i am building a greenhouse!

[orchids3]

Mine is 800 sq ft - seemed huge but was half what I need in two years time. Same goes for the equal size shade house.

[gmdiaz]

Gawd, I'd love to have a greenhouse!

Can't wait to see what you get!!!! Post pics when you can.

[gixrj18]

I am currently building one across the whole back of my house, it's about 500 sq. ft. (10' x 50'). I've almost got the structure finished, I have to get more materials. I'm building it out of 2" x 2" aluminum screen enclosure, that way I can just spline the shade cloth into it (in 8' panels). This way, if I ever have to endure any hurricane damage, I only have to replace the cloth in panels...instead of the whole wall or roof. Also, by splining the shade cloth, you don't have to punch holes in it for fasteners (eliminating having to worry about it tearing later). Besides, it's extremely sturdy and very light weight, so you don't have to use as much as you would with wood, or some other materials. I've been buying the used stock from the scrap yards that people have torn down from around their pools, and throwing a fresh coat of paint on them, and I only paid 60 cents per foot ( it runs about $2/ft new). Home Depot carries all the screws and hardware. So far, I have all the walls built (except for about 10'), so all I have to buy is my roof stock (about another $80), and I have only spent about $110. I already had the shade cloth, so that helped, too. The best part is, it's very sturdy, relatively inexpensive, and looks very appealing (and professional). Food for thought!

[orchids3]

Jason is that the aluminum material commonly that most pool enclosuere are built out of here in Florida ?- Mine is built from that.

[gixrj18]

Originally Posted by orchids3

Jason is that the aluminum material commonly that most pool enclosuere are built out of here in Florida ?- Mine is built from that.

Yep, that's the stuff, and it's all recycled. A little more work, but about a third of the cost of new. A coat of paint and a little Bondo....and it looks like new again! I think I got "tennis elbow" splining all that shadecloth in.

[orchids3]

Jason is that the aluminum material commonly that most pool enclosuere are built out of here in Florida ?- Mine is built from that. Wish I had scrounge it but bought mine new. What I did scrounge is the covering material. Solar heating companies are or have replaced the glass panels in solar hot water heaters. Its leaded glass and comes in sizes from 2 x 4 ft to 4 X 12 ft. and I got it free - enough to do the sides and ends of a 20 X 40 greenhouse. You need to plan your structure ahead of time. I used corogated lexan for the roof. The glass was just too heavy - 150 to 200 lbs a sheet for the 12 ft long 1/4 inch stuff. It might be worth looking into. The glass would have been discarded if I hadnt used it. Its tempered glass like auto windshields. The one problem is you cant cut it - so you have to use in the size you get.

[gixrj18]

Originally Posted by orchids3

Jason is that the aluminum material commonly that most pool enclosuere are built out of here in Florida ?- Mine is built from that. Wish I had scrounge it but bought mine new. What I did scrounge is the covering material. Solar heating companies are or have replaced the glass panels in solar hot water heaters. Its leaded glass and comes in sizes from 2 x 4 ft to 4 X 12 ft. and I got it free - enough to do the sides and ends of a 20 X 40 greenhouse. You need to plan your structure ahead of time. I used corogated lexan for the roof. The glass was just too heavy - 150 to 200 lbs a sheet for the 12 ft long 1/4 inch stuff. It might be worth looking into. The glass would have been discarded if I hadnt used it. Its tempered glass like auto windshields. The one problem is you cant cut it - so you have to use in the size you get.

I've got six mil plastic on the outside, then all but two panels have shadecloth on the inside. It's all pulled so tight that it looks like glass. It's at a little pitch, so it drains well...no pooling. I'm sure I'll have to change the plastic in a couple of years, maybe I'll look into other options then. If I used anything, it would probably be polycarbonate panel....but thanks!

[orchids3]

Yes I used 6 mil at first too -but went for the glass when I found pieces that fit. I think you will get two years out of it if you used the UV stable green house stuff. It its not green house quality it may only last a year.

[bonsai1504]

the person who is helping us build it says that he has it figured out so it should be built soon!

[Royal]

Ok Jasen, where are the pictures?