Would you like a greenhouse or garden shed, but don't have the space for it? In this case, a lean-to house can be a sensible solution, because it allows the space-saving construction of a shed or greenhouse, simply by attaching it directly to an existing house wall. Read what types of lean-to houses there are and what you should look out for when buying one.
Anlehnhäuser are space- and material-saving
Our recommendations
our recommendation
TecTake aluminum side greenhouse 4.09 m³ garden greenhouse greenhouse cold frame - various models - (192x128x202cm without foundation | No. 402470)
234.99 EUR To the product| Dimensions | 192 x 128 x 202 centimeters |
|---|---|
| Floor space | approx. 2.39 square meters |
| room volume | approx. 4.09 cubic meters |
| material | Polycarbonate (PC), anodized aluminum |
| input | Sliding door, 60 x 156 centimeters |
| Weight | 15 kilograms |
This stable lean-to greenhouse from the manufacturer tectake can be placed against the house wall, a garden shed or the garden wall. It allows you to grow tomatoes, cucumbers, etc. even in small gardens or where there is little space. The model is also suitable for the terrace, as long as it can be securely anchored there. The anchoring is also urgently required because of the low weight of only 15 kilograms, so that the greenhouse does not fly away from you at the first gust of wind. If you want to set it up directly on the ground, a foundation concreted into the ground is necessary. The mini greenhouse has heat-insulating hollow chamber web panes, a skylight and a sliding door. The only problem customers see is the manufacturer's inadequate assembly instructions, although there are now helpful videos on YouTube.
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Gartenwelt Riegelsberger lean-to greenhouse Ida - design: 3300 HKP 4 mm dark green, area: approx. 3.3 m², with 1 skylight, base dimensions: 1.28 x 2.54 m
803.72 EUR To the product| Dimensions | 1.32 x 2.55 x 2.22 meters |
|---|---|
| Floor space | about 3.3 square meters |
| room volume | k. A |
| material | aluminum, plastic |
| input | Sliding door, 1.22 x 1.63 meters |
| Weight | k. A |
The lean-to greenhouse "Ida" from the manufacturer Gartenwelt Riedelsberger is of significantly higher quality and therefore more expensive. The lean-to greenhouse has a base size of 128 x 254 centimeters and offers a floor space of around 3.3 square meters. These dimensions, together with a height of well over two meters, enable the cultivation of many sensitive crops and ornamental plants, such as tomatoes, cucumbers or aubergines. This is made possible by well-insulating twin-wall glazing, which also protects against a burning glass effect. The lean-to house must be attached to a rear wall and requires a foundation. A practical sliding door and a skylight ensure adequate ventilation.
our recommendation
VITAVIA lean-to greenhouse Ida 300, WxD: 192x65 cm, silver-colored aluminium
324.95 EUR To the product| Dimensions | 192 x 65 centimeters |
|---|---|
| Floor space | 1.3 square meters |
| room volume | k. A |
| material | anodized aluminum, plastic |
| input | Sliding door, 61 x 151 centimeters |
| Weight | k. A |
This is a mini lean-to greenhouse that can even be placed on the balcony due to its small dimensions. With a width of 192 centimetres, a depth of 65 centimeters and a height of 184 centimetres, it fits into even the smallest of spaces, but offers plenty of space for various crops and ornamental plants. For the cultivation of herbs, you can also purchase suitable wire shelves that make optimal use of the available space. A smooth-running sliding door and a skylight are available for the necessary ventilation. A foundation is recommended for the construction of the lean-to house, whereby a suitable sheet steel foundation with a height of six centimeters can also be purchased from the manufacturer.
Purchase Criteria
purpose of use
There are different types of lean-to houses that can be used for very different purposes. You can use a lean-to greenhouse like a normal greenhouse or - depending on the size - even as a conservatory. These greenhouses (€72.95) are available in different sizes and variants, some of which are also suitable for the balcony and/or terrace. Leaning sheds or leaning equipment sheds are also available in various designs, so that you can store garden tools, lawnmowers or even bicycles in a space-saving manner.
material
Commercially available lean-to greenhouses usually consist of stable aluminum frames in which hollow chamber panels made of polycarbonate or clear glass are enclosed as glazing. Some models also have a wooden frame instead of a metal frame, although this should be treated with a weatherproof glaze. It is important that the material is translucent and insulates well. Leaning sheds, on the other hand, are made of either wood or metal. Make sure (e.g. through information in customer reviews) that the wooden or metal parts are not too thin. Good workmanship is also essential so that the shed stands securely afterwards.
size and footprint
The size of the lean-to house depends entirely on your wishes and the space available. With a greenhouse, make sure that it reaches a height of about two meters. If it's too low, you won't be able to grow tall plants like tomatoes or cucumbers in it. Even if larger, bulky things such as bicycles or the lawnmower are to be stored in the leaning shed, you have to pay close attention to the right size. The information provided by the manufacturer on the dimensions or the floor area is relevant for this.
roof shape
The shape of the roof is also an important purchase criterion, since this is not arbitrary with a lean-to house - which is ultimately located directly on the main house or on a garden shed. Choose a model with a so-called pent roof, in which the rear part, which is located on the wall, is significantly higher than the front part. The rainwater runs off over the roof to the front and does not get into the house wall - this can have bad consequences in the long run, such as massive mold growth.
doors and windows
Of course, a door should not be missing in a lean-to house, because somehow you have to get into the extension. In the case of a small lean-to house or little space, a sliding door is recommended, which should be as smooth-running as possible. These are often used in lean-to greenhouses. Leaning sheds, on the other hand, are available with single or double doors, the latter being useful when storing larger items (such as the lawn mower or a bicycle) in the shed. Additional windows are optional for a shed, but a greenhouse should always have at least one skylight. This is essential for ventilation.
Assembly
Since lean-to houses are always delivered disassembled, you have to assemble them yourself. So that you don't despair - especially since the workmanship of the various models and the manufacturer's descriptions differ greatly in terms of quality and comprehensibility - you should take a closer look at the customer reviews before buying. Here you will often find clear indications of the processing quality of the individual parts (e.g. whether the drill holes are set correctly) as well as the comprehensibility of the assembly instructions.
youtubefrequently asked Questions
What is a leaning house?
A lean-to is a garden shed or greenhouse with only three walls and one open side. The house is leaned against and fastened to an existing wall - such as a house wall, a wall or a garden shed. There are lean-to houses for different purposes and in different sizes.
Why do you need an anlehnhaus?
The advantage of such a lean-to house is that it takes up less space than free-standing sheds or greenhouses. They are therefore also suitable for small gardens or if not too much garden space is to be used for further development. Especially nowadays, when many new houses are equipped with extremely small gardens, they are very practical.
Do I need a building permit to build a lean-to house?
Whether you need a building permit for your lean-to house depends entirely on what is in the relevant statute of your community / municipality - the specifications are very different in this regard. It also depends on how large the extension is to be and whether the neighbors might be affected, for example because the distance to the property line is too small. If in doubt, it is best to ask your local building authority!
Do I really need to put a foundation under the grow house?
This is strongly recommended, as most commercial semi-detached houses are firstly too low and secondly too unsafe without a foundation - a foundation provides the necessary stability and thus both a longer service life and better usability. Leaning sheds or greenhouses that are placed on the terrace or balcony should also always be anchored - otherwise, in the worst case, they could simply be blown away in the next storm.