Holy cow -- I can't even imagine how difficult it would be to disassemble something like that without damaging it...almost more difficult than setting it up! Good that he's doing it for you, although I wonder how careful he's going to be? Rusted bolts, "oops" here and "oops" there, etc.

I don't know what you plan on growing, but in zone 5/6, I personally would not be interested in a glass house -- especially that size. Way too expensive to heat! Retrofitting with twinwall is certainly an option, but would add considerably to the expense.

As far as what it's worth, a lot depends upon how successful your seller is in disassembling it in good shape. The accessories are certainly worth something, but most of the value (aside from the construction/foundation) in the gh is in the frame and glazing. I doubt if glass houses are even available for sale any longer. I'm guessing new, twenty to thirty years ago, that gh went for $6-8,000 in parts, not including kneewall and accessories.

This is just a stab on my part. Given the questionable condition it may be in when taken apart, its age, and the fact that a glass house is troublesome and hard to heat to begin with, I wouldn't offer much over $2,500 for everything.

If he balks, and you really, really want it, that gives you some bargaining room. Instead of trying to value what you think the gh is worth, it's probably more accurate to value the effort it will take the seller to disassemble it, and how easy he makes it for you to carry away. He didn't pay for it himself, but it perhaps added a bit to the cost of the home when he purchased the property. I would ask him first what he wants for it, then weigh against what you're willing to spend on it. I really think this is going to be much more trouble than it's worth, but it could have value for you depending on what you want to use it for. Orchids and tropicals...no...but seed starting, annuals/perennials for sale, etc., yes.

-Bruce

Bruce, thanks for the informative post. I currently have a twinwall poly greenhouse that I designed and built myself with a little help from my DH. A glass greenhouse was something that I really wanted and the cost of heating won't really be an issue since I will be starting out with a woodburner (we have an endless wood supply) and possibly hooking into our geothermal heating and cooling system. I will be using it mainly for seed starting.

I thought glass GH's were readily available? What about Florian and other comperable greenhouse companies? They sell glass.

One of the things I hate about poly is the yellowing. Glass stays looking nice indefinitely.

I will be putting it on a block foundation with stone facing.

I would help the seller to take it apart so YOU or your husband knows how to re-assemble it. That would be helpful to both you and the seller you can use your help in disassembly as a bargaining point in price.

I bet if you took all the glass out of it, you could remove (or cut) the anchor bolts and slide the entire frame on to a flat bed truck.....

That would not be a wise move, as the anchor bolts into the foundation provide a good deal of the structural rigidity that prevents racking. The instant the truck clutched into first gear you'd be left with a pile of twisted metal.

-Bruce

I can think of 2 companies that made clear spans with full ridge vents. One was Florian and the other Texas greenhouse. And both made curved roofs.
The metal braces look like one of the two companies.
These are very expensive because of being clearspan. No center poles for bracing.
You can have the glass made at any glass shop. For the curves it will be a Lexan type panel. These were rarely made of glass but some better ones were.
You used to be able to price it yourself at Florian just to get an estimate.
Florian has a video on putting one together that might help.
It would help to pre-label the parts before he takes it down. And draw youself a plan of how it goes back together.
You may have to replace the rubber seal if it has one.
Greenhouse companies come and go. But these two are been around for years.
Look at the web site and it will give you ideas.

Here is a link that might be useful: DIY greenhouse

I priced it for you.
21,000. Without wall and DIY. Labor is about half as much again just to put it together. This is with manual vents because I didn't know if they were automatic. That adds to the price. This was just a basic greenhouse.

Here is a link that might be useful: price it yourself

Hi cactusfreak!

Thanks for the reply. Hope you and your beautiful greenhouse are doing well :)

I really appreciate all the good information.

It does have one automatic vent. And the curved panels are definitely glass.

Well, I got the greenhouse and all accessories for $800 bucks. I dunno, seems like a good deal to me. ???

Although it seems like it may be a good deal of work to get it back together, we are pretty handy and I don't see a problem. But I would like to be certain on the manufacturer. I did find the original owners name - wonder if that could help me?

It could be a Lord and Burnham. We're talking top of the line here. But they made curved glass also.
I would have drove to PA for that myself.
Great great deal. And all you have to do is put it together.
You can also make it free standing by adding on the other end. And you can make it taller with a taller wall.
Since I don't see a door I assume the house wall served as the door.
I am thrilled for you.

This is instructions for a Lord and Burnham.
It has some good tips and you can compare the parts pictures to see if you have a match.

Here is a link that might be useful: Instructions

You can use these pictures for comparison.

Here is a link that might be useful: parts

cactusfreak.......thanks so much!!!!

Wouldn't that be awesome if it was a L&B?? When I have a little more time this weekend i'm going to try and compare parts. So far the gaskets really look like L&B's, but I haven't checked Florian or Texas GH yet.

I really, really appreciate you taking the time to try and help me out. I'll let you know what I come up with.

I remember drooling over photo's of your gorgeous Florian a few years ago. It is such an amazing GH in a beautiful setting. How's the volcano??

Glad to help. I knew right were to look since I think I have looked at everyone made before I got mine.
And I still check out the newer ones.
You can't see the volcano now. Covered by plants.
Older photo.
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