The Parkside greenhouse is a small, heavy-duty glass greenhouse from Cross Country Greenhouses, built by BC Greenhouse Builders. It comes in 8x10 and 8x12, with a steep English-style roof and a strong aluminum frame. It is the right pick if you want a classic glass look that can be built stronger for snow, wind or a custom size. See every option on our Parkside greenhouse 8x12 page.
✅ Quick answer
- Two standard sizes: 8x10 (80 sq ft) and 8x12 (96 sq ft). Other sizes can be made to order.
- Standard rating of 32 psf snow and 85 mph wind, with upgrades to about 110 psf snow and 140 mph wind.
- Glazing: 3mm tempered glass all round, or glass walls with a 6mm twin-wall polycarbonate roof.
- Lifetime limited warranty on the frame and single glass; 10 years on polycarbonate.
- Choose the Parkside for looks and strength. Choose the Legacy or Sunhaven if you want a lower-cost 8x8.
We are a small, woman-owned greenhouse business in Georgia, and an authorized Cross Country dealer. This review compares the Parkside with its two Cross Country siblings, shows the real specs, and walks through heating, foundation and ordering. The smaller size is on our Cross Country Parkside 8x10 glass greenhouse page.
What is the Parkside greenhouse, and who makes it?
The Parkside is part of the Cross Country line from BC Greenhouse Builders. It is a family-owned company founded in 1951, and our product listings note the greenhouses are made in Canada. Cross Country greenhouses are known for heavy aluminum frames and the option to build them stronger or to a custom size.
The Parkside is the "dress-up" model of the range. It has a 12/12 roof pitch (45 degrees), decorative ridge cresting and finials, and base panels. That steep roof gives it the look of a classic English garden house. It also helps snow slide off.
What does "custom glass, built to order" mean here?
Cross Country greenhouses are made for each order, not pulled from a warehouse shelf. You pick the size, glazing and frame color. You can also ask for a stronger snow and wind rating. If you need a size that isn't listed, the factory can quote a made-to-order greenhouse.
That is the big difference from a mass-market kit. It is also why these greenhouses are non-returnable once ordered. So it pays to get the details right first. We help with that on every order.
Parkside greenhouse specs: what do you get in the 8x10 and 8x12?
Here are the specs for both sizes, from our product listings and the manufacturer's pages.
| Feature | Parkside 8x10 | Parkside 8x12 |
|---|---|---|
| Outside size | 8' 7½" x 10' 8½" | 8' 7½" x 12' 8½" |
| Floor area | 80 sq ft | 96 sq ft |
| Sidewall height | 5' | 5' |
| Roof | 12/12 pitch, ridge cresting | 12/12 pitch, ridge cresting |
| Roof vents | 2 automatic | 2 automatic (4' x 2' 4" each) |
| Door | Lockable storm door | Lockable storm door, 32" x 76" |
| Frame colors | Black, green, white, brown | Black, green, white, brown |
The 8x12 weighs about 1,269 lbs in glass, so plan for two or three helpers on delivery day.
Glass or polycarbonate roof: which Parkside should you choose?
The Parkside comes two ways. Both use the same frame and the same 3mm tempered safety glass on the walls.
- All glass: the clearest view and the most traditional look. Best in mild and sunny areas, or if the greenhouse is a garden feature first.
- Glass walls + polycarbonate roof: a 6mm twin-wall roof spreads the light, shades plants a little, and holds heat better. It also shrugs off hail and falling branches.
💡 Our tip: here in the South, many of our customers like the polycarbonate roof. It cuts the harsh summer sun on seedlings. If you live under big trees or get hail, it is the safer choice anywhere.
How strong is the Parkside in snow and wind?
The standard Parkside is rated for 32 lbs per square foot of snow and 85 mph winds. That already beats many backyard kits. For harsh sites, the frame can be upgraded to about 110 psf of snow and 140 mph of wind.
The frame is heavy aluminum with a baked-on enamel finish. It won't rot and needs no painting. The steep 45-degree roof also sheds snow faster than a low roof.
📌 Important: the load upgrade must be chosen when you order, because the frame is built for it at the factory. Not sure what your area needs? Look up your local ground snow load, or use our greenhouse snow and wind load calculator, then call us.
Want to see how other models compare in tough weather? Read our picks for the most durable greenhouses for wind, snow and harsh winters.
Parkside vs Legacy vs Sunhaven: which Cross Country greenhouse fits you?
We carry three Cross Country greenhouses. Here is how the Parkside, Legacy and Sunhaven compare side by side.
| Model | Floor area | Glazing | Roof | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Parkside 8x10 / 8x12 | 80 / 96 sq ft | All glass, or glass + poly roof | 12/12, 2 auto vents | Looks, space, a garden showpiece |
| Legacy 8x8 | 64 sq ft | Glass walls + poly roof | 5/12, 1 solar auto vent | Glass look on a smaller budget |
| Sunhaven 8x8 | 64 sq ft | 6mm twin-wall poly | 5/12, 1 auto vent | Lowest heat loss, cold climates |
All three share the same 32 psf snow and 85 mph wind rating as standard, and the same heavy aluminum frame. The Parkside is the priciest of the three; the Sunhaven is the most budget-friendly. Click any model name to see today's price.
Cross Country Legacy 8x8: glass walls, tough roof
The Legacy pairs clear 3mm tempered glass walls with a 6mm twin-wall polycarbonate roof. Its roof vent opens on a solar-powered automatic control, and the door has a screened panel for extra airflow. It comes in brown. Our full Cross Country Legacy greenhouse review goes deeper.
Cross Country Sunhaven 8x8: the cold-climate grower
The Sunhaven uses 6mm twin-wall polycarbonate on every wall and the roof. It lets in 82% of the light, spread evenly, with an insulating R-value of 1.62. Pick white, green or brown. See our Cross Country Sun Haven greenhouse review for more.
🌿 Our verdict: the Parkside gives you 50% more floor space than the 8x8 models (96 vs 64 sq ft) and the prettiest roofline. If your budget is tight or you want to grow all winter in a cold state, the Sunhaven is the smarter buy.
How much heat does a Parkside greenhouse need in winter?
Glass looks beautiful, but it loses heat faster than twin-wall polycarbonate. So it is worth sizing your heater before you buy. Here is the simple formula we use.
📐 Greenhouse heater size
BTU per hour = Surface area × U-value × Temperature gap
Surface area = walls + roof in sq ft · U-value = 1.25 for single glass, 0.7 for twin-wall polycarbonate · Temperature gap = inside °F minus your coldest outside °F
🧮 Worked example: Parkside 8x12, all glass
- Surface area (our rough estimate from the dimensions): about 405 sq ft
- U-value for single glass: 1.25
- Keep 45°F inside on a 15°F night: gap of 30°F
405 × 1.25 × 30 = about 15,200 BTU per hour. Divide by 3.412 = about 4,450 watts. Add 20% for safety = about 5,300 watts. That is a 240V heater job. Our product listing gives a similar figure (18,547 BTU for a larger 36°F gap), so the math checks out.
Here is the same estimate for each Cross Country greenhouse, using the same 30°F gap.
| Greenhouse | Heat needed | Heater size (+20%) |
|---|---|---|
| Parkside 8x12, all glass | ~15,200 BTU/hr | ~5,300 W |
| Parkside 8x12, poly roof | ~12,700 BTU/hr | ~4,500 W |
| Parkside 8x10, all glass | ~13,500 BTU/hr | ~4,800 W |
| Legacy 8x8 | ~9,600 BTU/hr | ~3,400 W |
| Sunhaven 8x8 | ~6,100 BTU/hr | ~2,200 W |
These are estimates for comparison, not a quote. Real needs depend on your weather, wind and how well the base is sealed.
The polycarbonate roof cuts the Parkside's heat need by about one sixth. To turn watts into a monthly bill, see how much it costs to heat a greenhouse in winter, or try our greenhouse heater calculator.
What foundation does the Parkside need?
Not a concrete one. Thanks to its base panels, the manufacturer says a single row of pressure-treated 4x4s on a level gravel base is enough. You can pour a concrete base if you prefer. Either way, it must be square and level, or the doors and vents won't line up.
- Parkside: sits on a wood or concrete base at ground level. It cannot be set on a stem wall.
- Legacy and Sunhaven: can sit on a stem or knee wall if you add the drop door kit.
Our practical guide to a greenhouse foundation shows how to build a wood or concrete base step by step.
How do you order a custom Cross Country greenhouse?
Because each Cross Country greenhouse is made for you, ordering takes a few more decisions than a boxed kit. Here is how it works with us:
- Pick the model and size. Parkside 8x10 or 8x12, Legacy 8x8 or Sunhaven 8x8. Need another size? Ask about our custom greenhouses.
- Choose glazing and color. All glass or a polycarbonate roof; black, green, white or brown frame.
- Decide on load upgrades. Order the stronger snow and wind frame now if you need it.
- Wait for the build. Lead time is usually 6 to 8 weeks.
- Take delivery. It ships free to the continental US, in wooden crates, curbside. The truck is usually a tractor trailer, so tell us about tight driveways.
- Assemble. Parts come pre-cut and pre-drilled. Many owners build it over a weekend with helpers, or you can book one of our greenhouse assembly crews.
📌 Before you order: Cross Country greenhouses are built to order and can't be returned. Check the crates for damage on delivery and note any problem with the driver. Prices change during the year, and the product page always shows today's price. We offer a Price Match Guarantee - please check the rules.
For more on choices like doors, benches and add-ons, read what to consider when ordering a customized Cross Country greenhouse.
Is the Parkside greenhouse worth it?
For the right buyer, yes. You pay more than for a basic kit, but you get a frame built to last decades and a warranty to match.
Buy the Parkside if you…
- want a true glass greenhouse that looks like a small English garden house
- need 80 to 96 sq ft in a small yard
- live with snow or high winds and want the option to upgrade the frame
- want a lifetime limited warranty on the frame and single glass
Look at other options if you…
- want to heat it hard all winter on a budget (the Sunhaven or an insulated model will cost less to run)
- must set it on a stem wall (choose the Legacy or Sunhaven with a drop door)
- need more than 96 sq ft without a custom order
Still weighing glass against other frames? Our guide to wooden vs aluminum frame greenhouses can help. For the full history and feature list, our earlier complete guide to the Cross Country Parkside is still a good read.
Frequently asked questions
How much is the Parkside greenhouse?
The price depends on size, glazing and any load upgrade. It sits at the top of the Cross Country range, above the Legacy and Sunhaven. The Cross Country Parkside greenhouse page always shows today's price, and we can tell you about any current sale.
Who makes Cross Country greenhouses?
Cross Country greenhouses are made by BC Greenhouse Builders, a family-owned company founded in 1951. Mulberry Greenhouses is an authorized dealer. See the whole line in our Cross Country greenhouses collection.
Does a Parkside greenhouse need a concrete foundation?
No. A row of pressure-treated 4x4s on a level gravel base is enough, thanks to the base panels. A concrete base also works. It cannot sit on a stem wall.
What sizes does the Parkside greenhouse come in?
The standard sizes are 8x10 (80 sq ft) and 8x12 (96 sq ft). The factory can quote other sizes as a made-to-order greenhouse. Call us with your space and we will ask for you.
What warranty do Cross Country greenhouses have?
The manufacturer gives a lifetime limited warranty on the frame and single glass, and 10 years on twin-wall polycarbonate. It covers defects for the original buyer and is not transferable.
Do I need a permit for a Parkside greenhouse?
In many areas, a greenhouse this small does not need a building permit. Rules vary by town and HOA, so always check with your local building office before you order.
Is the Parkside greenhouse right for your yard?
Tell us your space, your winters and what you want to grow. We will help you choose the right Cross Country greenhouse and confirm today's price and any current sale.
Call 678-408-8222 · [email protected]
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