King Canopy Greenhouse Clear GH1010
Advertising for the King Canopy Greenhouse GH1010 touts it as a 10 feet long, 10 feet wide greenhouse…which would allow 100 square feet of growing space.
However, the product’s assembly instructions list the product dimensions as 10 feet, 3 inches long x 9 feet, 4 inches wide x 94 inches high…which allows a shade less than 96 square feet of growing space.
The difference, 4 square feet, may not seem like much but, quite a few plants can be grown in 4 square feet.
The height at the peak is 7 feet, 10 inches, and the height at the sides is 5 feet, 4 inches…which is adequate but not exceptional.
The oversized, one-piece plastic cover is a high-quality composite incorporating 2 layers of 6-mil polyethylene plastic plus an inner layer of polyethylene mesh. This creates a durable and long lasting greenhouse cover that should stand up to the harshest rain and snow for years to come!
TIP: Try wrapping your greenhouse frame with pipe wrap insulation to protect and lengthen the life of your greenhouse cover. The pipe wrap will also keep a heated frame from baking and destroying the plastic cover. And, periodically, use a disinfectant that is specially designed as a fungicide, virucide, and algaecide for cleaning greenhouses such as Physan 20. Physan 20 is also used to clean and disinfect outdoor fountains, bird baths, and pools.
After using Physan 20, and making sure that the cover is clean and dry, apply a coating of 303 (30306) Marine UV Protectant. The 303 will rejuvenate the UV protection…making the cover look brighter and newer…giving it much needed extra protection. IMPORTANT: Follow the directions on the label.
But, eventually, there will be a need to either repair or replace the cover with good quality 6-mil polyethylene plastic sheeting.
TIP: Instead of completely replacing the cover, just add the sheeting as another layer to the cover, hold it in place with snap clamps, and cut out holes for the rear window and front door. It also wouldn’t hurt to have a roll or two of polyethylene repair tape to take care of small rips and tears in the plastic. And, what would make your greenhouse really cozy on a cold winter’s night is a top-of-the-line infrared heater.
The cover contains UV inhibitors and is listed as flame retardant…meeting the flammability requirements of CPAI-84, the specification for flame-resistant materials used in camping tents. However, it will still burn if it is in continuous contact with any flame source.
A white powder coated galvanized steel frame…1.375 inches in diameter…is used. Which makes it one of the sturdiest greenhouse frames in the $100 to $200 bracket.
There is a zippered front door…and one roll-up window in the rear of the greenhouse.
Assembly is quick and easy for one person to do it. But, try to get a volunteer to give you a hand. Everything will go much quicker. Just follow the 7 pages of assembly instructions and you’ll have it built in about an hour.
Don’t forget to g-r-o-u-n-d the greenhouse with a strong anchor system! As with any lightweight greenhouse, this one will soar to the heavens…or your neighbor’s yard…with the help of a little wind. In the assembly instructions, the manufacturer recommends solid anchoring to avoid damage to the frame during high winds.
TIP: Even though King Canopy offers auger-style anchor kits to secure the greenhouse, there is a better solution. A less expensive and more efficient strategy is to use some long tent stakes or metal T-posts or U-posts in the corners and the middle of each side…and tie the frame to them.
Some Shortcomings For The King Canopy GH1010
- The only bolts holding the frame together are in the bottom rails. The rest of the frame is press-fit…the pieces don’t even lock together like some other greenhouse frames. Hence, the frame is a little wobbly both during the build and after. My suggestion is to add some screws to the underside of the frame joints to increase stability.
- As with most greenhouse covers, the zippers either wear out quickly or get stuck and snagged with use. Someone needs to come up with a better zipper design! Some customers complained that there broken zippers right out of the box.
- There is only one window in this greenhouse for ventilation which is not enough to keep the interior from overheating without also opening the zippered door. Future designs of this greenhouse should add windows in the sides, at least, and possibly a roof vent.
- Stitching, especially holding the zipper to the door…as well as the Velcro straps are inferior quality. There are reports of ripped stitching…especially, if the cover is pulled tightly around the frame…and failing Velcro straps.
- If the cover is not stretched tightly over the frame, rain or snow can build up on the roof…causing the plastic to stretch and sag if left unattended.
- The shipping box containing the greenhouse is flimsy and some have said that boxes arrived with holes in them and parts missing.
And People Do Buy This Greenhouse
Most customers who purchase the King Canopy GH1010 understand that most of the shortcomings are inherent to the majority of polyethylene plastic-covered greenhouses on the market today…especially, in the $100 to $200 range. The buying incentives for these consumers are:
- Partiality to a greenhouse shaped like a tent or storage building.
- Attraction to the heavy-duty and durable 3-ply cover.
- A 96 square foot growing area that is more than adequate for their needs.
Well, tell me…what is your impression of the King Canopy GH1010? I would love to hear it either in the comments section below or by email: jim@perfect-vegetable-garden.com!
Jim, the Life Long Gardener
This green house looks pretty nice. The best part about it is that it is very convenient to setup because the parts don’t seem very heavy. I have a feeling it’s perfect for my Uncle’s backyard. He lives in Staten Island and he has a huge backyward. He was just wondering how he can build a green house there so he can grow his own berries throughout the seasons. I am not sure if he would success growing good produce throughout seasons your product seems like it will seriously help. Do you also recommend any glass green houses?
Glass greenhouses get into some serious cash. Low-end models can start at around $20 per square foot. And, high-end ones usually start at around $50 per square foot and can go much higher.
That means for a 100 square foot growing space, the economy glass house would cost about $2,000 and the deluxe version would be over $5 grand!
Polycarbonate versions typically run from $15 to $30 per square foot. I will be posting reviews for several of these soon such as the Palram Greenhouse, HG5612, the Rion Greenhouse, HG7212C, and the Rion Greenhouse, HG7216C.
Shortly, I will also review the Exaco Junior Victorian Greenhouse, J-VI 23…which is a glass greenhouse.
Jim