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

Dreaminofthetropics · 10-09-2011, 07:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sunfish

Only suggestion I have is check out the clear solar pool cover .

Solar Pool Covers for In-Ground and Above Ground Pools - Solar Blankets

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

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dreaminofthetropics

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

Quote:

Originally Posted by sunfish

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

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dreaminofthetropics

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

Quote:

Originally Posted by sunfish

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

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dreaminofthetropics

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

Quote:

Originally Posted by sunfish

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

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dreaminofthetropics

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 mañana

Dreaminofthetropics · 10-09-2011, 10:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sunfish

I will use a heater this winter,I only need to stay above 40f. Greenhouse is 8x12'. I'll post a pic mañana

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

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dreaminofthetropics

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.

sunfish · 10-10-2011, 08:15 AM

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

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dreaminofthetropics

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/ext...greenhouse.pdf

Dreaminofthetropics · 10-10-2011, 09:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sunfish

http://www.bae.ncsu.edu/programs/ext...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

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dreaminofthetropics

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

Quote:

Originally Posted by sunfish

Is the green house sitting on top of a garage or what? What is that green structure under it?

10-09-2011, 07:18 PM	#1 (permalink)
Dreaminofthetropics Dreaminofthetropics's Photo Gallery Location: Bronson, FL Zone: 8-9 Name: Kat Join Date: Aug 2010 Posts: 424 BananaBucks : 106,525 Feedback: 3 / 100% Said "Thanks" 422 Times Was Thanked 549 Times in 173 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 29 Times	Greenhouse ideas / options ? 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! __________________ Kat Check out my website http://www.ilovemyplants.com Intellectual property has the shelf life of a banana. Bill Gates

10-09-2011, 07:26 PM	#2 (permalink)
sunfish Banned sunfish's Photo Gallery Location: San Diego Find me on the map! Zone: 9-11 Name: Tony Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 18,429 BananaBucks : 1,005,686 Feedback: 8 / 100% Said "Thanks" 3,210 Times Was Thanked 20,592 Times in 7,760 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 2,716 Times	Re: Greenhouse ideas / options ? Only suggestion I have is check out the clear solar pool cover . Solar Pool Covers for In-Ground and Above Ground Pools - Solar Blankets

10-09-2011, 11:14 PM	#13 (permalink)
stevelau1911 stevelau1911's Photo Gallery Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 458 BananaBucks : 147,210 Feedback: 1 / 100% Said "Thanks" 51 Times Was Thanked 561 Times in 258 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 24 Times	Re: Greenhouse ideas / options ? 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. __________________ I'm in zone 6 upstate NY, specialize in growing temperate cold hardy bamboos(mainly phyllostachys) and starting to get into bananas. my picture website is http://www.flickr.com/photos/31489820@N02/ http://stevespeonygarden.blogspot.com/

10-10-2011, 08:15 AM	#14 (permalink)
sunfish Banned sunfish's Photo Gallery Location: San Diego Find me on the map! Zone: 9-11 Name: Tony Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 18,429 BananaBucks : 1,005,686 Feedback: 8 / 100% Said "Thanks" 3,210 Times Was Thanked 20,592 Times in 7,760 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 2,716 Times	Re: Greenhouse ideas / options ?

10-10-2011, 08:29 AM	#15 (permalink)
Dreaminofthetropics Dreaminofthetropics's Photo Gallery Location: Bronson, FL Zone: 8-9 Name: Kat Join Date: Aug 2010 Posts: 424 BananaBucks : 106,525 Feedback: 3 / 100% Said "Thanks" 422 Times Was Thanked 549 Times in 173 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 29 Times	Re: Greenhouse ideas / options ? Ok, so this is in the summer with shade cloth installed? You just used wood to frame it? Looks beautiful. __________________ Kat Check out my website http://www.ilovemyplants.com Intellectual property has the shelf life of a banana. Bill Gates

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10-10-2011, 08:40 AM	#17 (permalink)
sunfish Banned sunfish's Photo Gallery Location: San Diego Find me on the map! Zone: 9-11 Name: Tony Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 18,429 BananaBucks : 1,005,686 Feedback: 8 / 100% Said "Thanks" 3,210 Times Was Thanked 20,592 Times in 7,760 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 2,716 Times	Re: Greenhouse ideas / options ? http://www.bae.ncsu.edu/programs/ext...greenhouse.pdf

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