Garden Buildings Direct

How to Build a Greenhouse:

Hobby gardeners may be happy to plant a few pots every year to grow flowers and shrubs, but the keen gardener will most definitely require a greenhouse germination and propagation purposes. Without a greenhouse the weather in the UK makes it exceedingly difficult to grow a consistent and successful crop of fruit, vegetable and flowers. But how do you build a greenhouse? What are the things I need to consideration when building my greenhouse?

Tooling up for the Job:

Below is a list of things you will need to build a greenhouse:

• Shovels and concrete for foundation
• Tools such as hammers, saws, nails, screws, utility knife
• Framing materials (wood, metal)
• Concrete pavers for foundation
• Supplemental heating system
• Small aggregate gravel for the floor
• Supplemental fans for air circulation
• Greenhouse plans (either drawn by you or purchased)
• Greenhouse covering (glass, fibreglass, plastic film)

Planning:

It is essential that you plan where you are going to position your greenhouse. The greenhouse needs to be able to absorb as sunlight as it possibly can throughout the year to allow it to work the most effectively.

Things to consider when planning your greenhouse:

• Consider the space you have available.
• The greenhouse has to fit in to how your garden is designed and works.
• Look in to planning regulations.
• Decide on the greenhouse structures shape and make sure it fits your requirements.
• Evaluate the greenhouses location to make sure it will be exposed to as much light as possible.
• The best place for a greenhouse is in a south or south easterly unsheltered position.

Coverings:

You will have to work out how your greenhouse will be covered once it has been built. Things to consider when covering your greenhouse:

• Glass is a traditional covering and provides great light penetration.
• Tempered glass is the best choice as it is resistant to cracking.
• Glass is heavy and can break dangerously.
• A heavy duty frame will be required if you choose glass to support the weight.
• Polycarbonate is a safe alternative.
• Polycarbonate is lighter and more resistant to cracking.
• Polycarbonate is easy to install.
• Polycarbonate may need replacing sooner than glass.

Greenhouse Base:

A good quality base is essential to maintain the greenhouse’s structure and to keep it from distorting, shifting and becoming damaged through the buildings movement.

Things to consider about your greenhouse base:

• A permanent greenhouse will require a substantial foundation due to the structures weight.
• Concrete foundations are best suited for a greenhouse base.
• Light weight greenhouses may be able to be placed on wooden frames, bearers or concrete pavers.

Heating and Ventilation:

During the colder months of the year a greenhouse may require supplemental heating to keep the growing process available all year round. The greenhouse will also need good ventilation.

Below are a few considerations with regard to heating and ventilation:

• Climate consideration will form the bases of heating requirements.
• Greenhouse heating systems can be fuelled by gas, oil or electricity.
• Availability of fuels and their price range will determine which is most suitable.
• The movement of air is essential for the health of plants in a greenhouse.
• Moving warm air in the colder months helps maintain and even temperature throughout the greenhouse.
• During warmer periods moving air helps regulate the greenhouses core temperature.
• Heating systems with integrated fans may be sufficient to provide air flow on the winter months.
• Supplementary fans may be required in hotter months.