Palram Essence 8x12 vs Palram Snap & Grow 8x12
Palram Essence 8x12 wins this one, 9.0/10 against 8.4/10, mainly on price per square foot and panels. Choose the Palram Snap & Grow 8x12 if headroom matters more to you.
Pick the Palram Essence 8x12 if
- You want to spend less: $1,899 against $2,249
- You grow in cold weather: 4 mm polycarbonate against 0.8 mm polycarbonate
- You want the base included: base included
Pick the Palram Snap & Grow 8x12 if
- You want headroom: 8'6" at the peak against 7'7"
Every figure, compared
| Greenhouse | Palram Essence 8x129.0/10 | Palram Snap & Grow 8x128.4/10 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1,899 | $2,249 |
| Size | 8' x 12' · 95.4 sq ft | 8' x 12' · 100 sq ft |
| Price per sq ft | $19.91/sq ft | $22.49/sq ft |
| Panels | 4 mm polycarbonate | 0.8 mm polycarbonate |
| Glazing detail | 4 mm twin-wall polycarbonate on the roof and all walls | 0.8 mm crystal-clear polycarbonate ("SnapGlas") on the roof and walls |
| Frame | Aluminum | Aluminum |
| Peak height | 7'7" peak | 8'6" peak |
| Door | Lockable hinged double doors, 75 in high x 47 in wide, with a low threshold ramp (Canopia) | Extra-wide double doors, low threshold |
| Snow load | 15 lb/ft² | 15.4 lb/ft² |
| Wind rating | 56 mph | 56 mph |
| Ventilation | Two manually adjustable roof vents | Two adjustable roof vents |
| Base | Base included | Foundation needed |
| Warranty | 5-year | 5-year |
| Availability | Available to order online | Available to order online |
| Sold by | Planet Greenhouse | Planet Greenhouse |
| Buy | See price | See price |
✓ marks the better figure. Prices checked November 12, 2026 on the sellers' US pages.
Price and space
On the day we checked, the Palram Essence 8x12 cost $1,899 at Planet Greenhouse for 95.4 sq ft, and the Palram Snap & Grow 8x12 $2,249 at Planet Greenhouse for 100 sq ft. That is $350 more for the Palram Snap & Grow 8x12, or $19.91 against $22.49 per square foot.
Panels, snow and wind
The Palram Essence 8x12 uses 4 mm twin-wall polycarbonate on the roof and all walls; the Palram Snap & Grow 8x12 0.8 mm crystal-clear polycarbonate ("SnapGlas") on the roof and walls. Thicker twin-wall holds heat better on cold nights, which favors the Palram Essence 8x12.
For weather, the Palram Essence 8x12 lists 15 lb/ft² of snow and 56 mph; the Palram Snap & Grow 8x12 15.4 lb/ft² of snow and 56 mph.
Headroom, doors and airflow
The Palram Essence 8x12 peaks at 7'7" with 48.6 in walls; the Palram Snap & Grow 8x12 at 8'6" with 63.4 in walls. Doors: lockable hinged double doors, 75 in high x 47 in wide, with a low threshold ramp (Canopia) on the Palram Essence 8x12, extra-wide double doors, low threshold on the Palram Snap & Grow 8x12. For ventilation, the Palram Essence 8x12 has two manually adjustable roof vents, and the Palram Snap & Grow 8x12 two adjustable roof vents.
Base, warranty and delivery
Palram Essence 8x12: Galvanized steel base included (Planet Greenhouse). Palram Snap & Grow 8x12: No base listed; Palram's anchor kit for Snap & Grow is sold separately ($129 at Planet Greenhouse). Warranty: 5-year limited warranty (Palram-Canopia, per the dealer and canopia.com). 5-year limited warranty (Palram-Canopia, per the dealer and canopia.com).
Quick answers
Which is better, the Palram Essence 8x12 or the Palram Snap & Grow 8x12?
Which is cheaper, the Palram Essence 8x12 or the Palram Snap & Grow 8x12?
Which handles snow better?
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