Best Greenhouse Foundations and Flooring?

[SteveJeal]

Hello All,

I have dismantled and collected a free 10x6 alluminium and glass greenhouse (I advertised a "Wanted Free" add in Friday Free Ads and got two replies). I have tried to find information on greenhouse foundations, but there does not seem to be much information out there.

I was thinking of getting some wood that is 2"x4" and putting that under the edge of the base to spread the load. Is this sufficient? Or is it better to have a concrete base down? Or any other options?

Also what are the pros and cons of concrete floor vs bare earth with a central slab path, vs gravel, vs anything else?

Any answers, views, thoughts, etc to either question will be gladly received.

Steve

[mandyballantyne]

Hi SteveJeal,

Welcome to the vine.

We discussed this a bit last year, see this link for some ideas.

http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...ead.php?t=6713

Hope it helps and good luck with your new greenhouse, Mandy

[The Reverend]

Good evening SteveJeal, by far the best job is a concrete base, but you do have to be carful with levels and size.
When i did mine i did a concrete footing then three courses of bricks, this gives a lovely finish and also helps if the surrounding ground is at different levels.
Inside i have a slabbed path bedded on mortar, gravel one side and a soil border on the other, but this is just what suits me.
The better you do the job now, the longer it will last.

[carlseawolf]

is the greenhouse on a allotment or your own garden , as allotments may have rules about type of foundation .

[terrier]

I don't think I would use wood as a base for a greenhouse. If the wood rots (as it must do eventually) you'll end up with a very unstable structure and lots of broken panes of glass!

[Peter]

Old railway sleepers @ £20 per 8'x10"x8" individual sleeper make an excellent long lasting base.
I used 2"x1" treated battens between them and the aluminium bottom rail.
Delve through my blog for a picture and description of how I did mine.
Also look at http://www.railwaysleeper.com/railwa...treatments.htm

[Glasshousevirgin]

I was given a used / preloved green house which was set up on my allotment October 2006 by the friends who donated it. Being a bit of a DIY man I trusted my friend's judgement wrt using a simple untreated planking of about 10cm by2cm on end as sufficient. However it soon got caught in winds and moved onto the next allotment space!
In retrospect I like Peter's use of sleepers for their weightyness and the fact of being teated wood also for longevity.
I had to anchor mine with bolt on stakes to each corner which I concreted in and it has stayed put.
cheers guys

[jayne&tony]

we made a concrete breeze block border for my greenhouse to sit on then bolted it in place. My flooring is gravel over a garden membrane to prevent weed growth. Works a treat for me

[Dobby]

I got some driveway bricks from freecycle 71 in total going to put it on that ths is the one in the back yard not down the plot