For the most dedicated hobbyists, weather is never an obstacle. Runners respond to shorter days and colder temperatures by putting on an extra layer of clothing and taking along a flashlight. Skiers seek out synthetic snow or transition to grass skiing during the summer.

Gardeners are no different. When outdoor conditions make it impossible to grow plants outdoors, they'll transition to indoor gardening until the soil warms back up.

Greenhouses are an invaluable resource for gardeners who want to maintain their green thumb through the winter. If you would like to add one of these structures to your property, you'll have to consider where it should be located and what materials are most suitable.

The most effective greenhouses will get plenty of sunlight throughout the year. Not only will this help the plants inside to grow, but it will also heat up the air inside the greenhouse.

Naturally, you'll want to avoid placing a greenhouse in a shady part of your yard. The home improvement site HomeAdvisor says the position of the sun in the sky will change throughout the year, so you should have a general idea of which areas of the yard get enough sunlight.

The greenhouse should ideally be in a location that gets several hours of direct sunlight throughout the year. But if you want to focus on autumn and winter gardening, the location should be in a spot that gets ample sunlight between October and March. HGTV recommends choosing an area with southern exposure that gets at least six hours of sunlight.

Many plants benefit from afternoon shade, and a site with less sun in the afternoon can be beneficial. The University of Georgia Cooperative Extension says deciduous trees will shed their leaves in the autumn, allowing more sunlight into the greenhouse during the colder months. However, you'll need to be careful not to place the greenhouse in an area where it might be damaged by falling tree limbs.

You may need to seek a balance between different factors. If the site is out in the open or otherwise exposed, it can be vulnerable to strong winds and extreme temperatures. HGTV says insulation might be necessary to help regulate temperatures in exposed areas; placing the greenhouse in too sheltered a location may limit the amount of sunlight it receives.

Numerous different types of greenhouses are available. You may construct your own, or look for a kit. Some greenhouses are freestanding, while others are designed to attach to your home or another structure. The University of Georgia Cooperative Extension says the latter option offers easier access to utilities such as electricity and heat, but also tends to provide more limited space and access to sunlight.

The size of the greenhouse may be limited by the availability of space on your property. Marie Iannotti, writing for the home design site The Spruce, recommends using a larger greenhouse instead of a smaller one. If your greenhouse isn't large enough to meet your needs, it can be expensive to upgrade it.

A concrete slab provides a solid surface on which to place a greenhouse. However, you can also opt for a less expensive option of using pavers or pea gravel for a foundation.

Decide what kind of materials you will use to build your greenhouse. Kimberly Dawn Neumann, writing for the National Association of Realtors, says it is possible to create the structure using a wooden frame and heavy-duty plastic. However, these materials are less likely to endure under heavy snowfalls and strong winds.

Galvanized steel is a good choice for a greenhouse frame. HGTV says this material won't rust, can support heavy loads, and will be able to withstand exposure to wind. Iannotti says PVC pipes or aluminum will also work well for a frame.

The material used to cover the frame can be a trickier choice. Glass will let in plenty of light, but HomeAdvisor notes that it is heavier than other options and more susceptible to damage. Plastic coverings are durable, but will eventually need to be replaced. Fiberglass will also work well, although cheaper varieties are prone to discoloration.

While natural sunlight can heat up the inside of a greenhouse considerably, it may not be sufficient to keep the space adequately heated during the winter. The University of Georgia Extension says space heaters are one way to warm up the greenhouse. You can also establish forced air or electric heating systems connected to a thermostat to maintain a constant temperature.

Greenhouses have the opposite problem in the summer: ample sunlight can cause too much heat to be trapped inside the structure. Proper ventilation will help dispel this heat and protect your plants. This can be beneficial even during the colder months, since the greenhouse can still overheat on sunny days.

Make sure your greenhouse is outfitted with the right materials. Iannotti says the entrance should be able to accommodate a wheelbarrow. You'll also want to get benches, shelves, and possibly items such as shade cloths and a misting system.

Even if you don't have too much room at your home, you can still set up a smaller greenhouse. HomeAdvisor says cold frames and portable greenhouses are inexpensive and easy to set up. Neumann says a solarium can be established in a window in a condominium or other residences with little or no yard space.