Charley Yaw, founder of Charley's Greenhouse and Garden (TM ), reviews the process of building the greenhouse structure. The basic structure of the greenhouse shown in our workshop was assembled in a single weekend.
- After unpacking the parts from the shipping crates, and conducting a parts inventory, the assembly begins with assembling the end-walls of the structure (figure A). These walls are the easiest elements to assemble. The parts are bolted together with ordinary bolts that fit in pre-drilled holes in the tracks of the aluminum frame.
- Once the end-walls are assembled, the front sill is attached to the concrete foundation (figure B).
- The side-walls are then attached to the house, followed by a ledger -- or upper ridge -- that's fastened to the house.
- Once the two end-walls, ledger and sill are all in place, the ribs of the structure can be installed (figure C).
- Once the ribs are installed, a horizontal truss that bears much of the weight of the roof framing. A light, thin extrusion is used for the frame of the structure to minimize shadows in the greenhouse interior.
- With the skeleton of the structure complete, the next step is to install the lightweight polycarbonate panels that enclose the structure (figure D). These translucent panels are held on the structure with double-sided glazing tape. The panels are then secured with an aluminum cap on the outside.
- Having completed the basic structure, the roof-vents, side-vents and vent-controls can be added (figure E).
- The polycarbonate panels (figure F) are lighter than glass, and are durable and sturdy. They also provide some insulation to conserve some of the warmth generated by the sunlight. They are designed to diffuse the light as it passes through, so the light won't burn the plants inside.
- Wire-top benches and wire shelves are installed inside the greenhouse (figure G). These surfaces are popular in greenhouses since they don't collect dirt, and they allow light to pass through to any plants placed underneath.
- As far as electricity, a single 15-amp circuit supplies power to an electric heater, and another supplies power to the lights (figure H) and accessories.
- The top and side vents are designed to open and close automatically -- without electricity (figure I). They incorporate thermal pistons that open and close the vents based on temperature. The piston contains a thermal wax that expands when it heats up from the sun. The expansion drives a piston rod that pushes the vent open. In the evenings, as the wax cools, it shrinks, and the vent closes.
RESOURCES :
The Workshop Book
Model: 1561582719
Author: Scott Landis
The Taunton Press Inc.
Website: www.taunton.com
Ortho's All About Greenhouses
ISBN: 0897214633
Author: Ortho Books Editor
Order this title from Amazon.
Meredith Books Corp.
Website: www.meredith.com
Greenhouse
Ready-made greenhouse structure
Charley's Greenhouse and Garden
Email: service@charleysgreenhouse.com
Website: www.charleysgreenhouse.com
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