Many summer residents and gardeners become so accustomed to home-grown produce that they strive to receive fresh vegetables throughout the year. To realize this desire, the farmer will need to switch to highest level gardening skills - build a greenhouse. Constructing a greenhouse with your own hands on your own site is truly a great achievement, which, however, will require a lot of work, knowledge and resources. In addition, depending on the needs, not only the type of greenhouse will change, but even its location, size and shape.
How to build a greenhouse with your own hands? Step-by-step display construction will be shown later in this article.
Advantages of greenhouses
In order for a little-informed gardener to fully understand and appreciate the value of a greenhouse, and then figure out how to make a greenhouse with his own hands, a number of main advantages should be highlighted. Of course, each type of greenhouse also has individual properties, but a certain general number of outstanding characteristics still stands out:
- Tightness of the structure to maintain temperature regime;
- Ease of installation and, if necessary, dismantling of some types of structures;
- Durability;
- Polygonal greenhouses are able to absorb the maximum amount of sunlight;
- Environmental friendliness;
- Aesthetic appearance allowing you to fit into your surroundings winter garden or landscape design.
This is only a small part of the advantages that building a greenhouse with your own hands has. It should be noted that often, in addition to cost, such greenhouses have many more advantages than store-bought options. But first you will need to figure out how to properly build a greenhouse with your own hands. However, any greenhouses also have some common disadvantages, which should also be highlighted:
- Corrosion or rotting of the structure;
- Instability and vulnerability to weather factors (hail, strong wind);
- Uneven air heating.
Even a person far from construction can build a greenhouse on the site with his own hands. It is enough just to carefully select materials, carefully build the greenhouse with your own hands, and during operation follow the rules for maintaining the structure. However, those who decide to undertake such an event will first of all need to decide on the type, materials, dimensions, shape and installation location. We will look at how to build a greenhouse with our own hands and the step-by-step preparation process below.
Types of greenhouses
Today there is a wide variety of different types of greenhouses. We make a greenhouse with our own hands and decide on its type according to following criteria and selection priorities.
Operation criterion
First of all, the farmer needs to decide how he plans to operate the greenhouse: all year round or by season. This will make it possible to understand whether the greenhouse design will be collapsible or not, and in addition, winter greenhouses have more complex design and are demanding in terms of operating conditions.
By location relative to ground level
If you decide for yourself that I am building a greenhouse with my own hands, then the most traditional option is to place the greenhouse directly on the surface of the ground. In the case where the greenhouse structure is planned to be heated, it can be deepened into the ground, as well as be an adjoining structure. If necessary, a special foundation can also be laid. In some cases, the greenhouse is built on top floor an existing object: house, garage, barn.
By functionality
Everything here is determined by what exactly the gardener plans to grow, especially if it is a do-it-yourself vegetarian greenhouse. Among the main options: traditional garden crops, mushrooms, flowers, fruits, exotic plants. The choice will directly affect interior design greenhouses.
According to architectural solution
IN in this case There are many options: one, two or three-slope greenhouses, combined, wall-mounted, arched or horizontal. Or maybe it’s an arched winter garden. The choice will directly affect the final cost of construction and the dimensions of the structure.
By types of building materials
The resources used to construct a greenhouse are divided into two types: frame and covering materials. Wood, metal, plastic or even brick can be used to construct the frame. The coating can be polycarbonate, conventional glazing and many other options. If necessary, the gardener can resort to a combined design.
These were the main criteria for preparing the construction of a greenhouse with your own hands, and among others, one can distinguish the division of greenhouses by type of heating, method of planting, etc.
A curious thing is that greenhouses are quite diverse structures that structural design and the internal environment may be different. It could be a good-quality, but hastily and primitively put together structure, or it could be a sufficiently technological and equipped point for year-round cultivation of crops.
It's important to remember that everything summer cottages are situated in different conditions, that is, even with careful selection of the appropriate type of greenhouse, the expected result and the final result, like the ideas for DIY greenhouses, can still vary greatly.
Thus, it is recommended that a gardener starting from scratch get acquainted with greenhouses and greenhouses, start with budget options, and also not aim at large areas and large volumes of harvest.
Selecting a location
The construction of greenhouses is one of the most important issues, which is determined by many factors and, in turn, affects a lot. There are a number of factors that must be taken into account.
Light mode
The greenhouse should constantly, and especially in winter, receive maximum sunlight. Therefore, we build a greenhouse by orienting it along its length from west to east.
Correct orientation
Here you should take into account the direction and nature of the winds. If they can disturb the internal temperature regime of the greenhouse, then it will be necessary to provide wind protection. For light and unstable structures, especially if we build a greenhouse with our own hands, the wind can pose a threat of a completely destructive nature. In this case, it is very important to ensure the stability of the structure as a whole, as well as all its fasteners and components in particular. It is important that the terrain is level and not in a low place where moisture would flow.
The soil should not be clayey, and ideally it should correspond to the type of plant chosen by the gardener.
Convenience
We are talking about a convenient and comfortable approach to the greenhouse, as well as working inside it. A wide passage and free space around the structure will ensure not only easier construction, but also operation. In addition, care should be taken to supply communications to the greenhouse, which will be especially needed there in winter.
Remoteness
Ideally, the greenhouse should be located in an open space and away from other structures on the site, as well as large plantings. This allows you to get rid of many problems by default and provide optimal conditions inside the greenhouse. If the area of the plot is small or due to the chosen type of greenhouse, such an arrangement is impossible, then the construction of the greenhouse is carried out on the south side.
A deliberate approach to solving the issue of greenhouse placement will allow you to achieve the maximum possible effect, as well as eliminate whole line problems and unnecessary hassle.
Shape selection
The most common form for building a greenhouse or greenhouse with your own hands is arched and gable greenhouses. The greenhouse that you are planning to build can also have different geometric shapes, for example, an oval, a circle, a square (or rectangle) and even a trapezoid. Greenhouses in the form of a tent are becoming quite popular.
Depending on the location of the greenhouse, as well as the height of the plants grown, both the shape and size of the structure will directly depend. In some areas, the greenhouse is an integral component of the entire landscape design composition, and therefore its shape and size must be chosen to create maximum aesthetics.
One of the main advantages of building a greenhouse with your own hands instead of purchasing a ready-made store-bought structure is the ability to independently vary the shape and size of the structure to suit your own needs. With collapsible structures, if desired, you can even experiment every time, combining several options for greenhouses or testing new designs. Non-demountable structures can be built, providing for the possibility of their subsequent expansion or modification, without serious intervention.
Size selection
As mentioned above, the size of the greenhouse is determined not only by its location, but primarily by the height of the plants that will be grown in it. Of course, for each individual case the dimensions will be individual. However, the experience of gardeners shows that the most common and optimal options for greenhouse area are structures three meters wide and six meters long. With such dimensions, the structure will not take up much space on the site, but at the same time will provide an impressive harvest. The length will be determined by the capabilities of the land plot, the assigned tasks, and the area of free space.
An important point is that when planning the size of the greenhouse, the presence of a wide path should be provided. This is enough important point, both for the construction and operation of the greenhouse. This is explained by the fact that the gardener will need to regularly supply fertilizers, tools and other items. In addition, there should be free access to the plants themselves from the path, so that there is no need to constantly step directly into the planted area. Thus, the recommended track width is about 0.6 meters.
Maintenance of the greenhouse in a bent position is unacceptable, and therefore the height of the structure should be at least two meters. In general, based on the experience of gardeners, the most optimal greenhouse height is in the range of 2.2-2.5 meters.
Selection of materials
When choosing a material, first of all we are talking about the material directly for the main frame when deciding how to build a greenhouse. It is determined mainly by two factors: the type of future greenhouse and the size of the budget.
Greenhouse frame materials
To build the frame, all kinds of materials are used, each of which has its own purpose, as well as positive sides and disadvantages.
How to make a greenhouse the most budget option is the use of PVC pipes. Thanks to their lightness and flexibility, it is possible to quickly and easily build the structure of a future greenhouse with your own hands. Such a greenhouse will be of an arched type, since a pipe bent in an arc in the form of an arch is attached to the reinforcement driven into the ground. With the right approach, such a greenhouse can be erected in one day. It is best suited for those who are building a greenhouse for the first time and have not yet fully decided on its need on their site.
A more expensive and high-quality material for constructing a greenhouse with your own hands is wood. With minimal carpentry skills and tools, this material is quite easy to process and create a frame from it required dimensions. Then the future greenhouse can be glazed or covered with film. On any site, such a design will look beautiful and solid. To ensure its durability, you will need to not only take care of the reliability of all fasteners, but also protect the wood from rotting and other negative factors.
In order to save money, builders are recommended not to use expensive branded wood processing products, but to replace them with improvised options. As an example, wooden beams can be impregnated with resin, and then lubricated several times with drying oil and finally treated blowtorch. Protection from rotting and other negative factors will be provided to no less extent.
Metal is also one of the most commonly used materials for greenhouse construction. The advantage is that the iron is attached only by welding, but this is also a disadvantage, since it will require not only skills, but also equipment for welding. Alternatively, how to make your own greenhouse and prefabricated building that will be bolted on, however this is much more labor intensive and time consuming. Due to the increased mass of the iron frame, such a greenhouse often requires its own foundation. In addition, care should be taken to protect the metal structure from corrosion.
Coating materials
The frame of the future greenhouse can be covered with various materials to create the expected greenhouse effect. The most common are the following three options: glass, film and polycarbonate.
Polyethylene film for greenhouses can be of several types:
- Heat-saving. It contains an adsorbent that does not transmit infrared radiation from the soil at night. In addition, it increases the temperature inside the greenhouse itself;
- Ultraviolet stabilized. Allows you to increase the service life of the film under direct influence of solar radiation by almost ten times;
- Light scattering. Protects plants, especially seedlings, from harsh irradiation by sunlight, under its direct influence.
There are other less common types of film. In general, this is a short-lived material, designed to last for two years, in some cases up to four. The main advantage is low cost and ease of use.
Glass is the oldest and most traditional material. The main advantage is the extremely high light transmittance. Disadvantages include: heavy weight, fragility, difficulty of fastening and the need for a rigid frame. The glass must be strong enough to withstand the load exerted by wind, hail and precipitation. The best solution Triplex or tempered glass will be used.
It is worth noting that glass has a high throughput sunlight, but at the same time, along with useful infrared radiation, plants are also exposed to ultraviolet radiation.
Polycarbonate is a modern and practical material, which combines best qualities glass and polyethylene. Used for greenhouses cellular polycarbonate, which is represented by a two-layer sheet structure inside, which has stiffening ribs. This material is quite inexpensive and elastic. It is easy to install and, if necessary, dismantling, its service life reaches ten years. The structure of polycarbonate allows it to simultaneously provide good thermal insulation and dispersion of rays.
The variety of materials allows you to satisfy any budget, gardener’s needs and meet the characteristics of each site. Most materials are easy enough to transport and process that structures made from them can be erected literally within one day or weekend.
Choosing a foundation
Before you build a greenhouse with your own hands, you need to create a foundation on the selected site. To do this, you will need a flat and flat area, in which a small depression of a few centimeters should be made along the contour of the future greenhouse. Wooden beams or boards can be used as the main material for laying the foundation. It is important to remember that the finished foundation should fit tightly, and if there are cracks, they should be covered with earth.
Before proceeding with the installation of the foundation, you should plan and sand the surface of the boards, and then walk over it with protective substances.
In order to strengthen future foundation It is recommended to fix the entire structure with additional metal elements (staples, corners). In case of use wooden planks, metal corners are attached at the internal joints, and if timber is used, then the use of staples will be more appropriate and they will need to be driven in at the external joints of the structure.
In the case when the greenhouse is removable and is used for a certain season, then there is no need to worry about a serious foundation. However, a greenhouse used all year round will require a well-prepared foundation. Ideally, this should be a monolithic strip foundation, whose base is located below the freezing level of the soil. The depth of the ditch should be about eighty centimeters, and the lower part is filled with crushed stone. In addition, it is recommended to strengthen the base with reinforcement or reinforced mesh.
Heating
A heated greenhouse is a great way to extend the growing season and fruiting, especially if it is a do-it-yourself greenhouse for flowers. There are several ways to arrange a heating system inside a greenhouse, which depend on the available budget, the area of the greenhouse and its purpose.
Fully mount heating system for a greenhouse you can do it yourself.
Of course, heating systems are installed mainly in greenhouses with year-round use. Among the most effective methods of heating greenhouses are the following:
- Stove heating, with water or air circuit;
- Water heating based on a boiler (solid fuel, electric or gas);
- Gas gun;
- Electric convectors;
- Infrared heaters;
- Water heating pipes;
- Heating cable.
It should be noted that depending on individual needs, heating methods can be combined. Each of the presented methods is quite multifaceted and has many nuances.
The choice of a heating system is made not only according to the factors mentioned above, but also according to a number of other aspects. For example, the type of energy consumed and its quantity, operating principle (heating time, cycle duration, etc.), level of heating efficiency and useful work.
Ventilation
When deciding how to properly make a greenhouse with your own hands, you should take everything into account. The basis of the work of each greenhouse is the creation of a greenhouse effect, thanks to the special design of the structure itself. Of course, in conditions of almost complete tightness, exposure to heat and other factors, the air inside the room quickly stagnates.
This phenomenon is a favorable environment for the proliferation of pests, diseases and other negative factors, and, therefore, it must be combated. It is recommended to create a ventilation system to regulate the microclimate in the room, ensure the flow of fresh air, and maintain optimal air humidity. Of course, the ventilation operating mode should not conflict with the operation of other devices, such as heating or shading.
You should also worry about creating devices for greenhouse ventilation. These can be roof and side vents, as well as doors. The surface of these devices should be one fifth of the total area of the structure.
Ventilation promotes hardening of crops planted in a greenhouse, and is also useful for young seedlings. Before directly planting seedlings, it is recommended to regularly ventilate the greenhouse premises not only during the day, but also at night.
beds
Preparing beds in a greenhouse is a rather problematic process that will require a special approach. Success in growing any plants depends to a large extent on the location and design of the beds. When it comes to forming beds, many different factors are taken into account, and the main ones include the following:
- The total area of the greenhouse;
- Ease of access and approaches;
- Type and specificity of plants;
- Dimensions of the beds themselves (height, length and width);
- Location relative to cardinal directions.
In addition, you will have to take care of the frame for the beds, the bedding for insulation for the winter, the uniformity of watering, lighting and heating of the entire planted surface of the beds, because all this is the solution to the question of how to properly make a greenhouse.
Now you know enough theoretical basis to have a complete understanding of what you should know, understand and prepare before directly building a greenhouse with your own hands. The operating principle of the greenhouse and step-by-step instruction How to build a greenhouse with your own hands, these are topics for separate detailed articles.
Ecology of consumption. Estate: With the onset of spring, every summer resident is faced with the task of planting seedlings and their further planting in open ground. The simple and cheap design of a greenhouse made of plastic pipes is suitable for all summer residents and owners of country houses without exception.
Many summer residents strive to provide themselves with self-grown vegetables for the whole year. But due to climatic features, it is not always possible to achieve this goal in those areas that are located in the northern regions of our country. An excellent solution to this problem is to build on garden plot greenhouses.
True, not all gardeners have the financial ability to purchase a ready-made factory greenhouse. For such people, a way out of the situation may be to build greenhouses from plastic pipes with their own hands.
You can design and build a greenhouse from plastic pipes yourself, without resorting to outside help. And such a greenhouse made of plastic pipes will serve throughout the year, for several seasons in a row. An obvious advantage when building greenhouses from plastic pipes is the prevalence, long service life and low cost of polypropylene products.
CHOOSE A LOCATION FOR CONSTRUCTION
When choosing a future location for building a greenhouse made of plastic pipes, you should take into account a number of factors that affect the quality and quantity of the future harvest.
There are the following options for placing a future greenhouse made of plastic pipes on a garden plot:
- You need to place a greenhouse made of plastic pipes, created by yourself, in an open space, away from other buildings on the site and large garden trees. This placement option can be combined with the placement of small shrubs and plants around the greenhouse. This will add aesthetic appeal to the building.
- If, due to the small area of the site, it is not possible to use an open space of sufficient area, you can provide for the location of the greenhouse with one side adjoining the wall of an already erected building, house or barn. With this option an important condition the other sides of the greenhouse will be located on the south side in order to obtain maximum quantity sun rays.
SELECTION OF FORMS
The most common form when constructing a greenhouse from plastic pipes is an arched structure. This is primarily due to ease of construction and relative cheapness.
When choosing a form for the construction of a future greenhouse from plastic pipes, it is necessary to take into account the characteristics of the garden plot and the location chosen for the installation of the structure.
If the greenhouse made of plastic pipes will be located on open place, then it’s better to choose a gable model. In the case where the greenhouse will adjoin one side to the wall of an existing building, it is more advisable to choose a lean-to model.
The base of the greenhouse can be made in different ways geometric shape, be it a square, rectangle, circle, oval or trapezoid. Recently, tent-shaped greenhouses have been gaining popularity.
Attention! Greenhouses of this design have greater light transmission than classic versions.
PROS AND DISADVANTAGES OF BUILDINGS FROM PLASTIC PIPES
Construction of a greenhouse from plastic pipes has a number of advantages over structures made from other materials:
The main and, apparently, only drawback when building a greenhouse from plastic pipes is its lightness. This can cause the entire structure to sway in strong winds. At the same time, this problem can be solved by using additional metal rods driven into the ground to strengthen the structure.
MATERIALS AND TOOLS REQUIRED FOR CONSTRUCTION
Before you make a greenhouse from plastic pipes, you should calculate the necessary materials and tools. It is recommended to do this immediately after determining the location on the site for the future structure. Such measures will help avoid additional expenses already at the construction stage of the structure.
So, for work you will need:
- Timber or boards to form the base of the greenhouse. Before starting construction, it is recommended to treat wooden elements with special protective substances that will protect the wood from rotting.
Advice! To save money, it is recommended to use improvised ones rather than branded professional wood processing products. For example, impregnate wooden beams with resin, coat them with drying oil several times, and treat them with a blowtorch.
- Polypropylene pipes. It is necessary to calculate how many linear meters will be needed for the construction of a greenhouse. For a more accurate calculation when building a greenhouse from plastic pipes with your own hands, it is recommended to make a drawing of the future structure. After obtaining a certain footage of plastic, you can add 10% of the total length for reserve.
- Polyethylene film is used to cover the polypropylene structure. It should be strong enough. High strength will protect it from tearing and allow it to be used for several seasons.
- Several metal rods. The reinforcement must be at least 1 m long.
- Nails and screws.
- Handles with locks and hinges for installing doors and windows in the greenhouse.
- Additional metal loops for fastening individual plastic structural elements.
CONSTRUCTION OF A GREENHOUSE
If, at the stage of calculating the materials used, a detailed drawing future structure, then you can immediately proceed directly to the construction of the greenhouse. Otherwise, it is recommended to make detailed diagram structures - this will significantly simplify and speed up construction work.
INSTALLATION OF FOUNDATION
Before you make a greenhouse yourself from plastic pipes, you need to create a foundation. For the future foundation of the greenhouse, you need a flat, flat area with a small depression. Therefore, before starting work, you must level the ground and make a small depression of a few centimeters. As a material for the foundation, you can use either boards or wooden beams.
Attention! Before proceeding with the installation of the foundation, the wooden boards must be cleaned with a plane or sandpaper, and also treated with protective substances.
To strengthen the foundation of the future structure, it is recommended to use additional metal brackets or corners. A metal corner is attached to each internal joint wooden boards. If timber is used as the material for the base of the greenhouse, it is more advisable to use staples that are driven in at each external joint of the structural elements.
The finished foundation should lie tightly on the soil prepared for it. If there are gaps between the foundation and the ground, they must be covered with earth.
FRAME INSTALLATION
After building the foundation, along its outer perimeter, metal reinforcement should be driven into the ground in increments of no more than 100 cm. Pre-prepared and cut sections of plastic pipe of the required length are placed on these metal rods.
To secure plastic pipes, self-tapping screws are used, with the help of which the base of the pipe must be pulled to wooden foundation. Plastic couplings, corners and crosses are used as connecting elements in the horizontal plane of the structure, which must first be drilled inside. This will allow the pipes to pass through the connectors.
WE CREATE A ROOF
When choosing a material for building a greenhouse roof, you should take into account the features of some of the most common options:
- The optimal and common material for covering a greenhouse is polyethylene film. If financial capabilities allow, you can use a special reinforced polyvinyl chloride film as a covering. This material has good thermal insulation, which will allow you to maintain the desired temperature in the greenhouse even at night. At the same time, this material is highly transparent and transmits up to 95% of sunlight during the daytime.
- A polycarbonate roof has the longest service life, but differs more at a high price and may cause additional difficulties during construction. In addition, such a roof cannot be quickly dismantled, unlike a polyethylene one.
- Textile material for covering such as “agrotex” has low thermal insulation. True, the lightness and simplicity of this material allow installation and dismantling work to be carried out in the shortest possible time.
CONCLUSION
To summarize, we can say that the option self-construction in a garden plot, greenhouses made of plastic pipes seem to be the most acceptable option. Such designs have a number of undeniable advantages. These include the lightness and strength of the structure, its durability, ease of installation and dismantling. In addition, such greenhouses are ultimately the cheapest option, and from an aesthetic point of view they are in no way inferior to expensive factory-made counterparts.
We will learn how to build a greenhouse from plastic pipes with our own hands from the video
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I would like fresh vegetables with own dacha ripened in the spring and grew until late autumn? You can’t do without a greenhouse in the Russian climate. You can buy them in a factory version and assemble them like a construction set, but it will cost a lot. It is much easier to look around and build a greenhouse with your own hands from scrap materials. This way you can save money and get rid of unnecessary junk, which is still quite suitable for construction. Cheap greenhouses come in a variety of designs and sizes.
Homemade greenhouse - the most cheap option
On garden plot There is always enough building material that is suitable for building an inexpensive greenhouse. The structure frame can be assembled from:
- old wooden frames from windows left after replacement with plastic ones;
- bars, which any thrifty gardener has at their dacha;
- scraps of boards and substandard timber;
- leaky hoses and PVC pipes from irrigation;
- metal mesh, etc.
There is an option with the installation of a metal frame. However, this will require welding machine and skills to work with it. If you hire a welder specifically for construction, then it will be difficult to call the greenhouse cheap. It's better to find another option.
If you have to purchase a factory frame, then the most inexpensive of them is galvanized iron. It costs less than aluminum or iron polymer coating analogue, but galvanizing will also last less, since it is simply afraid of corrosion. But iron will not bend under wind and snow like aluminum.
Glass, cellular polycarbonate and polyethylene are used to cover the frame. The last option is the first one that comes to mind when the question arises: what and how to cheaply build a greenhouse. But the film is unlikely to last more than a couple of years and only if it is removed for the winter and stored in a country house.
Diagram of the frame of a factory-produced greenhouse-arch
When purchased, polycarbonate will cost more than polyethylene, but it will last much longer. The most durable is glass. But purchasing it for a greenhouse is expensive. This option is exclusively for structures made from old window frames when glass is already available.
Advice! The most practical and cheapest greenhouse has an arched design. It is the most durable and reliable.
Structurally, a greenhouse structure can be assembled in the form of a small house with a gable roof or in the shape of an arch. The first option is familiar, the second is more reliable. The arched structure, sloping on all sides, calmly withstands gusts of wind, and the snow simply rolls off it.
Choice of coating: film or polycarbonate
Polyethylene film will cost less than cellular polycarbonate. But how justified is such “savings?” Due to temperature changes and constant exposure to ultraviolet radiation, polyethylene will crack and rupture within a maximum of two years. At the same time, it must be removed and put away for the winter, otherwise it will not survive frosts and snowfalls.
Cellular polycarbonate is more expensive, but it is not afraid of winds, snow and hail. It will serve well for several years. At the end of the summer season, there is no need to remove it and look for a place to store it.
This material is sold at different prices. It all depends on the thickness. The larger it is, the stronger the polycarbonate sheet. But the cost also increases.
The cheapest greenhouses made of polycarbonate are obtained if plastic sheets are taken 4 mm thick. This is the minimum possible size. For a small and inexpensive greenhouse this is quite enough, but for a spacious structure you will have to take 6, 8 or 10 mm polycarbonate.
Arched structure coated with polyethylene - cheap and fast, but short-lived
If we take into account one-time savings, then polyethylene is unrivaled. But for the overall benefit over the entire period of using the greenhouse, it is better to prefer practical and more durable cellular polycarbonate.
TOP most inexpensive do-it-yourself greenhouses
There are many options on how to build a greenhouse yourself and inexpensively. The four proposed designs were chosen due to ease of installation and availability of building materials.
"Greenhouse" from old window frames
Old wooden frames from the windows are ideal for creating a cheap greenhouse. The first feature of this design is the foundation; it must be strong and continuous around the perimeter of the building. It can be made in the form of a concrete strip, as for an ordinary house, but then you will have to spend a lot of money and effort.
The building made from window frames is more reminiscent of a glass greenhouse
The optimal base for a greenhouse made of window frames is:
- A thick beam right on the ground.
- Bored pillars made of asbestos-cement pipes with a grillage.
- Screw piles with grillage.
The first of the three options is the cheapest and easiest to arrange. It will be enough to lay wooden beams or beams remaining after the construction of the roof along the perimeter of the future greenhouse.
Important! All wood must be cleaned of old paints and coatings and covered with antiseptics, and lumber in contact with the ground from below and on the sides must be covered with roofing felt or thick polyethylene.
Before installing the frames on the foundation base, remove the glass from them and remove all old paint. Then they are simply placed next to each other and tightened together with self-tapping screws, and the resulting cracks are filled with ordinary polyurethane foam.
All that remains is to make reverse glazing and make a roof - pitched or arched from polyethylene-covered boards.
Arch design made from a watering hose
This greenhouse option is even more economical. Every summer resident has hoses for irrigation or plastic pipes. They can be purchased for little money in any market. You just need to bend the hoses into half-arches and secure them.
A thicker timber or board is used as the foundation and rectangular base of the frame. A wooden rectangle is installed on the site in a selected location and metal rods are driven into the ground along its perimeter in half-meter increments. There should be about 30–50 cm of this pin under and above the ground.
It’s not difficult to build a greenhouse yourself from plastic pipes or hoses.
With elastic PVC pipes everything is simple - they need to be cut into pieces and each section placed on rods driven into the ground. You should get an arch of several half-arcs. To give the frame strength, several longitudinal wires are laid along the entire length of the greenhouse, which are connected to the already installed pipes plastic clamps.
For flexible hoses you will have to prepare thick willow branches. This tree should be found in the nearest forest. After inserting the branches inside, the hose will acquire the necessary elasticity and strength. Next, the greenhouse is covered according to a scheme similar to the pipes.
Both polyethylene film and polycarbonate panels can be used as covering material. The result is a cheap greenhouse made of polycarbonate or polyethylene with high yields.
Metal mesh building
A budget greenhouse frame can be made from fencing mesh. It is elastic enough not to bend under the film coating. The wire product should be taken with cells of 10–15 cm and a rod thickness of 3–4 mm.
This design does not require a foundation. Both the floor and the roof of the greenhouse are made from mesh. The result is a light, durable and uniform structure, which is covered with plastic film on top and sides.
Steel mesh frame is lightweight and durable
In this case, it is better not to use polycarbonate. For it, rods must be selected of greater thickness, and this is an additional expense.
Advice! If you need to quickly build cheap greenhouse with your own hands, then a design made of metal mesh and polyethylene is the most suitable option. To create it you will need at most two hours of work.
In order for the polyethylene to hold securely on the frame, it should be slightly wrapped inward and secured with tape. To form the door, you will additionally need bars from which the frame and frame are made. Door leaf- this is also film.
Construction made from plastic bottles
Another affordable option for a cheap greenhouse is a greenhouse made from bottles made of plastic. After each visit, several copies of empty plastic containers remain at the dacha. It either needs to be constantly thrown away, or somehow adapted in the household.
Greenhouse walls made of plastic bottles inserted into each other
The foundation and frame of the “bottle” greenhouse are made from ordinary bars. You will need to knock down two rectangular boxes. One is placed at the base, and the second rises to the level of human height and is fixed on wooden supports. If an elongated structure is needed, then reinforcing posts will need to be installed on the long sides.
Important point! Labels must be removed from bottles. They should be light and as transparent as possible so that as much sunlight as possible passes through the plastic.
The bottoms of the bottles are cut off so that they can be inserted into one another. A fishing line or wire is stretched between the vertical supports, which will hold plastic walls. Then the bottom bottle is fixed to the foundation with a self-tapping screw and the next one is placed in it, and then another and another up to the very top.
The roof is done according to ana logical technology from bottles. You can also stretch plastic film. Both options are acceptable.
Scheme of a greenhouse with a wooden frame and covering film
There are many inexpensive greenhouse and greenhouse structures. Making their frame yourself is not difficult. From the materials available at each dacha, you can build a completely suitable cheap greenhouse, which will delight you with rich harvests.
If you want to save as much as possible here and now, then you should use polyethylene to cover it. But those who want to get a more durable structure are better off purchasing cellular polycarbonate. It will last for many years and will pay off with interest.
If you are planning to build a greenhouse with your own hands, first of all you need to decide which material to give preference to - used or buy new. Both options have their advantages and disadvantages, used materials cost almost nothing, but you will need some time to find and collect, and such material can be more difficult to work with when selecting suitable friend friend elements.
New materials, on the contrary, are very convenient to use, but cost money. Constructing a greenhouse yourself will take some time, so it is better to plan in advance and allocate 2-3 days for this work. You also need to decide what you will make your home greenhouse from - homemade greenhouses are usually film, glazed, or built using polycarbonate.
DIY greenhouse construction
So, the main questions of what and how to make a greenhouse have been resolved, and the planning stage is over - now you can proceed directly to the construction of a homemade greenhouse.
The dimensions of the greenhouse discussed in this article are 3.6 meters wide and 5 meters long, with a center height of about 2.5 meters. The length of your greenhouse can be longer or shorter, but when constructing a structure according to this project, the width should be around 3.3-4 meters.
If your greenhouse roof is too flat, it may fall apart!
How to make an arched greenhouse strong and reliable so that your greenhouse does not collapse under the pressure of the first rain or snowfall. In an attempt to make the bottom of your greenhouse feel more spacious, you may want to try making it wider and lower - but be careful! If there is a lot of precipitation in your region, it is much more effective for snow and rain to roll off a steeper roof than a flat one. Too much flat roof the greenhouse will sag under the weight of water and snow, which will lead to damage.
So, how to make a greenhouse with your own hands?
We started the construction of the greenhouse with the end walls, although this is not a necessary condition at all; you can build the main structure first, and do the ends later. Do what is most convenient for you.
To begin, to outline the contours of the greenhouse, temporarily attach a piece of PVC pipe to a wooden plank.
Pre-drill a hole in the pipe and attach it to a wooden element using a self-tapping screw.
Assemble the rest of the frame, including the doorway. The width of the doorway depends on the size of the door, the width of which can vary from 1 to 1.5 meters. The wooden threshold can be sawed off later, when it comes time to install the greenhouse door.
To make the frame joints more durable, you can glue them using a special glue intended for outdoor use.
After the assembly of the wooden frame is completed, you need to mark the contours of the greenhouse on the slats.
Remove the PVC pipe and saw off the excess pieces of wooden strip along the contour.
Refasten plastic pipe to its rightful place, by outside frame. For this purpose, you can use self-tapping screws and wire anchors.
Rear end wall of the greenhouse.
And the front end wall of the greenhouse... The polyethylene film, which is planned to be attached to the structure later, will completely wrap the frame and be fixed to the wooden parts of the end. If you don't have enough wood to frame the end walls, then you may have problems securing the film. A poorly secured film will sag and come off at the first strong gusts of wind.
A roll of film can be spread directly on the frame to measure out the desired piece.
With a sharp knife cut off a piece of film and place something hard under it.
After securing the film on one side, you need to turn the end wall frame over and secure an additional layer on the other side.
Then carefully cut off the excess piece of film.
Cut a hole in the end wall for the doorway, leaving enough film so that you can double-fold it before attaching it to the frame. Pay attention to the cuts in the upper corners of the opening for the opening.
That's about it!
Drive long pieces of rebar or steel fence posts into the ground at a distance equal to the width of the doorway.
Place the posts vertically and plumb.
Tie the arched greenhouse frame to the fence posts using wire anchors, wire or rope.
After the end walls are installed, stretch the cord along the entire length to mark the installation line for the side ribs of the greenhouse.
Along the line, at a distance of one meter from each other, drive in pegs from the reinforcement to secure the intermediate ribs.
Attach PVC pipes to pegs, and the greenhouse takes shape. For a stronger and more stable structure, you can use a thicker pipe or place the fins of the greenhouse more often than one meter apart.
During the construction of this greenhouse, the ribs turned out to be shorter than planned, so it was decided to lengthen them a little.
We decided to extend the ribs with pieces of PVC conduit. By the way, gray PVC conduit is more resistant to solar heat. Therefore, the fins of the greenhouse can be made entirely from conduit.
In case you live in an area where there is a lot of rain or snow, you will need to install additional PVC pipe right in the center of the arched greenhouse.
A ridge of thick PVC pipe attached to the top point of the frame will prevent the film from sagging and collapsing.
Screw the side ribs to the ridge with self-tapping screws and secure with rope to be sure. In case of heavy snowfall, it is recommended to install supports inside the greenhouse during bad weather.
Secure each connection with wire anchors and fasten with self-tapping screws.
Using pieces of wood to twist the wire together and tighten it. Wire spacers make the structure more stable and durable.
To measure and cut the plastic wrap, you will need to measure out a little extra film on all sides so you can fold it in a little at the ends later.
Fix the film on a wooden plank using a stapler.
After the film is secured with staples on the wooden plank, you should make a full turn to completely wrap the plank in polyethylene.
Secure the film with self-tapping screws using a drill. Wrap the ends polyethylene film around a wooden plank and attach an additional strip on top of the film - this will help securely fasten the film and make the structure heavier. Secure the opposite end of the film in the same way, roll it up and take it closer to the greenhouse. For this job, you will need another person to help you roll, unfold, and cover the greenhouse frame with film.
So, the main work is completed, there are still minor finishing touches that you can easily handle. Sprinkle the lower end of the film wall with earth or mulch to get rid of cracks and drafts; you can lay bricks, tiles or stones on top of the earthen embankment along the outer edge of the greenhouse.
Well, that's all, now you know how to make a greenhouse with your own hands!
A greenhouse is essentially a unique part of your garden, because the vagaries of nature have no power over it. A greenhouse will allow you to grow vegetables in winter or admire the plants and flowers of your winter garden all year round. And it’s especially nice when it’s done with my own hands. After all, the harvest harvested in it will be especially tasty, and it is also important that by building a greenhouse with your own hands, you will save a considerable amount. Of course, a number of questions immediately arise. What types of greenhouses are there and which one to choose? Where is the best place to put it? Which material to choose? But don't worry, we will answer all these questions and more. So, how to build a greenhouse with your own hands.
First of all, it is worth noting that buildings intended for growing plants are divided into greenhouses and greenhouses. A greenhouse is a more solid and complex structure. It usually has a foundation, walls and roof made of various materials. The design of a greenhouse is much simpler, it is small and mobile. A greenhouse is, in principle, not intended for the entire plant growth cycle. It is designed for growing seedlings, which are then planted in the ground.
Greenhouses are primarily divided into summer (seasonal) and winter (permanent).
Winter greenhouse
It is better to place a winter greenhouse closer to the communications of your home. Since the heating system must be run from them. Of course, you can heat the greenhouse with a stove, but this will be too troublesome. The stove must be constantly lit to maintain a stable temperature level. A capital greenhouse will definitely require a strong foundation and supports to withstand all weather factors.
Here we should also mention a thermos greenhouse, deepened into the ground several meters. But these greenhouses are built much less frequently due to their high labor intensity and cost. For it it is necessary to dig a pit, make a strong foundation and walls from thermoblocks, install a heating system and much more.
Summer greenhouse
Summer greenhouses usually mean greenhouses covered with dense polyethylene. This is the simplest and cheapest option for covering a greenhouse, which will last a couple of seasons if used carefully. Usually, either a wooden frame or a frame of PVC pipes is constructed, onto which a film is attached in the spring. A large selection of inexpensive seasonal greenhouses is also available for sale. They have an easily foldable, non-bulky design, which will be easy to hide at the end of the season if necessary.
According to their shape, greenhouses are divided into:
- arched
- single-pitched
- gable
- Mittlider greenhouse
- domed greenhouses
- polygonal
Arched greenhouse has an arched roof shape, thanks to which Sun rays will be evenly distributed over the entire area and, accordingly, the plants will receive maximum sunlight and warmth. Also, this shape prevents the accumulation of large amounts of snow, so it is not in danger of deformation, and your work will be reduced.
Lean greenhouses Usually they are attached on one side to any solid building on the site. Perhaps the ideal option would be to attach it to the south side of a heated residential building. In this option, you will save not only space on your site, but also energy for heating. But in this option, unlike the previous one, snow can accumulate, so you should be careful during snowfalls.
And the most common today - gable greenhouses. They can be both winter and summer. The main advantage of these greenhouses is their size. There is plenty of space here for you and your plants. In such a greenhouse, some part of the area can even be allocated as a recreation area.
Form Mittlider greenhouses usually based on gable construction(less often arched). But still, we singled it out as a separate type because of its unique two-level roof, which allows you to make a transom (windows in the picture below). The transom in this case is a complete ventilation system that eliminates all the ventilation disadvantages of other types of greenhouses. It not only ventilates, but also supplies the plants with the carbon dioxide they need for nutrition.
Domed greenhouse is more of a design element than a fully functional greenhouse. However, it is perfect for growing flowers and will look great in a snowy garden. Still, it is worth noting that the domed shape provides a number of significant advantages. Among them, it is worth noting durability and stability, and most importantly, good illumination throughout the day. The disadvantage is its small size, which is why it is often not very convenient to work with. Such a greenhouse is difficult to manufacture, so they usually buy ready-made structures.
Polygonal greenhouses As a rule, they have an octagonal shape, which gives them a number of advantages, but also makes their construction more expensive and labor-intensive. The advantages include an attractive appearance, which makes them a real decoration of the garden, as well as a number of practical qualities. It is convenient to install shelving and work in them, but, most importantly, at least one of the eight sides is always at the best angle to the sun.
Choosing a location for a greenhouse
The effectiveness of a greenhouse will largely depend on its location. Please note the following:
- If you are planning a solid greenhouse, then to ensure necessary conditions plants (lighting, wind) build it from west to east.
- The amount of soil, as well as its slope, plays a big role. The greenhouse should only be placed on level ground. If the soil is clayey, it must first be sprinkled with gravel, and then a layer of fertile soil must be added. You should not install the greenhouse in lowlands, on sandy soil, or in swampy areas.
- Considering the need for communications, remember the proximity to the house. As mentioned above, a good option may be to attach a greenhouse to a house or another building not far from it. This, for example, will facilitate heating and protection from the wind and will be beneficial for a small area. Most importantly, do not forget that this building should not interfere with access to the sun.
- To improve the temperature regime, deepen the greenhouse by 70-80 centimeters. When deepening, it is worth remembering about low-growing plants, since if they are deepened too much, they may not receive enough light.
- Do not place the greenhouse close to trees, they will create unnecessary shade for the plants.
Greenhouse frame
One of the key elements of the greenhouse design that ensures its strength and stability is the frame. There are three most common and popular types of frames: metal, wood, plastic (PVC). Briefly about each of them:
- Plus wooden frame is the convenience of its construction and more opportunities for improvisation. To protect against weather factors, the wood will require mandatory processing, but despite this, the wooden frame will still be inferior in terms of durability to the other two. The main advantage of this material is its environmental friendliness.
- Metal carcass stands out for its durability. You don't have to worry about it during strong wind or snowfall. There are different options for metal frames, but if you choose a steel profile, remember the need for an anti-corrosion coating.
- PVC frame considered reliable and safe. The strength of this frame will primarily depend on the thickness of the selected profile. Using polyvinyl chloride (PVC), you can create a completely sealed system in your greenhouse and control the microclimate in it as you wish.
Covering for greenhouse
For reliable protection plants will be required good material for covering the greenhouse. The most common: glass, different types films and products made from the same PVC.
When choosing glass for a greenhouse, keep in mind that it must be highly durable to withstand all weather disasters. The best choice would be tempered glass or triplex. If it is not possible to install one of these options, installing several glasses may be an option.
Film- the most popular greenhouse covering option today. At making the right choice and with proper care it can last a long time. Now they are produced specifically for greenhouses and hotbeds different kinds films. For example:
- Reinforced film is a particularly strong material that helps protect plants from frost. Most often, gardeners choose it.
- Light converting film - transforms ultraviolet radiation into infrared, which in turn promotes plant growth.
PVC products- this is a cell phone and monolithic polycarbonate and acrylic plastic that transmits light well. Polycarbonate is increasingly in demand. It has a number of noticeable advantages:
- relatively low price;
- material flexibility;
- does not fade and looks aesthetically pleasing;
- good thermal insulation due to the air gap;
- resistant to temperature changes and other weather factors;
- lightness of the material, which allows you not to build an impressive frame and foundation for it;
- dissipates sunlight well;
- ease of installation and dismantling;
- durability.
How to build a greenhouse with your own hands
Before building a greenhouse, you must have a clear idea of the future construction. To do this, you need to draw up a diagram of the greenhouse, calculate the amount required material and, of course, prepare the place. To give you an idea of the progress of construction, let's look at a visual example of the construction of one of the greenhouse options.
Aluminum pipes are used for the frame of the greenhouse.
To give the pipes the required shape, we use a simple pipe bender.
Obviously, if you are using PVC pipes, this step will not be necessary.
The result should be the following.
In our example, larger diameter pipes are used to secure the arches of the greenhouse frame. They are driven to a depth of 40-50 cm. The height of the pipes above the ground should be about 30-40 cm.
Instead of pipes of larger diameter, conventional fittings with the same dimensions can be used for fastening. It is driven into the ground in the same way, and the frame arches are put on top.
We install boards (plinth) along the perimeter, pre-treated with an antiseptic. Then we drill a hole through the board and both pipes. Then securely fasten it with bolts. We fasten the boards to each other with metal jumpers.
Using a wooden beam, we assemble the frames of the “fronts”.
We fasten the transverse arcs with a longitudinal pipe.
We cover the wooden frame with siding or plain plywood, and then paint it.
We cover all potentially sharp and rough edges so as not to tear the film.
All that remains is to install the door and cover the greenhouse with film. Let's talk in more detail about film mounting options.
Attaching the film to the greenhouse
We list the most popular mounting options:
- Wooden slats nailed or screwed with self-tapping screws. Alternatively, instead of slats, you can use cut linoleum or packing tape, and fasten them with a construction stapler. But this option is better used for reinforced film, since other types will inevitably tear from gusts of wind over time.
- Clamps, clips. Now exists big choice such fastenings, so there will be no problems in purchasing. But if you wish, you can make them yourself, for example, from PVC pipes. It's not difficult at all, and with a little experimentation, you're sure to make the right ones. If you purchase metal clips, be sure to place something under them, as the metal can damage the film when heated in the sun.
- The mesh is the safest mounting option. After we cover the greenhouse with film, we lay a mesh on top of it, which is tied to the body. Of course, some additional film mount, at least minimal, must be present. Otherwise, after every heavy rain you will have to adjust it. Instead of a net, in principle, a rope can be used, although this is more troublesome.
We have discussed with you, we hope that this article was useful to you.
