Build a Greenhouse on a Budget
 (Read 250+ times)
By Clair Schwan
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When I first decided to build a greenhouse, there were many options to choose from. Cost was certainly an issue, since I intended to build more than one. If you're looking to have a greenhouse of your own, you're probably considering many of the same options that I did, including how to save money while doing it.
A homemade greenhouse was my answer to having a quality structure to help me grow plants, and save money at the same time. It might be just the right answer for you too.
Here are the options that I suggest you stay away from:
- Rebar and plastic sheets cobbled together and held down with rocks and soil. This isn't a quality or lasting structure, and it isn't attractive in the least.
- Commercial kits that cost anywhere from $5,000 to $15,000 and come with most everything you need except the foundation. Yikes! That's a lot of money to grow flowers and vegetables.
The following are options that I suggest you carefully consider so that your greenhouse will be functional, last a lifetime, and help you keep hard earned money in your pocket:
- Convert an under-utilized shed or outbuilding into a greenhouse. This puts new life into an old building that might have been a candidate for demolition. There might be a fair amount of cleanup, bracing and conversion work to be done, but it is nice to give a new lease on life to an old building and perhaps put it to much better use.
Possible limitations to consider are: the amount of demolition and modification required to make it a greenhouse; its orientation with respect to the sun; its size and your need for space; and, its location and your need for a structure that is conveniently located. Also, is there water and electricity inside or nearby?
- Build a new structure out of wood. Wood is strong and lightweight, and is easy to work with. It is also relatively inexpensive. Books on wood frame construction and plans for do-it-yourself greenhouses and sunrooms abound, so there are plenty of examples to follow for successful construction.
Possible limitations to consider are: sealing and painting is required to protect wood from moisture; selection of wood is important to eliminate bends, bows and warped pieces that will be challenging to use; and, pneumatic nailers are a must if you want ease of construction.
- Build a new structure out of steel tubing. I have used chain link fencing top rail tubing with good results. The steel tubing is highly rot resistant, it doesn't need to be painted, and it assembles easily using readily available hardware. It is also readily available in most any hardware and home improvement store.
If you're building a conventional style like the shape and size of a single car garage, you can incorporate wooden framed ends to make it easier to install vents and fans. For larger structures, you can get a tubing bender and create a quonset hut or hoop house style building that makes better use of the natural strength of a semi-circle.
Possible limitations to consider are: large structures like those for commercial production will require much heavier wall tubing to withstand the additional stress of long spans; steel tubing flexes, so more bracing is required to prevent tubing from bending under snow and wind loads; and, special tools like metal band saws and chop saws are a must for ease of construction.
Whatever your preference of structure, I suggest you make use of UV treated polyethylene film coverings for ease of installation and low costs. My greenhouses use a woven ripstop polyethylene film that is very strong, almost impossible to tear, and installs easily.
If you take your time with design and construction of your homemade greenhouse, you'll have a quality structure that will serve you for a lifetime. You'll also have the satisfaction of knowing that you built it yourself for less.
Good fortune to you and your homemade greenhouse adventures.
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Author Bio Box: Clair Schwan
 Clair Schwan is an experienced vegetable gardener and grows over 100 varieties of vegetables year round to keep his family fed. He has three quality homemade greenhouses of his own design and construction. See his greenhouse and gardening adventures at http://www.frugal-living-freedom.com
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