Building an Allotment Greenhouse from scratch?

[ChairmanBen]

Hi

I'm looking to build a greenhouse/polytunnel from scratch - partly for cost but mostly due to the slightly odd size of the bit of the plot I want it on.

I was looking at corrogated plastic roofing sheets, and making a hooped frame in rolled steel for it to go on (effectively making a massive closh).

Has anyone had experience of something like this? Should I be wary? What am I missing?

Ta
Ben

[nickdub]

I've looked at similar ideas for putting corrugated pvc sheets bent over to cover a poly-tunnel frame. There are various structures done this way, which you can find on the Internet.

I reckon its perfectly do-able and would b e quite long lasting say 25+ years, but obviously it wil be more expensive initially than a polythene covered one.

I also looked at making my own metal hoops but decided that given the cost of hooped structures on Ebay the saving was not enough to make DIY-ing it a worthwhile proposition from my pov.

BTW its also possible to bend double wall poly-carbonate sheets but only one orientation - plenty of images of this used for construction of curved roofs on the Web too.

[ChairmanBen]

Thanks Nick,

Lucky to have a beam roller at work, so only need to pay for the steel.

[SarrissUK]

Have you considered sourcing old trampolines off Facebook and freebie sites? Turned sideways once halved, then using the legs as... well, legs perfect shapes!

I'm in the process of doing a traditional polytunnel, but after that I am going to replace my greenhouse on the plot with another polytunnel, made out of two trampolines, both gifted to me for the cost of the diesel to pick them up

[nickdub]

Thanks Nick,

Lucky to have a beam roller at work, so only need to pay for the steel.

Good luck with the project - I'd be very interested to know how it goes, if you get the time to update us later.

[Gillykat]

Neil and I plan to build one of these The only downside I've found to my glass greenhouse is just how hot it gets and I've had tender seedlings get scorched in the past. I never found this in my old polytunnel so plan to make the next one like a 'hybrid' greenhouse/polytunnel (polyhouse?)


https://youtu.be/uYhk7hoQlpg

[Baldy]

Friend of mine on the plot has now built two greenhouses - they are pretty impressive. Hoping that we can put number 3 up on mine once the growing season is done. I'll try and get some photos - but basically he gets quite a lot of wood for free. Uses the wood for the bottom couple of feet and framing and then corrugated plastic sheets - which are the main cost - comes to about £120 for them and £15 for odds n sods... but they are built to last

[nickdub]

Neil and I plan to build one of these The only downside I've found to my glass greenhouse is just how hot it gets and I've had tender seedlings get scorched in the past. I never found this in my old polytunnel so plan to make the next one like a 'hybrid' greenhouse/polytunnel (polyhouse?)


https://youtu.be/uYhk7hoQlpg

Glass is a better conductor of heat than plastic - which may explain the difference you noted.

[Baldy]

Bit trad. I guess

[Snoop Puss]

^Just the job, in my view.

Looking forward to hearing how your project goes, Ben. How thick will the steel members be? And how big will your greenhouse be? Hello and welcome, by the way.