Palram Essence 8x12 vs Palram Balance 8x12
Palram Essence 8x12 wins this one, 9.0/10 against 8.7/10, mainly on price per square foot and panels. The Palram Balance 8x12 doesn't beat it on any criterion by a clear margin.
Pick the Palram Essence 8x12 if
- You want to spend less: $1,899 against $2,499
- You grow in cold weather: 4 mm polycarbonate against 4 mm roof, 0.8 mm walls
Pick the Palram Balance 8x12 if
- It suits gardeners who want a bright 8x12 with a green frame and two vents, mostly for the growing season
Every figure, compared
| Greenhouse | Palram Essence 8x129.0/10 | Palram Balance 8x128.7/10 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1,899 | $2,499 |
| Size | 8' x 12' · 95.4 sq ft | 8' x 12' · 96 sq ft |
| Price per sq ft | $19.91/sq ft | $26.03/sq ft |
| Panels | 4 mm polycarbonate | 4 mm roof, 0.8 mm walls |
| Glazing detail | 4 mm twin-wall polycarbonate on the roof and all walls | 4 mm twin-wall polycarbonate roof and 0.8 mm crystal-clear polycarbonate walls |
| Frame | Aluminum | Aluminum |
| Peak height | 7'7" peak | 7'7" peak |
| Door | Lockable hinged double doors, 75 in high x 47 in wide, with a low threshold ramp (Canopia) | Low-threshold double doors, lockable handle |
| Snow load | 15 lb/ft² | 15 lb/ft² |
| Wind rating | 56 mph | 55 mph |
| Ventilation | Two manually adjustable roof vents | Two adjustable roof vents |
| Base | Base included | Base included |
| 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 Balance 8x12 $2,499 at Planet Greenhouse for 96 sq ft. That is $600 more for the Palram Balance 8x12, or $19.91 against $26.03 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 Balance 8x12 4 mm twin-wall polycarbonate roof and 0.8 mm crystal-clear polycarbonate 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 Balance 8x12 15 lb/ft² of snow and 55 mph.
Headroom, doors and airflow
The Palram Essence 8x12 peaks at 7'7" with 48.6 in walls; the Palram Balance 8x12 at 7'7" with 48.8 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, low-threshold double doors, lockable handle on the Palram Balance 8x12. For ventilation, the Palram Essence 8x12 has two manually adjustable roof vents, and the Palram Balance 8x12 two adjustable roof vents.
Base, warranty and delivery
Palram Essence 8x12: Galvanized steel base included (Planet Greenhouse). Palram Balance 8x12: Galvanized steel base included (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 Balance 8x12?
Which is cheaper, the Palram Essence 8x12 or the Palram Balance 8x12?
Which handles snow better?
More head-to-heads
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Our pick: Palram Essence 8x12.
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$2,810 vs $2,765