Greenhouse base (and weight)

[seanbadger]

Hi Everyone,

A very kind couple at work have donated (for free) to me their greenhouse. It's about 25-30 year old and is an Aluminium frame. Most of the glass is still there, however it has no base. I had to take it all apart to transport it, but eventually i got it all home and re-constructed it without any problems.

At the minute the frame is sitting nicely i the garden, the glass is in the garage and all i need to do is sort a base and source some rubber.

For a base i was thinking of using railway sleepers and screwing the greenhouse onto them. Now the dilema. SOme people say don't use reclaimed creosote and some people say they're fine. ANy experiences out there?

Next problem is what weight would i ideally need to make sure the greenhouse didnt blow over. My plan would be to have 4 Oak or Indian Azobe (apparently very hardwearing and rotproof even when untreated) sleepers which weigh in at 180lb (85kg) each so i'd be looking at a total base weight of 720lb (or 340kg). I assume this would be sifficient?

Thanks for any helpful advice you can give. Looking forward to getting it all nice for next years growing season

Sean

[chris]

Glass is very heavy in itself.. you could either build a wooden frame with verticle spikes pointing down to anchor it in a bit, or concrete it in, or just use the wooden sleepers.

You can buy new sleepers from wickes, which are around £16 each, pressure treated, which is safe for growing in.

Personally, I'd not use railway sleepers- but that's my personal preference - I'd rather not use them incase anything leaches into the soil. The same argument could be said about pressure treated planks though I guess.

[Potstubsdustbins]

Old railway sleepers were soaked in creosote so in my opinion a no no. Modern/new pressure treated timber however is safe. All the nasties that used to be in that were banned sometime ago.

So it really is take your pick, like Chris says you won't need much extra weight if you are glazing with glass.

Colin

[seanbadger]

Thanks for the replies. I'll see what i can get ordered

[Gurberly]

From a practical point of view I would stay clear of reclaimed sleepers.

In very hot sunny weather any tars in them can start to soften and melt and then can stick to clothing, gloves (and cats feet who then walk inside on cream carpets) and kids.

G

[seanbadger]

(and cats feet who then walk inside on cream carpets) and kids.

G

Good point never thought about cats feet which would be a massive problem as we have a cat and cream carpets. Think I'm going to buy some of these
Railway sleepers - used hardwood - African Azobe
Once again thanks for the advice

[Bigmallly]

That's quite an expensive base sean, breeze blocks seem to be quite popular for using as a greenhouse base plus you have the advantage of additional hight.

[Currysniffa]

I sat one of my freebie greenhouses on blocks. Worked a treat.

[seanbadger]

Chris if it was going on an allotment i'd definately go for the breezeblock option, unfortunately it's for the garden and i dont have a base to concrete anything onto so i was hoping the extra weight of the hardwood sleepers would keep the thing anchored?

I tis pricey, but i might be able to get some cheaper ones, and as the greenhouse was a freebie I've saved (quite) a bit of cash there.

Thanks for the suggestion though

[taff]

Mine's sitting on slabs, it's not anchored to anything, but I have old-fashioned quite thick and heavy glass.

[Richie88]

hi
looking through the threads and came across this one
now here comes my first daft newbie question
just put a base in like the one currysniffa shows using high density blocks
any advice on the best way to fasten the base to the blocks and is it best to fasten the base first then build the greenhouse on top or build the greenhouse first then fasten it all down its a poly carbonate one
thanks for any advice
richie

[Tripmeup]

Hey Richie..

Welcome to the Vine...

If it is a poly carbonate one, I would build it first and then look to secure it to your base...

I built one last year and depending on where you got it, they can be tricky, so build it first and look to reinforce it and then secure it.... for example, when I had mine finished and could see it as a whole, I knew it would be wise to add some silicone to the panes and extra screws to the frame..

Hope this helps..

[Bigmallly]

What I did was build the greenhouse, marked round the edges, made a base out of breeze blocks, attached 2"x1" timber to the blocks then fastened to greenhouse to the timber. You may have to drill through the base of the greenhouse to screw it to the wood..

[Aberdeenplotter]

I have timber rails as well. Mind you, I went at this like a bull at a gate. Drilled ½" holes in to the blocks. Glued in threaded rod using epoxy 2 part glue. Drilled the rails with the half inch holes + a larger hole part through to accomodate the nut. Then Screwed base to the timber. Zeasy when you have the tools.

My other Greenhouse at home is screwed directly on to slabs. I just drilled the slabs and popped in rawl plugs and then screwed down/ Both are glass so both heavy. They haven't even offered to move.

[Richie88]

cheers for the quick replies
never thought of the timber option so its off to wicks for some timber and silicone
as you say they do look a bit of a pain to build so i think i will finish the base and leave the greenhouse till my next long weekend off work that gives me four days to sort it
let you know how i get on
many thanks
richie