How to Build Do-it-Yourself Greenhouses

A greenhouse is made of glass walls so the heat stays inside from the sun.  You can install heating and humidity systems in the winter months when the sun does not shine as much.  Your own greenhouse will let you control the environmental conditions that match the requirements of the kind of plants you are growing.  A greenhouse also gives you the advantage of having seasonal plants for a longer period of time.  This way you will have a continuous supply of plants. 

Another benefit of a greenhouse is your plants may grow larger and faster especially when it is placed in an area that will receive the morning sun because the food production process will start early.  Many people build diy greenhouses because they love gardening and want to protect their plants from bad weather conditions.  For more information on diy greenhouses go to:
http://www.edu/~agexten/hortcult/greenhou/building.htm#Foundations

Choosing a Greenhouse Design

Building a diy greenhouse does not mean you have to spend a lot of money.  There are many greenhouse designs that are affordable.  It is always important to start with a plan.  You can buy ready drawn plans for a greenhouse diy.  Before you decide on a particular plan, figure out where you want to put your greenhouse.  Make sure the area you choose is big enough to put the size of the greenhouse you want.  You also need to take into consideration the local codes and if your attaching your greenhouse to another building. 

Greenhouse kits are one option and are available in different sizes and shapes.  There are also different glass types available.  One example of a greenhouse kit is called halls supreme.  This kit has ridge height, sliding doors and acrylic curves eaves which will give you extra height for your plants.  To find out more about these greenhouse kits go to:

www.home-garden-centre.co.uk/your-garden/greenhouses/halls-supreme-greenhouse. 

A lean to design is great for smaller spaces and is not costly.  Part of this type of design is attached to an existing wall so only three walls need to be constructed.  Freestanding greenhouses are not attached to any building so you can position it where there is maximum sunlight.  You may need to add heating, water, and electrical systems to a freestanding greenhouse.  Decide what you want to use a greenhouse for before you choose a design.

Frame and Building Materials

The frame is an important part of a greenhouse and should be made of strong materials so it will last a long time.  For a greenhouse dyi, the frame choices range from uncomplicated to intricate.  Frames are made of materials such as wood, aluminum and galvanized steel.  Wood frames need to be painted or finished every so often to keep it from rotting.  Aluminum frames do not corrode and will last but can lose some heat.  Steel frames are strong and also last a long time.  They are low cost and create less shadow.  A rigid covering may have to be added because steel is heavy. 

You can use glass, corrugated fiberglass, plastic film, or multi-plastic film to cover a frame when you build a diy greenhouse.  Glass is often used because it is reasonably priced and may last but you need to have a sturdy frame.  Tempered glass is a good choice because it is stronger than regular glass.  Glass may be difficult to work with because it is breakable.  Plastic film can be heated as well as glass.  There are new and clear types of plastic film that allow almost 90 percent light to be transmitted.  Plastic film should have UV protection.  Corrugated fiberglass may come in rolls or sheets.  Light is transmitted through it but fiberglass diffuses the light so the greenhouse is shadow less.
For diy greenhouse plans go to: http://h2othouse.com/index.html

Foundations and Flooring

The ground should be prepared for diy greenhouses.  A foundation should be smooth, stable, and level.  Three of the most common types of greenhouse foundation are concrete wall, concrete slab, treated wood and beam and pier.  A foundation can be beneficial because it can absorb sunlight and release the heat during the night.  The foundation needs to be measured diagonally from opposite corners and the frame shifted until all measurements are the same in order to get it square.

Charley’s Greenhouse and Gardens™ have a wide selection of hobby green houses, equipment, and greenhouse supplies.  The website has lots of information on diy greenhouses.  There is a greenhouse checklist and greenhouse tips for climate control, lighting, greenhouse maintenance, greenhouse pest control and seasonal tips.  You can buy greenhouse kits from this website such as Cape Cod, Cambridge, Phoenix, The Harvester, and Victory Gardener.  You can also buy greenhouse accessory packages, building materials, heaters, season extenders and much more.
http://www.charleysgreenhouse.com/index.cfm?page=_tips

Watering and Heating Systems

Automatic watering systems can be used to ensure your plants get the water they need.  The kind of watering system you should use depends on the type of plants you are going to grow.  If you want a something that is gentle on seedlings than drip irrigation systems are a good choice.  American Greenhouse Kit Company© sells watering systems for your greenhouse diy.  Mist & Cool Do-It-Yourself is easy to install and hooks to a hose or outside faucet.  Juliana Vanlet Greenhouse water system is an automatic drip irrigation and fertilizer system.
http://www.greenhouses.com/COMPANYINFO.HTML

Greenhouses absorb heat from the sun but at night they lose heat.  Heating systems can regulate the temperature but the requirements for diy greenhouses depend on several things.  Different plants need different temperatures.  Heating requirements also depend on the type of your greenhouse construction and where it is located.  Heating systems also need to be adjusted according to the climate.  Gas heaters are usually used for large greenhouses because they are not as expensive as electric.  It is very important to vent a heating system to the outside of the greenhouse to prevent the accumulation of dangerous gases.  To calculate energy requirements for heating diy greenhouses go to: http://www.sherrysgreenhouse.com/oldsite/GHheating.html 

Different types of heaters include unit heaters, central heating, pipe/rail, underbench, in-floor, perimeter, and overhead heating systems.  For more details go to: http://brae.calpoly.edu/CEAE/greenhouse.html