All structures should be to the north of the greenhouse. One of the main greenhouse structures is a lean-to. Choosing a south wall of a building is a good option.
If there are trees or bushes near the greenhouse location, ensure they do not give a shadow until late afternoon.
Winter sun has a lower angle, so trees, houses and other structures are more likely to pose a problem. Do not choose a location near evergreen trees. Deciduous trees lose their leaves and will not shade the location in the winter, when the greenhouse requires more sun.
If you build a lean-to, you may be able to extend power from the house. A separate building may require hiring an electrician.
If your location is uneven, you may need to fill in the area to encourage drainage. You may be able to use cisterns to catch rainwater falling from the eaves of your greenhouse. Any conservation of water and electricity will help keep greenhouse costs low.
The larger the greenhouse, the more money it will cost to build and heat. The most popular greenhouse size is 8 by 6 feet (2. 4 by 1. 8 m). [5] X Research source
If you have a brick structure, the heat from the building can help you keep a steady, warm temperature. This is a fairly easy structure to make yourself. You can support it with rebar, wooden beams and fewer supports that an offset building. [9] X Research source
The domed shape means there is less head and storage space that rectangular models. This shape can be built with little cost; however, the less expensive the material, the less sturdy it is likely to be.
A rigid frame, post and rafter or A-frame greenhouse will need a foundation and a sturdy frame. You will need the help of friends or employees to help you build a large framed greenhouse.
Plastic film has to be replaced every few years PET plastic has a shorter life expectancy then the non toxic LDPE plastic. It must be washed occasionally. It will not hold heat as well as glass, but is adequate for lean-tos, quonsets and small stand-alone framed greenhouses.
Polycarbonate can be curved slightly around the frame and it has an energy savings of up to 30 percent, because it is double-walled. Polycarbonate is 200 times stronger than glass so it won’t chip or crack during construction. Polycarbonate also has high light transmission and is UV-stabilized, but does contains toxins such as BPA`s that are water soluble. Acrylic has more light transparency but is not as strong (yet still stronger then glass) 80 percent of light filters through polycarbonate. 90% filters true Acrylic.
Choose clear fiberglass or even better Acrylic. It will need a new coat of resin every 10 to 15 years. Invest in higher-grade fiberglass. Light transmission is greatly reduced on low-grade fiberglass or just buy Acrylic. This will save you approximately 25% in cost compared to glass and is easier to work with.
Glass is very fragile and is expensive to replace when it breaks, but on the other side acrylic, fiberglass and polycarbonate needs replacing over time. You must build a framed greenhouse with a foundation, any misalignment because of settling can cause damage. Tempered glass is preferable because it is stronger than regular glass, consider using hardened glass for the roof. A 4mm thickness of float glass is suggested if you are in an area prone to hail. If you are going to the expense of installing a glass greenhouse, you should consider bids from construction companies to ensure the foundation and frame can handle the weight. Greenhouse deconstruction companies can be a source of very cheap glass, second hand glass can be cheaper then new bought plastic variants.
Pound rebar into the ground every 4 feet (1. 2 m). Leave 48 inches (121. 9 cm) protruding from the ground. [15] X Research source Once the rebar is set, you can loop 20-foot sections of tubing over the rebar to create your frame. Stretch your plastic film (preferably a non toxic type of plastic) over the frame and attach it to beams at the bottom.
Hire builders to pour concrete, if you need a foundation. They will need to bring in concrete forms and pour the floor of your greenhouse before it can be framed.
Untreated wood can degrade in as little as 3 years. Choose your wood treatment carefully. Some wood treatments require that the food is no longer listed as “organic” or safe for consumption because of the use of chemicals. Consider a treatment like Erdalith, which has limited leaching properties. Use metal supports in place of wood supports whenever possible.
The more expensive the covering, such as glass, fiberglass, or double walled plastic, the more time you should take to seal it to the foundation and frame. Research the best procedure for the covering of your choice.
They should run almost constantly during the winter months, to ensure the entire greenhouse is benefiting from the heater.
Some ventilation of carbon dioxide is essential. The vents should be adjustable. You will need to open them wider in the summer months.
You can also use a wood or oil-based heater, but it must be vented to the outside to ensure good air quality, carbon dioxide poising is a real danger to be looked out for in such a close space. You should check with your town or council to see what heating options are available in your area.
Employ an electrician and a contractor to install your system. It may need regular maintenance to ensure it can handle ventilation and heating in the winter.
Place them at different levels of the greenhouse so that you can observe the temperature in your greenhouse at all times. You can buy a thermometer that measures the temperature inside your house and inside your greenhouse, so that you can watch it closely during the winter months.
A cool house is a greenhouse designed to keep plants from freezing. It is ideal for temporary greenhouses. A hot house is a greenhouse designed to keep plants in tropical temperatures. You will need to choose what the temperature will be and keep it steady. It is not possible to create different zones in an open greenhouse.
If possible, construct the beds to the primary gardener’s height to limit ergonomic problems.
