You are all suggesting things regarding the roof panels that I have been struggling with. Sliding door panels, if I can get them from one of my window-guys, would definitely be the most cost effective -- since they'd be free. The 'dangerous broken glass' aspect of putting them on the roof is definitely a consideration. We don't get hail storms here like they do in some parts of the country, so the material's resistance to hail damage is lower on my list of priorities. The BH&G greenhouse plan uses the twin-wall polycarb. That's also a contender . . . but I'd rather have some sort of glass so I can look at the sky. Wyndyacre, the idea of renovating and living in an old school is so cool. How much of the old school stuff was still in the building when you bought it? We don't have a web site . . . yet. Like you, I would love to do it one day -- soon, I hope. I'm not dedicated enough to document things in a blog -- tried it briefly, and I discovered it's just not my thing. I have hundreds (maybe thousands) of photos of the place and all the projects at various stages of completion. If it's not too off topic, here's a few for you: A good view of the front of the house -- built in 1848.: What it looked like in 1954, before the previous owners removed the dormer and the original gingerbread trim: This is the view to the rear of the property. I plan to put the greenhouse in the area at the lower right -- approximately in line with the other two buildings. The cedar tree will be limbed up a bit, and I think it will make a great backdrop for the new building. (I think this photo brings us back on topic.) zengeos, if you go to a salvage yard for windows, you have to actually pay for them. Contact some replacement window companies in your area and ask them if they'll save some of the ones they remove for you. That's where a lot of mine have come from. In fact, the ones I plan to use for the south wall of my greenhouse are brand new -- the contractor measured the openings wrong and the windows were the wrong size . . . so they gave them to me instead of throwing them out. Sliding glass door panels are throw-away items. You're probably not going to find them anywhere sold as salvage. To use them on a roof, you would have to do like installing a skylight and use flashing around them before you put on the shingles. I know it's a greenhouse and a little leak shouldn't be a big deal . . . but I'd rather try to avoid leaks if I can. I volunteered with Christmas in April (now 'Rebuilding Together') for many years, and I have seen the carnage that a little leak can create in a wood structure. I'm having so much fun scheming this project. I know my husband loves the idea of my emptying the outbuildings of my salvaged treasures and using them for something worthwhile. I'm very thankful I could use wyndyacre's photos of her greenhouse to show him approximately what I'm trying to do. I know, by my descriptions alone, that he was probably picturing something that looked like it belonged on 'Sanford and Son'. Connie

Josh, I do have some Japanese Painted Ferns but what is shown is varagated Packasandra. Started with a few plants that take off from stem cuttings in the early spring. Now I have hundreds used as a border. Behind them Hosta Gold Standard and various common ones. Under a seedling Japanese maple tree. There is some mix-mash of wild ferns from our woods. Also a few jack'n the pulpit just for fun. Wait, in the first picture is a Japanese painted fern. You are right my friend.

I think that is a hoax, it has been investigated and moved to hoax status. Here is a link that might be useful: URL

Also…because you have a storm door on your door, it is obscuring the color and muting it. Another thought…in the mock ups, people have provided you with better sized shutters. Measure yours. They should each be HALF the size of your windows so that they would appear to actually cover them, if closed. A bit wider and a bit taller might give them more presence. Just a suggestion…