DIY Greenhouse Scheme

[The Riff-Raff Element]

I've always wanted a greenhouse. I know poly tunnels are very practical and efficient, but I want a greenhouse because I like them.

Unhappily, a decent sized, decent quality, greenhouse would appear to cost in the region of €3000. That I do not have. What I have found is plans that would allow me - I think - to build a good sized greenhouse (possibly with a little space for a chair, little woodburning stove, bookcase, radio & drinks cabinet) for about €600, which I reckon I can scrape together before the autumn.

What I would like is a critique of what this lady did: http://ana-white.com/2012/05/plans/barn-greenhouse

Thoughts, please?

[niknik]

looks good!

[oldjerry]

Would a 10'x12'GH really cost 3grand? Bloody hell.

To be honest,it doesn't do a lot for me.Firstly there's a hell of a lot of timber in it,that would be major pricey (over here at least).Next,the metal sides are a complete no.(heat retention etc etc).Thirdly,corrugated is corrugated to point down!(in terms of strength,draughts and basic 'properness' that 's a bit wonky..

..Apart from all that it's great!!


Whatever happened to buying 2nd hand GHs and sticking them end to end..............takes ages,always looks a bit weird,but costs best part of nothing,and it's traditional !!!

[diggernotdreamer]

I don't think this greenhouse would have much going for growing plants in, too much wood in the roof causing shading and the metal sides would exclude even more light, but as a little snug for sipping the auld G&T or hot toddy next to the woodburning stove, reclining on a chaise longue reading Babara Cartland novels ......... probably perfick

[Crickleymal]

A quick google suggests that a greenhouse 7ft by 6ft would cost about £600 or less brand new. I reckon I could build one twice that size out of wood and polythene for about a quarter of that. With corrugated plastic maybe a bit more. Or if you want it should be easy enough to join two smaller greenhouses together to make a big one.

[oldfella]

Go for it "and forget the plants"

[The Riff-Raff Element]

Thanks for the replies. On the points raised:

- Wood is not wildly expensive here, and I imagine that painted white they would reflect light, which would help to an extent with the shading. For the size I'm thinking of I'd add a central pillar too.

- Agree about the metal sheets. I'd use wood or at the very least add insulating board.

- The corrugated polycarbonate does worry me when laid horizontally - it will trap water and go green or something. I'm looking at sheets of flat polycarbonate. For a 3 by 5m greenhouse I'd need 30m2 which I can get for about €300.

- The design appears to omit vents in the roof, but I suppose these could be included easily enough.

[Skippy]

It all sounds very interesting this "design" . I only wish I could see the link but I just get a squared background and nothing else
I've got a plan in my head for another greenhouse and have been hoarding glass over a few years and plan to build it in 2x2" timbers to suit the glass to give me a minimum of cutting to do.

[Odsox]

I built one many years ago using second hand 2' x 2' sheets of glass and with reject auction timber and is 20' x 12' ish.
Mine is a lean-to one though and also sunk into the ground, which makes it wind proof and acts as a very good heat sink (but only when the sun deigns to shine )

I rebuilt it in 2010 with better quality timber and you can see the photo here http://www.selfsufficientish.com/forum/ ... 38&t=18367

Jon, the roof timbers are 6" x 2" with noggins and the front timbers are 3" x 2" and there is absolutely no problem with light.

[The Riff-Raff Element]

Skippy - no idea why you can see only the wallpaper on that site: browser, perhaps?

Tony - that is nice and it just goes to show what can be done DIY.