Greenhouse
 

Building a greenhouse need not be a pane in the glass

Our transparent guide to erecting a greenhouse in your garden - just follow the simple installation instructions

The greenhouse to be built will largely depend on the availability of space, funds, home architecture as and the demands imposed by the plants which it will house. Above all else, a greenhouse should provide an environment suitable for the propagation of delicate plants. Accordingly the greenhouse should be sited where there is maximum sunlight and on ground that is either level or which slopes away from the greenhouse - this will provide a means of drainage later.

Aspect is important, too, and the best position should be facing the south or southeast and not have its direct sunlight obscured by buildings or trees. Plants need to receive sunlight the whole day when they are in the green house, which will need a transparent or translucent roof. Exposure to the morning sunlight is necessary in order for plants to manufacture their own food. A greenhouse should be light in weight to allow for its transportation but conversely if it is to withstand the elements and steady usage, it needs to be made of solid and heavier materials.

Finally do not site a greenhouse so that its roof vents are facing into the prevailing wind as this is likely to rip the roof off one windy day.

Begin by stripping the topsoil and levelling the soil. Mark out the position of the greenhouse and install a drain in the centre with a pipe leading away to a ditch or soakaway. Lay a concrete floor slab to a thickness of 10 to 15 cm reinforced with a single layer of mesh in the bottom; particularly if the greenhouse is a large one.

Bolt sawn pressure-treated timber to the concrete to the size of the greenhouse and then fix the glass panels to it. Use galvanised bolts and make sure that they are firmly fixed with resin. Seal any gaps between the timber and the concrete and the timber and the panels with a universal sealant.

As each side panel is erected, prop it up with a piece of baulk timber securely buried into the ground one end and 'padded' with some scrap timber the other (so that the greenhouse structure is not damaged). Set up scaffolding or an H-Frame and use this to access and fix the greenhouse roof. Take great care when handling the roof panels as this is where injuries can occur. Never attempt this part alone.

Fix any gussets and sealing strips, install a lock on your door and you are ready to use your new greenhouse.

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How to build a greenhouse