Greenhouse

It's not done yet, but I need a spot to consolidate my photos for reference as I build so I thought I'd update the blog as I make progress.

Finally in the middle of July I had some time to start construction on my greenhouse project.  Originally I planned on building it in the spring when the weather was cooler but that just didn't happen. The goal is to have it done before winter, pending enough decent work days without hazardous smoke, high winds or lots of flies. I love the North.....  And taking a few days in between to collect choke cherries and make juice - so far I have 5 jars of juice.

The existing cement pad is roughly 10'x14'.  Someone had written 1980 in the pad, so I'm assuming that is when it was poured.

 

Step 1. Drilling into the cement, embedding 1/2" wedge anchors and attaching a pressure treated 2"x4" skirt around the pad.

Step 2. Once I started working on the pad, I realized how 'not square' it was. I filled in gaps with cement and embedding bolts where possible to secure a PT 2"x4" sill onto the skirt.

Step 3. Lots of planning on how to lay out the wall studs so they will line up with the valley grooves of the polycarbonate that I will be using on the east, west and south walls.  The north side will have plywood sheathing because there is no sun coming in on the north, and it will both hide the things I store in the greenhouse and add stability from the strong north wind.

Step 4. Start building.

Aug 23rd:                                                              Aug 27th:

Aug 31st:                                                              Sept 7th:

Added ridge-rafter strong ties, although I'm not sure I needed them, and vinyl drip edge for the condensation.

Sept 13th: Added rafter purlins and cross supports  Sept 14th: Plywood and door on the north side (door is from the demolished 'outhouse shed')

The polycarbonate panels on the roof rest on plastic strips called closures. Then each hole needs to be pre-drilled before adding a screw with a gasket to make it water tight.

September 30th: 

It took almost two weeks for the extra roof caps that I ordered to come in but the roof is done, as are the walls.  The front door still needs to be made and there are lots of details that need to be completed.  I have been using the greenhouse to ripen my spaghetti squash, tossing a sheet over them on frosty nights. For now I will put some of my focus on getting other things winter ready.