If you are in search of an easy DIY project to take on this weekend, constructing this wood greenhouse could be your perfect solution. All it requires are basic tools and you could have this finished by Sunday evening!
Select a sunny spot for your greenhouse. It should receive at least 8 hours of direct sunlight each day, without trees or structures that might obstruct it during winter.
Frame
If you’re searching for a greenhouse that can accommodate various plant varieties, wood could be the perfect material to build it from. Wood provides durable yet long-term construction solutions and is also easy to customize to fit your specific needs.
At first, you will need to determine the size of your greenhouse. This will dictate its frame dimensions – typically rectangular or square beams cut using a circular saw and secured together using nails or screws.
Once your frame is assembled, it is important to build a foundation. This will ensure that the greenhouse remains secure on the ground – use stakes or concrete to make sure that it has sufficient support.
Once your foundation is in place, you must affix the wooden frame. A nail gun may be used to fasten individual pieces into place or 6×6 posts driven into the ground with concrete are another method.
As part of Step Two, build the front and back walls for your greenhouse using either pressure-treated wood or naturally resistant species such as cedar, redwood or black locust.
Before beginning construction of your frame, it is wise to lay it out on a flat surface and use string levels or carpenter’s square to check all angles are correctly squared. Additionally, using string levels can help ensure accuracy with regards to angles.
To support your framework, rebar and PVC pipe will be necessary. The amount of rebar required depends on how tall your greenhouse is; additionally, hoops and planks may also be needed to join up these elements together.
As well as rebar, you’ll require plastic lath strips cut to length for each frame and spaced out a few inches on either side so they fit between the hoops. Roll the plastic skin over these lath strips so you can cover them.
Walls
Wood greenhouse walls can be attractive and easy to maintain, providing insulation against colder climates while adding charm. Plus, these structures can be painted to match their surroundings as well as being offered in various sizes and shapes!
Before building a greenhouse made of wood, you must select an ideal location and climate conditions. Make sure it receives sufficient sunlight while also being immune from winter frosts.
Building a greenhouse from wood requires lumber and other supplies from any home improvement store or online.
Tools and equipment will also be needed, and if you lack experience woodworking it might be beneficial to hire someone else to complete this work on your behalf.
Once you know which greenhouse style you would like to construct, begin cutting lumber to size using a carpentry square to ensure all corners and edges are in line with one another.
Next, it is necessary to erect the greenhouse’s rafters. They should be evenly spaced out, attached securely with 2 1/2” screws to both the ridge and top plates of your greenhouse, and spaced evenly around its perimeter.
Once the rafters have been assembled, you should affix the sides to them. Side walls must be constructed using 2×4 lumber cut at an angled of 81.8 degrees using a miter saw for optimal results.
After installing temporary braces to secure the sides, use 2×4’s to ensure they remain plumb and hold. This will keep them from shifting out of position over time.
Once your side walls are in place, attaching front and back wall frames becomes simple. Use either a wood lathe to connect them directly to two 2x6s at each end or staples to secure it securely in its position. With frames secure in their positions, covering them with plastic is key for keeping your greenhouse in great condition and making its maintenance effortless.
Roof
A greenhouse’s roof plays a vital role in keeping heat inside while keeping rainwater out, as well as supporting its weight from plants and any snowfall accumulation during winter. To be effective, its construction must also be sturdy enough to withstand any extra weight imposed by snowfall accumulation on it.
Building the roof of a greenhouse requires selecting an appropriate material, since different ones have their own set of advantages and disadvantages. Steel, aluminum, wood or any other combination may be utilized depending on your greenhouse plan for roofing construction.
Steel frames make an excellent choice for greenhouses as they are durable yet lightweight, more cost-effective than aluminum or wooden options, and less susceptible to condensation than galvanized steel can. Polyethylene film may also help reflect additional light inside your greenhouse as well as provide additional wear-protection against wear-and-tear on steel.
Consider installing a thermos frame greenhouse. A thermos greenhouse is similar to traditional greenhouses but built almost entirely underground – making installation very straightforward.
As part of its construction, it is extremely essential that greenhouses are appropriately ventilated. Without sufficient ventilation, plant growth could be severely limited and its interior temperature could become extremely uncomfortable for inhabitants.
As such, ventilation windows or a fan should be installed within the greenhouse for proper airflow and temperature regulation. Furthermore, thermostatic control heaters should also be included to help achieve an ideal environment.
Gable-style roofs make an excellent choice for greenhouses as they help prevent snow accumulation on their roof. Plus, their installation process is quicker and simpler.
Rafters are essential components of a gable-style roof and should be made out of beams with 10×4 sections. Once connected to both the ridge board and wall frame, rafters provide stability to gable-style roofs.
Rafters on either end of a gable roof must be placed evenly, approximately 24″ on center, to provide stability and support the foil, if used. Furthermore, it’s important that they are securely fastened to both top plates of walls and to the ridge for added strength and longevity.
Floor
An essential feature in any greenhouse design, a durable floor is essential in protecting it against weeds and pests, maintaining temperature inside, draining excess water from within, keeping structures dry for healthy plants and keeping temperature steady inside the greenhouse.
Greenhouse floors come in various forms, such as gravel, wood decking, flagstone, metal grates, poured concrete or simply dirt. Each option offers advantages and disadvantages; to select one that is most practical for you is paramount.
Gravel flooring can be inexpensive and straightforward to install, yet can become dirty over time, so you should take this into consideration when planning the greenhouse layout. In contrast, mulch floors may cost less but degrade rapidly over time.
lava rock or landscape stones make an excellent permanent flooring choice, thanks to their lightweight nature and great drainage properties – two qualities many greenhouse owners value highly.
Both lava rock and landscape stone are simple to install and will help your greenhouse remain cool during hot weather. Their reflective qualities reflect sunlight back into your greenhouse during the daytime while their ability to retain heat overnight helps prevent heat loss in your greenhouse.
Bricks are another popular choice for greenhouse flooring as they absorb moisture to help control humidity levels and are easy to install; for optimal stability they should be placed over a layer of sand first.
Concrete is another durable and cost-effective choice, and should be considered when considering your flooring options. While not the most aesthetically pleasing material, concrete has excellent weight bearing capacity and drainage properties. To optimize draining effectiveness you should install your slab with a slight slope.
Concrete floors are both durable and waterproof, lasting for many years without incurring leakage issues. Furthermore, they’re highly resistant to mold and fungus growth – an essential protection measure for plants in greenhouse environments. However, this type of flooring may not withstand heavy weight, so anchoring systems may need to be employed if you plan on placing heavy objects inside it.
