Insulated Glass Greenhouses: Is a Livingten Worth It for Year-Round Growing?

An insulated greenhouse keeps heat in with two layers of glazing and a gap of air or gas between them. The Hoklartherm Livingten does this with 22mm dual-pane glass and a thermally broken frame. It is worth it if you want clear glass views, a room you can sit in all year and a much lower heating bill than single glass.

It is not the cheapest way to grow through winter, though. Below we show you the real numbers, so you can decide with confidence.

We are a small, woman-owned greenhouse business in Georgia, and we answer every question personally. The Livingten is one of the models our customers ask us about most. Here is our honest take.

What is an insulated greenhouse?

An insulated greenhouse uses glazing that traps a layer of still air or gas. That layer slows heat from escaping on cold nights. The frame matters too, because plain metal carries cold straight inside.

There are two main ways to build one:

• Multi-wall polycarbonate. Hollow panels with two or three walls. Light is soft and spread out, but you can't see through clearly.
• Insulated (dual-pane) glass. Two sheets of glass sealed around a gas-filled gap, like the windows in your home. You keep clear views.

The Livingten is the second kind. Its glass is built as 4mm glass, a 14mm gas gap, then 4mm glass. That adds up to 22mm.

Why the frame matters

Aluminum is strong, but it moves heat fast. In a normal greenhouse, the frame becomes a "cold bridge" that pulls heat out. The Livingten uses thermally insulated aluminum profiles that break that path. The outside is grey and the inside is silver.

What do you get with a Livingten?

The Livingten is made in Germany by Hoklartherm. It ships with more included than most glass kits. Here is what comes in the box, from our product listing:

• Two sets of double sliding doors: one on the gable end and one on the side wall, each with a 61" wide opening.
• Four roof windows (32" x 36") with heavy-duty automatic openers.
• Two pop-out side windows (32" x 36"), which you can place on any wall.
• Three sets of roll-up shade curtains with an aluminum weave.
• A full-length LED light bar.
• A 5" I-beam foundation frame (optional to use).
• Doors and windows pre-assembled at the factory, which speeds up the build.

Which Livingten size is right for you?

All three sizes share the same width and height. Only the length changes.

Model	Exact size (W x L x H)	Floor space	Approx. price*
Livingten 5	11'5¾" x 14'3" x 10'8"	163 sq ft	~$47,000
Livingten 6	11'5¾" x 17' x 10'8"	195 sq ft	~$49,300
Livingten 7	11'5¾" x 20' x 10'8"	225 sq ft	~$57,000

*Prices checked in October 2026. Prices can change and sales may apply, so click the model name to see today's price.

Hoklartherm rates the roof for loads of up to 150 kg/m² (about 30 lb per sq ft). If you live in heavy snow country, call us and we will talk through your local snow load before you order.

How much heat does an insulated greenhouse really save?

Every glazing has a "U-value." It tells you how fast heat escapes. Lower is better. Greenhouse Management magazine gives these planning values, which already include normal air leaks:

Glazing	U-value	Heat loss vs. single glass
Single-pane glass	1.25	100%
Double-wall polycarbonate	0.7	About 56%
Triple-wall polycarbonate	0.6	About 48%
Double-layer insulated glass	0.7 or better	About 56% or less

We use 0.7 for insulated glass to stay on the safe side. A gas-filled unit with an insulated frame likely does a bit better.

You can work out your own savings with one simple formula.

Over four cold months, that is roughly $840 to $1,360 a year compared with the same-size house in single glass. You can also buy a smaller heater. For the full method and numbers for other models, see our guide on how much it costs to heat a greenhouse in winter.

Less condensation, happier plants

With two panes, the inside pane stays warmer on cold nights. That usually means less dripping condensation on your plants. Less drip helps keep mold and leaf disease down in winter.

Livingten vs. other year-round greenhouses: how do they compare?

Here is how the Livingten stacks up against three models our customers often weigh it against.

Greenhouse	Glazing	Floor space	Best for	Approx. price*
Livingten 6	22mm insulated glass	195 sq ft	Garden room plus winter growing	~$49,300
Riga XL 6	16mm triple-wall poly	280 sq ft	Most growing space per dollar	~$17,300
Riga 4	8mm twin-wall poly	135 sq ft	Year-round growing on a tighter budget	from ~$8,100
Royal Victorian VI34	Single-pane glass	10x15 ft	Classic look in milder winters	~$11,500

*Prices checked in October 2026. Prices can change and sales may apply, so click the model name to see today's price.

Who is the Livingten right for?

It is a great fit if you:

• Want a garden room. Hoklartherm designs it to double as a conservatory or sitting room.
• Grow tender plants all winter. Citrus, orchids and tropicals stay warm for less.
• Want clear glass views from the house or patio, with no cloudy panels.
• Prefer a lot included. Auto vents, shade curtains, lights and two sliding doors come standard.

Look at other models if you:

• Mainly want growing space. A Riga or Riga XL gives more square feet for the money.
• Only need frost protection in a mild climate. A single-glass Royal Victorian can be a lovely choice. Our Royal Victorian VI46 review covers that style.
• Have tight access. The Livingten arrives on an 18-wheeler, which may not fit every road.

How do you keep an insulated greenhouse from overheating?

A greenhouse that holds heat well in winter can also get hot on sunny days, even in winter. Good ventilation and shade are a must. The Livingten handles this well out of the box:

1. Automatic roof windows. The four openers vent hot air without you being there.
2. Side windows and doors. Two pop-out windows and two wide sliding doors pull in cross breezes.
3. Roll-up shade curtains. Pull them down on bright days to cut glare and heat.

In hot Southern summers, you may still want a fan. Our guide to cooling a greenhouse without electricity has simple ideas that work with any model.

What should you plan before you buy?

A Livingten is a big, heavy build. A little planning makes delivery day and assembly go smoothly.

• Foundation. Plan a level, solid base. The included 5" foundation frame helps. Read our practical guide to a greenhouse foundation.
• Delivery. Glass ships in four wooden crates of 600 to 990 lbs each. The total is about 4,100 lbs, delivered curbside.
• Power. Plan an outdoor circuit for the LED light bar and a winter heater.
• Assembly. It is designed for self-assembly, but many customers choose one of our optional assembly crews.

So, is a Livingten worth it?

If you want one space that grows plants all winter and feels like part of your home, yes. It holds heat far better than single glass, and it keeps the clear views polycarbonate can't give you. The extras that come standard save you from buying vents, shades and lights later.

If your goal is simply the most food or seedlings per dollar, a Riga XL is the smarter buy. Both are built by Hoklartherm, and both are on our list of the most durable greenhouses for wind, snow and harsh winters.

Still deciding? Tell us your climate, your yard and what you want to grow. We ship free to the continental US, and we will help you pick the right house.

Frequently asked questions