How to Build a Greenhouse

Hi , I'm Aaron .

A greenhouse is on the wish list of every avid gardener .

A greenhouse allows you to extend your growing season and protect your plants .

But you can also use your greenhouse as a solarium and just sit outside and enjoy the daylight .

I'll show you how to put together a greenhouse kit .

I'll cover setting the foundation , assembling the framing and panels and adding some finishing touches at the end .

Here's what you need to know to do it .

Right .

We're building this Monticello greenhouse kit that has aluminum framing , twin wall polycarbonate panels and roof fent , whichever kit you choose , just make sure that you read the manufacturer's instructions .

So before you start building , make sure that you check all your local building codes .

Greenhouses might be considered accessory or utility buildings in the code .

There can also be a little bit of digging for this project .

And whenever you dig , call 811 to have underground utilities marked .

Ok .

So we've checked our local building codes and now it's time to pick our spot .

You want one that has at least six hours of sunlight throughout the day .

Ours has plenty of morning sunlight also , it's helpful for growing .

If you have some tall hedges or a fence next to the greenhouse , they will keep any of that cold wind out .

However , you'll want to avoid large overhanging limbs that will block most of the sun or could possibly fall and damage the greenhouse .

So if the spot you're thinking of isn't flat , you're going to want to level it out before you can start building .

Also , it's helpful to have the greenhouse near a water source .

If you're not planning on putting a permanent line in , regarding the orientation , running the ridge , east and west will give both sides of the greenhouse , even sunlight , which pros consider that the ideal orientation .

However , running the ridge , north and south is fine too .

Also , it's best to have about three ft of clearance all the way around the structure .

Sometimes it just depends on where you have space in your yard .

Ok .

For the base , we're going to build our frame , we're using ground contact , pressure treated two by fours .

So just make sure when you're looking at these that you always check the tag for the ground contact rating , use exterior screws to hold the lumber together and then square it up by measuring the diagonals .

When they're equal , it's square .

I'll add another layer of tubas right on top , staggering the joints at the corners , secure everything with screws , then check for square , attach the braces to hold the frame square while you're working .

So the base for this kit can be installed directly on the grass .

As long as it's level , we're going to remove our grass because we're going to put down a gravel floor .

Some codes might require paver base under the frame .

Here's what to do .

I'll use an edger to outline the frame to dig for the foundation , set the frame aside and dig up the dirt , then lay down some landscape fabric , pour the paper base , what it and tamp it down , try to get it close to level , set the wood base in position and check for level .

So if you're adding permanent utilities to your greenhouse , now would be the time that you want to run your lines .

So this kit comes with anchors to hold the greenhouse in place during strong winds .

However , I'm going to install these longer shed anchors because we have a thick paver base .

I'll use a long piece of rebar to create a pilot hole .

Then I'll attach an ice screw to the frame .

I'll use the rebar to help drive the anchor into the ground .

Then I'll attach it to the ice screw with a steel cable and a clamp .

Our local building inspector wants to check the foundation before we attach the frame .

So that's as far as we can go today .

Ok .

So we are ready for day two .

We have had our inspection .

We have passed , we are good to go .

So it's time to build .

But before we get into the actual build , it's best to open the kit up , familiarize yourself with all the parts that come within it .

Because if you have everything sorted out ahead of time , it's going to make your build go that smoother that much easier and be that much more enjoyable for you .

So as far as your polycarbonate panels go when you make a pile for these , just don't leave these guys sitting directly on the grass because they will burn it .

So these polycarbonate panels have a cover on them that helps to identify which side has this UV protective coating .

If you remove this coating prior to installation , add a little bit of a mark to the edge dot or an X or something small just so you know which side this is because this is the side that is gonna have to go on the outside of the greenhouse .

So the design of this greenhouse is pretty cool .

Actually , the framing members have channels for T bolts , the bolts lock into the channels and you just tighten the nut .

You can use the included wrench a ratchet or a drill on a low torque , low speed setting .

I'm assembling a few of the components before building the frame just so that they are ready to go when we need them .

The gutters secure together with brackets and the T ball , the roof ridge slides together with connectors and brackets for the doors , assemble just part of the frame and then slide the panels in place , secure it with the other side of the frame , then attach the doorstop .

After the inspection passed , we added some pea gravel inside the frame .

It's easier to add your floor before the structure goes up .

Ok .

For the aluminum base of the greenhouse , you're gonna assemble the profile pieces on the wood and then just connect them with the brackets , double check that everything is level and secured the wood frame with the screws .

So the first framing member just going to go in the front corner , hold it in place , then slide the panels into the channels for the side wall and the front wall , pulled it all together with the brackets and the nuts and bolts for the rest of the side wall .

Use the included spacing tool to get the correct position of the framing members and then secure them with the brackets .

The panels slide into the channels , secure brackets to the outside too .

When you get to the back wall , put the first panel just around the corner for right now .

So now we are going to install our gutters on top of our wall .

The gutter goes on top of the side wall .

But before installing it trim a quarter inch by four inch notch off the corner of the front and the back panels using scissors or side cutters .

The gutter will now sit right on top of the wall you might need to tap it with a rubber mallet to make sure it's flush at the ends , secure it to the walls with brackets and bolts .

Now use the spacing tool in the brackets to set the back wall .

Notice the taller framing members with the angled profile , those are placed near the middle of the wall , add the short horizontal frame pieces at the top of the panels , cross brackets , hold this back wall together , then build the other side wall , secure the gutter on top on the front wall with the door , add your hinges to your frame .

And when you're done , they're going to be on the outside of the greenhouse , then you're just going to slide your framing members into position .

Next , hold the door framing together by the horizontal piece at the top of the panel and secure it with the brackets in the bolts , set the angled panels in place .

Now at the header piece and the barrel bolt lock then set the top panels in place and attach the corner brackets on the inside .

You might have to trim the angled panels to make the framing fit on top .

My gosh , the gutters have a special bracket that covers the end and holds the corners of the structure together on the back wall .

Attach the rest of the framing members , panels and brackets to secure the roof ridge .

We'll put the inside support brackets in position on the framing and then we'll place the ridge , you might have to cut the tips of the angled panels to set the ridge in place , then secure it with bolts .

So to give the ridge some extra support , install two by four braces underneath just until the roof panels are installed .

Clamps can help keep them secured .

The panels slide under the ridge cap and then just rest right on the gutter , place the framing member at the exposed edge and then secure it with the brackets and bolts .

Now the roof panel is secure , install the panels at both gable ends first , then add the next panels towards the middle , then add the next set and finish out the rest of the full panels .

The spots we skipped are for the roof vents which rest on shorter panels at the bottom of the roof .

We loosen the bottom brackets to help slide the short roof panels into place .

When the panels are in place , add all of the support braces at the walls and under the ridge , double check the entire frame to make sure everything is straight and square , then secure the end plate at the ridge along the top of the gutter .

Add a bead of silicon sealant and the trim plate also don't forget to put the plugs in the gutters .

Our roof vents have automatic openers that release any excess heat that builds up when the temperature rises .

The cylinders are filled with wax that expands in the heat to open up the vent for assembly .

It's helpful if you store these guys in the freezer just to make them a little bit easier to work with .

To install , mark the center on the inside of the roof vent panel , then hold the opener in place and mark the screw holes .

Drive the screws in and back them out .

Secure the opener with the screws and on the outside drive the screws through a gripping plate .

I covered the exposed tips with screw caps , then lock the vent panel on the fridge .

Now secure the other side of the opener to the stationary roof panel with screws and another gripping plate .

Ok .

So now we're going to attach our doors to our hinges with the screws , make sure the barrel bolt works on the closed doors .

This kit includes sealant tape to apply along the frame and the lower door .

So another really cool thing about this greenhouse is the self closing doors .

We're going to attach the spring on the inside of the greenhouse with a T bolt and then to the door with a screw .

Ok .

So that's it for the basic construction .

Just keep in mind you want to take your time , you will maybe have to adjust some brackets here and there .

You'll have some play to do so .

But in the end , you're gonna have a gorgeous greenhouse in your backyard and once it's built , now you get to do all the fun stuff .

All the finishing touches .

A functioning greenhouse for tending plants requires a workspace .

We built a custom potting bench to fit .

It's a great area for working with plants .

Plus it has storage underneath .

Of course , you can also just use a freestanding shelving unit .

A shade cloth can help prevent the greenhouse from getting too warm during the summer .

A sprinkler irrigation system can make watering easier .

We ran a few pieces of three quarter inch PV C pipe under the frame to easily hook up a hose from the outside , then turned on the water to hydrate thirsty plants and to allow for drainage and spills .

We use gravel as the floor .

A functioning greenhouse is about what works best for you .

Our homeowners had another plan for the greenhouse .

They were looking for another outdoor space to kick back and relax .

So we added a bistro table and chairs for entertaining friends and hung fabric along the back which just makes the area seem more cozy and inviting .

We repurposed the potting bench as a serving station for coffee and pastries on hot days .

It's helpful to have a fan to create a comfortable breeze for the floor .

Paver stones provide a solid surface as well as a finished look .

A rug on top adds even more personality and at night , a small chandelier above the table brightens the space and adds character .

A greenhouse can have many uses how you use your greenhouse is up to you take inspiration from these ideas and come up with your own custom design .

Yeah .