Considering converting garage into a greenhouse. Need tips.

[dendro photo]

i would put a classic car in the garage and biuld a greenhouse next to it.

[littlefrog]

If I hadn't sold it at a huge loss I might be able to afford a new one... *grin* I'd rather not move the one I'm using right now.

Rob

Originally Posted by BikerDoc5968

Rob, you just have to get a gigantic truck and move your exiting greenhouse to your new home!!!! And now that you've sold your other greenhouse you have all that extra cash to pay the freight!!!!!

[ericst11]

more then likely it just depents how much you want to put into it summer your going to have to cool it alot if you run lights and in the winter your going to have to heat it if you just use the sun.

[Paul Mc]

Are there any good books or websites that I could use that explain everything that goes into converting a greenhouse from a pre-existing structure?

[CTB]

Don't destroy something you already have, convert it to a grow room.

[silken]

Will you be running your car in and out every day in the winter? That will let lots of heat out unless the greenhouse side is walled off from the car side. Also exhaust fumes might cause a problem for any sensitive plants unless walled off. Just a thought

[silken]

I don't want to sound discouraging, but we had a greenhouse built with treated fir beams and proper triple glazed shatter proof glass roof panels. It was all caulked and flashing on the beams to keep from leaking rain. It lasted for about 20 years with a bit of upkeep such as re-caulking on the seams but eventually those beams rotted as we just couldn't keep them leak proof and likely humidity from inside did its thing as well. We ended up tearing it all down and starting again with aluminum frame and plexiglass roof and glass windows.

I know we live in a very harsh climate here, but 20 years goes by fast when we put all that money and work into it and then had to tear it down. The new one isn't as four season as the old wood frame. the aluminum transmits cold much easier. But we do use it year round anyways. They are/were both attached to our house which helps.

[jaxorchidman]

Why don't you just put a bunch of sun tunnels on the roof and get some natural light that way? Check them out here: VELUX Skylights, Sun Tunnels, Roof Windows, and Skylight Blinds | VELUX

[Paul Mc]

We would be getting rid of the car that's in there now - we never use it anyway and we own other vehicles that we leave on the street as is. So coming and going with a vehicle during the winter would not be an issue, plus we would seal and insulate the door side.

I had not thought about the fact that wood would deteriate so fast, so that would be an issue. It may not be worth the effort and we will just expand our grow room in the basement as we were forced to do this year, lol...

I had thought about using skylights instead, and that may still be an option if we do it.

[silken]

I think if you used sky lights and made sure the rafters were treated with something, and also used supplemental lighting, then it might work. Your roof wouldn't be as vulnerable as if it was replaced with actual panels of glass or plexiglass wityh the wood beams.