the rules first. Call us and we will confirm today's price and any current deals.
What makes a good cedar greenhouse?
If your heart is set on wood, quality is everything. Here is what the Alton cedar greenhouses we carry offer, per the maker's specs:
- Grade 1 western red cedar from Canada, dipped and sealed, with no knots.
- Mortise-and-tenon and tongue-and-groove joints with stainless steel hardware.
- Aluminum capping over the glazing bars for extra water protection.
- An aluminum base frame that lifts the wood off the ground.
- Large single panes of toughened safety glass, and automatic roof vent openers.
Notice the pattern: the best wooden greenhouses use aluminum where water collects. That gives you the warmth of cedar with metal's resistance to wet. Read more in our guide to premium cedar greenhouses, or browse the Alton cedar collection.
What makes a good aluminum greenhouse?
Cheap aluminum greenhouses give the whole category a bad name. Thin frames bend and panels pop out in storms. Look for these signs of quality instead:
- Heavy profiles. The Riverstone MONT, made in the USA, uses heavy extruded aluminum and 8 mm twin-wall panels.
- Rubber glazing seals. Royal Victorian glass sits in rubber seals instead of metal clips, which cuts drafts.
- Joined profiles. Riga frame profiles are permanently attached, so they don't loosen over time.
- A durable finish. Painted, powder-coated or baked enamel frames in black, green or brown look great for years.
- A real warranty. Riga frames carry a 15-year frame warranty and the MONT a 10-year warranty. The Cross Country Legacy lists a lifetime warranty.
What happened to Solexx greenhouses?
Older versions of this article mentioned Solexx greenhouses. Solexx is no longer made, so we no longer recommend or sell it. If you liked its soft, diffused light and insulated panels, look at these instead:
- Riverstone MONT greenhouses: US-made aluminum frames with 8 mm twin-wall polycarbonate and an extension option.
- Hoklartherm Riga greenhouses: German-made, with a curved roof that sheds snow, for four-season growing.
So which should you choose: wood or aluminum?
Ask yourself a few questions. Your answers point the way.
- Is low upkeep your top priority? Go aluminum.
- Is the greenhouse a showpiece near the house? Cedar or a black or green Victorian aluminum frame both shine.
- Do you grow through cold winters? Focus on glazing first. Cedar helps at the frame.
- Is your budget tight? Aluminum gives more space per dollar.
- Is it very humid where you live? Both work. Keep cedar off the ground and well ventilated.
🌿 Our take: most of our customers choose aluminum for value and easy care. Those who choose cedar rarely regret it, because they love how it looks every day. Neither is wrong. Pick the one you will enjoy using.
Whichever frame you pick, a solid, level base is a must. Our greenhouse foundation guide walks you through the options. Every greenhouse we sell ships free to the continental US, and we can connect you with assembly crews if you'd rather not build it yourself.
Frequently asked questions
Is cedar or aluminum better for a greenhouse?
Aluminum is better for low upkeep, more light and lower cost. Cedar is better for frame insulation and looks. Both are strong when well made.
How long does a wooden greenhouse last?
A quality cedar greenhouse that is kept off the ground and treated now and then can last for decades. Cheap softwood frames may rot within a few years. Check the warranty on the product page.
Do aluminum greenhouses get more condensation?
They can. Cold metal bars collect moisture on chilly nights. Good airflow, roof vents and a small fan help a lot.
Are aluminum greenhouses cheaper than wooden ones?
Usually. In our October 2026 comparison, aluminum models ran about $60 to $77 per square foot, while a cedar model was about $188 per square foot.
Do both kinds need a foundation?
Yes. Both need a level, square, anchored base. Many aluminum kits and Alton cedar models include a base frame, but that still sits on a foundation you provide.
Can I hang shelves and baskets in an aluminum greenhouse?
Yes. Most quality aluminum frames have bolt channels or clips for shelves, hooks and shade cloth. With cedar, you can screw straight into the wood.
Still deciding between wood and aluminum?
We are a small, woman-owned business in Georgia, and we answer every question personally. Tell us your climate, your space and what you want to grow. We will help you compare models and confirm today's price and any current sale.