[b said:
Quote[/b] (SarraceniaScott @ Mar. 13 2006,5:24)]Could you furnish basic plans and cost, for anybody who might be thinking about building a greenhouse?
Or, at least, did you have the help of a good how-to book that explained how to build a greenhouse?
I have a good basic knowledge of construction techniques, and I apply this knowledge, but i do not make plans (written plans) ever. I look at an area and carefully visualize what I want to accomplish, and keeping this visualization in mind, I begin to work. Of course I make very careful measurements as I work and keep everyting square and true. I actually built this GH on a former koi pond site so I was very fortunate to have been able to sink the GH 2 feet below ground level without much digging. If you look at my final view you will see the GH looks too short; this is because it is below ground level and once inside, I actually have to use a step stool to work on the highest points inside. Doing this actually cuts the cost a little too.
As far as cost, it is not cheap. I have not tallied cost yet but I know it is around $2000. The polycarbonate fasteners alone (rubber-washers attached to weatherproof screws) ran about $149 just themselves. There is paint to buy, nails, screws, bolts, lumber brackets, the list goes on and on. There are corners you can cut if you want to but the structure will not last very long due to the very high moisture that will be present at all times. Even with a structure like this, repairs are always required every few years no matter how careful you are when building it, due to the moisture. The problem with trying to instal a pre-made, steel greenhouse is you are committed to its shape no matter where you want to put it. I like to design my own GHs becuase I can make it fit snugly in an area and it looks a lot nicer I think. I still have yet to landscape the outside with vines, flowers, and small trees, which I think will really finish it off nicely. i am also planning on building redwood planter boxes affixed to the outside of certain parts of the Gh and running 1/4" microtubing from the R/O unit, and planting tougher Nepenthes all around the OUTSIDE of the greenhouse where they will still receive purified water at regular intervals. Imagine a greenhouse surrounded by Nepenthes, inside AND outside!!! i don't think I have ever seen this before.
If anyone needs help during the construction of their own GH please don't be afraid to ask; I love to help in any way I can!!!
Ludwig
