Building a Greenhouse or Conservatorium

A greenhouse or a conservatorium can be a wonderful place to start and store your beautiful and exotic flowers and plants. It allows you to control the temperature and moisture level that many non-native species need to thrive. There are many different size kits on the market as well as construction plans that will allow you to build it from scratch.

Project Considerations

Deciding the type of greenhouse or conservatorium you will build will determine many differents steps in your project. Ask yourself if you are going to build something temporary such as an inexpensive cold frame over a raised bed or an enclosure that resembles a crystal palace as seen on some of the huge estates. There are many different types of kits on the market that will allow you to build many different sizes out of a variety of materials and there are also building plans that will allow you to construct the greenhouse of your dreams.  Deciding whether or not to attach the greenhouse to an existing structure and the best location based on the direction of your sun are also other decisions that you will have to make. If you are building a permanent structure, make sure that you secure the proper building permits that are required by your local area.

Materials

Find a set of plans that you want to use to build your greenhouse. These may be located in your kit or found in a book or on the Internet. The size and shape of your greenhouse is going to determine your material list. Some people choose to build a location that has heating, cooling, irrigation systems and lighting. This will require some knowledge of wiring or the services of an electrician. Most greenhouse plans just require basic building tools such as a hammer, saw, drill and measuring tape. Your materials may consist of simple PVC pipe, plastic and rebar or wooden and metal beams and glass. The complexity of the project is completely up to you. Most of the materials that you will need to build your greenhouse can be purchased from your local home improvement store.

Building Process

Once you have decided on the type and location of your greenhouse, purchased the needed materials and received any required permits, begin the construction of your project. Most greenhouse kits are designed so they can be completed over couple days or a long weekend. You may need a friend or two to assist you with holding your materials in place while you attach them, and having someone else to assist will make the project go by much faster.