Harbor Freight Greenhouse Construction

[4shorts]

That's a nice greenhouse buddy. Looks like a pile of work to bolt together but that's half the fun of it. I'm sure by the time it's done it will withstand a hurricane lol. Your getting to be a real pro on the BX too I might add. Gee that's some nice grading you did there and digging for that matter.
Really enjoyed seeing this thread and thanks for taking the time to post it all because we all know it takes a good bit of time to do that as well.
I'm subscribed! :thumbsup:

 

[dragoneggs]

That's a nice greenhouse buddy. Looks like a pile of work to bolt together but that's half the fun of it. I'm sure by the time it's done it will withstand a hurricane lol. Your getting to be a real pro on the BX too I might add. Gee that's some nice grading you did there and digging for that matter.
Really enjoyed seeing this thread and thanks for taking the time to post it all because we all know it takes a good bit of time to do that as well.
I'm subscribed! :thumbsup:

Thanks 4shorts! Coming from you I take it with high regard.

 

[dragoneggs]

Some reinforcement here... added some #8-3/4in screws with a 'roofing' washer. I couldn't find nylon spacers in qty at a reasonable price so I made my own on the scroll saw. These help space off the panels from the frames at a 3/16in gap.



I predrilled a small pilot through the glazing and into the lateral stabilizing aluminum tubes and put on in the center of each span on the walls and roof.

 

[dragoneggs]

Now I am busy using some 3mil aluminum (HVAC) tape to seal some of the 'not so clean fit' details. In certain areas on the roof the panel edges (top edge under the roof vent) and of the bottom edges adjacent to the gutter are not leak free. Using the tape I can clean up the edge. Might be hard to see though in the pic below.

 

[Tractor Seabee]

Now I am busy using some 3mil aluminum (HVAC) tape to seal some of the 'not so clean fit' details. In certain areas on the roof the panel edges (top edge under the roof vent) and of the bottom edges adjacent to the gutter are not leak free. Using the tape I can clean up the edge. Might be hard to see though in the pic below.

View attachment 369828

You need to come over and see what I did with two HF units end to end (not completely done yet). We added clips screws and so-on and still had panels blow out 4 times in fairly mild wind. The door sucks, you will probably find it in the back 40 some day. Decided hanging lights fans and etc was not going to work on that light frame. Built 2X4 frame inside, solid as a rock now. It is still a lot cheaper than a high grade GH from other sources. Waiting for the next wind storm.

Ron

 

[troutsqueezer]

You need to come over and see what I did with two HF units end to end (not completely done yet). We added clips screws and so-on and still had panels blow out 4 times in fairly mild wind. The door sucks, you will probably find it in the back 40 some day. Decided hanging lights fans and etc was not going to work on that light frame. Built 2X4 frame inside, solid as a rock now. It is still a lot cheaper than a high grade GH from other sources. Waiting for the next wind storm.

Ron

Did you secure the panels with screws or caulking?

 

[dragoneggs]

You need to come over and see what I did with two HF units end to end (not completely done yet). We added clips screws and so-on and still had panels blow out 4 times in fairly mild wind. The door sucks, you will probably find it in the back 40 some day. Decided hanging lights fans and etc was not going to work on that light frame. Built 2X4 frame inside, solid as a rock now. It is still a lot cheaper than a high grade GH from other sources. Waiting for the next wind storm.

Ron

Ron, I would like to do that... and see your other projects too! Yeah the clips don't seem very effective. More screws and caulking is definitely in my future! Need to order some but hoping I would come up with a better retention system without poking more holes or using the dumb clips.

 

[varmint]

This is a timely thread for us. My wife, who's in the process of gradually retiring from an academic post, announced she wants a green house in the back yard. Our now 40' x 40' seriously fenced garden, to keep vermin (deer) out isn't enough to keep her busy. I didn't know HF had a somewhat decent greenhouse. I will find all the earlier posts about this, and start thinking about hardware sources to make it secure. I assume that the plastic panels will survive several years of sun, or you guys wouldn't have bothered with all this? These mods all look thought-out and logical. Thanks for saving me a lot of pondering and wondering!

 

[dragoneggs]

This is a timely thread for us. My wife, who's in the process of gradually retiring from an academic post, announced she wants a green house in the back yard. Our now 40' x 40' seriously fenced garden, to keep vermin (deer) out isn't enough to keep her busy. I didn't know HF had a somewhat decent greenhouse. I will find all the earlier posts about this, and start thinking about hardware sources to make it secure. I assume that the plastic panels will survive several years of sun, or you guys wouldn't have bothered with all this? These mods all look thought-out and logical. Thanks for saving me a lot of pondering and wondering!

I can't speak to the longevity of the panels and they are thin for my taste and comfort, but the price is amazing for what you get. Definitely google research and read comments about securing it and beefing it up.

 

[dragoneggs]

One other point to make here is to make sure it is built square and plumb. My base was perfectly square but my top of the frame (base of roof) was a little out of square and I had a hard time squaring it up perfectly. I think you need to build and leave a bunch of screws loose until it gets perfectly square at top too before tightening and installing the panels or you will be fighting the panel fit some.... at least I did.

 

[troutsqueezer]

The panels will deteriorate but it takes a number of years before they become completely unusable. They get little holes in them that really do no harm. In 12 years or so, if they are too deteriorated for your use, you can buy another greenhouse just like it and just use the panels for less money than you can buy all the panel pieces new.

My 6 x 8' version was built over ten years ago and the panels are still fine; a little yellower than they were, a few pinholes in one side in a couple of places and some dirt up in the bottoms of the sides but it looks like they have another ten years to go.

 

[dragoneggs]

The panels will deteriorate but it takes a number of years before they become completely unusable. They get little holes in them that really do no harm. In 12 years or so, if they are too deteriorated for your use, you can buy another greenhouse just like it and just use the panels for less money than you can buy all the panel pieces new.

My 6 x 8' version was built over ten years ago and the panels are still fine; a little yellower than they were, a few pinholes in one side in a couple of places and some dirt up in the bottoms of the sides but it looks like they have another ten years to go.

Well that is encouraging! I am hoping with the extra effort I went through to foil tape the open cell edges, I will improve their life and appearance. I did not pinhole the bottoms as I figured the seal would never be perfect or permanent anyway.

 

[doxford jim]

The Bayliss vent thingy's are pretty good. I have them in my greenhouse (the one that just collapsed under the weight of heavy snow).
The rods that go through the cylinder ends need to be kept clean as the action of wax is all that moves them. I cleaned the rods up using a green scotch bright dish cleaning pad. It worked well and I was able to keep the greenhouse reasonably well ventilated. Cleaning the rods is about the only maintenance required and maybe a little vaseline on the rod to lubricate.
Anyway, I was happy with their performance as I suspect mine are around 30 years old and still worked up until two weeks ago.

 

[Tractor Seabee]

Did you secure the panels with screws or caulking?

Screws with neoprene washers. I have had bad results with silicon sealing this type assembly. A little movement and the bond breaks. Silicon works best when squished between two surfaces that have a non-moving mechanical bond. Silicon on the surface does nothing except peel away. I never use it for cosmetic treatment for that reason.

Ron

 

[dragoneggs]

Installed two of the four Univent auto vent openers I purchased for the HF roof vents. I read the reviews on the HF auto openers and it appears they are hit and miss as to their reliability. The Univents were half again as much but people seem to have good luck with them. Beautiful sunny day today and the temp was 116degF inside the greenhouse during the install. Pistons worked great and opened rather quickly after install but now I have another reinforcement project as the force of the piston torqued the flimsy frame. It did bend back into shape this evening upon closing but I need to stiffen the lateral frame at the bottom of the vent opening.

 

[troutsqueezer]

Living in Washington where if you don't like the weather just wait ten minutes, I can see the usefulness of automatic vents. Here in CA, I open them in March and close them in November.

 

[hunterridgefarm]

I like the greenhouse and the extra step you are taking. What is the length and width of the panels? I have a 14x14 Turner Greenhouse that has the poly. I would like to replace the poly and would buy one like you have just to get the panels if they would fit.

I am looking for a larger greenhouse but may buy an extension for the one I have.

 

[dragoneggs]

Living in Washington where if you don't like the weather just wait ten minutes, I can see the usefulness of automatic vents. Here in CA, I open them in March and close them in November.

Here it cools off considerably in the evening/night for much of the year.

 

[dragoneggs]

I like the greenhouse and the extra step you are taking. What is the length and width of the panels? I have a 14x14 Turner Greenhouse that has the poly. I would like to replace the poly and would buy one like you have just to get the panels if they would fit.

I am looking for a larger greenhouse but may buy an extension for the one I have.

Panels are thin! About 1/8in or maybe 5/32in. Most of the full panels (sides) are 23.5in wide by 76in long. Some of the panels (roof and back wall) are a little shorter at 23.5in wide and 75in and 72in long, respectively. Not sure how best to buy sheet poly but you might want something a little thicker.

 

[doxford jim]

I have wondered about using the corrugated fibre glass panels for roofing. They are fairly clear and would be pretty strong compared top flat panels. Next time I go into HD I will make a point of checking them out for price. I figured these could be used for a greenhouse and probably be much stronger and reasonably priced with framing etc.