school greenhouse/shed, opinions please

[Two_Sheds]

So, I've just been told our school (ages 5-10) can bid for up to £2k donation from a local business. Head had a 20 second meeting with me and I got these criteria:

- wooden pref
- shed needed
- but greenhouse wanted
- must look nice

I've had a very quick look online and found this one.

I already spotted that it's softwood, so that would need painting every year? Which would actually be a fun activity for the kids
Pros and Cons from you lovely people please

[jackie j]

Welll done, That looks brill as it covers both aspects, shed and greenhouse as well as being wooden. ( this is a primary school ? ) The kids would get messy and the paint might not be where you want it or perfect. If you can get it I think it would be fab mut maybe some others will have more ideas.

[Hans Mum]

I want one................but can't afford one
as jackie says looks as though it will cover all bases and the overall area it takes up will be less than 2 seperate structures.

[vicky]

Can you only get one 'thing' or can you go for both a shed and greenhouse? Assuming you have the room at school, you can get both for less or the same money - obviously you'll get a bit more space and light (and don't have to turn the plants to stop them growing towards the light) with two buildings...
BillyOh Lincoln Wooden Polycarbonate Greenhouse Package Deal - Wooden Greenhouses - Garden Buildings Direct

The model you've choosen looks lovely, although I'm a little wary about lots of glass about children - would polycarbonate be better? Also the panes are big so replacing them would be expensive and there'd be lots of broken glass about if one got broken. The doors can't be fixed open so you'd have to have some sort of 'stop'.
Whatever you go for make sure you allow for greenhouse staging and lots of hooks etc for tools in the shed - all very expensive when added up!
Good luck with the application

[Two_Sheds]

I'm a little wary about lots of glass about children - would polycarbonate be better?

It is plastic glazing - something called Styrene safety glazing

[chris]

looks great! Echo the thoughts about plain glass, can it either be toughened, or polycarb used? edit - ignore this just seen your reply!

My 19 month old lobbed her spade at my greenhouse - just bounched off, so something 3 years older + would be able to throw things even harder!

Unless you put leccy fence around it, that'll keep the blighters away! muahahaha

[Seahorse]

It looks good to me. Would you also be able to 'bid' for staging, pots, tools etc?

A nit picking point but if it does need regular painting, who would fund that? Would the kids be *allowed* to help (H&S re paint, ladders etc, plus the potential for 'ruined' uniforms)?

[Aberdeenplotter]

Yes, it looks fandabbiedozy. Wish I was a kid again at that school.

[Kristen]

Get the 2 grand, give it to the Woodwork department for some new kit, in return for a custom built, to-your-specification, green-shed of your choice

I'll get my coat ...

[Kristen]

P.S. Will you then be Three-Sheds?

I was already on my way to get my coat ...

[Two_Sheds]

Would you also be able to 'bid' for staging, pots, tools etc?

We already have loads of pots & tools, the annual painting won't be a huge job. The teachers are quite amenable to having "painting days" already

Get the 2 grand, give it to the Woodwork department

How many years is it since you were in a primary school? lol

Will you then be Three-Sheds?

Technically I only have one shed now (the other one is meant to be a garage, but He can't park in it)

[Potstubsdustbins]

Great idea if you have little space.

Only thing that came up in the spec was the glazing 2.5mm styrene. Whilst it would be safe for the children it is quite flimsy and flexible especially in flat sheets, though some companies mould a shape in to the pane in an effort to make it stronger.

B & Q depot use this type of glazing on some of their GHs you may want to have a look to see what you are getting to avoid disappointment.

Colin

[Two_Sheds]

it is quite flimsy and flexible ... you may want to have a look to see what you are getting to avoid disappointment

Good call, I'll have a look

I'm not actually going to be using it as a gh, I'll continue using my baby Rhino at home. It's somewhere safe for the kids to learn how to sow, it's more of a potting shed/classroom really than a working gh