Do you have any insulation around the brick base? Insulating that could make a huge difference to your heating and cooling bills. 40mm*4'*8' polystyrene panels cost $25 here (about $16US I guess) and have a US R-value of about 10. We are rendering over ours using cement-acrylic render:
Rendering over polystyrene

I think you should be able to just glue the panels to the existing wall using construction adhesive. If you have strong winds perhaps you attach them with screws and rawl plugs.

I think you did a great job. Looks like alot of hard work went into it. Nice design. I think you will enjoy it for years to come.

Wonderful job.

That is one serious, nice looking greenhouse. I can tell you take pride in your work. Lovely!!!

Thanks for your kind comments. I find it endlessly facinating how each of us adapts the fundamental gh idea to fit our needs, budgets and space.

My biggest constraint was space and location. We are on a small town lot and over 80 years of house and garden development (since the house was built) left us few options for its placement.

Do to good fortune (and a somewhat devil may care attitude) money was less of a factor...this project was NOT seriously cost contained.

In reality, the gh was originally intended as a gift for my wife but..two things happened during its construction: I was bitten by the orchid bug and the more I learned about GHs the more I wanted to use it after it was finished.

We did renegoiate the deal about mid phase, I now have "rights" to a portion....though I'm reminded its a small portion.

I did briefly consider insulating the cement blocks walls but...as someone in this forum once used as a term to describe her husband...I tend to deluxoid things. I'm going to run the GH for a year as is and see what the electric bill is like. We are, afterall in CA Zone 9 (or 15 via Sunset) and others have scoffed at the idea of a gh at all.

After the design and construction effort for the stucco to sill to twin wall fit, I'd be looking at insulating inside. That isn't too appealing right now...but not out of the question.

BEFORE natural gas prices boosted, I actually seriously considered using triplewall (yeah in coastal CA) calculating that energy wasn't going to get any cheaper. In the end I abandoned the idea and held to 10 twin wall.

en la semana que viene, vamo' a ver
(we'll see next year)

Steve

Outside insulation would have a much greater benefit. I think waiting is probably a good idea. Particularly if you've already bought a heater.

Steve,

Would you tell me where to get the twinwall polycarbonate stuff locally. I will be using them for just roof covering. I live in San Jose, CA. Thanks.

Albert

Steve,

can you give us a final cost on the gh? Also, what is the sq footage?

it's just beautiful, btw.

Albert, I'm assuming you received my response to your e-mail about the twin wall, right?

The square footage is easy - 126 sq ft roughly 9x14

The cost? I honestly can't tell you for sure. I could guess but it would only be an idea. The greenhouse was one of several projects happening in the back yard at the same time and it received attention in bits and pieces as the other projects proceeded. Things like the steel stakes, rebar, some of the cement blocks, the concrete, mortar etc was drawn from the same supplies as that for the retainer wall, etc.

My pure guess would be at least $4000 dollars in materials, with redwood frame, 10mm twinwall, Sundance aluminum trim parts, block wall, steel, stucco. The brick in the floor came from a re-use of an old patio we removed years ago. Add labor and well...you can imagine.

We (my dw and I) have wanted a gh for years and years. The decision to build one was driven more by "now is the time" and less by "what will it cost".

No one should assume that I ever did a cost/benefit analysis on the concept, or like Nathan, had the clear objective to build in the most material and energy-wise manner. Notice that our house is a 1920's "cottage" look, small house. We would not have put up a "modern design" metal frame green house even if it had been given to us....that was just our personal taste.

Something as basic as the decision to build a high knee wall came as much from "I liked the look" (plantbabies, note the similarity to the gh on the cover of one of those books I sent?) as the reality that the location was not ideal and a solid wall would block no significant winter sun anyway.

So there ya have it.

hi Steve

yes, I did notice the gh/book similarity!

Reading the books you sent made me rethink the 'jump in and do it right now' approach. I AM going to have a gh/sunroom of some kind! -- I just don't know what kind and where it's going to go.

The next step for me is to meet and submit my Grant app. I've been really tired and not feeling up to it for a few weeks. The result of that will probably be the deciding factor.

Steve, I enjoyed your photos of your greenhouse. Mine is going to be similiar, in size and style. I have a block foundation, and have the walls and roof studs up. I used fir and it's stained with a redwood color stain/sealer. Now I'm looking for polycarbonate.