Transforming Existing Garden Centre Structures
Modernise. Repair. Improve. Without Starting Again.
From Glasshouse to Retail, Café & Commercial Space
Don’t replace a structure that can be transformed.
Many garden centres have existing glasshouse and horticultural structures that are no longer being used to their full potential. Rather than demolishing and starting again, Commercial Glasshouse Contracts Ltd can help transform existing structures into modern, versatile commercial spaces.
Led by our Managing Director Lyndon Helm, who has more than 30 years’ experience in the commercial glasshouse industry, we have developed a range of bespoke roofing, glazing and connection systems specifically designed to adapt existing glasshouses and garden centre structures for new uses.
From creating a new retail area or café to developing additional customer facilities, covered commercial space or back-of-house areas, we can provide practical solutions that make better use of the structures you already have.
✔ Bespoke In-House Systems
✔ Glasshouse Conversion & Repurposing
✔ Retail, Café & Commercial Applications
✔ Polycarbonate, Composite & Insulated Roofing
WE DON’T JUST REFURBISH GLASSHOUSES. WE ENGINEER THE SYSTEMS THAT MAKE REPURPOSING THEM POSSIBLE.
A traditional glasshouse can provide an excellent starting point for a completely different type of commercial space. With the right structural adaptations, roofing, cladding and insulation, an existing horticultural building can be transformed into a warm, durable and functional environment suitable for customers, staff and commercial use.
We have experience adapting existing structures for applications including:
Retail Areas – Create additional covered retail space without the cost and disruption of constructing an entirely new building.
Cafés & Restaurants – Transform an existing glasshouse into a comfortable, insulated customer environment, incorporating modern roofing and wall systems while retaining the character and natural light of the original structure.
Customer Facilities – Create new spaces for seating, displays, concessions, education, events or other customer-facing activities.
Commercial & Back-of-House Areas – Existing structures can also be adapted for storage, warehousing, staff facilities, potting areas and other operational requirements.
Multi-Purpose Spaces – Design a flexible building capable of serving several purposes and adapting as your business develops.
Our existing extension work has included the conversion and adaptation of glasshouses into cafés, retail spaces, educational areas and customer-facing environments.
One of the biggest challenges when refurbishing an existing glasshouse is that no two structures are necessarily the same.
Older glasshouses, Venlo structures and garden centre buildings can have different glazing bars, gutters, roof profiles, dimensions and connection points. Standard off-the-shelf building components aren’t always suitable. That’s where our specialist knowledge makes a difference.
At Commercial Glasshouse Contracts Ltd, our Managing Director, Lyndon, has developed a range of bespoke profiles and connection systems specifically to enable existing glasshouse and garden centre structures to be adapted efficiently.
Our advanced 3D design and printing capabilities allow us to prototype and test bespoke components before manufacture, helping ensure accurate fit and reliable integration with existing structures.
We have developed our own polycarbonate bar and cap systems in conjunction with reputable aluminium greenhouse designers, suitable for both 10mm and 16mm polycarbonate sheets.
These systems allow existing glazed structures to be adapted to accept modern polycarbonate roofing and cladding solutions.
We have developed specialist ridge profile systems designed to accommodate alternative roofing materials and provide effective integration with existing glasshouse structures.
Our specialist gutter profiles and conversion systems allow existing gutter arrangements to be adapted to new roofing and cladding configurations. This includes solutions for a variety of existing glasshouse gutter systems, including aluminium and steel Venlo gutters and other specialist configurations.
We have developed profiles specifically suited to composite panel and insulated roofing systems, including applications to:
– Roofs
– Side elevations
– Gable ends
– Ridge areas
– Gutter interfaces
– Existing glasshouse structures
Where appropriate, existing structures can also be adapted to accommodate tin and profiled metal roofing systems, providing an alternative to traditional glasshouse glazing.
The ability to design components specifically for an existing structure gives us considerably more flexibility than simply relying on standard building products. Our bespoke systems can help us:
Work around existing dimensions – Rather than forcing an existing structure to accommodate an off-the-shelf system, components can be designed around the building.
Integrate new materials with old structures – Polycarbonate, composite panels and other modern materials can be incorporated into existing glasshouse frameworks.
Improve thermal performance – Replacing areas of traditional glazing with insulated composite or polycarbonate systems can substantially improve the performance of the building, particularly where it is being converted for retail or customer use.
Reduce unnecessary demolition – Where the existing framework is structurally suitable, refurbishment and repurposing can allow you to retain valuable infrastructure rather than starting again.
Create genuinely bespoke buildings – The result isn’t simply an old glasshouse with a new roof. It can become a purpose-designed commercial space built around the requirements of your business.
Our refurbishment projects can incorporate a combination of specialist services, depending on the condition of the existing structure and your intended use.
We assess the existing structure to establish its condition, identify any areas requiring repair or strengthening and determine how it can be adapted for its proposed new use.
We can replace traditional glasshouse roofing with:
– 10mm polycarbonate
– 16mm polycarbonate
– Composite panels
– Insulated sandwich panels
– Metal/tin roofing
The appropriate system will depend on the intended use, thermal requirements, appearance and budget.
Existing glazed sides and gable ends can be adapted using polycarbonate, composite panels or other suitable cladding systems.
We can modify existing gutter arrangements to work with the new roof construction, including bespoke gutter conversion systems.
Where retaining glazing is appropriate, we undertake individual glass replacement and larger re-glazing projects. Damaged glazing can affect safety, weather protection and the performance of the building.
We can repair, replace or adapt doors and access points to suit the new function of the building.
Existing ventilation systems can be assessed, repaired or modified depending on the proposed use.
Where required, refurbishment can incorporate internal partitioning and other modifications to create defined retail, café, staff, storage or customer areas.
Multi-Purpose Spaces – Design a flexible building capable of serving several purposes and adapting as your business develops.
Our existing extension work has included the conversion and adaptation of glasshouses into cafés, retail spaces, educational areas and customer-facing environments.
Where appropriate, existing structures can also be adapted to accommodate tin and profiled metal roofing systems, providing an alternative to traditional glasshouse glazing.
A complete new build isn’t always the best solution.
If your existing structure is fundamentally sound, retaining and adapting it can provide a more practical and cost-effective route to creating additional commercial space.
It can also allow you to:
Our existing refurbishment work is specifically focused on helping garden centres increase or change their usable space and repurpose existing structures without necessarily requiring a completely new building.
Yes. We regularly work on live commercial sites and understand the importance of keeping disruption to a minimum. Works can be planned and phased around your normal operations wherever practical.
We understand that a garden centre isn’t an empty construction site. It is a live commercial environment, with customers, staff, deliveries and daily trading to consider. Our team has extensive experience working on occupied commercial sites and understands the importance of maintaining safe access and minimising disruption.
Where possible, works can be phased to allow your business to continue operating while the refurbishment takes place. We can work with you to establish a programme that considers:
Lots of Reasons!
Experience:
Here at Commercial Glasshouse Contracts Ltd, we have specialist glasshouse and garden centre knowledge. We aren’t a general building contractor who occasionally works on garden centres. Commercial glasshouses and horticultural structures are our specialist field.
Our experience allows us to understand how existing structures are constructed and, importantly, how they can be adapted.
Bespoke Service:
We offer bespoke engineering. We design and manufacture specialist components to solve problems that standard building products cannot always address. Our 3D design and printing capabilities also allow us to prototype bespoke components before manufacture.
Our Management:
At Commercial Glasshouse Contracts, we are led by Lyndon Helm, one of the UK’s most experienced specialists in the commercial glasshouse industry. With more than 30 years’ hands-on experience, Lyndon brings a wealth of practical knowledge to every project and is directly involved in developing solutions for complex and challenging structures.
Lyndon believes in being the first port of call – and the last. That means you won’t be passed from department to department or left trying to explain a technical problem to someone who doesn’t understand the structure. We don’t believe in gatekeeping expertise. You have access to Lyndon, his knowledge and his advice whenever you need it. Whether you have a technical question, need help finding a solution or simply want to talk through an idea, you can speak directly to the person with the experience to help. You get the benefit of more than 30 years of specialist knowledge, without the layers in between.
One Specialist Contractor:
From structural alterations and glazing through to roofing, cladding, gutters and specialist profiles, we can coordinate multiple aspects of your refurbishment.
Nationwide Service:
Based in Lancashire, we work with garden centres, growers, nurseries, commercial and government organisations throughout the UK.
Minimal Disruption:
We understand the commercial realities of working on live garden centre sites and plan our projects accordingly.
Insured, Appropriate RAMS Documentation, DBS Checked:
We are fully insured, our staff are appropriately trained and all staff are DBS certified. This is particularly important for HMP facilities or any Education Settings.
Yes. We can combine services such as glazing, guttering, roofing, structural repairs, doors, ventilation and cleaning into one coordinated refurbishment project.
Yes. Existing glasshouse structures can often be adapted into retail environments using modern polycarbonate, composite and insulated roofing and cladding systems. The suitability of the existing structure would need to be assessed first.
Yes. We offer polycarbonate and composite re-roofing solutions, which can also allow an existing structure to be adapted for a different purpose.
Yes. We can develop solutions for transforming suitable existing structures into more comfortable customer-facing environments, incorporating insulated roofing and cladding systems to improve thermal performance.
We design and manufacture a range of specialist components and profiles, including 10mm and 16mm polycarbonate bar-cap systems, composite ridge systems and gutter conversion systems. Our 3D design and printing capabilities also allow us to prototype bespoke components before manufacture.
Yes. This is one of the advantages of our bespoke approach. Rather than relying entirely on standard components, we can develop solutions around the dimensions and characteristics of an existing structure.
Yes. Depending on the structure and intended application, we can design systems to accommodate 10mm or 16mm polycarbonate.
Yes. Composite and insulated sandwich panel systems are particularly useful where an existing glasshouse is being converted into a retail, café or other commercial environment requiring improved thermal performance.
No. We work across the commercial glasshouse and horticultural sector, including garden centres, commercial nurseries, growers, universities, research facilities and other organisations.
Yes. We provide bespoke glasshouse and garden centre extension services and can integrate new construction with existing structures.
Yes. Depending on the project, we can coordinate the survey, design, structural work, roofing, cladding, glazing, gutters, doors, internal works and other elements required to complete the refurbishment.
Yes. Where an existing structure needs more extensive redevelopment or replacement, we can provide turnkey garden centre construction solutions, working with trusted structural engineers and leading UK manufacturers.
Yes. Every project is fully planned before work commences. We prepare comprehensive Risk Assessments and Method Statements (RAMS), ensuring all works are carried out safely and in accordance with current health and safety legislation. All our operatives are appropriately trained and hold current DBS clearance (mostly for HMP/university clients).
Specialist garden centre refurbishment, conversion and repurposing throughout the UK.
From glasshouse to retail space.
From growing area to café.
From ageing structure to modern commercial building.
Let’s see what your existing structure could become.