If I understand the problem, one of the major issues with wood structures exposed to dampness in FL is termites, so wonder of you might be better off buying a tube bender and constructing your frame with metal tubing. Or, use PVC tubing and eliminate the bender, insect, moisture, paint and rust issues altogether.

Just a thought, but PVC and/or all vinyl framing is becomming more common, as the materials have become more varied and available. It might be worth checking into before you buy any construction materials.

Hi
I'd visit some GH in your area to see what they have done. A Gh that size you're talking big bucks so obviously you want it to last. Besides the termites,moisture and rot don't forget about the hurricanes lol The biggest problem is heat gain, give a lot of thought to ventilation,plumbing and electrical supply. I would seek out some good advice on a foundation,this is the most important part.
gary

you can get a clear span high tunnel,green house film,roll up sides,30x12x96 for 3,655.00.If you can buy the wood,screws,film,and what nots for less then build it.I built my shade house out of wood 15x25,my green house out of free trampoline rails 15x25,and my prop house out of the trampoline legs 8x12.The prop house has 3 shelves across each side about 2 foot apart that are just chicken wire.I can get about 5000 cuttings out of it.I have a second trampoline that I'm going to set up before winter

Thanks for your input guys. I was also looking into the tube bender DIY method as BW recommended. Against common sense, I was hoping someone would convince me stickframing was economical and practical, as I am experienced with it. But oh well!

I will have to sit down and do some serious estimating. For all I know it may be cheaper to purchase a package and assemble it myself vs. buying every component seperately.

As far as foundations are concerned, Im pretty sure I could get away with only shallow-footings in SW Florida.

I would prefer not to pour a floor since a 32'x96' is a lot of concrete. As far as glazing, Im not looking for the cheapest, but rather a balance between performance, and longevity for a reasonable price.

Any advice is really appreciated. I am fairly inexperienced, but I am trying to learn. I have read many books, and plenty online, but nothing beats real world practical advice.

My old ladies uncle built his green house out of 1 1/4 pvc.8" base board into the ground then take your pvc and bolt it to the base with c clamps.Go up a few feet and run you another board probly 6" and clamp it the same way.Run you 3 perlins with the pipe and bolt it to gether.Run your plastic from your upper base over to the other upper base.Buy you your roll up side kits to go from the upper to your lower base and then finish the ends.If you want a good ground cover you could try peebles.It gives good air cerculation with the roots and lets water drain freely.

We have a carport type tent that we converted to a 12x26 greenhouse and a couple of greenhouses from Farmtek and I'd have to say the kits from Farmtek go up a lot faster, we really didn't save that much money by converting our canopy. It's not as sturdy in the wind and we're in Indiana so we don't have as much problems with termites as you do, but the wood is already starting to have some issues with the moisture. So I'd say the steel end wall framing and polycarb ends of the Farmtek are much better.
Some of the hidden expenses of either are the wiring, plumbing, ground cloth, gravel, and inflation fans, circulation fans, and vents. Roll up sides are a necessity as far as I'm concerned and you'll be needing shade cloth too, and most likely a mist system for the summer.

I've built three greenhouses without the use of a kit. I think they are twice as strong and about half the cost of a kit, but the largest is "only" 20 by 62.

For something as large as you are considering, I would carefully consider a kit because the metal hoops need to be thick and very rigid. For a first time greenhouse, 32 by 96 is huge.

Whether a kit or homemade, I would never consider building one so large out of wood. And, PVC won't cut it when you start talking about such large dimensions. Keeping it cool will require some effort, so roll up sides are in order.

I have to build for high winds, so I make my structures of my own design and use woven poly coverings. The link below shows what I have done.

Clair

Here is a link that might be useful: Build your own greenhouse

In Florida, you are lucky to have many greenhouse manufactuers near the Apopka area. They have structures at decent prices and the shipping won't kill you.
~Nicole