Allotment Gardening Advice Help Chat
Chatting => Design and Construction => Topic started by: coop-de-tat on August 02, 2013, 18:33
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My parents gave me this aluminium greenhouse about 20 years ago. I haven't used it for it's intended purpose for a few years now but I am biting the bullet and trying to bring it back to it's former glory.
The basic frame is solid and in great nick for it's age. I gave it a good going over with the pressure washer today and it came up a treat. The door works fine, it's standing on concrete blocks and they seem solid also. Roughly 2 thirds of the glass is missing though and the base is kaput. I have cleaned up the remaining glass and will be completing with polycarbonate sheets.
I will be making a sturdy wooden base with some good 200 x 30 mm planks and 200 x 200mm block timber I have lying about. I wanted to make raised beds either side in the house with a paving slab walkway between and also build in some staging with some 50mm batten and grid mesh.
I'm planning to finish this little project within about a fortnight.
My evil plans include some naga and scotch bonnet chillies here next year along with the customary tommys and cucumbers :=]
(http://img109.imageshack.us/img109/9255/3c2b.jpg) (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/109/3c2b.jpg/)
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It looks the same as mine - nice to know they last that long ::) :lol:
Good luck with the project !
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It looks similar to the one Brian bought his Dad in 1966, which now sits in our garden!
It's still going strong!
The only thing is, once you get all those seedlings coming up, the greenhouse won't be big enough! lol
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It looks similar to the one Brian bought his Dad in 1966, which now sits in our garden!
It's still going strong!
The only thing is, once you get all those seedlings coming up, the greenhouse won't be big enough! lol
Very similar GA. I'm quite impressed with the quality of the build of it considering it's age. I dread to think how much a new one of similar quality would knock me back. I ordered the polycarbonate today from this e-bayer.....
http://stores.ebay.co.uk/Omega-Roofing-Plastics?_trksid=p2047675.l2563 (http://stores.ebay.co.uk/Omega-Roofing-Plastics?_trksid=p2047675.l2563)
I bought 15 sheets of 730mm x 1220mm (that's 28" x 48" or so in old money :=]) Along with some double-sided glazing foam and new clips etc.
Anyway, I removed the badly corroded base on Saturday. Tomorrow (if the weather permits) I'll use that as a template for making a wooden one to replace it. Will be using a few spare paving slabs I have for a central walkway and probably have a raised bed either side. In fact I was looking at these (from http://www.marshalls-seeds.co.uk/greenhouse-grow-beds-x3-pid4289.html (http://www.marshalls-seeds.co.uk/greenhouse-grow-beds-x3-pid4289.html) The price seems reasonable and saves me more effort.
(http://img22.imageshack.us/img22/3347/fm8o.jpg) (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/22/fm8o.jpg/)
Has anyone used this type of growbed before? They seem quite cheap at £12 for 3, I wonder how long they will last? The big attraction to me is that they are portable...........
As soon as I get some weather I'll get stuck in and bore y'all with more pix :=]
CdT
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I have inherited two greenhouses like that but they were completely covered by trees and brambles, and a large sycamore growing between the two of them, bending the frame
I have restored them and for three years now they've been producing tons of chillies, toms, peppers and cucumbers
The house owner didn't know they were there or he would have charged me extra :D
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I have restored them and for three years now they've been producing tons of chillies, toms, peppers and cucumbers
Great minds think alike :=]
The polycarbonate glazing arrived today. I've pressure-washed the frame, dug over and raked the GH earth, laid a walkway, made and installed a replacement base, I was just about ready to install the glazing when I realized I need breathable and stopper tape grrrrrrrrrrrr. I'm hoping I can get these locally and not have to wait days for delivery.
Anyway here's a couple of pics.
Toodle pip.
The Base
(http://img14.imageshack.us/img14/4959/rpbl.jpg) (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/14/rpbl.jpg/)
Ready to glaze......
(http://img69.imageshack.us/img69/7391/d6z6.jpg) (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/69/d6z6.jpg/)
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That breather, stopper tape. Well after last winter I think its a waste of time. The bottom tape opened up and peeled away and although the sealer tape has done better several panels have lost the tape. Now I did use twin wall to replace 4mm glass, and over last winters winds I had to put on lots of extra springs, to stop the panels coming out. In the end 8 springs per side worked. Also I had to put some packing strips along the roof bar, from the inside to control the panel tension. I won't use that tape again to be honest.
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You can use the glazing clips to hold the polycarb in. I would have thought. I'm no expert though :D
It's looking good :) the only thing with polycarb though is that it goes dirty looking and opaque. Mind you a bit of shade from the hot sun is no bad thing but it just looks dull at the side of real glass. It is dangerous though, unless it's toughened, which is where polycarb comes into its own
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That's looking good C-de-T :D
Just a comment on those Marshall's bags: they re fine but if you can grow into border soil watering is much more consistent and the plants get a much better root run with a depth of soil.
If you take out about a third of the soil every other year and replace it with garden soil plus home made compost it never runs out of steam, and it helps avoid disease build up too.
Great project :D
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Thanks for the comments folks.......
That's looking good C-de-T :D
Just a comment on those Marshall's bags: they re fine but if you can grow into border soil watering is much more consistent and the plants get a much better root run with a depth of soil.
If you take out about a third of the soil every other year and replace it with garden soil plus home made compost it never runs out of steam, and it helps avoid disease build up too.
Great project :D
I agree, the Marshall bags seemed attractive mainly because of portability and, if I'm honest, my innate laziness :=] I probably will go with growing in the existing soil, my last set of chickens were using the GH as a run a couple of years ago and the soil will be quite fertile I imagine.
Work on the project came to a halt today, I ran out of glazing foam and W-clips as I under-estimated how much was needed.
About the tape Bob, I ordered 2 rolls of foil-tape mistakenly and didn't even use breather tape. I have read elsewhere that breather tape is not absolutely essential so I'm just going ahead with just the foil. I'll also put in extra clips when they arrive.
Anyway, as soon as it's glazed I'll post a pic........
Tally Ho.
CdT
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The foil tape is to block the head of the panel, the idea is to stop water getting in. The breather tape is to let any water get out from the bottom. Both will peel off after a single winter. This spring I just pressure washed the panels and it looks ok to me. I suppose the over time risk is algie and moss getting into the twinwall.
It looks nice.
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The foil tape is to block the head of the panel, the idea is to stop water getting in. The breather tape is to let any water get out from the bottom. Both will peel off after a single winter.
TY Bob. I wondered myself how long the tape would last, although the GH is in quite a sheltered position, I live on a hillside overlooking the Bristol Channel and the weather can whip it good up here fairly often. Hopefully though I'll get several years of nice tommys/cucs/peppers in lieu of my outlay and sweat the last few days :=]
CdT
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Im sure the GH will be fine, and will give you many years of service. That tape just gets hit by the water and cold and it just comes off. Ive found that the GH is still ok, but over time I can see stuff getting into the twinwall. I just thought I would deal with that when it happens. This year, this summer, a year after doing it, it all looks ok. I like the plastic better than the glass, its slightly cooler inside and there is no glare. Good stuff.
Be aware of wind damage, the plastic is paper light. At least 8 clips per side.
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Have you secured the base down particularly if you get strong winds,look what happened to John & Vals.
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Have you secured the base down particularly if you get strong winds,look what happened to John & Vals.
No I haven't fixed it down yet, as it happens my daughter helped me out the other day by getting up a ladder to put some glazing foam on the roof openings, she's only about 7 stone soaking wet but the GH moved, I've got some steel brackets, I'll screw them to the base + corner blocks. So unless we get a tornado they should hold it :=]
BTW what happened to John and Val?
CdT
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(http://allotment-garden.org/garden-diary/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/greenhouse-damage.jpg)
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100 MPH winds in March. Once one panel comes out the wind gets inside and tears it apart.
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100 MPH winds in March. Once one panel comes out the wind gets inside and tears it apart.
<gulp>
Was that John + Vals? Is there a thread on here telling the story?
I think I should be OK when I bolt the whole kaboosh down. As I wrote the GH is sheltered from most of wind with a fence and very high/thick privets on one side, luckily enough from where the wind direction predominates (to the east) I sacrifice a little morning sun because of this but it's swings and roundabouts give and take etc........
CdT
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This is the link to the diary entry that contains the story.
http://allotment-garden.org/garden-diary/fron-dirion-tour/
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Dramatic isnt it.
The year before last I converted my inherited with the house 6 x 8 greenhouse to twinwall. It was originally 4mm glass. Lots of cracks some missing panes. I ordered 4mm Twinwall. So I used the tape top and bottom. I replaced each panel one at a time. I redid the door. Wherever possible I used a large sheet, the glass was several sheets in each panel.
Winter, a side panel blew out, that let the wind in and it blew out a roof panel and another side panel. Next day I fitted extra springs, 8 springs on each long side. The roof panels tended to bow slightly and that was how the wind got in. So Ive now fitted timber strips, on the inside to tension and remove the sag in the roof sheets. This is along the ridge line.
Last winter, not a problem, nothing was damaged. However the tape was just falling off and was trailing all over. I removed it.
My greenhouse is screwed down into a solid concrete base made of thick edging blocks. I did not have the problem that John had. A lot of that, John admits, was the exposed position. However, screw it down, tight. The wood base is not enough, screw it to concrete. If you do as you say it sounds pretty good to me.
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TY Bob, will take heed of your advice...........
CdT
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At last!
Finished the glazing..........
Moved in my little trio of tommies and my solitary chilli plant. I'm hoping to start a cuttings regime soon so will quickly fill up my staging with odds and sods. Thanks guys for the advice and the interest.
Onwards and Upwards!
(http://img196.imageshack.us/img196/9069/p93m.jpg) (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/196/p93m.jpg/)
CdT
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Ahh, I thought about you yesterday. I read on here, someware, that a good way to protect your GH from wind is to put a dexion frame along both long sides. Screw it to the GH frame. Put in end pieces and then a shelf crossbar. The shelf slats can be removed to give full height when you need it. The dexion being screwed to the frame strengthens the frame and if you put the slats in over winter it weighs it down.
Picture looks good. excellent work.
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I used 4 sturdy brackets, one on each corner, bolting the base down to the concrete block footings. The frame is well screwed to the base. The GH was in this position for 20 years or so (unbolted) without toppling in the wind but that was with a full set of glass weighing it down. I think it will be safe now.........
Had to google Dexion :=] That stuff looks very handy but not cheap, will take me a bit of buttering up of the Missus to extend my gardening budget (again) Could do with some in my shed as it happens...........
CdT
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:D
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I see your chicken is admiring your handiwork. Or does she have an eye on those tomatoes :D
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I see your chicken is admiring your handiwork. Or does she have an eye on those tomatoes :D
The girls quite enjoyed using the GH floor as a massive dustbath. Sadly the frolics have now come to an end for them since it's all been glazed. I'm hoping they'll use that soil filled Belfast sink you can see in the background :=]
Guaranteed I'll forget to close the door one day though.............
CdT
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You will unfortunately, it's an inevitability. When you do it'll be carnage I'm afraid. They eat everything :D
Their little beaks are like razors, scything everything off. Bless :nowink:
You'll be amazed at just how much you can rear and grow in a greenhouse that size. It opens up all sorts of opportunities that you didn't have before, allowing you to extend your range.
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You'll be amazed at just how much you can rear and grow in a greenhouse that size. It opens up all sorts of opportunities that you didn't have before, allowing you to extend your range.
Tell me about it :=] It's filling up already. I already have plans, the choices available are bewildering but I think I'm going to go for chillies, tommies and lemon cucumbers.............
CdT
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and the rest..................................
:lol:
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Too true. I went in mine this evening and tripped and fell headfirst into my tomatoes. There is just so much stuff in there it's hard to get through :nowink: :blush: I didn't damage them thank goodness :)
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hopefully, you didn't damage yourself either :D
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No I was fine. I always fear falling into the glass as it's not toughened. I'm such a clumsy oaf you see :nowink: