[Casey76]

Hi all,

My GH has arrived, and I now have the fun job of trying to put it together following the pics (any written instruction is in German!).

Anyway, from what I can gather, is that it says you need to create a foundation which is 1ft deep of concrete.

As far as I'm aware, I don't need a permit for my greenhouse as long as it isn't a "permanent structure", and therefore I wasn't planning to create a true foundation - at least not yet, until I've determined that where I want to put it is the best place.

I had planned to anchor it to paving flags with specific expandable screw fixtures, but I'm now unsure.

Does the GH really need a solid foundation, or can one be a "do with for the time being" until I'm more sure of the situation?

Thanks!

[mumofstig]

I used treated posts for my base frame, with corner posts (I had some spare angle iron) driven into the ground and screwed to the frame.
The greenhouse frame is then screwed on top.

[Casey76]

Thanks mum, how big were your posts?

I have some 8cmx8cm lengths, but I would need to buy some more, or would 6x6 do?  I have some metaposts left over I can use for the corner posts.

[sunshineband]

I used old bricks for mine, and bolted the frame to the top of them. They were mortared together though and partly dug into the ground to make sure it was perfectly level.

I think the metposts would be excellent if you can drive them in straight. With our stony soil it does pose a few challenges.

[mumofstig]

My posts were 75cm x 75cm, Casey.

[Trikidiki]

100mm x 50mm is my 'go to' for a greenhouse base using the same for 600mm long posts in the corners. I use coach screws to bolt it all together.

Make sure you use tanalised timber as you don't want to be replacing it in a few years time.

[wapello]

A concrete  foundation of  1 ft thick, what is the g/h made of wood or ally how big is it ?

[Casey76]

It's an aluminium/polycarbonate, and is 12'x6'

[Jackypam]

Reading with interest. I'm renovating a big heavy and very old Alton 8x10' cedar greenhouse,just waiting for some replacement wood for the final few rotten bits and I'm almost ready to build the base on an exposed plot with a rule which precludes permanent structures...  After almost a 100 hours of work I don't want it to blow away!

[Trikidiki]

I would have thought the heavier the greenhouse the less likely it is to blow away. As long as your base is rigid enough to not twist a good post in each corner should stop any lateral movement.

I know people have had greenhouse catastrophes but I wonder how many are caused by the wind getting inside and blowing it outwards. I lost some panes from an incomplete greenhouse a few years back, I found them about 30' away in the neighbouring field. Pretty scary the idea of whole panes of glass flying around like that.