Low cost greenhouse

willyb · February 24, 2012

8'x8'x8' Built from 1/2" plywood and 2x4s resawn to 2x2. 3 layers of shelving. Will have poly cover. Material costs about $160

February 24, 2012

That is really neat !! Must have been a lot of work- I love the curves- want to see a photo after the poly is on.

strax · February 24, 2012

nice job, i wish i was that handy!

160 is the cost without the cover, correct?

Worth1 · February 24, 2012

Looks nice.

It's great having a table saw isn't it.

I use mine all of the time.

Worth

Defiant20 · February 24, 2012

Nicely done. Were you working from a set of plans or was this something you designed yourself? Also, is the top for ventilation?

willyb · February 24, 2012

The design is my own for this greenhouse. The concept of building a plywood gothic arch is old. I think I first saw the idea in Mother Earth news about 35 years ago.

The plans are scribbles on my shop table. It is an easy build.

Layout a curve on a sheet of plywood or table or lumber. Drive nails on curve, as few as possible to bend plywood around. Rip 1/2 plywood into 1-1/2' x 8 foot strips. Place one piece on curve, add spacer blocks, set in other side. Glue and air nail, nail or screw all together.

I put 2 -1/2 trusses together in the shop and added shelving members. (5 trusses in 8' length) Wife and I set finished trusses on base.

The box on top is a vent. I will build air intake near bottom. (hinged frame)I thought it was a good idea at the time, but too much work. Next one I build for my sister will have a vent on the back wall near the top.

The $160 cost includes $20 worth of poly. I may use natural UV coroplast, that would add to the cost 7 sheets @ $16

I think this is a good design, particularly for Canada. It spills wind and sheds snow. Light, 2 persons can move it. Very strong. Easy to vent and heat.

I will plant tomatos on the north side in wicking rubbermaids on the ground and let them vine up the trusses. Lots of shelve space for my wife's flowers. Will hang planters from the top.

Tools I used - Table saw, band saw, skill saw, air brad nailer, screwgun

This structure could be built with a skill saw and hammer only.

Brad

Worth1 · February 24, 2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by willyb

The design is my own for this greenhouse. The concept of building a plywood gothic arch is old. I think I first saw the idea in Mother Earth news about 35 years ago.

The plans are scribbles on my shop table. It is an easy build.

Layout a curve on a sheet of plywood or table or lumber. Drive nails on curve, as few as possible to bend plywood around. Rip 1/2 plywood into 1-1/2' x 8 foot strips. Place one piece on curve, add spacer blocks, set in other side. Glue and air nail, nail or screw all together.

I put 2 -1/2 trusses together in the shop and added shelving members. (5 trusses in 8' length) Wife and I set finished trusses on base.

The box on top is a vent. I will build air intake near bottom. (hinged frame)I thought it was a good idea at the time, but too much work. Next one I build for my sister will have a vent on the back wall near the top.

The $160 cost includes $20 worth of poly. I may use natural UV coroplast, that would add to the cost 7 sheets @ $16

I think this is a good design, particularly for Canada. It spills wind and sheds snow. Light, 2 persons can move it. Very strong. Easy to vent and heat.

I will plant tomatos on the north side in wicking rubbermaids on the ground and let them vine up the trusses. Lots of shelve space for my wife's flowers. Will hang planters from the top.

Tools I used - Table saw, band saw, skill saw, air brad nailer, screwgun

This structure could be built with a skill saw and hammer only.

Brad

The layout method you speak of is called Lofting in the boat and ship building community.

Again good job

RebelRidin · February 24, 2012

Very nice

Boutique Tomatoes · February 24, 2012

That is sweet. I've been going back and forth on different designs for a while now, I'd love to see some more picutures of what you've done.

willyb · February 24, 2012

Thanks Mark,

I should have some more pics to show soon. I have 1/2 day of work to finish, hopefully this week if it warms up here in Alberta.

willyb · March 28, 2012

Mark,

Got the seeds, big thanks. Nice packaging.

Brad

brokenbar · March 28, 2012

I have a friend back in the states who placed an ad in the penny saver paper asking for used sliding glass doors. She says her phone rang off the hook! For a total of 200.00 she purchased enough used sliding glass doors to build a 12'X12" green house using the doors. She did spring for the clear fiberglass panels for the roof but she says she still came in under 500.00 for wood and everything. She had sent me pics (which now I can't find) but it turned out really nice. The glass will last forever and is much cheaper to heat than the plastic. I love that used doors were recycled and that something green will be produced!

willyb · February 24, 2012

Thanks for the comment on lofting, Worth. I don't know how many tomato growers are boatbuilders also so I avoid useing terms like lofting, fairing, spilling, scantlings, abaft, abeam, lee ect.

dokutaaguriin · February 24, 2012

Impressive greenhouse!
Jeff

Mark0820 · February 25, 2012

Excellent job! I can't wait to see pictures of the finished greenhouse.

February 24, 2012	#6
willyb Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Sherwood Park Alberta Canada Posts: 147	Thanks for the comments The design is my own for this greenhouse. The concept of building a plywood gothic arch is old. I think I first saw the idea in Mother Earth news about 35 years ago. The plans are scribbles on my shop table. It is an easy build. Layout a curve on a sheet of plywood or table or lumber. Drive nails on curve, as few as possible to bend plywood around. Rip 1/2 plywood into 1-1/2' x 8 foot strips. Place one piece on curve, add spacer blocks, set in other side. Glue and air nail, nail or screw all together. I put 2 -1/2 trusses together in the shop and added shelving members. (5 trusses in 8' length) Wife and I set finished trusses on base. The box on top is a vent. I will build air intake near bottom. (hinged frame)I thought it was a good idea at the time, but too much work. Next one I build for my sister will have a vent on the back wall near the top. The $160 cost includes $20 worth of poly. I may use natural UV coroplast, that would add to the cost 7 sheets @ $16 I think this is a good design, particularly for Canada. It spills wind and sheds snow. Light, 2 persons can move it. Very strong. Easy to vent and heat. I will plant tomatos on the north side in wicking rubbermaids on the ground and let them vine up the trusses. Lots of shelve space for my wife's flowers. Will hang planters from the top. Tools I used - Table saw, band saw, skill saw, air brad nailer, screwgun This structure could be built with a skill saw and hammer only. Brad

February 24, 2012	#8
RebelRidin Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Maryland's Eastern Shore Posts: 993	Very nice __________________ George _____________________________ "The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants. It is it’s natural manure." Thomas Jefferson, 1787

February 24, 2012	#10
willyb Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Sherwood Park Alberta Canada Posts: 147	Thanks Mark, I should have some more pics to show soon. I have 1/2 day of work to finish, hopefully this week if it warms up here in Alberta. Last edited by willyb; February 24, 2012 at 05:10 PM. Reason: Spelling mistake

March 28, 2012	#12
brokenbar Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: South Of The Border Posts: 1,169	I have a friend back in the states who placed an ad in the penny saver paper asking for used sliding glass doors. She says her phone rang off the hook! For a total of 200.00 she purchased enough used sliding glass doors to build a 12'X12" green house using the doors. She did spring for the clear fiberglass panels for the roof but she says she still came in under 500.00 for wood and everything. She had sent me pics (which now I can't find) but it turned out really nice. The glass will last forever and is much cheaper to heat than the plastic. I love that used doors were recycled and that something green will be produced! __________________ "If I'm not getting dirty, I'm not having a good time."

February 24, 2012	#2
JoParrott Guest Posts: n/a	That is really neat !! Must have been a lot of work- I love the curves- want to see a photo after the poly is on.

February 24, 2012	#3
strax Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: z5 Posts: 146	nice job, i wish i was that handy! 160 is the cost without the cover, correct?

February 24, 2012	#4
Worth1 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Den of Drunken Fools Posts: 38,539	Looks nice. It's great having a table saw isn't it. I use mine all of the time. Worth

February 24, 2012	#5
Defiant20 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Texas Posts: 44	Nicely done. Were you working from a set of plans or was this something you designed yourself? Also, is the top for ventilation?

February 24, 2012	#9
Boutique Tomatoes Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Northeast Wisconsin, Zone 5a Posts: 1,109	That is sweet. I've been going back and forth on different designs for a while now, I'd love to see some more picutures of what you've done.

February 24, 2012	#14
dokutaaguriin Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Alberta, Canada Z3a Posts: 905	Impressive greenhouse! Jeff

February 25, 2012	#15
Mark0820 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Cincinnati Posts: 907	Excellent job! I can't wait to see pictures of the finished greenhouse.