F.A.Q. (Frequently Asked Questions)

• Our customer service department is open Monday-Friday from 8:00 A.M. to 6:00 P.M., and on Saturday from 10:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. Pacific Time. Our toll free telephone number is (888) 272-9333.

Product Questions

What are the features and benefits of the Sunshine GardenHouse Kits?

• The GardenHouse combines top quality components and functional design.
• An Attractive and Durable Redwood Frame, which is naturally resistant to insect and moisture damage. Only second growth redwood is used, preserving old-growth redwood.
• Double-Wall Polycarbonate Panels will not crack or shatter, retain heat in the winter, diffuse light for even plant growth, and block 98% of the harmful UV rays. The impact strength of polycarbonate is 30 times greater than acrylic, and 200 times greater than glass.
• Assembles Easily and Quickly . The major components of the GardenHouse Kit are panelized for an easy sure fit.  And each Kit comes with easy-to-follow instructions, and a convenient product assembly video.
• Patented Rigid Tie connectors make the structure rigid and strong.  
• The GardenHouse was tested by an independent lab, and withstood their maximum wind load capacity of 85 mph with no damage.
• The 45 degree roof slope transmits low angle sun in the winter, and reflects high angle sun in summer. This increases heat in the winter and reduces it in the summer. It also provides ample headroom and plant-hanging space. The steep roof slope sheds show in the winter, and can withstand a snow load of 18 lbs. per square foot.
• Automatic solar-powered vent operators on the roof and the base of the GardenHouse contain a paraffin (wax) cylinder that expands when the temperature reaches about 65 degrees F., pushing the vent open to its fully opened position at about 85 degrees F. As the temperature cools and the paraffin contracts, the vent operators springs draw each vent closed. It is also easily detachable for manual operation. A circulating chimney effect is created as cool air is drawn in from the base vent, and warmer air is allowed to escape from the hottest point at the roof ridge.
• A convenient Dutch Door Entry provides additional ventilation control and access.
• The frame base of the GardenHouse is a durable plastic with the authentic look, color and texture of redwood, but with the consistent properties of plastic, making it resistant to insect and moisture damage.
• A foundation is not required. It is only necessary to prepare a flat surface of gravel, wood, cement, or other material as indicated.

• 6' x 8' GardenHouse Our most popular model is surprisingly spacious due to its 8'6" height. It comes complete with automatically operated roof and base vents, and a convenient Dutch door entry.
• 6'x 12'GardenHouse Contains the same features and height as the 6'x 8' size, but includes 50% more space.
• 6' x 4' GardenHouse Contains the same features and height as the 6'x 8' size; This model is one-half the size of the 6' x 8' size.
• 8' x 12' GardenHouse The largest GardenHouse has a roof height of 10 feet. This size affords plenty of space for plants and even outdoor furniture. Expanded ventilation includes two automatic roof ridge vents, and two automatic base vents on the back wall.
• 4' x 8' GardenHouse This lean-to structure fills the need for gardening in limited space. It is designed to attach to a smooth vertical wall, and has two doors, one at each end.  Automatic ventilation is not built into this unit.

Why are the GardenHouses made out of Redwood?

• We use redwood for its dimensional stability. Wood acts like a sponge; when it absorbs moisture it swells and when it loses moisture it shrinks. Redwood (shown below on the left) has thinner cell walls which shrink and swell less than other woods, so redwood is less likely to warp, split, cup or check.

Why should a person buy a GardenHouse made out of redwood?

• There are many reasons including it's natural beauty and durability. Redwood heartwood is naturally resistant to decay and insects.  Redwood is an excellent choice because it is easy to paint, stain and glue, and no other softwood holds paints, stains and other coatings better than redwood.

Do I need to finish exterior redwood?

• Though redwood will perform better than most other woods if left without a finish, it will look better and last longer if a protective finish is applied and maintained.
  

How do I keep my new redwood GardenHouse looking new and natural?

• Clear water repellent finishes containing mildewcides help preserve the natural appearance of redwood siding. They may not, however, prevent the natural color changes associated with the weathering process. Clear water repellents or water repellent preservatives are the most natural types of finishes, but they are also the least durable. They require reapplication every one to two years. These finishes can be used on decks, fences, siding or other exterior projects.
  

What type of finish is more durable than clear water repellent but still retains a natural appearance?

• Transparent and semitransparent stains may last from three to four years. These finishes contain pigments which protect the wood from the degrading effects of solar radiation.  The best products contain water repellents, mildewcides and ultraviolet light blockers or absorbers. When selecting a pigmented stain, CRA recommends testing finishes on a small area to be sure the desired color effect is achieved. Transparent stains contain less pigment than semitransparent stains and provide a more natural look. These finishes can be used on decks, fences, siding or other exterior projects.
  

What finish should I use on the interior of my redwood GardenHouse?

• A wide variety of finishes can be used on interior redwood, including the option of using no coating at all. Areas, such as kitchens and baths, which are subject to moisture need the most protective finishes. Alkyd resin or polyurethane sealers and varnishes are appropriate for these areas. Elsewhere, wax finishes, penetrating oils, stains and paints may be used.
  

Are there any special precautions I should take when painting redwood?

• Redwood takes and holds paint better than most woods. It is important, however, to select and correctly apply the right primer.  Use oil- or alkyd-based primers or water-born stain-blocking primers on redwood. These primers are available from many paint manufacturers and are formulated especially for redwood, cedar and other wood with a high extractive content.  Follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for application closely. The best finishes will not perform if they are applied incorrectly. High quality acrylic latex top coats provide the best durability.

Are there different types of redwood?

• There are three redwood species. The Coast Redwood (Sequoia sempervirens) and the Sierra Redwood (Sequoiadendron gigantea) are native to California. The Dawn Redwood (Metasequoia) grows in China. The Coast Redwood is used to make redwood lumber and is the subject of this website.

Is the Coast Redwood an endangered species?

• No. Redwood is not an endangered species. There are more redwoods today than when man first harvested the trees.

Where is redwood harvested?

• Redwood lumber is harvested almost entirely from private lands. These lands are zoned for timber production.

Assembly Questions

Is it necessary to acquire special tools to assemble a Sunshine GardenHouse Kit?

• The major components of the GardenHouse Kits are panelized to ensure an easy and sure fit. The panelized sections are joined by screws. A power screwdriver, a 6 foot stepladder, and a tape measure are all that is needed for easy assembly.

Do you offer a product video to assist customers in the assembly of the Sunshine GardenHouse?

• We include an assembly video with each shipped 6' x 8' and 8'x 12' GardenHouse Kit. Additional videos may be ordered separately for $10.00 each.

• The ease of assembly is one of the outstanding features of the Sunshine GardenHouse Kit. We offer easy-to-follow assembly instructions with photographs, and an accompanying assembly video to assist our GardenHouse customers. The 6' x 8' model takes approximately 4-6 hours to assemble. The 8'x 12' models takes less than a day for the "non-builder" to complete.

Climate Control Questions

Does the Sunshine GardenHouse require a heater during the cooler months of the year?

• The GardenHouse can easily be equipped with a heater for winter use. The heat retention of the double-wall polycarbonate panels is 40% more efficient than single pane glass. As an example, for a 6'x 8' GardenHouse, when the outside temperature is 10 degrees F, and a 55 degree F temperature is desired inside the GardenHouse, only 6,615 BTU's per hour of heat would be required. Details are available in the GardenHouse Operation Guide included in each kit.

Do you recommend applying a shade cloth to the GardenHouse during the warmest months of the year?

• When the outdoor temperature reaches a consistent daytime reading of 75 degrees, it may be necessary to apply shading to lower the temperature inside the greenhouse. Although temperature is scattered by the ribs between the polycarbonate walls, one may also want to consider the addition of a shade cloth. It is important to remember, however, that shading may slow the growth of some vegetables and flowering plants. We recommend the Suden Shade Cloth, which is a durable polypropylene that blocks the rays of the sun, and has been proven to reduce the temperature in the greenhouse by 15 degrees. It is attractive, lightweight, easy-to-install, reusable, energy-saving, and long-lasting. It can be cut to size, and comes with fabric, rope, and Clip-Its. The Suden Shade Cloth offers a five-year product guarantee.

The roof vent allows air to escape at the hottest point, the roof ridge. Cooler air enters the base vent, creating a chimney effect, and thus circulating cool fresh air throughout the GardenHouse. The convenient Dutch door provides additional ventilation control and easy access. Automatic solar-powered vent operators on the roof and base vents contain a paraffin (wax) cylinder that expands when the temperature reaches 65 degrees F, pushing the vent open to its fully opened position at about 85 degrees F. As it cools, the paraffin contracts, and the operator's spring draws each vent closed. It is easily detachable for manual operation.

Are automatic solar-powered vent operators available through Sunshine GardenHouse?

We offer an automatic solar-powered vent operator that contains a paraffin (wax) cylinder that expands when the temperature reaches 65 degrees F, pushing the vent open to its fully opened position at about 85 degrees F. As it cools, the paraffin contracts, and the operator's spring draws each vent closed. It is easily detachable for manual operation.

Is the Sunshine GardenHouse able to withstand High Winds without damage?

• The GardenHouse has been tested by an independent lab, and has withstood their maximum wind load capacity of 85 miles per hour without damage.

• The optimum 45 degree roof slope sheds snow in the winter, and can withstand a snow load of 18 pounds per square foot.

Are Redwood Bench Kits available for use with the GardenHouse?  

• Specially designed matching redwood benches are available that run the full length of the GardenHouse. Benches are 21"deep for all models except the 8' x 12' model, which are 32"deep. They can be stacked to provide additional growing surface.

Do you offer an inexpensive kit that includes only the basic components of the Sunshine GardenHouse Kit?

• We offer the Sunshine Greenhouse Essentials Kit, which includes the following component parts necessary to build a 6'W x 8'L x 7'9"H greenhouse:

• Precut double-wall polycarbonate panels--Virtually unbreakable high-tech plastic.  Maximizes the quality of light for full, straight, and even plant growth.
• Sturdy Connectors--Simplifies and accelerates unit construction.
• How-To-Video--Easy-to-follow instructions with photographs makes assembly simple.

*Optional Automatic Vent Operator---for use on the back wall vent.

• Our GardenStarter cold frame is a miniature greenhouse that provides a superior environment for plant growth. It is designed with double-wall polycarbonate panels, and an attractive redwood frame. The panelized kit takes just a few minutes to assemble. And it comes with a full 5-year warranty against defects in material and workmanship. We also provide a "Cook's Garden salad seed kit" with each GardenStarter cold frame.

Do you recommend a guidebook on greenhouse gardening?

We recommend the Greenhouse Gardener's Companion by Shane Smith, which is a comprehensive 500+ page guide to successfully choosing and using a greenhouse.  It is available for sale through Sunshine GardenHouse.

Do you offer a product warranty on the Sunshine GardenHouse Kits?

• All Sunshine GardenHouse Kits are guaranteed to be free from defects in material and workmanship for five years from the date of purchase.
• The polycarbonate glazing is fully warranted against excessive discoloration for the first five years, and has a prorated warranty the second five years. Polycarbonate has been used in European greenhouses for more than 30 years with no discoloration. Additionally, defective parts will be replaced by us directly to the consumer.

• Any product authorized for return and refund will be charged a 25% restocking charge. No credit is given for products returned without prior authorization.

• The 6' x 8' kit is packaged in four boxes (Weight 338#).
• The 6' x 12' kit is packaged in five boxes (Weight 438#).
• The 8' x 12' kit is packaged in seven boxes (Weight 587#).

*The maximum weight of any box is 85 pounds, and any one of our kits will fit into a standard-size pickup truck.

What about Dealer Opportunities and Dealer Terms?

• To find out more information about becoming a dealer, please go to our Dealer Area.