Elegant wall-based pyramid greenhouse

Made-to-measure masonry base

Choose brick, natural stone, concrete or render to suit house and garden

Striking pyramid roof

Roof apex approximately 2.64–2.69 m, depending on footprint

Flexible glazing

Polycarbonate or 4 mm toughened safety glass

RAL colour choice

Coordinate frame colour with masonry and façade

Exact footprint

Transfer the confirmed external dimensions to the site and check right angles and diagonals. Mark the door side, adjoining paths, beds and drainage areas too. This lets you check space requirements and connections before excavation begins.

Door opening

Allow a clear, straight movement area in front of the door. Wheelbarrows, plant containers and work materials must move in and out easily; side shelving or beds must not narrow either the passage or the door’s sliding area.

Corners and connections

Plan corners, door reveals and wall coping continuously so projecting edges do not obstruct assembly or later cleaning.

Drainage

When setting out, check where rainwater flows across the property. The door side, adjacent paving and the location of a possible storage tank should be arranged so that the base is not in a dip and maintenance routes remain clear.

Square and extended footprints

Roof apex approx. 2.69 m; wall height approx. 1.93 m; door height approx. 1.85 m

Roof apex approx. 2.64 m; wall height approx. 1.93 m; door height approx. 1.85 m

Roof apex approx. 2.69 m; wall height approx. 1.93 m; door height approx. 1.85 m

Polycarbonate or 4 mm toughened safety glass

Powder-coated aluminium frame with sliding doors, integrated gutters and a precisely planned connection to the masonry base built on site. The manufacturer design figures are a wind speed of 30 m/s and a snow load of 210 kg/m². Site exposure and the supporting works still require a project-specific structural assessment. A suitable load-bearing substructure and professional assembly are required, with foundations and masonry designed for the particular site.

Brick, natural stone, render or exposed concrete

When selecting materials, also consider how easily visible surfaces can be cleaned and repaired if needed. Particularly at door reveals, corners and wall copings, workmanship should suit the chosen material so these prominent areas remain neat over time.

Several visible edges meet at external corners and door reveals. Even joint lines, neatly finished copings and coordinated paving connections are especially important there. Treat these areas as key design features.

The levels and lines of adjoining paths and beds affect how dominant the base appears. Continuous paving edges and clearly directed planting areas frame the structure; intentionally planned gaps keep masonry and frame legible as a unified piece of architecture.

Door opening and floor connection

The masonry opening must match the confirmed sliding door exactly. Width, height, side wall connections and the position within the frame must therefore be set before work begins. For double sliding doors, first confirm that wall width and chosen model are compatible. Later widening can damage the wall bond, surface and floor connection.

The internal floor, threshold and outside path should meet without unexpected changes in level. The finished build-up height, including base layer and finish, is decisive. Any structurally necessary threshold must be allowed for from the outset. A straight, sufficiently wide approach is especially useful for heavy pots or a wheelbarrow.

At the door, construct joints, edges and paving connections so no unevenness projects into the sliding area. Fixed fittings should remain sufficiently clear of the door track.

Internal floor and usable space

A robust, easy-care internal floor makes watering, potting and cleaning easier. Material, sub-base and joints must suit regularly damp use and must not encourage uncontrolled water pooling. Loose soil is easier to remove from a continuous surface than from inaccessible voids. Smooth finishes should still provide enough grip for work in wet footwear.

Stone, paving or other suitable surfaces can be visually coordinated with the masonry base. Do not fill the entire usable area with fixed fittings: a clear central zone makes it easier to turn with plant containers, clean the inside of the glazing and reach beneath the roof surfaces. Where planting directly in the ground, clearly separate growing areas and firm paths from the start.

Place frequently used work areas near the door, water connection and material storage where possible. This shortens routes for potting and watering without permanently occupying the clear centre.

Ground conditions and foundation

The low wall needs a load-bearing substructure suited to the site’s ground conditions, drainage and exposure. Made ground, slopes, cohesive soils or previous building work can affect foundation design. It must therefore be planned for the individual property; a general one-size-fits-all solution is not sufficient.

Ground movement or uneven settlement can alter the level bearing surface for the aluminium structure. Plan the foundation and wall as one connected element. Where soil conditions are uncertain, obtain a professional assessment before permanent masonry is built.

When planning the foundation, also allow for the later levels of ground, paths and beds so connections around the base can be built as intended.

Rainwater

Integrated gutters direct rainwater away from the masonry base. Their outlets must remain accessible and must not disappear behind dense planting or fixed fittings. Set out in the external plan whether water will be diverted, collected or led to suitable drainage. Short, accessible pipe runs make cleaning easier.

A water butt or suitable storage tank can make collected water available for plant watering. The container needs a stable location without blocking maintenance routes. A lid keeps debris out, and a planned overflow prevents a full tank from spilling directly beside the base or door. Follow the manufacturer’s care instructions during unusual cold weather, severe weather or prolonged non-use.

Overflowing water must not collect either at the masonry or in lower paved areas. Controlled discharge protects adjoining elements.

Tall plants beneath the roof

The high central point of the pyramid roof offers room for climbing plants and larger specimens. Plan supports early, without using the frame, vents or glazing as support. Freestanding or purpose-designed climbing structures guide shoots and can be removed when crops change.

A scaled interior sketch shows where mature plants have enough height without narrowing paths. Include containers, saucers, planting tables and supports. Compact crops generally suit edge areas better, while upright plants can use the higher central space.

Position tall plants so their containers remain reachable for turning, watering and removal. Available height alone does not determine whether an indoor position is practically usable.

Summer ventilation

In Malta, the high pyramid roof provides substantial air volume but cannot prevent overheating during hot, sunny periods. Warm air must escape through the intended openings while cooler air enters through the door and other ventilation routes. Ventilation timing and duration should reflect the weather and plants being grown.

Roof vents and the sliding door should allow unrestricted air exchange. Climbing shoots, tall plants and fittings must not block these routes. Leave enough space between shelves and transparent surfaces for air circulation, and so condensation or plant debris remains visible and accessible.

During intense sunshine, temporary shading can protect sensitive plants and make the space more comfortable. It must not interfere with vents, sliding doors or the frame. An adjustable solution is more practical than permanent shading because light needs change with season and planting.

Who is the masonry-base version suitable for?

This version suits a long-term fixed site where the base is intended as a deliberate part of the garden design. If the greenhouse is likely to be moved later, give particular consideration to the permanently constructed substructure.

Mark the planned top edge of the base temporarily at the site. Before construction, this helps assess which garden areas will be concealed, how proportions appear from seated height and whether the enclosed lower zone suits the intended use.

In addition to the greenhouse, the project includes planning and construction of the foundation, masonry and floor connections. The base version therefore suits projects where these trades can be coordinated in timing and expertise.

Electricity and water

Water supply, irrigation and lighting are best prepared before the wall and floor are finished. First decide which connections are genuinely needed and where they will be convenient to use. A tap behind a raised bed or a socket in a narrow doorway would be impractical later. Service routes must not interrupt the greenhouse structure’s bearing surface.

Conduits allow concealed service routes and make later additions easier without opening finished masonry. Their ends should be marked, accessible and protected against soil or water. Record their route and purpose on a sketch so hidden services are not damaged during later drilling or fixing work.

Have water installations completed professionally. Fixed outdoor wiring and any other electrical installation or alteration should be handled, tested and certified by a REWS-authorised provider with the appropriate scope. Electrical components must suit the intended location and be protected during watering or cleaning. Extension leads across paths are not a suitable permanent solution. Water pipes should be isolatable and accessible for seasonal use.

Shelves, work tables and raised beds

Work tables, shelves and raised planting areas can be arranged neatly along the masonry base. Coordinate their dimensions with the door opening, paths and reach when watering. Excessively deep surfaces make rear pots and cleaning difficult; working height depends on whether the area is for sowing, potting or simply placing plants.

Do not create a permanently damp, inaccessible zone between furniture and the wall. Open frames make inspection and cleaning easier. Heavy supplies can be stored on stable lower levels, while frequently used tools can remain within easy reach.

Tall or heavily loaded fittings must stand securely on the intended floor and must not lean against glazing or frame. Position them so the area behind can still be inspected and cleaned.

Care of frame, glazing and masonry

Clean from top to bottom so loosened deposits do not fall onto surfaces already cleaned. Keep gutter outlets clear during work and remove residue afterwards from wall copings and floor connections too. Follow the care instructions for each material.

Keep the sliding-door track free of soil, leaves and plant debris so the door can operate without obstruction.

Check wall joints, surfaces and transitions regularly for cracks, loose material or persistently damp areas. Use gentle cleaning methods that do not attack the coating, glazing or joints. Remove deposits from gutters before they obstruct water flow.

Use through the seasons

During Malta’s mild spring, the interior offers space for sowing and young plants. Clean tables and shelves before moving plants in so old debris does not remain in difficult corners. Even when outdoor temperatures are moderate, the greenhouse can warm quickly on clear days; ventilation and water supply should already be working.

During Malta’s hot, dry summer, many crops need more space and closer attention to ventilation and watering. Harvesting, tying in and pruning should remain possible without repeatedly moving containers into the doorway. Keep a small work zone clear for these tasks and remove plant debris promptly.

During Malta’s milder autumn and winter, sensitive container plants may need protected positions. Before moving them in, check their light requirements, condition and possible pests. Movable containers and shelves simplify rearrangement. This is also a useful time to inspect gutters, door tracks and glazing before wetter weather makes maintenance more difficult.

Pyramid greenhouse on a masonry base

A completely freestanding greenhouse on a low wall built on site. This version suits projects where the base material, garden paths and frame colour are deliberately coordinated and the additional work for the foundation and dimensionally accurate masonry has been planned.

Standard pyramid greenhouse

In this version, aluminium profiles and glazing extend down to the lower section. It therefore appears lighter and more transparent; an individually built masonry base is not included. Those wanting an enclosed interior zone or a visual continuation of existing masonry materials should choose the base version instead.

Lean-to greenhouse

A lean-to greenhouse uses an existing building wall and has a single-sided roof form. The wall influences its site, connection and light. It is not an alternative name for the freestanding pyramid model on a masonry base, but a different greenhouse type.

Document the configuration

Record the final selected size, glazing, frame colour and door position in one shared plan revision. Give this revision to everyone involved and do not replace it with older drawings for the foundation, masonry or assembly.

Set responsibilities

Decide who will plan, complete and inspect the foundation, masonry, floor, drainage and, where applicable, services. Also define the interfaces with greenhouse assembly so responsibility for the wall top, door opening and gutter outlets is clear.

Approve interfaces

Before building starts, jointly check that levels, connections, service routes and accessibility match the same plan revision. Include existing underground services. Resolve open points before earthworks or masonry create irreversible constraints.

Prepare assembly

After inspection of the completed base, coordinate delivery, storage and the assembly sequence. Build the frame in accordance with the assembly instructions; keep glazing and roof components protected until installation and handle them carefully.