I insulated my north wall with some of that polyisocyanurate foam sheathing...foil faced. I have read that most of the heat is lost through the roof, but I started with the north wall since I didn't get much light through it anyway (close to our house) and I figured any improvement in holding in heat was worth doing...and I'd deal with the roof later. It's permanent and stays up all year. Some folks have insulated the bottom half of the north roof too, and I may do that this year (I now know I have TONS of light in there so I'm no longer worried about adding a bit more opaque material.) The polyisocyanurate foam insulation I bought (from Lowes) is foil on one side and had big ugly blue and white lettering on the other side. I did not want that ugliness showing on the outside of the greenhouse (like you) so I just rolled on a coat of flat white paint over the advertising, and now the north wall looks white from outside the GH. (The foil side should not be painted.) I have pics of how I installed it about 1/3 of the way down this page, if it helps. You're in a bit cooler climate than I am, but I had also considered blocking off the peak in the winter to reduce heat needs. After going through my first winter, I've abandoned that idea, because (here) it would get way too hot on sunny winter days to do that. I need to have that extra room for hot air to gather up there, and I also need to be able to let my exhaust fan run on the sunny days. Your mileage may vary, though! I may also add bubble wrap to the whole interior roof for next winter...I think the roof is probably the place I'm losing the most heat, now that I have the gaps all sealed and the north wall insulated. I am totally clueless about misting set ups!

The amount of heat depends on how well you insulate and seal it. If you try to heat it just like it comes then the above post would be about right but last month I kept mine at 65F when it was 12 below with wind chill of -50 and I did it with two 1500 watt heaters and a third one that was set on 750 watts. I set the one for 750 to run continuous and the other two were controlled by a thermostat. Most of the time the two heaters are plenty.

Many folks are attracted to HFGF because of the relatively small cost, not realizing the additional costs/preparations especially for a year 'round setup. Depending upon what sorts of things you want to grow, what your minimum winter temps are, maximum summer temps, and desired interior temps, you might be spending quite a bit more. Given the structural weaknesses with HFGF and necessary augmentations, I would highly recommend investigating other options. I grow orchids in a homebuilt gh in Zone 8a, and have a superior structure with benches, air chiller, etc., for ~$500. My floor is dirt, and I understand that bricks/pavers is the best to keep clean. Gravel drains well, but is impossible to sweep up leaves, etc. Depends upon what you plan to grow. To answer your question about placement, you need the sunniest location in your yard. If you have shade, make the priority morning sun, because this will make the biggest difference in wintertime heating. Orient your gh so that the eight-foot walls are perpendicular to the east, so that the maximum amount of morning solar energy can heat things up quickly. Of course, this will also overheat you in the summer, so you'll have to be equipped to hang shade cloth when necessary. The orientation I've described above is the ONLY reason I've been able to grow orchids here without spending quite a bit more on heating. There's a lot to learn, but the internet and this site are good tools for you. -Bruce C.

Ah, my mother had some kind of saying about the cobbler's children going without shoes. I run into the same thing here. DH is always willing to help someone out, especially with computer problems, and between college, working full time serving on the local volunteer first aid squad, DS is lucky to find time for his girlfriend ... so I'm happy when he finds, or makes, time at home. Actually, I made the transformation sound quicker than it was - they got the tower moved, then it just sat for a while until I said, nicely but firmly, that I needed some sort of timeline on this, and if it was going to take too long, then we'd best just tear it down because it's an eyesore as it stands now. A little time outside pointing and discussing ... soon they were "getting started" and before the day was out their part was finished. Believe me, I was out there with brush and bucket of stain before the nails had even cooled in the boards! Financing these visions can be a problem here, too, that's why it's so very rewarding when we complete one that is really an excellent return on a small financial investment. Even with it's mere 48 square feet and 75-foot distance from the house (maybe because of it), that little HFGH was as rewarding last winter as any big addition we could have put on our home. Your husband sounds like a really nice guy, being eager to help others ... sometimes it's hard for them to say no and turn their focus on home matters. Wish I had some tips ... but then, if I did, I could write the book and get a really biiiig greenhouse ... contractor-built, lol! Best of luck with the greenhouse; I hope the assembly goes smoothly. I know you're going to enjoy it; it will be nice if your DH does, too; mine's not a gardener, but he went missing several times last winter and was finally found out in the greenhouse ... reading. I can't help but think that there's a pretty strong correlation between their enjoyment of the outcome of our vision and the degree of buy-in and cooperation for the next one. Straying slightly off-topic, I noticed your mention of a pond - we've had ours since August '04 and love it, though I don't think I have it ready to host such a gathering - good for you! Di