View Full Version : Greenhouse ideas / options ?
Dreaminofthetropics
10-09-2011, 07:18 PM
I'm currently trying to decide the best option for a greenhouse. I have someone locally with a 16x20 one for sale for $600. It is the traditional metal bows and plastic covering. I was also thinking of building a lean to against my house by framing it and using corrugated plastic which I believe I can make a 14x8 one for about $400. If I build my own I could frame it and then buy so many panels for payday as I probably have about 2 months until the first frost. Soooo does anyone have any input on what is better or other options? Thanks for any advice you guys have!
sunfish
10-09-2011, 07:26 PM
Only suggestion I have is check out the clear solar pool cover .
Solar Pool Covers for In-Ground and Above Ground Pools - Solar Blankets (http://www.intheswim.com/landing/solar_covers_summer.aspx)
Dreaminofthetropics
10-09-2011, 07:39 PM
Only suggestion I have is check out the clear solar pool cover .
Solar Pool Covers for In-Ground and Above Ground Pools - Solar Blankets (http://www.intheswim.com/landing/solar_covers_summer.aspx)
Would you suggest using this as the plastic on a framed greenhouse instead of the corrugated panels? The framing isn't going to cost too much the panels are the major cost of the lean-to option. Thanks!
sunfish
10-09-2011, 07:52 PM
Would you suggest using this as the plastic on a framed greenhouse instead of the corrugated panels? The framing isn't going to cost too much the panels are the major cost of the lean-to option. Thanks!
This is what I used instead of panels.
Dreaminofthetropics
10-09-2011, 09:00 PM
This is what I used instead of panels.
And its held up well? It looks like the thickest solar cover would be about half the price of the corrugated panels as long as shipping isn't too much. Did you cut it for different areas and just buy one big enough to cover what you need to.
sunfish
10-09-2011, 09:09 PM
And its held up well? It looks like the thickest solar cover would be about half the price of the corrugated panels as long as shipping isn't too much. Did you cut it for different areas and just buy one big enough to cover what you need to.
I've had mine for 3 years and it's holding up well.I believe it's rated for 8yrs. Yes I just bought one large piece and cut to fit.With a wood frame you can use a staple gun to secure it.
Dreaminofthetropics
10-09-2011, 09:14 PM
I've had mine for 3 years and it's holding up well.I believe it's rated for 8yrs. Yes I just bought one large piece and cut to fit.With a wood frame you can use a staple gun to secure it.
Does it get way too hot in the summer or do you take it down? I'm trying to figure out how to make vents into the plans!
sunfish
10-09-2011, 09:23 PM
Does it get way too hot in the summer or do you take it down? I'm trying to figure out how to make vents into the plans!
It gets hot in the winter,takes very little sun to heat it up. I put windows on either end for ventilation. Summer I add shade cloth
Dreaminofthetropics
10-09-2011, 09:47 PM
It gets hot in the winter,takes very little sun to heat it up. I put windows on either end for ventilation. Summer I add shade cloth
Ok... Do you use a heater for it or just the insulation? I think I might just try to frame some vents we shall see LOL. I really appreciate all your help! I want to start getting ready before I'm pushing it come freeze time! How big is your GH? Do you have any photos of it?
sunfish
10-09-2011, 10:09 PM
Ok... Do you use a heater for it or just the insulation? I think I might just try to frame some vents we shall see LOL. I really appreciate all your help! I want to start getting ready before I'm pushing it come freeze time! How big is your GH? Do you have any photos of it?
I will use a heater this winter,I only need to stay above 40f. Greenhouse is 8x12'. I'll post a pic maņana
Dreaminofthetropics
10-09-2011, 10:13 PM
I will use a heater this winter,I only need to stay above 40f. Greenhouse is 8x12'. I'll post a pic maņana
Gracias! What kind of heater will you be using? Our temps here occasionally get in the 20s but not too many nights of that. I need to go to my moms and see if the heater we used in our greenhouse a few years ago is still down there.. Hmmmm
sunfish
10-09-2011, 10:26 PM
Gracias! What kind of heater will you be using? Our temps here occasionally get in the 20s but not too many nights of that. I need to go to my moms and see if the heater we used in our greenhouse a few years ago is still down there.. Hmmmm
Very seldom it gets below 40 here so I have a cheap y Home Depot elec. heater
stevelau1911
10-09-2011, 11:14 PM
Those green poly tunnels they sell on eBay would work well for your climate. I had one which worked well for 2 years until we got a day with 70mph + winds which literally snapped the aluminum pipes on the 12X7X7 frame despite some re-enforcement. It got destroyed twice by the wind. Luckily both times, it was already close to spring, and the plants were safe.
If you get those, you can get them at a pretty low price however I would suggest siting it somewhere less windy or having something to strengthen the frame so that it can be a permanent structure.
Here's how it looks inside in case you were wondering. I'm not setting it up again because I would literally have to replace most of the frame as most of the pipes have been damaged so far, and ground tarps work much better here where we get lots of snow over winter.
http://www.bambooweb.info/images/bamboo/305/dsc03908.jpg
sunfish
10-10-2011, 08:15 AM
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=40915&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=40915&ppuser=2868)
Dreaminofthetropics
10-10-2011, 08:29 AM
Ok, so this is in the summer with shade cloth installed? You just used wood to frame it? Looks beautiful.
sunfish
10-10-2011, 08:37 AM
Ok, so this is in the summer with shade cloth installed? You just used wood to frame it? Looks beautiful.
You can us wood to frame the sides and us pvc pipe for the hoops
sunfish
10-10-2011, 08:40 AM
http://www.bae.ncsu.edu/programs/extension/publicat/postharv/green/small_greenhouse.pdf
Dreaminofthetropics
10-10-2011, 09:08 AM
http://www.bae.ncsu.edu/programs/extension/publicat/postharv/green/small_greenhouse.pdf
I'm thinking of putting it as a lean to though, so if I do that I wouldn't need the hoops I don't think. I just have to figure out how to make it airtight against the side of the house.... I'm thinking what I'll do is build the lean to and use the solar pool cover and also buy one of the small tunnel type greenhouses and let the kids use that one this year to see how it holds up and use the lean to for my stuff.
Most of the tunnels aren't nearly tall enough for alot of my stuff (one of my heliconias is well over 9ft tall right now. I'm fine with basic framing but not sure how I'll do with framing in the door and windows for insulation...
sunfish
10-10-2011, 09:15 AM
I'm thinking of putting it as a lean to though, so if I do that I wouldn't need the hoops I don't think. I just have to figure out how to make it airtight against the side of the house.... I'm thinking what I'll do is build the lean to and use the solar pool cover and also buy one of the small tunnel type greenhouses and let the kids use that one this year to see how it holds up and use the lean to for my stuff.
Most of the tunnels aren't nearly tall enough for alot of my stuff (one of my heliconias is well over 9ft tall right now. I'm fine with basic framing but not sure how I'll do with framing in the door and windows for insulation...
You don't need the hoops if you don't want them.Just picture it cut in half . If you know what I mean.
momoese
10-10-2011, 09:27 AM
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=40915&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=40915&ppuser=2868)
Is the green house sitting on top of a garage or what? What is that green structure under it?
sunfish
10-10-2011, 09:36 AM
Is the green house sitting on top of a garage or what? What is that green structure under it?
It's sitting 7' off the ground on top of a shed,long story. Whats nice is it gets early morning sun.
momoese
10-10-2011, 09:45 AM
So the shed has a roof that the green house sits on or are the plants on the ground inside the shed growing up through the roof?
sunfish
10-10-2011, 09:57 AM
So the shed has a roof that the green house sits on or are the plants on the ground inside the shed growing up through the roof?
The shed has a roof that the plants sit on. If I could get away with it I would build one on top of my garage.
Dalmatiansoap
10-10-2011, 10:06 AM
Why not? Its not a permanent building, just a tent.
sunfish
10-10-2011, 11:23 AM
Why not? Its not a permanent building, just a tent.
Neighbors :woohoonaner:
Dalmatiansoap
10-10-2011, 01:09 PM
Neighbors :woohoonaner:
They dont like camping?
sunfish
10-10-2011, 01:24 PM
They dont like camping?
The problem would be every time I climbed up on the garage I'd be looking into their back yard. It would be nice though I could use the room for more plants. :woohoonaner:
I think we'll try one of those solar pool covers; it'd be nice to not have to replace the plastic every year:
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=39723 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=41253&ppuser=6797)
sunfish
10-10-2011, 09:31 PM
I think we'll try one of those solar pool covers; it'd be nice to not have to replace the plastic every year:
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=39723 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=41253&ppuser=6797)
Good idea.:woohoonaner:
Chance1945
10-10-2011, 10:36 PM
I think we'll try one of those solar pool covers; it'd be nice to not have to replace the plastic every year:
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=39723 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=41253&ppuser=6797)
How 'bout sharing the plans for that greenhouse. Looks like you have use pvc pipe, but how is it secured at the top and what is holding it at the bottom, looks like some sort of metal. PM me if you have the time.
Terry
How 'bout sharing the plans for that greenhouse. Looks like you have use pvc pipe, but how is it secured at the top and what is holding it at the bottom, looks like some sort of metal. PM me if you have the time.
Terry
Made it out of scrap PVC pipe, 3/4" (2' frame spacing) 10' x 12' Door is an old junker screendoor set in a 1"x4" wood frame that stays in the frame all the time.
Firring strips (5/4) on the side of the house catch the staples so we're not poking holes into the siding.
Heat is supplied by a box fan sucking warmer air from under the house (set on a thermostat at 40°) Backup heat is a water mist hose also on thermostat set at 34°, which has never gone off in the past couple of years.
Sometimes during a very cold snap we set a 500 watt weatherproof worklight on a timer.
It has never been below 40°, not a bad trick up here in Sacramento.
Top is secured by those "J" shaped conduit clamps screwed into the bottom edge of the fascia board.
RE-bar stakes about 18" long along the bottom with any old board between the stakes & frame.
Plastic secured w/duct tape, for longer lasting tape connection, spring for the "expensive" Tyvec tape (for doing house wrap) from a building supply store; the stuff STICKS like crazy to anything. El-Cheapo duct tape will fall apart in a season/year, and plain plastic degrades from UV exposure in less than a year.
Summer gets shade fabric, about 4' - 5' wide across the top or it'd get way past 120° on a sunny day.
We have been using this for a few years, has stood up to 50+ MPH wind gusts.
We had maybe $20 stuck into it, pipe was free from "freecycle.org".
I shot some pics of assembling the frame & putting on the plastic but they didn't come out, camera was dying.
Chance1945
10-11-2011, 08:15 PM
I think we'll try one of those solar pool covers; it'd be nice to not have to replace the plastic every year:
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=39723 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=41253&ppuser=6797)
OK, I'm gonna build this greenhouse if you'll walk me through it step by step.
What is the very first thing that I do? Do I put down boards first or do I set the rebar. Is it 5' spacing on the rebar? Do you slip the pvc over the rebar or how is it secured?
What secures the rebar to the pvc? And what kind of screws to you use to secure the boards to the pvc? Looks like you have boards on the outside of yours at the top. Kind of hard to see what kind of board.
How do you secure the door at the top and how is the board at the bottom secured to the structure.
One step at a time. Tell me what to do first and I'll do it tomorrow and then I'll get back to you as to what to do next.
I hope you don't mind doing this. I'm an old man and rather slow on the uptake, but I really want to have a greenhous. I have about less than two months before it gets cold.
If this is too much bother for you I can understand.
Thanks,
Terry
oakshadows
10-12-2011, 09:35 AM
Kat, did you find the design yet? The one that Bob posted looks like it might be of interest to you. No heavy construction to do and only simple tools needed. The location is the thing you will have to decide first. I've seen several of this type but not as a lean to more of the hoop type. The above design would surely do for the side of your house to protect all of the plants there. Good luck and if I can give you some thoughts about building it feel free to call or write.
What is the very first thing that I do? Too bad the pics didn't turn out when we first slapped it up.
I'll have to take batch when I take it down to re-do the plastic.
This has something in common with ditch digging; one more of the few jobs that you start at the top.
First off you need to select the location & do some measuring (or guesswork) so you know how big to make the frame.
Then you build the frame, attach the plastic, screw it up onto the fascia or rafter tails, soffit, or whatever.
Grab the bottom edge & push in towards the house, making the nice arched shape that gives it all it's strength, hammer a few stakes in to hold it & drop a board between the stakes & plastic, just to protect the plastic from chafing. It's jammed in place on the bottom by friction & stress load, no fasteners needed.
There are a few little details, like using spring clamps to hold the sheeting while you're taping it, putting a bow into the frames while the plastic is being attached so the structure is "pre-stressed", slapping a couple firring strips onto the side of the house so the ends can be stapled to it, etc., all of which are better served by shooting a few pics of said details.
My construction sequence was pretty much dictated by the materials, so if someone was to start off with new materials they would probably be able to alter some of the construction techniques & come up with different & easier ways of doing things.
You may want to adjust the length of the framing in order to accommodate a fixed size piece of plastic, for instance.
Using 10' long framing members will produce a finished frame of around 10'4", for instance, a little too big to hold a 10' wide sheet of plastic.
I'll try to round up some existing pics & shoot a few new ones, come back & add to this post.
sunfish
10-12-2011, 02:15 PM
Could you use tee's and 90's at the top to connect the pvc ribs together.Then use the u shape pipe straps or plumbers tape to attach to fascia or wall . Pound rebar into the ground for the bottom of the pvc ribs ?
Could you use tee's and 90's at the top to connect the pvc ribs together.Then use the u shape pipe straps or plumbers tape to attach to fascia or wall . Pound rebar into the ground for the bottom of the pvc ribs ?
That's how the top is being held in place, using the "J" & "U" shaped conduit clamps but I did make some "tape" out of a pop can after I ran out of clamps. ;) There's even an eyebolt w/wire, whatever I could find that did the trick.
The frame is one solid piece with Ts top & bottom, easier to attach the sheeting & keep it tight.
There's no reason the frames couldn't be free floating though, maybe sandbag the sheeting on the bottom.
TOP (no clamps yet):
http://www.angelfire.com/ca/divers3/images/green625.JPG
Inside (pardon the size, but it's easier to see the bottom of the frame):
http://www.angelfire.com/ca/divers3/images/greenhouse11.jpg
Far corner (right) has a firring strip zip-tied to the downspout.
There are no holes going through the PVC pipe frame at all, holes make failure points. The water mist "anti-freeze" hose is duct taped on, for instance.
Lots of duct tape, copper wire, staples & cardboard were used. (raided the recycle bin)
Bottom corner (current time, the plastic sheeting was removed for the summer):
http://www.angelfire.com/ca/divers3/images/green762.JPG
Top, w/clamps & some shade cloth:
http://www.angelfire.com/ca/divers3/images/green1764.JPG
Dreaminofthetropics
10-12-2011, 05:50 PM
I'm really liking this frame/idea for my lean to and the pool cover as the covering. How do you attach the plastic though, you said tape???
How do you attach the plastic though, you said tape???Yep, I used good old duct tape.
A close look at some of the pics should provide some of the details; the sheeting was stretched horizontally & secured with spring clamps, short pieces of tape every frame held it in position, and then an entire strip was laid the whole length (half on the plastic, half on the pipe), followed by 2' long strips down the back of each frame & extending about a foot inward from the edge.
Then I flipped the plastic & did the same to the "inside" so there was tape spanning [half & half] both sides of the plastic along the edge of the plastic / PVC interface.
Here again the pics would have been essential for a clear understanding.
We also used 2"x2" square tape "grommets" where the plastic got stapled onto the firring strips to keep the staples from pulling through the plastic during those nasty wind storms we get up here.
"Normal" duct tape will deteriorate just over winter (in a few months) so if a longer lasting covering is used, like a pool blanket, different tape should probably be used.
I've seen the Tyvec brand house wrap tape stand up to weather, sunlight, etc for a couple years so that'd tend to be my choice the next time we re-do the cover (coming up soon).
Maybe I can take some pics of the old tape job tomorrow, set a ladder up & have them come out decipherable.
There's still tape & tatters of plastic underneath the sun shade along the top edge.
sunfish
10-12-2011, 07:10 PM
The pool cover is pretty strong .Try wrapping it around the pvc and tie with uv resistant wire tie's or a good quality twine.
Dreaminofthetropics
10-12-2011, 07:17 PM
Yep, I used good old duct tape.
A close look at some of the pics should provide some of the details; the sheeting was stretched horizontally & secured with spring clamps, short pieces of tape every frame held it in position, and then an entire strip was laid the whole length (half on the plastic, half on the pipe), followed by 2' long strips down the back of each frame & extending about a foot inward from the edge.
Then I flipped the plastic & did the same to the "inside" so there was tape spanning [half & half] both sides of the plastic along the edge of the plastic / PVC interface.
Here again the pics would have been essential for a clear understanding.
We also used 2"x2" square tape "grommets" where the plastic got stapled onto the firring strips to keep the staples from pulling through the plastic during those nasty wind storms we get up here.
"Normal" duct tape will deteriorate just over winter (in a few months) so if a longer lasting covering is used, like a pool blanket, different tape should probably be used.
I've seen the Tyvec brand house wrap tape stand up to weather, sunlight, etc for a couple years so that'd tend to be my choice the next time we re-do the cover (coming up soon).
Maybe I can take some pics of the old tape job tomorrow, set a ladder up & have them come out decipherable.
There's still tape & tatters of plastic underneath the sun shade along the top edge.
Ok lol I think I have the idea! I have to sell some more plants hopefully the next two weekends from my place to get supplies LOL! I have some HUGE like 4" PVC probably 40 ft or more... I wonder if I could do anything with that... Its not going to be small enough to hoop ... any ideas?
Dreaminofthetropics
10-12-2011, 07:19 PM
The pool cover is pretty strong .Try wrapping it around the pvc and tie with uv resistant wire tie's or a good quality twine.
So, you think wrap around the PVC on the ends and at top and bottom??? What about attaching it and then the U pieces to attach it to the house? Won't that puncture it = holes???
sunfish
10-12-2011, 07:49 PM
So, you think wrap around the PVC on the ends and at top and bottom??? What about attaching it and then the U pieces to attach it to the house? Won't that puncture it = holes???
Holes will not hurt it.You just don't want it pulling against the holes.Here is what I did on mine. The two outside pvc ribs I screwed 1/4" bender board on top.Laid the cover over that and screwed plastic furring strips on top.So the cover is sandwiched between the bender board and furring strip,or just us two pieces of bender board.
Dreaminofthetropics
10-12-2011, 07:58 PM
Holes will not hurt it.You just don't want it pulling against the holes.Here is what I did on mine. The two outside pvc ribs I screwed 1/4" bender board on top.Laid the cover over that and screwed plastic furring strips on top.So the cover is sandwiched between the bender board and furring strip,or just us two pieces of bender board.
I have no clue what bender board and furring strips are LOL here's my girly non constructional side! so basically these boards would attach to my house?with the plastic sandwiched between them? Thank you for being patient with me!
sunfish
10-12-2011, 08:19 PM
I have no clue what bender board and furring strips are LOL here's my girly non constructional side! so basically these boards would attach to my house?with the plastic sandwiched between them? Thank you for being patient with me!
I knew you didn't know.:ha: For the top and bottom do like Bob3 showed.On the two end ribs use tape if it will hold.
sunfish
10-12-2011, 08:25 PM
This is bender board.I used it in place of pvc pipe on both ends.I then stapled the cover to the board and place another board on top and screwed it in.Lumber yards know what bender board is.
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=46285&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=46285&ppuser=2868)
Dreaminofthetropics
10-12-2011, 08:30 PM
This is bender board.I used it in place of pvc pipe on both ends.I then stapled the cover to the board and place another board on top and screwed it in.Lumber yards know what bender board is.
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=46285&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=46285&ppuser=2868)
you mean only like one board on the end but bending like the pvc does for the rest of the hoops but to make it easier for the plastic to attach? sorry just trying to understand! and it looks like you have one of these running straight as well perhaps as extra support?
sunfish
10-12-2011, 08:40 PM
you mean only like one board on the end but bending like the pvc does for the rest of the hoops but to make it easier for the plastic to attach? sorry just trying to understand! and it looks like you have one of these running straight as well perhaps as extra support?
Exactly. Yes I added extra support. I used redwood bender board but a composite material,plastic, would be better ,last longer, as long as it is rigid enough to hold the bow.
http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&cd=7&sqi=2&ved=0CFgQFjAG&url=http%3A%2F%2Facebricks.com%2Findex.php%3Froute%3Dproduct%2Fp roduct%26product_id%3D180&rct=j&q=wood%20bender%20board&ei=pj-WTr-fIqj-iQLYtoyyDQ&usg=AFQjCNGapRdi2gG4rNmjJAJ1aXr31jmkFg&cad=rja
Dreaminofthetropics
10-12-2011, 09:02 PM
Exactly. Yes I added extra support. I used redwood bender board but a composite material,plastic, would be better ,last longer, as long as it is rigid enough to hold the bow.
http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&cd=7&sqi=2&ved=0CFgQFjAG&url=http%3A%2F%2Facebricks.com%2Findex.php%3Froute%3Dproduct%2Fp roduct%26product_id%3D180&rct=j&q=wood%20bender%20board&ei=pj-WTr-fIqj-iQLYtoyyDQ&usg=AFQjCNGapRdi2gG4rNmjJAJ1aXr31jmkFg&cad=rja
Ok I think I've got it! Now to start making some money to get some supplies!!!
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