Bloomcabin T Model – T-shaped greenhouse
T Model greenhouse – a T-shaped orangery with distinct areas for plants and relaxing
The Bloomcabin T Model greenhouse suits gardens where plant cultivation and relaxation need distinct places under one roof. The cross wing gives the long greenhouse body a versatile centre. Potting benches, crops and tools remain in the work area, while the cross wing accommodates a dining table, seating or studio.
The range includes three configurations with an area of around 16.5 to 30.0 m². With an overall width of 310 cm, an approximate ridge height of 267 cm and a door height of 185 cm, this model offers considerably more space than a compact hobby greenhouse.
Consider garden space, circulation, sun exposure, foundations, drainage and required services. Decide early how the main body and cross wing will be used: a plant-focused greenhouse needs different paths, ventilation and water supply from an orangery used for dining, reading or work. A clear layout makes later planning easier. Ask the local council whether the exact model, site and use require building consent, resource consent or another approval. More information from Bloomcabin for New Zealand.
The distinctive T-shaped layout
How the T shape makes furnishing easier
In conventional rectangular greenhouses, plants, work areas and paths usually follow one long axis. In the T Model, the cross wing meets the main body to create a central transition. Both spaces remain openly connected, yet the building shape makes it easy to furnish them differently. This is especially practical when growing and relaxing are to share a glass roof without a fixed internal wall.
The long main body can neatly accommodate crop rows, propagation benches, shelving and taller plants. The wider cross wing has room for a table, freestanding seating, decorative planters or a creative workspace. Keep the connection between the two parts clear so watering cans, seed trays and chairs can move comfortably between the entrance, work zone and seating area.
The open connection retains a generous sense of space while keeping plants visible from the relaxation area.
Three configurations
Three configurations from around 16.5 to 30.0 m²
Aluminium and safety glass
Aluminium frame with 4 mm toughened safety glass
Generous headroom
310 cm overall width, 267 cm ridge height and 185 cm door height
Configurable to suit you
RAL colours, roof vents, single or double sliding doors and an optional flue connection
Two connected zones
Arrange the main body and cross wing for the intended use
Growing area
The main body is ideal for long workbenches, propagation areas and plant collections. Crops with similar care needs can be grouped together, keeping watering and checking straightforward. Delicate or particularly decorative plants can be placed where they are clearly visible and easy to reach.
Tall vegetables and climbing plants should not obstruct the central connection, doors or roof vents. Lower crops can stand nearer work surfaces, while heavy planters should be given a fixed, accessible position from the outset. This helps prevent mature plants from narrowing important routes or ventilation openings later.
A small clear work or setting-down area is useful at the transition to the cross wing. Harvest baskets, seed trays or watering equipment can sit there temporarily without turning the dining or seating area into permanent storage. The passage itself should remain unobstructed.
Orangery and relaxation area
Furnish the cross wing around its actual use. Leave enough room behind dining chairs for them to be pulled back, position a reading chair away from the main route, and provide easily reached work and storage surfaces for a studio. Freestanding furniture keeps the space flexible when more room is needed seasonally for plants or extra seating.
Larger planters can visually frame the relaxation area and create a calmer effect than many small containers on the floor. Furniture, cushions and textiles should suit the typical temperature and humidity changes of a greenhouse.
Furniture and planters alone can visually define the zones. This keeps the interior adaptable as plant collections or use change through the year.
Construction
Aluminium frame, 4 mm safety glass and integrated gutters
The aluminium frame needs no regular protective painting. Clear glazing keeps plants and furnishings visible and enhances the open character of the T shape. When planning the interior, allow for roof slopes, frame profiles and sliding-door movement areas; arrange furniture and tall plants according to the genuinely usable internal space.
Depending on the selected version, single or double sliding doors are available. Their position affects access, everyday routes and airflow between the garden, growing area and cross wing. Roof vents allow warmed air to escape upwards. Integrated gutters carry rainfall away from the roof surfaces, while the aluminium base frame forms the finish to the prepared foundation.
An optional flue connection is available for a separately planned heating system. Before choosing heating, decide whether only frost-sensitive plants need protection or whether comfortable temperatures are wanted at times in the relaxation area. These aims create different requirements for heat distribution, controls, ventilation and energy use. The heat source and installation must be professionally planned independently of the flue connection.
Product details
T Model specifications at a glance
Sizes
Three configurations
approx. 16.5–30.0 m²
Width
310 cm
Stated overall model width
Height
267 cm ridge height
Door height 185 cm
Glazing
4 mm toughened safety glass
Included in the model
Doors
Single or double sliding doors
According to selected version
Features
Roof vents, gutters and aluminium base frame
Optional flue connection; 12-year warranty on the structure; designed for wind speeds of 30 m/s and snow loads of 210 kg/m²
Four ways to use it
How can a T-shaped greenhouse be used?
01
Growing plants in the main body
Long tables, vegetables, herbs, young plants and collections can be arranged along the main body. A clear central path makes sowing, care and harvesting easier without interrupting use of the cross wing. Frequently used tools are better kept in compact, easily reached storage directly by the work area than on open shelves in the central zone.
02
Hosting guests and dining together
The cross wing can serve as a dining or conversation area while the long section remains largely dedicated to plants. Guests therefore do not sit among propagation trays and work tools. The garden atmosphere remains because both areas are openly connected and planting is visible from the seating area.
03
Bright studio
Natural light suits painting, reading, photography or focused work. Depending on the sun’s position, however, glare and heat build-up can vary noticeably through the day. A movable worktable and flexible shading help adapt the space to the season and time of day without blocking roof vents or the main route.
04
Greenhouse for plant collections
Citrus, flowering plants, climbers and decorative planters can be arranged at different heights. Allow for eventual size, weight and access for care. Large containers are difficult to move later, so they should not stand in front of doors, drainage points or components that need to remain accessible for cleaning and inspection.
Site and climate
Plan the T-shaped layout, sun path, future furnishings and required connections together. A site sketch showing compass directions, buildings, trees, property access and existing services reveals early where shade will fall, how rainwater can be directed and whether the intended entrance will be convenient in daily use.
Sunny north- and west-facing sites
On a sunny north- or west-facing site, the orangery can warm quickly on clear days. The orientation of the main body is not the only factor: because of the T shape, individual areas receive sun at different times or may be temporarily shaded by the other wing. Observe the proposed site throughout the day and include nearby trees and buildings.
Roof vents and open doors provide effective air exchange only when air can move freely through the interior. Tall plant rows, packed shelving and large cabinets can block this route. Position lower crops near important airflow paths and keep taller plants sufficiently clear of doors and vents.
If the cross wing is mainly used for sitting or working, flexible shade is especially helpful. It can be positioned where needed and adjusted for the season and plant requirements. Roof vents must remain operable, and shaded areas still need adequate air exchange.
Frost and foundations
A T-shaped footprint is more demanding to set out than a simple rectangle. Angles, axes and levels must therefore be established carefully. The foundation must be professionally adapted to local ground and frost conditions. On soft, filled or unevenly bearing ground in particular, settlement and level changes can later affect frame alignment, glass panels and the smooth running of sliding doors.
A level, square and dimensionally accurate base helps ensure correct installation of the aluminium base frame. Before assembly, check the external dimensions, the position of the cross wing and the diagonals. Corrections become considerably more difficult once the glazed structure is assembled. The planned internal floor must also suit the threshold height and intended drainage.
Rainfall and surface water must not collect at the foundation or entrances. Plan falls and drains so water is directed away from the structure. With paved areas around the orangery, also consider runoff during heavy rain so no hollow forms immediately beside the base frame.
Near a patio and home
When the orangery stands near the home, the cross wing can form an inviting transition between house and garden. Check, however, how roof water, shading and frequently used paths affect the site. A short access route is convenient but should not run through sensitive growing areas. Open sliding doors must not obstruct important garden paths.
Position the entrance, table and larger plants so the orangery also looks balanced from frequently used rooms and routes around the house.
Less decorative work and propagation areas can sit in the long main body, while the cross wing visible from the house remains calm and orderly.
Interior and equipment
First establish the main route, work area and seating area. Plants, furniture and technical equipment can then be arranged so they do not hinder one another in everyday use.
Plan heating around the intended use
A flue connection is only the structural provision for a separately planned heating system. The suitable solution depends on the plants to be protected, the period of use and desired temperatures. The heat source, clearances, flue route, combustion air and controls must be professionally assessed. Portable heaters should not be used unchecked between furniture and dense plants.
Frost protection for plants and comfortable temperatures for longer winter use are different goals. Frost protection prioritises a reliable minimum temperature; using the space also requires more even heat around seating. The extensively glazed interior responds more strongly to outdoor temperature and sunshine than an insulated room. Define expectations for comfort and operation before technical planning.
Controls and shut-off points should remain easy to reach without obstructing work surfaces or the central passage.
Evening use
Plan evening lighting when positioning the table, work surfaces and connections.
Focused lighting at the table is usually more practical than illuminating the entire greenhouse very brightly. Separate task lights can be planned where plants are tended or repotted. Lights and installations must suit the moisture present at their location. Cables must not create trip hazards or obstruct operation of doors and vents.
Switches, sockets and cables can be neatly incorporated before the finished floor is installed and positioned for later work and seating areas.
Clear routes in the T-shaped layout
The transition between the main body and cross wing is the key route in a T-shaped layout. An oversized table, large planters, shelving or stored equipment must not narrow it. If the orangery is used by several people, they should still be able to pass each other while someone waters plants or sits at the table.
Consider not only the empty path but ordinary daily movements: chairs are pulled back, cupboard doors open and seed trays are carried at the side. Watering cans and bags need a temporary setting-down place. Sliding doors, ventilation mechanisms and maintenance points also need clear access. A scale furniture plan shows these clashes before heavy furniture and planters are installed.
Keep the areas in front of sliding doors and at the junction of the building wings clear so the interior remains comfortably accessible.
Designed for daily use
Allocate fixed places for frequently used tools, plant materials and cleaning equipment. This keeps work surfaces, doors and maintenance access clear even during intensive use.
Plan furniture to scale
Leave enough circulation space behind chairs and around seating even when every place is occupied. Draw tables and chairs both pushed in and pulled back. A studio also needs room for working movements and materials. Folding or easily moved furniture is useful when the cross wing changes seasonally between relaxing, overwintering plants and workspace.
The deciding factor is not automatically the largest version, but the configuration where furniture, mature plants and desired circulation routes fit sensibly.
Allow temporary clear work space for repotting, harvesting and plant care rather than filling all available room with furniture and planters.
Plan services early
Water, lighting, power outlets and a possible heating route are best integrated before the foundation and floor are completed. First establish where watering, work and seating will happen regularly. A water point near the plant zone shortens trips with hose or watering can; sockets by the seating area avoid temporary leads across routes. Shut-off and switching points should remain accessible.
Electrical installations should be completed by a licensed electrical worker, and heating-system work by appropriately qualified professionals. They can assess cable routes, protective measures and component suitability for the location. Penetrations through the foundation or floor must be positioned and sealed before assembly. Later drilling into installed components can affect drainage, stability and surfaces.
Record the position of concealed services and penetrations on a plan so they can be clearly identified during future work.
Rainwater
The integrated gutters need a clear drainage route. Depending on local conditions, water can be directed to suitable soakage or a storage tank. Drain pipes should remain accessible and not end where people often walk or work. Leaves, flower debris and other deposits must be removable without shifting large furniture or heavy planters.
Collected rainwater can irrigate many crops. A tank needs a reliable inlet, controlled overflow and a way to clean it. The overflow must carry water away from the foundation. Even during a long absence, a full tank must not allow rainfall to run uncontrolled across paths or along the base.
Place the tank outside the main routes; short distances to the plant zone make everyday use easier.
Maintenance access
Glass panels, roof vents, gutters, sliding doors and frame joints must remain accessible for cleaning and visual inspection. Leave adequate access along outside walls and avoid permanently dense planting there. Stable access equipment and firm ground are required for work near the roof. Do not walk on glass, gutters or frame components not designed for foot traffic.
Keep heavy furniture and large planters slightly away from glass and profiles inside. This allows removal of dirt and dead plant material, and inspection of seals and connections. Keep sliding-door tracks free of soil, stones and leaves so the door panels run easily. Noticeable changes to fixings or glazing should be professionally checked promptly.
Dirt and stored items are especially noticeable where the main body meets the cross wing. Include this central area in regular cleaning and visual checks.
Planning for every season
Keeping the T Model useful through the seasons
Roof vents support the escape of warm, humid air, while open sliding doors can admit fresh air at lower levels. In summer, ventilate early before significant heat has built up inside. After watering, suitable air exchange helps limit lingering leaf wetness and condensation. Shading reduces solar heat gain but does not replace ventilation.
The optional flue connection allows a separately planned heating system to be incorporated. Even so, the T Model remains a glazed garden structure without the insulation of a living space. On cold days, areas near the glass can feel markedly cooler than the centre. Plants, furniture and equipment should suit changing conditions; seasonally adapted use is usually the more realistic approach.
Actual comfort results from outdoor weather, sunshine, plant volume, ventilation, shading and, where applicable, heating. In spring, the orangery may be pleasant by day but cool sharply overnight. In high summer, heat removal takes priority, while condensation and shorter days matter more in autumn. A thermometer and regular observation help adjust ventilation and care routines appropriately.
Plan the interior first
Choose the right size from furniture, routes and planting space
Before choosing a size, draw the T-shaped footprint with the entrance, main path, tables, chairs, planters and work surfaces. Also mark door zones, access to roof vents and areas that must remain clear for cleaning and care. Use actual furniture dimensions rather than rough estimates. This shows whether the cross wing fulfils its purpose and whether enough continuous growing area remains in the main body.
Also check in the drawing whether mature plants could obstruct doors, vents, work areas or views from the seating area.
Mark water, power and possible heating penetrations on the plan before building the foundation and internal floor.
Site preparation
Prepare the site, delivery route and assembly area carefully for the T Model
Before assembly begins, the prepared base must be fully completed and checked. The immediate surroundings are part of the preparation too: the ground should be safe to walk on, components must be able to be laid down dry and in order, and sufficient working space is needed around every side.
Check the entire transport route from the street to the assembly location. Narrow points, steps, gates, slopes, delicate garden areas and low branches can make it difficult to move long or fragile components. The site needs a level area where profiles and glazing can be set out in order by assembly stage. Because of the cross wing, several building sides must be readily accessible; a tight build area or dense boundary planting makes work harder.
The model is supplied as a kit, but its size and glazing make it a substantial assembly project. Read the installation instructions completely and check component allocation before work starts. Glass must be stored on suitable supports and secured against tipping. Enough helpers, suitable protective equipment and calm weather are needed for overhead work, fitting larger panes and aligning the structure. If unsure, professional installation is recommended.
Continue planning with Bloomcabin
More information on choosing, ordering and warranty terms
Frequently asked questions
Frequently asked questions about the T Model
What is a T Model?
The T Model is a greenhouse with a long main body and projecting cross wing. Their junction forms a natural focal point while the building sections remain connected without a fixed internal wall. This makes it easier to distinguish a productive growing zone from a relaxation or work area than in a purely rectangular greenhouse.
How should I divide the main body and cross wing?
Use the long main body for potting benches, propagation and work surfaces. The cross wing can accommodate a dining table, seating or studio. Keep the junction between both building sections clear as a passage rather than using it as permanent storage.
How do I choose the right configuration?
Do not choose a configuration only by available site area. Draw furniture, mature plants, work surfaces and clear routes to scale. The right version is the one in which both the main body and cross wing serve their intended purpose without blocking doors or vents.
Where should large planters stand?
Give large planters a fixed, accessible position from the outset. They should not obstruct sliding doors, vents, drainage or maintenance points. Leaving some space from glass and profiles also makes cleaning and inspection easier.
What matters for the T-shaped foundation?
The base must be level, dimensionally accurate and square. Before assembly, check external dimensions, diagonals and the precise cross-wing position. Ground and frost conditions, as well as surface-water drainage, must be included in professional planning.
Is the T Model suitable for hosting guests?
Yes. The cross wing can be furnished as a dining area, seating area or studio. For comfortable use, plan furniture to scale, keep the central passage clear, and consider shading and ventilation. The climate remains that of a glazed greenhouse rather than an insulated living space.
Is roof ventilation available?
Yes. Roof vents are included and support the release of warmed air. Together with suitably opened sliding doors, they can promote effective air exchange. Plants, shelves and furniture should not obstruct airflow routes or operation of the vents.
Can the greenhouse be heated?
Yes. An optional flue connection is available for separately planned heating. The suitable solution depends on the desired frost protection, cultivated plants and intended length of stay. Selection, connection and operation must be professionally planned; the flue connection alone is not a complete heating system.
How do I prepare for delivery?
Check the route from the street to the assembly site for gates, steps, slopes, narrow spaces and low branches. At the site, a level, dry storage area is needed where profiles and glass panes can be laid out in order and secured against tipping. Leave enough working space around the T-shaped footprint for assembly.
Bloomcabin T Model at a glance
Match use and specification before ordering
Before ordering, confirm the model configuration, equipment, site conditions and any required council approvals. The checklist helps review outstanding decisions about the property, interior, delivery and services.
Checklist before ordering
✓ Choose the right configuration for the site, plant collection and intended use
✓ Draw the main body, cross wing, furniture, plants and clear routes to scale
✓ Check the transport route, storage area and assembly access on all required sides
✓ Prepare a level, dimensionally accurate base suited to ground and frost conditions
✓ Select RAL colour, door arrangement and roof ventilation to suit access, furnishing and airflow
✓ Professionally plan water, power, rainwater drainage and possible heating before foundation and floor construction
