A Nordic greenhouse, in the way most of our customers mean it, is a bright, insulated backyard room in a clean Scandinavian style. We carry three ways to get one: the Nordic garden rooms from Nordic Garden House, the all-glass Hoklartherm Livingten, and the Lumen & Forge geodesic dome. The right pick depends on one question: is the space mainly for people or for plants?
This guide compares all three side by side. We cover size, comfort, growing light, delivery and cost per square foot, so you can match the building to how you will really use it.
โ Quick answer
- Mostly for people (office, studio, lounge): a Nordic garden room. Insulated walls and roof, double-glazed doors, about 103 to 157 sq ft inside.
- People and plants (a sunroom full of plants): the Livingten, with 22mm insulated glass on every side and 163 to 225 sq ft.
- Mostly plants, smaller budget: a Lumen & Forge dome, 132 to 310 sq ft under a clear vinyl cover.
- Prices when we wrote this (October 2026): domes from about $3,000, Nordic rooms and the Livingten roughly $36,000 to $57,000. Shipping is free to the continental US.
- A Nordic garden room is not a growing greenhouse. Its walls and roof are mostly solid, so plants only thrive near the glass doors.
What is a Nordic greenhouse, and how is it different from a garden room?
People search "Nordic greenhouse" for two kinds of buildings. Some want a Scandinavian-style glass house for growing. Others want a modern garden room they can sit in all year. The names overlap, but the buildings do not.
A greenhouse is clear on every side so plants get as much light as possible. A garden room is insulated on most sides so people stay comfortable. The Nordic Garden House line we sell through Exaco sits firmly in the garden-room camp. If you want a classic all-glass room instead, see our guide to choosing a conservatory greenhouse.
- Nordic garden rooms: 28mm insulated aluminum composite walls, an insulated roof, and 28mm double-glazed Low-E glass doors.
- Livingten: an insulated glass greenhouse from Hoklartherm in Germany. It has 22mm dual-pane glass on the walls and roof.
- Lumen & Forge dome: a powder-coated steel frame with a 30 mil clear vinyl cover. It is a true greenhouse, but it is not insulated.
We already wrote a full spec guide to each Nordic model. If you want every measurement and finish, read our Nordic garden room sizes, costs and specs guide. This post is about choosing between the three very different options.
How do the Nordic garden rooms, Livingten and dome compare?
Here are the Nordic garden rooms, the Livingten and the Lumen & Forge domes in one table, using the specs from each product page. Read across the row that matters most to you.
| Feature | Nordic garden rooms | Livingten | Lumen & Forge dome |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best for | Office, studio, lounge, gym | Plants and people together | Seasonal growing on a budget |
| Walls | Insulated panels + glass doors | 22mm insulated glass | 30 mil clear vinyl |
| Roof | Insulated polycarbonate or tile-effect | 22mm insulated glass | Clear vinyl dome |
| Usable floor | About 103 to 157 sq ft | 163 to 225 sq ft | 132 to 310 sq ft |
| Peak height | 8'10" to 10'5" | 10'8" | 8.6 to 11.5 ft |
| Base needed | Flat, level slab or concrete pad | Foundation (5" I-beam frame included) | None required; anchor it |
| Approx. price* | $36,100 to $57,000 | $40,300 to $57,000 | $2,980 to $4,950 |
*Prices checked in October 2026. Prices can change and sales may apply, so click the model name to see today's price.
๐ฟ Our verdict: if you will work in the building every day, buy the Nordic room. If you want to grow citrus, orchids or winter greens and sit among them, buy the Livingten. If you want to try four-season growing without a big outlay, start with a dome.
Which Nordic garden room fits your yard?
All three Nordic greenhouse garden rooms share the same wall panels, glass and Nordic ECO base. They differ in shape, size and roof. The ECO base is 50mm high, has channels for power cables, and lets you lay almost any floor on top.
Nordic Madison: a compact square room
The Nordic Madison is about 11 x 11 ft outside and 10'2" x 10'2" inside. Two walls are insulated panels and two are large sliding glass doors with multi-point locks. Its roof is 25mm multiwall polycarbonate with heat-reflective technology. It is a good size for a one-person office or a reading room.
Nordic Melbourne: a pavilion with glass all around
The Nordic Melbourne is 13'8" x 13'8" x 10'5" high, with 155 sq ft of usable space. It has a steel-reinforced PVCu frame, hinged double doors and four lockable window vents. The roof is a 32mm insulated tile-effect panel. With windows on every side, it is our favorite Nordic room for houseplants.
Nordic Greenwich: a garden room plus a shed
The Nordic Greenwich is 18' x 10'2" x 9'1" high. Inside you get a 13'1" x 9'2" main room and a separate 4' x 9'2" shed with its own locking door. An insulated wall separates the two. It suits anyone who needs a workspace and a place to keep tools.
๐ Important: a Nordic garden room keeps people comfortable because most of it is solid. That same design means plants get far less light than in a greenhouse. Plan on houseplants near the doors, not vegetable beds.
Is the Livingten a better Nordic-style greenhouse for growing?
For growing, yes. The Hoklartherm Livingten is glass on every side, but the glass is insulated. Each pane is 22mm: 4mm glass, a 14mm gas-filled gap, then 4mm glass. The aluminum profiles are thermally broken to cut down on cold spots.
It comes in three sizes, all 11'5ยพ" wide with a 10'8" peak:
- Livingten 5: 14'3" long, about 163 sq ft.
- Livingten 6: 17' long, about 195 sq ft.
- Livingten 7: 20' long, about 225 sq ft.
It arrives well equipped. You get two sets of double sliding doors with 61" openings, four roof windows with automatic solar-powered openers, and two pop-out side windows. A full-length LED light bar, three sets of roll-up shade curtains and a model-specific foundation frame are included too.
It also works well as a sunroom filled with plants: a table and chairs at one end, benches of greens at the other. For a deeper look at heating and year-round use, see our Livingten insulated greenhouse review.
When does a geodesic dome make more sense?
A geodesic dome greenhouse is the budget way into a round, all-season growing space. The Lumen & Forge kit has white powder-coated steel struts, a 30 mil clear vinyl cover, a zipper door and two side vents with optional bug screens.
- 13 ft dome: 132 sq ft, 8.6 ft high. See the 13 ft dome.
- 16 ft dome: 200 sq ft, 9.7 ft high. See the 16 ft dome.
- 20 ft dome: 310 sq ft, 11.5 ft high. See the 20 ft dome.
Two people can build one in 4 to 6 hours. No base is required, but Lumen & Forge strongly recommends anchoring it to a deck, slab or soil. The anchor plates come in the kit; the anchoring hardware for your ground type is bought separately.
โ ๏ธ Know the limits: the dome is rated for 60 mph wind and 7 lbs per sq ft of snow, with a 1-year limited warranty. In heavy-snow areas, brush it off after every storm or choose the Livingten instead.
We compare the dome with another brand in our Lumen & Forge geodesic dome guide.
How much does a Nordic greenhouse or garden room cost per square foot?
Sticker prices are hard to compare when floor sizes differ so much. Cost per square foot puts every option on the same scale.
๐ Cost per square foot
Cost per sq ft = Kit price รท Usable floor area (sq ft)
Use the inside floor area, not the outside footprint. Add your foundation and assembly costs to the price for a full picture.
๐งฎ Worked example: the Nordic Madison was about $36,099 when we wrote this (October 2026). Inside it is 10'2" x 10'2", or about 103 sq ft. $36,099 รท 103 = about $350 per sq ft. The Livingten 6 was about $40,299 for 195 sq ft: $40,299 รท 195 = about $207 per sq ft. So the larger glass house cost less per foot of floor.
Here is the same math for every model we carry, using prices checked in October 2026:
| Model | Approx. price* | Usable sq ft | Cost per sq ft |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nordic Madison | ~$36,099 | 103 | ~$350 |
| Nordic Melbourne | ~$52,249 | 155 | ~$337 |
| Nordic Greenwich | ~$56,999 | 157 (incl. shed) | ~$364 |
| Livingten 5 / 6 / 7 | ~$47,000 / $40,299 / $56,959 | 163 / 195 / 225 | ~$288 / $207 / $253 |
| Lumen & Forge 13 / 16 / 20 ft | ~$2,978 / $4,200 / $4,950 | 132 / 200 / 310 | ~$16 to $23 |
*Prices checked in October 2026. Prices can change and sales may apply, so click the model name to see today's price.
๐ About prices: manufacturers update their prices during the year, and we often run sales and promotions. The price on the product page is always the current one. Prices in this article are a guide from when we wrote it (October 2026), not a quote or guarantee. Found a lower price for the same model at an authorized retailer? We offer a Price Match Guarantee - please check the rules first. Call us and we will confirm today's price and any current deals.
The dome wins on price by a mile, but you are buying a vinyl cover, not insulated glass. For running costs in winter, our guide to the cost of heating a greenhouse shows how glazing changes your heating bill.
What do you need to prepare before delivery?
These are large buildings, and delivery day surprises people. Here is what each one needs, based on the product pages:
- Plan the base first. The Nordic rooms need a professionally prepared, spirit-level slab or concrete pad. If it is not level, installation can be delayed. The Livingten comes with a 5" I-beam foundation frame that sits on your prepared base.
- Check truck access. All three ship free by LTL freight on an 18-wheeler. Tell us about tight roads or low wires before you order.
- Arrange unloading. For the Nordic rooms, a flatbed and forklift on your end is the customer's job. The Livingten glass ships in four wooden crates of about 600 to 990 lbs each, roughly 4,100 lbs in total.
- Be home for the delivery. Someone must be there to receive it. We call ahead to set a delivery window.
- Book assembly. Two people can put up the dome in a day. For the Nordic rooms and the Livingten, you can book one of our assembly crews.
๐ก Tip: pour or prepare the base before the kit arrives, and leave room around it for the doors to slide and for cleaning. Our practical guide to a greenhouse foundation walks through slab and perimeter options.
Which one should you buy? A simple decision guide
Answer these in order. The first "yes" is usually your answer.
- Will you work or relax in it most days, all year? Choose a Nordic garden room. The Madison suits one person; the Greenwich adds storage; the Melbourne has windows on every side.
- Do you want a plant-filled room you can also sit in? Choose the Livingten. It is the only one with insulated glass on every surface.
- Is growing the main goal and the budget under $5,000? Choose a Lumen & Forge dome, sized by how many beds you want.
- Still torn between office and growing? Browse our greenhouse offices and garden rooms and read our backyard greenhouse office planning guide.
We are a small, woman-owned business in Georgia, and we answer every question personally. Tell us your yard size, climate and plans, and we will help you narrow it down.
Frequently asked questions
Is a Nordic greenhouse good for growing vegetables?
The Nordic garden rooms we sell are built for people, with mostly solid walls and an insulated roof. Vegetables need full light, so they will struggle inside. For growing, choose the all-glass Livingten or a dome.
Can you use a Nordic garden room in winter?
Yes. The walls use 28mm insulated panels and the doors use 28mm double-glazed Low-E glass. In cold climates, plan on a small heat source for the coldest days.
What is the difference between a Nordic garden house and an insulated greenhouse?
A Nordic garden house has insulated solid walls with glass doors. An insulated greenhouse like the Livingten uses insulated glass for the whole building. Both hold heat, but only the greenhouse gives plants light from every side.
Do Nordic garden rooms need a foundation?
Yes. Each one comes with the Nordic ECO base, which must sit on a flat, level slab or concrete pad. The slab itself is not included, so budget for it.
Is a geodesic dome greenhouse strong enough for snow?
The Lumen & Forge dome is rated for 7 lbs per sq ft of snow and 60 mph wind. Its curved shape helps snow slide off, but in heavy-snow regions you should clear it after storms.
What warranty comes with these buildings?
Nordic Garden Buildings give up to 10 years on PVC-u frames and glazed units, with shorter terms on some parts. The dome has a 1-year limited warranty. Ask us for the Livingten warranty document before you buy.
Not sure which Nordic greenhouse or garden room fits?
Send us your yard size and how you plan to use the space. We will help you choose between the Nordic rooms, the Livingten and the domes, confirm today's price and any current sale, and plan your base and assembly crew.
