Building a Wooden Greenhouse

 

If you have bought a timber-framed greenhouse, it will usually be delivered as complete sections that simply need to be bolted together and fixed to the base. As discussed elsewhere in this section, the base for your greenhouse will usually be a brick base or solid concrete foundation. Alternatively, interlocking concrete blocks may be used.

When you order your greenhouse, check what kind of bolts or fixings are required. Ask if they will be delivered with the greenhouse or whether you will need to buy them separately.

Create the main framework of the greenhouse by bolting the sides to the gable ends. Secure this to the base; the exact method you need to follow will vary depending on the design and the manufacturer, so make sure that you follow the instructions supplied with the greenhouse carefully. Once the framework is securely fixed to the base, add in any internal partitions and then bolt the roof sections into place.

If your greenhouse has been supplied unglazed, take this opportunity to paint all any untreated woodwork with a preservative - it is much easier to do this before the windows are in place.

If you are glazing the greenhouse yourself, apply the supplied putty to the glazing bars and carefully bed in the glass. The panes should be secured in place using brass or galvanized steel sprigs. Alternatively, a dry glazing system may sometimes be used (i.e. without putty); in this case, simply follow the supplier's instructions. In both cases, glaze the sides and gable ends first. Overlap any required panes by 1 cm (1/2 in), using soft metal overlap clips to hold the glass panes firmly together.