If you want to spend more time outdoors, learn about the world around you, and boost your mental and physical health, gardening is a great way to combine all these benefits into one hobby.
With gardening becoming more popular among young people in recent years, greenhouses are increasingly in demand. If you’re considering purchasing one, there are many advantages, but it’s important to be aware of some key steps before and during construction.
In this blog, we’ll discuss the main benefits, considerations, and everything you’ll need to start building your greenhouse.
Benefits of greenhouses
No matter your level of skill with gardening, it’s never too early or too late to invest in a greenhouse.
Providing many benefits to your garden or allotment, greenhouses can offer:
Weather protection
One of the most immediate advantages of a greenhouse is its capacity to shield your plants from harsh weather.
As the UK’s weather is famously unpredictable, gaining extra protection from rain, wind, hail, and other elements that could affect your garden is a sensible investment.
Extended growing season
One of the main advantages of a greenhouse is its capacity to extend your growing season.
While herbs such as basil, mint, rosemary, and parsley can all be cultivated without protection during the UK summer, more severe conditions can hinder these crops from flourishing.
Thanks to the protection and humidity a greenhouse offers, they can be grown throughout the year without disruption.
Wider range of plants
Alongside a longer window for growing plants and producing food, a greenhouse can also provide better conditions for more delicate plants, including tomatoes, cucumbers, bell peppers, and strawberries.
Thanks to the increased humidity, these plants will have a greater chance of surviving, but more importantly, thriving.
Pest & disease protection
Even the most diligent gardener can struggle to keep pests like snails and slugs away from their prized produce.
By installing a greenhouse, you can create a protective environment for your greenery, shielding your plants in a cost-effective and cruelty-free manner.
Choosing the right greenhouse for you
Much like selecting a shed for your garden, several factors should be considered when choosing the right greenhouse for your space.
When choosing your greenhouse, it’s essential to consider not just the cost, but also the size, shape, and position of your prospective plot.
Although there are aesthetic benefits of doing so, considering these factors is also essential from a practical standpoint, as it guarantees that your greenhouse is suitable in terms of drainage and its capacity to capture sunlight.
By paying close attention to these aspects, you can ensure that your plants flourish in optimal conditions.
Steps to take before building your greenhouse
Before constructing your greenhouse, several steps should be undertaken to ensure a smooth process.
Enlist support to help with the build
While it’s possible to build a greenhouse without support, some aspects of the construction may be easier and safer to manage with support.
From the manual effort of assembly to ensuring that the unfinished structure remains secure during the building process, enlisting a second pair of hands to help build your greenhouse is advisable.
Source the correct tools
Several essential tools are required to build a greenhouse.
While the exact tool list may depend on your specific greenhouse model, you will most likely need:
- Measuring tape
- Spirit/laser level
- Caulking Gun
- Ladder
- Utility Knife
- Cordless Drill/Drill Bits
- Screwdrivers/Driver Bits
- Open-ended wrench/nut driver or socket
If you are building a wooden greenhouse, tools such as saws, hammers, nails and framing squares may also be helpful.
Figure 1: Unsplash/Annie Spratt
Sourcing the correct parts
As with tools, there are many options to consider when sourcing parts for your greenhouse.
While pre-built greenhouses are available, you can also purchase cut-to-size glass and other customised components to help build the ideal greenhouse tailored to your specific needs.
Generally speaking, the parts necessary for a basic DIY greenhouse include:
The frame
The frame can be constructed from a variety of materials to suit your budget, including wood, metal such as aluminium or galvanised steel, and PVC.
Roofs
Roof shape is also an important factor when building your greenhouse, and should be dictated by the environmental conditions your greenhouse will most likely be subject to.
Some different types of greenhouse roofs include:
Gable
Gable roofs are made with two sloping panels, making them ideal for run-off of rain and, in particular, snow.
Arched
Similar to a gable roof, arched roofs offer excellent run-off capabilities for rain and snow.
However, while they provide slightly better light diffusion than gable roofs, they are somewhat more expensive to manufacture.
Flat
Cost-effective and straightforward to build, flat roofs can be a decent option for those on a budget, but can be more prone to breakage due to the cumulative effects of heavy rain and snow.
Skillion
Another excellent option for shedding water, skillion roofs also offer good airflow, and are relatively cost-effective due to their simpler shape.
Covering
When choosing the covering, glass and PVC are the most popular options.
In terms of benefits, PVC absorbs more light than glass, so less light will reach your plants; however, PVC is also more durable than glass. Therefore, it’s important to consider your options regarding efficiency versus durability.
Foundation
For secure construction, greenhouses need a stable, level base to be constructed upon this can be achieved with drainage-friendly materials, such as gravel or even landscape fabric.
However, if you require a more substantial base to mitigate more extreme weather, concrete and wood can also serve as a suitably sturdy foundation.
Set aside the correct amount of time
The time it takes to build a greenhouse will depend entirely on the size of the greenhouse, your experience with DIY projects, weather conditions, and whether you’re building solo or with support from others.
While your greenhouse may take just a few hours to build, if you’re new to DIY projects like this or your greenhouse is on the larger side, we recommend setting aside a few days to allow for setbacks and delays.
Figure 2: Unsplash/Annie Spratt
Review instructions
Finally, as with any construction project, it is recommended to read the instructions thoroughly, ensuring no details have been overlooked and to verify that there are no physical or technical barriers preventing you from commencing the build.
Once this check is complete, you’re good to go!
Building your greenhouse
Now that you have double-checked that you have everything you need, selected your build location, and ideally enlisted an extra pair of hands, all that’s left to do is build your greenhouse!
Prepare the area
There’s one more preparatory step we haven’t mentioned yet, and that’s preparing the area for building.
Using your spirit or laser level, ensure that the build area is as level as possible before laying your foundation. Be sure to clear any detritus and use an outdoor cleaner if appropriate.
Choosing a foundation
Whether you’re choosing gravel, timber or concrete, it’s time to lay your foundation on a level surface.
Be sure to factor in time for the concrete to set, and continue to review your foundation with a level to ensure it is suitable for building upon.
Building the base & frame
Now that the area is set, the building of the greenhouse itself can begin. Start with the pre-assembled base, then add the floor panelling, followed by the outer frame itself.
Ensure that all fixings are accounted for, and fitted tightly and securely.
Constructing the roof
Once the frame is secure, it’s time to add the roof.
When fitting your chosen roof, be sure to use a quality stepladder that allows you to work on the fixings easily, and enlist someone to ensure the ladder stays secure while you do so.
Fitting the coverings
Now that your greenhouse has taken shape, you can start fitting the coverings. Whether you’ve chosen glass or PVC, safety remains crucial when installing your coverings.
Wear both safety glasses and gloves, and take your time to complete the task, following the manufacturer’s instructions.
Conclusion
And there you have it – you’re now the proud owner of a greenhouse.
From here, your options are limitless in terms of planting, structures and storage.
If you have any questions or queries about fitting custom greenhouse glass, please don’t hesitate to contact our team, who will be more than happy to assist you with your request.
Follow Us
Recent Posts
