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  • DIY greenhouse (on the cheap)

    My current plot gh cost 25 from b and q . Had some parts missing. It is still standing after a couple of years but is about 4" by 5" and I'd like some more room. I picked up 10 sheets of corrugated plastic and had hoped of getting enough free wood to make an (almost) traditional Gh. Looks like free wood might not happen now. �� So, I'm thinking maybe a polytunnel frame or two and screw the corrugated stuff to that. I've also got lots of 3x3 slabs so was thinking to use those to raise the base edges. I'm budgeting for 50 quid tops to finish it off so any ideas welcome...
    Last edited by Baldy; 23-09-2019, 06:45 PM.
    sigpic
    1574 gin and tonics please Monica, large ones.

  • #2
    Originally posted by Baldy View Post
    Had some parts missing. .......... but is about 4" by 5" and I'd like some more room.
    It is a bit small....................that's the GH, I wouldn't know about anything else of Baldy's.

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    • #3
      Is there anything structurally wrong with the current one? Could you extend that?

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      • #4
        Current one is only good for taking apart for the parts...
        Structurally it's entirely dependant on the pallet wood that I have screwed on to it.
        sigpic
        1574 gin and tonics please Monica, large ones.

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        • #5
          I'd say, keep an eye on Facebook's marketplace. THere are loads of greenhouses, large ones too, free of charge on there. I'm guessing there will be more this time of year too, for those giving it up. Equally, I have picked up loads of free slabs and bricks there too. Even a sixteen foot trampoline that I will convert into another polytunnel once upon a time
          https://nodigadventures.blogspot.com/

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          • #6
            You could also look out for people replacing windows or approach a window company and ask them for the old frames including the glass and use these

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            • #7
              Hi Baldy,

              Do you have any metal stockists in your area? it can be an easy way of getting free wood depending if they will give you any scraps from broken pallets.

              The type of pallets used in the sheet metal industry tend to be made with 2- 3" thick beams and can range up to 4 metres long. once painted they seem to hold up well.

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              • #8
                Looks like I might be able to get my hands on an 6' x 12' polytunnel frame - I might end up with something that looks like a see-thru anderson shelter.

                Anyhow - the steel its made from is better than I expected, though still Chinese.. so will rust. Any thoughts on fixing the corrugated plastic to the steel? I reckon it would likely rust if I drill/screw through - though that is probably the easiest option.
                I think I might have enough wood to but a wooden frame up to the point where the roof section starts to curve - so I can screw into that - but I haven't come up with any ideas (other than screwing direct) for the curved roof section. Perhaps I can fashion some sort of wooden framing there too...
                sigpic
                1574 gin and tonics please Monica, large ones.

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                • #9
                  I've been thinking of using corrugated plastic as a roof on a poly-tunnel; - my idea would be to use battens along the length but inside the metal hoops wired in place - then screw the plastic sheeting down to these using long screws and rubber washers - been keeping an eye out for cheap corrugated sheets near me, but no luck so far.

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                  • #10
                    Yeah - long screws and rubber washer might do the trick - cheers!
                    sigpic
                    1574 gin and tonics please Monica, large ones.

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                    • #11
                      Originally posted by Baldy View Post
                      Looks like I might be able to get my hands on an 6' x 12' polytunnel frame - I might end up with something that looks like a see-thru anderson shelter.

                      Anyhow - the steel its made from is better than I expected, though still Chinese.. so will rust. Any thoughts on fixing the corrugated plastic to the steel? I reckon it would likely rust if I drill/screw through - though that is probably the easiest option.
                      I think I might have enough wood to but a wooden frame up to the point where the roof section starts to curve - so I can screw into that - but I haven't come up with any ideas (other than screwing direct) for the curved roof section. Perhaps I can fashion some sort of wooden framing there too...
                      Not sure if I am imagining it right, but do you need to fix it to the top? could the corrugated plastic span from the base of each side and be bolted onto the frame at the bottom ( helps with the rust problem too as it'll be less unsightly) or are the pieces too short?

                      If they're too short for that, is it possible to build a short solid wall (between 2-4 ft high) out of slats or plyboard at the base and use the plastic as a kind of sun roof?

                      lastly regarding fixing the plastic, would it be possible to use U bolts to wrap around the frame's beams?

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                      • #12
                        Originally posted by Baldy View Post
                        Looks like I might be able to get my hands on an 6' x 12' polytunnel frame - I might end up with something that looks like a see-thru anderson shelter.

                        Anyhow - the steel its made from is better than I expected, though still Chinese.. so will rust. Any thoughts on fixing the corrugated plastic to the steel? I reckon it would likely rust if I drill/screw through - though that is probably the easiest option.
                        I think I might have enough wood to but a wooden frame up to the point where the roof section starts to curve - so I can screw into that - but I haven't come up with any ideas (other than screwing direct) for the curved roof section. Perhaps I can fashion some sort of wooden framing there too...
                        Could you use pipe clips? Attach the pipe clips to the corrugated plastic and then clip them onto the steel frame? Alternatively you could attach pipe clips too wood, clip the wood to the frame and screw the plastic sheeting directly to the wood.

                        https://www.screwfix.com/p/talon-15m...100-pack/19684

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                        • #13
                          Originally posted by benb89 View Post
                          Could you use pipe clips? Attach the pipe clips to the corrugated plastic and then clip them onto the steel frame? Alternatively you could attach pipe clips too wood, clip the wood to the frame and screw the plastic sheeting directly to the wood.

                          https://www.screwfix.com/p/talon-15m...100-pack/19684
                          Ah hah. Friend if mine was trying to describe these but I couldn't figure out what he was on about. Makes sense and would probably work. Many thanks.
                          sigpic
                          1574 gin and tonics please Monica, large ones.

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                          • #14
                            I have a question what would be the primary purpose of the GH. I'm going to embark on a similar project soon. I suggest that you keep an eye on local skips, I have picked up plenty of useful wood, plastic and metal. I mainly seek out doors that have been thrown as they are big and form a good structure.

                            Nick

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                            • #15
                              Baldy has some photos of his "structure" (being polite here) at https://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gr...tml?highlight=

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