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sandy0225 · 12-11-2007, 09:00 AM

Looks like those plans would work fine for a small greenhouse.
I'd add the following tweak though: If you use plastic to cover it, use uv stabilized greenhouse plastic.
It will cost you more, but it will last a lot longer. Also when covering it, go inside and cover the inside with another layer of plastic so that you have dead air space. One layer of plastic on the outside of the frame all over, then another layer inside with the wood frame sandwiched in between. That way two things will be accomplished, you will get better heat retention due to the dead air space, and your frame will last longer because the moisture won't get to it as quickly. The outside layer will need batten strips to hold the plastic on, but the inside layer can be just stapled up because it won't get as much wind and it'll stay on just fine.
We converted one of those Menard's carport/tents into a 12x 26 greenhouse and we built the end frames that same way. We put endwalls on it, installed wiggle wire and baseboard down the sides, put an inflation fan on it to inflate the poly, and it works great. We have also added a propane heater from Menards (garage heater) and thermostats/vent louvers/power intake shutter /circulating fan from Farmtek.
picture as a carport
http://thumb0.webshots.net/t/59/759/...0huYKmD_th.jpg
picture as a greenhouse:
http://thumb0.webshots.net/t/60/460/...0KmWYoM_th.jpg

Why, you ask, is the shade cloth still on? I'm overwintering hostas in there, it keeps the temps from climbing as much during the day, and it's also a good place to store it, LOL! It's also good protection during a hailstorm.

12-11-2007, 09:00 AM	#23 (permalink)
sandy0225 Northern Tropics sandy0225's Photo Gallery Location: Muncie, Indiana zone 5 Find me on the map! Zone: zone 5 Name: Sandy Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 1,718 BananaBucks : 487,682 Feedback: 40 / 98% Said "Thanks" 38 Times Was Thanked 1,802 Times in 682 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 9 Times	Re: DIY Greenhouse Looks like those plans would work fine for a small greenhouse. I'd add the following tweak though: If you use plastic to cover it, use uv stabilized greenhouse plastic. It will cost you more, but it will last a lot longer. Also when covering it, go inside and cover the inside with another layer of plastic so that you have dead air space. One layer of plastic on the outside of the frame all over, then another layer inside with the wood frame sandwiched in between. That way two things will be accomplished, you will get better heat retention due to the dead air space, and your frame will last longer because the moisture won't get to it as quickly. The outside layer will need batten strips to hold the plastic on, but the inside layer can be just stapled up because it won't get as much wind and it'll stay on just fine. We converted one of those Menard's carport/tents into a 12x 26 greenhouse and we built the end frames that same way. We put endwalls on it, installed wiggle wire and baseboard down the sides, put an inflation fan on it to inflate the poly, and it works great. We have also added a propane heater from Menards (garage heater) and thermostats/vent louvers/power intake shutter /circulating fan from Farmtek. picture as a carport http://thumb0.webshots.net/t/59/759/...0huYKmD_th.jpg picture as a greenhouse: http://thumb0.webshots.net/t/60/460/...0KmWYoM_th.jpg Why, you ask, is the shade cloth still on? I'm overwintering hostas in there, it keeps the temps from climbing as much during the day, and it's also a good place to store it, LOL! It's also good protection during a hailstorm. __________________ Sandy Burrell Northern Tropics Greenhouse 1501 East Fuson Road Muncie, IN 47302 www.northerntropics.com specializing in bananas, heirloom tomatoes and water gardening plants~ check out our new online store at our website!