skip to main content

Greenhouses & Garden Structures

Greenhouse Construction Movie...You Can Build One Too!

13 years ago

Below is a link to a little movie I just posted on YouTube about the construction of my pvc greenhouse. I researched lots of plans from all over the internet and came up with what I liked best from each one. The great thing is, the only thing i spent money on was the PVC and screws and nuts and bolts. And the rebar. The rest was either recycled or given to me. I'd love to help someone else out there who thinks the task is too hard or too expensive. There is way to have a greenhouse if you want it bad enough!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mp1zI6w1gok

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (6)

nugardnrinnc
13 years ago
Great job on the GH! I almost like it more than mine lol. Now it all makes sense. I like the adjustments you made throught the building process. I think it will serve you well.
jrslick (North Central Kansas, Zone 5B)
13 years ago
That looks awesome! You made a good move adding the ceiling supports. Have 3 pvc tunnels, they add the necessary support to make it through the winter without a problem.

I really like the pipe up for the sidewalls. I am going to have to borrow that idea. I am toying with the idea of building a small tunnel to use for seed starting. I would really like to move things out of my basement and into a small tunnel.

Maybe next year!

Looking great and good luck!

Jay
Related Discussions
Building a greenhouse
Q
Comments (32)
The jury is in on the cool greenhouse: it's not cool enough. After July 6th or 7th the real summer heat started and despite the swamp cooler the temperature crept up to and over 80F. Backyard temp has been over 90F, GH shot up to 82F. The GH temp, without cooling efforts, would be an easy 110F and up so the swamper is doing it's job. Anticipating this, I had a swath of Aluminet (30%) ready and installed it this morning. Covering the structure now is agricultural plastic (13% shade), regular black shade cloth (50% shade) and now the Aluminet (30% shade). About 10" between each layer. That seems like a lot of shade but standing inside, it is still not possible to look directly at the sun so plenty of light is getting through. With the Aluminet in place the temp today maxed out at 76F, 6 degrees better than the 82F of yesterday. 6 degrees in the right place make a lot of difference, I'm happy with the result. If I had been smart, I would have used 50% Aluminet to start with. This is my first experience with it and I would recommend it over regular shade cloth any time. The warm greenhouse performed as expected. With three sidewalls open for the top 2 feet and the cool greenhouse discharging it's cool, moist swamper air into the warm house, the temp never rose above the ambient temp of the backyard. In the winter the walls will be closed and a heater will spring into action. Nick
...See More
We're thinking about building or buying a greenhouse
Q
Comments (10)
Janet, I'm just the hunter/gatherer/builder while my wife is the grower/gardener. But I would build it where you want it, and make it structurally sound enough to withstand the elements, though I'd probably stop-short of making it hurricane-proof! In hindsight we probably should have built ours with at least a LITTLE protection from the midday sun, but since we didn't I have to make an exhaust fan/shutter system for it and possibly an evaporative cooler as well, a shade cover too at some point, regardless we do fully expect that we'll have to completely vacate it probably sometime in mid-Spring. You had said something about using windows you have--also that you need to "learn how to use it". Maybe you just want (need?) a comfy place to put a potting bench and overwinter some plants--whatever I say build what you think you want/can afford and go from there.
...See More
I want to build a really beautiful greenhouse...
Q
Comments (2)
Take some of your budget and allow for heating costs if you want winter use out of your greenhouse in Chicago. It will be nice and warm on a sunny winter day, but at night it will still get close to the outside temperature without a heat source. There are not very many plants that will survive temperatures below freezing for very long. One way to cut costs would be to use twin or triple wall polycarbonate sheeting instead of glass. It also holds in heat better than glass. You will want electricity wired to the structure and possibly gas lines for heaters too if it's more economical to use gas rather than electric heat.
...See More
Greenhouse Construction Advice Needed
Q
Comments (5)
Thank you for the advice. I live in Florida so it would def get pretty hot, but it also rains a lot and that was the main reason for the greenhouse at first. The white latex paint sounds smart ecspecially for the joints since there are the costly pvc parts. As for the plastic, I saw polycarbonate sheeting, but it was very costly so I went with the $1 plastic with the idea that I could easily replace it if anything happens. I put up a picture showing a possibly way to hang the plastic over, and maybe leave the short side open to the wind? I am kinda putting the aeroponic idea away for another day because I'd rather have a method that doesn't need to spray water for 10 seconds every 30 minutes. Something I could water without all the noise of a pump all the time. I was looking at ebb and flow systems, but am concerned that being outside will cause algae to grow on the growing medium rocks. Also I am still trying to decide on what kind of shelving material to use that can support plants and run long ways through the greenhouse? Thanks! P.S. Some of the original ideas came from the product in the link below. Here is a link that might be useful: Raised Greenhouse
...See More
jcrowder
Original Author
13 years ago
Jay,

Some hidden info here...there are 3 foot pieces of 3/4" rebar inside the galvanized pipe; 1 1/2 feet above the ground and 1 1/2 feet below the ground. The galvanized pipe is 1 1/4" and 3/4" pvc sch 40 pvc fits perfectly snug inside. I drilled holes through the galvanized pipe,the pvc, and through the hip board and bolted it all together. EMT strips secure the galvanized pipe the frame on the ground.

I'm glad to fill you in on anything else...just let me know!

Jennifer
marthacr
13 years ago
Jennifer. I can't get the link to work today. Did you take it off?
marthacr
13 years ago
I did get it to work. Great job on both the GH and the video!
Is the wooden base 1X6 or another size? It reminded me of my first GH that I adored having until a tree fell on it one winter!
jcrowder
Original Author
13 years ago
the base is made from 2 X 8's. I had to scab all four sides because i didn't have 2 x 8's long enough to create the 12 x 20 base that i wanted. i was a little worried about that causing weak spots, but that hasn't been the case at all! Let me know if you need any more info..

thanks!

Related Stories

LIFE The Polite House: How Can I Tell a Construction Crew to Pipe Down?

If workers around your home are doing things that bother you, there’s a diplomatic way to approach them

REMODELING GUIDES Construction Timelines: What to Know Before You Build

By Incite Design

Learn the details of building schedules to lessen frustration, help your project go smoothly and prevent delays

INSPIRING GARDENS We Can Dream: Lush Life on a Historic Normandy Estate

By Christine Gaspard

New gardens surround centuries-old buildings on a 10-acre property in France, creating a beautiful haven

POOLS Pool Slides: What's Possible, Who Can Build It and What It Will Cost

By Matt Clawson

These slippery slopes will make a splash and offer an exhilarating ride that's the stuff of childhood dreams

Movie: How Much Does Your Building Weigh, Mr. Foster?

By Vanessa Brunner

New documentary explores the famed British architect's rise to international success

LANDSCAPE DESIGN 5 Reasons to Consider a Landscape Design-Build Firm for Your Project

By Falon Mihalic

Hiring one company to do both design and construction can simplify the process. Here are pros and cons for deciding if it's right for you

GARDENING AND LANDSCAPING See a Family Greenhouse Grown From Scraps

By Annie Thornton

Can-do resourcefulness and less than $400 lead to a new 8- by 8-foot home for plants on a Tennessee family's property

HOUZZ TOURS Houzz Tour: Innovative Home Reunites Generations Under One Roof

By Annie Thornton

Parents build a bright and sunny modern house where they can age in place alongside their 3 grown children and significant others

HOUZZ TOURS Houzz Tour: Family Builds Off the Grid Near the Cascade Mountains

By Mitchell Parker

Homeowners carefully construct a weekend home on 20 acres in remote northeast Washington

FUN HOUZZ 10 Leading-Role Movie Houses

By Becky Harris

Architecture and interior design steal the show in these 10 house-focused flicks

Sponsored

More Discussions

Thoughts on this as a greenhouse / sun room?

2

Greenhouse Orientation, which way to angle an odd shape?

0

Gazebo structure help

1