Yossu Posted February 28, 2016 Report Share Posted February 28, 2016 Sorry if I'm driving anyone mad here, but this is my first greenhouse, and I want to do it right. I'm planning on getting a concrete base put down, as the garden isn't very even, and was going to bolt the greenhouse frame into the base, to stop it moving. Anything else I need to do here? Also, how do I protect the glass? I haven't built it yet, so don't know how the glass is held in, but want to try and minimise the chances of anything blowing out in the winds. Anyone any suggestions? Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ada Posted February 29, 2016 Report Share Posted February 29, 2016 forget the concrete base,its expensive,use some 9x2 timber on edge.Wooden stakes in the corners can be concreted in,then the timber frame can be screwed to these.It also gives you more height in the greenhouse,then you can cover the floor in mulch. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yossu Posted February 29, 2016 Author Report Share Posted February 29, 2016 (edited) Ooh, that's a clever idea! Have to work out how to stop the timber rotting though, as it would be going directly onto the earth. I have someone coming today to give me a quote for a concrete base, so while he's here, I'll see if he has any ideas about a frame. Thanks for the tip. Edit: Forgot to mention that I need some groundwork doing anyway, as my daughter dug a vegetable patch there last spring, and for some reason sunk it down about 5", so the ground needs some work before it's suitable for anything. Once I'm having that done, I'll have to see how much extra it would be for concrete vs a frame. Edited February 29, 2016 by Yossu Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
North West Neps Posted February 29, 2016 Report Share Posted February 29, 2016 If you prefer to have the concrete base, you don't have to do it the full size of the greenhouse. You could simply mark out the greenhouse dimensions on the ground with pegs and string, and just dig a spade width 6-12 inch deep trench, as if you're laying foundations. This would save a heck of a lot of concrete. You could save even more by throwing in house bricks and any other rubble you have laying about. Old type roadworks fencing pins also make good concrete reinforcing if you can get your hands on them. Then when the outline base has set solid, you could also dig out the centre if you wanted and fill with mulch as Ada suggested. Or infill with a thin layer of ballast if you wanted extra headroom. It all depends really on how compacted your ground is and what type it is, as to what strength of base you could get away with,.And only you can really decide then what the best option is. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yossu Posted February 29, 2016 Author Report Share Posted February 29, 2016 Great advice as always Tony! Looks like I'm going roadworks-raiding at midnight. You'll come and visit me in prison won't you? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rocki Road Posted February 29, 2016 Report Share Posted February 29, 2016 Hi what make is the greenhouse as some are stronger than others same with the glass as well depends on the thickness , also the main point for me would be where you site it ie gets blasted by the wind or is it protected by a hedge which helps slow the wind down, fences and walls just help speed it up. Exiting getting a greenhouse just opens up a totally new world of gardening RR 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3Star Posted February 29, 2016 Report Share Posted February 29, 2016 I made a base by laying slabs on a sand cement bed and then screwed the greenhouse into the slabs. You could probably pick some slabs up out of your local paper as people are always looking to get rid of them and it would be cheaper than a concrete base. Dave 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yossu Posted February 29, 2016 Author Report Share Posted February 29, 2016 I made a base by laying slabs on a sand cement bed and then screwed the greenhouse into the slabs. You could probably pick some slabs up out of your local paper as people are always looking to get rid of them and it would be cheaper than a concrete base. Dave Thought of that, but thought concrete would give me less hassle with weeds growing between the slabs. However, if it's going to cost a lot, I would certainly think of this idea as well. Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian Salter Posted March 1, 2016 Report Share Posted March 1, 2016 I have built 8 greenhouses all by digging a trench all around as Welshy says and lay in cement or concrete in about an inch or two as level as is reasonable. After it has cured a single course of bricks or blocks can be laid to match the base of your greenhouse, this will raise the greenhouse and give you something to screw directly into and the base layer will help against settling on disturbed ground. Might I add that whatever ground you dig compacts back down over time that is why your ground has sunk. Ian. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yossu Posted March 1, 2016 Author Report Share Posted March 1, 2016 Might I add that whatever ground you dig compacts back down over time that is why your ground has sunk. Actually, the ground hasn't sunk. My daughter sunk her vegetable patch, meaning she dug down about 5" and levelled the ground inside the hole, and used that for the patch. There hasn't been any weight on it, so it wouldn't have compacted to any noticeable degree. Thanks for the reply. Nice to hear from an expert. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
linuxman Posted March 1, 2016 Report Share Posted March 1, 2016 Greenhouse glass is supported by glazing bars - you have to locate rubber strips over these (a very time consuming job!). The glass rests on the rubber strips and is retained by W clips (you'll see why they're called W clips when you open the bag). Glass panes located higher up are supported on the lower panes by Z clips. It's all very easy when you've done a few panes, but be careful the glass breaks very easily until it's fixed in place. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yossu Posted March 1, 2016 Author Report Share Posted March 1, 2016 Greenhouse glass is supported by glazing bars - you have to locate rubber strips over these (a very time consuming job!). The glass rests on the rubber strips and is retained by W clips (you'll see why they're called W clips when you open the bag). Glass panes located higher up are supported on the lower panes by Z clips. It's all very easy when you've done a few panes, but be careful the glass breaks very easily until it's fixed in place. Do I need to do anything extra to hold them in, or are the clips enough? We've had some pretty strong winds recently, and I want to make sure the glass doesn't blow out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3Star Posted March 1, 2016 Report Share Posted March 1, 2016 You just use the clips, normally a couple on each side. If you are worried about the glass blowing out just put more clips in they don't cost very much. Dave 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yossu Posted March 1, 2016 Author Report Share Posted March 1, 2016 You just use the clips, normally a couple on each side. If you are worried about the glass blowing out just put more clips in they don't cost very much. Dave OK, thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian Salter Posted March 3, 2016 Report Share Posted March 3, 2016 Glass will not blow out unless the wind can get in first. make sure the windows close securely when needed and shut the door when it it windy and most importantly bolt the greenhouse down. ian. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yossu Posted March 3, 2016 Author Report Share Posted March 3, 2016 Thanks for that, very useful point. The door can be secured, and I am fully intending to bolt the greenhouse down securely. I guess as long as I keep the vent closed when it's windy, I should be OK. Thanks again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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