(thumbs up sign) Sounds like you did your homework and have planned well. The parts list for the HFGH shows 144 clips. I recall someone reporting trouble with panels blowing out; and another reporting a similar problem was resolved upon finding a way to clamp the door securely closed. Sounds like you've been reading the threads, but in case you missed it, at least one person secured the panels with rivets. We've had winds here gusting to 50 mph and, so far, haven't had a problem. We taped both ends of the panels. Running a quick 'n' dirty calculation, 24 2' wide panels x 2 edges = 48 2' edges = 96', plus a little extra b/c the end pieces are cut on an angle and then a little more in case you mess up once or twice ... one 150-foot roll should do it. Apparently the copper in the new treated lumber will cause the aluminum to corrode. In an April 23 message on the "Harbor Freight Club" thread, Cactusfreak posted a link to an article on this; I've attached a link to the article below. If you haven't already done so, you might want to take a look at that thread; I'm not sure what page it's on, but the last post was on Nov. 20 '05. Have you seen the thread "HFGH Assembly" posted by confiers? Great reference; he took pictures throughout the construction process and added some comments as well. Are you planning to use any kind of insulation in or on your greenhouse? I used 1" thick foil-faced foam board on the north wall and the north 1/3 of the east and west walls, then wrapped the whole thing in a solar pool cover. Have a lot of water containers in there too, which really come in handy since we haven't run a water line out there yet. Since you're in a colder climate, have you any thoughts on excavating down below the soil line and installing insulation below-ground as some folks have done? (I didn't do it, kinda wondering if maybe I should have.) I've seen some Japanese style gardens and do find them to be very tranquil. We have a koi pond/water garden in one corner of the yard and I'm aiming for an ambience similar to that in a Japanese garden, but with mostly native plant material - there's a nicely gnarled mountain laurel nearby as a good start. Good luck with both the g'house and the garden! Diane Here is a link that might be useful: Treated Wood and Aluminum

I ordered from Marietta earlier this spring too because they were highly recommended here on the forum. Received top quality plants and extra fans which are all happily growing in my garden now so I understand your excitement on receiving your order. Don't have any of the ones on your list though, sorry.

Regardless of whether or not they give you a timeline (which they should), take the proverbial "bull by the horns" and start to read more about the various steps/order with regard to building a house and start to make some decisions before the builder asks you about it. I found this website on Google and it gave me a little more background on the process: http://www.kelownabc.com/construction/ If you are picking out windows, you are still at the beginning of the process and there are a LOT more decisions to come. In our situation, no one is telling me to finalize tile picks even though I know they're going to need to order the tile soon. In most cases the foreman is so focused on what needs to be done in the immediate future (in our case, the doors) that he's not thinking 2 steps ahead. I found that getting a small notebook helped with phone numbers, etc. I've been looking at things like tile, lighting, cabinets, paint, wood, fixtures, doors/hardware, etc 3 or maybe 4 times before coming to a final decision. Give yourself about an hour a day and you won't feel so overwhelmed. And when I start to worry about whether or not I'm making the right decision, I just remind myself that it's just a door, hardware, etc and not an attempt at world peace.

Maybe you and DH can compromise. What about adding a small accessory piece in the Glazed Blue. I am thinking of getting the Tresanton Bench and placing it in front of my fireplace. It would provide extra seating for 1 more person when needed, is interesting and not too big, and is the perfect piece to go a little wild with a small bit of leather. Funny story as to the sofa we picked. We are seniors and all we want now is comfort with a capital C. We sat in a variety of sofas but when DH sat in the Austin he put his head back and was dozing off in the showroom within 2 minutes! I knew then that even though the style of the Austin was not my first choice it definitely had what we were looking for. I usually make the decorating choices, but when your man is snoring in the furniture store you know you have found a comfort sofa. When I called Duane the next day to order it he laughed and said, "You're over 65 aren't you? The Austin is H&M's best selling sofa because everyone over 65 buys it. It's the most comfortable sofa made and that's what all seniors are looking for!". He then suggested the matching Austin 'chair and a half' leather ottoman, perfect size for a sofa and 2 people can both put their feet up on it. I had already decided no more traditional coffee table anyway. Perfect! Now we both are snoring while watching tv!