Why A Hartley

I recently read, on a BBC webpage, that "Victorian society was transformed by engineering ingenuity and entrepreneurial prowess".

When we think of the great British engineering pioneers, we often think of Isambard Kingdom Brunel who, in July 1839, laid the keel in Bristol for a 3,270 ton iron super ship. Designed for speed and comfort, this was to be the most revolutionary steamship of the early Victorian period and by no means a small task!

We might also think of the famous, Sir Joseph Paxton who designed the Crystal Palace for the great exhibition in Hyde Park in 1851, made of glass and cast iron.

Perhaps less famous by name but not by Contribution, were Richard Turner and Decimus Burton who in 1848 built the Palm House at Kew, a most recognizable building which has gained the iconic status as the world's most important surviving Victorian glass and iron structure. The technology was borrowed from “shipbuilding” and it can be seen that the design is essentially an upturned hull. The unprecedented use of light but strong wrought iron 'ship's beams' made the great open span possible, allowing room for the unhindered growth of tall specimen palms.

In the Realm of historical horticultural engineering, architecture and design, we may recall other names such as, Lancelot Capability” Brown, Thomas Messenger, Foster & Pearson, W. Richardson & Co, J C Loudon, John Kibble, Boucher & Cousland who all made a variety of historical contributions.

In the 20^th Century, Vincent Hartley (1904-1964) and later Eric Bradbury of Clear Span, flamboyant inventors, re invented the wheel by designing a revolutionary residential and commercial glazing systems forgreenhouses. But there, at its heart remained the over-engineering values that the bygones had used and relied upon in “Shipbuilding” and "Bridge Building" engineering.

These principles are still very much in evidence in The Hartley greenhouses today.

Points to remember about our engineering

With the passage of time and technology, other improvements were made, such as, usage of Marine Quality Stainless Steel Fixings, usage of Thermo Plastic Rubber to edge and separate the glass from metal and toughened safely glass glazing. In fact, Hartley Botanic was the first company in the United Kingdom to introduce Toughened Safely Glass as an industry standard in all Greenhouses.

God Is In The Detail.

We design and manufacture our Greenhouses in any one of the main two systems of mechanical engineering:

1- Structural Expression Engineering:

The original Hartley and Victorian range system.

In the words of Michael Hawarny*, Master of Architecture: It has been said that great architecture makes a statement. While some statements are open for debate, the basic premise of a building making a valid statement rings true for all good designers. With this initial design criterion in mind, a designer must go beyond the initial requirements and provide a building that is capable of exceeding every requirement requested of it. Structural expression is one aspect of architecture that has been used throughout history as an inspiration for many of the greatest architectural works. From the Gothic arch to the space frame, many significant examples show the forces at work in a building in a very real and tectonic way. It is this structural expression, coupled with the skin of a building, where a building takes its form. Something as simple as the bolts can also be a means to express the reality of the building. It is then through these details that architecture is made. The phrase "God is in the details" takes on a literal tone as well as making a statement that emphasizes the importance of thorough design.

In a traditional Hartley construction, some of The Nuts, Bolts and Rivets that are Hartley’s Engineering Signature, are visible and the full details of engineering can be appreciated. In the words of a recent customer: "I would like to see what my money is buying for me"!

2- Concealed Engineering:

It’s a brilliant fusion of Expression Engineering as detailed above and a Contemporary feel to conceal the Mechanical Fixing Details. Naturally, this system is more material and labor intensive both during manufacturing and onsite and as such, the costs are higher. Beautiful clean lines, joints, and wider panes of glass, if preferred, which is more appealing, in general for a contemporary feel.

It's a Choice.

For ease of choice, we have created a range of models to suit most gardens sizes and needs but all our Greenhouses, from the smallest to the largest are made to order specifically for you.

What Would You Expect?

The true sign of a company’s engineering strength and what we feel our customers rely upon, is not just the ability to manufacture robust and long lasting 6'X8' or even 10'X20' glasshouse! in fact our engineering abilities can be measured and inspected by the massive horticultural structures that have been in existence for decades. Such examples to name a few:

You can have the peace of mind that the same quality of engineering and specification goes into even the smallest of our Greenhouses.

What do we recommend if you are new to Hartley?

Like all consumers (and especially in the current financial climate),we all want to make sure that we make the best choices that we can make. Many a time in the past we might have said to or asked ourselves:

Our recommendation is to do your own research. This is a very considered purchase. In addition to Hartley Botanic, there are a few companies that you might come across who make Aluminium Greenhouses.

And as for Hartley Botanic, you are always welcome to visit our factory in the UK.

Our brochure details a Hartley Greenhouse which was built in 1950 at Belgrave Hall and, as old as it may be, it is still in use.

And in the "Media Centre" of our website (accessible via the Home page) read about "Pots of Money In Old Greenhouses"

Here at Hartley, and as consumers ourselves, we are of the strong belief that the days of making choices based on "Propaganda" are long over. We can all now make informed decisions and choices based on "Presentation" and Facts!

Our Pricing Policy

Everyone knows that quality comes at a price. But to be frank, there are still marketing strategies and schools of thinking that if it’s expensive, it must be good!! And to be honest, psychological engineering has no place in modern times and Lives but it's also, unfair to all of us as consumers. We all have past examples we could use!

We continue to believe that "Like for Like" and all facts considered, what we offer is "Value & Longevity" for your money.

Nothing over priced, nothing under priced.

And what do we promise?

A Hartley Greenhouse is a British handmade quality product the design of which has stood the test of time, with only minor changes to enhance design and safety. Built for the purpose of growing your own, providing your own space in a pleasing, calming, relaxing environment and for ‘getting back to nature’. Take one look at a Hartley alongside any other greenhouse and the quality is plain for all to see.

In the words of one of our customers "On reflection, that was the best money I ever spent". An investment that pays.

Our greenhouses are made with proud hands, proud minds and proud hearts and we want a Hartley to be your pride and joy.

From everyone at Hartley Botanic

*Quote from Michael Hawarny, Adaptability, Structural Expression, Tectonic condition, Prof. Will Wittig, Thesis Advisor, held in the University of Detroit Mercy digital institutional repository.