HF Greenhouse foundation question

[dragoneggs]

I am readying the ground to build a HF 10x12 greenhouse. Plan to use 4x6 PT timbers for foundation. For those of you who own on, could you provide me the exact outside dimensions of the green house base footprint?

 

[dragoneggs]

okay from the user manual downloaded from the HF website, it looks like: 120-1/2″ W x 144-1/2″ L x 123″ H.

What I am wondering is whether my 10ft and 12ft 4x6 timbers will be long enough to lag down and fully support the base frame?

This is the greenhouse: Garden Greenhouse - 10 Ft. X 12 Ft. Greenhouse With 4 Vents

 

[deerseeker001]

neighbor bought one of these 2/3 years ago, roof panels blew out a few times.this Winter he had a few out and went to Arizona for the Winter and the Roof collapsed.I would use a good grade of calking when assembling.the clips for Roof panels are not the best but overall its a nice greenhouse.

 

[dragoneggs]

Thanks Ron, yeah did a lot of research on these and learned some very good techniques for reinforcing the structural members and the panels.

 

[DFB]

I had the smaller version some years ago. Having a extra bag of clips helps a lot. Add more clips per panel to better secure them. They really don't supply more than a minimum number of clips to do the job that's why panels pop out...being so thin they flex easy. Caulking the panels seemed like a lot more work than necessary to me. After I added more clips didn't have any real problems even withstood hurricane force winds that actually moved the whole building a few feet!

Delivery did take its toll though. Corners on quite a few of the panels were damaged plus a couple of the aluminum pieces were bent when I unpacked it. Needed to order a replacement one and I didn't return the first one until I made sure I had enough good parts to do the job. Overall it was a pretty nice little structure. The larger one should be even better. :thumbsup:

 

[dragoneggs]

I am going to use lots of extra screws mid panel rather then clips I think. Also might foil tape the upper open edges of the panels. Will also span the top of the sides to sort of truss the roof with light weight aluminum 3/4in diameter conduit.

 

[troutsqueezer]

The answer to your question is "Yes". Ten and twelve foot pieces will work. You can use 4x4's and it will be fine. It doesn't weigh much and you don't need the height a six inch board adds. I built one a while ago. I used rebar to hold them in place. greenhouse

 

[dragoneggs]

The answer to your question is "Yes". Ten and twelve foot pieces will work. You can use 4x4's and it will be fine. It doesn't weigh much and you don't need the height a six inch board adds. I built one a while ago. I used rebar to hold them in place. greenhouse

Already have the 4x6... but I might lie them flat anyways. Hey great link to your website, Dennis. Inspiring for sure! :thumbsup:

 

[ericb2400]

All I will say is good luck. We had a hf green house for a whole 3 months Befor it blew away. Make sure it is in a spot protected from wind

Sent from my iPhone using TractorByNet

 

[dragoneggs]

All I will say is good luck. We had a hf green house for a whole 3 months Befor it blew away. Make sure it is in a spot protected from wind

Sent from my iPhone using TractorByNet

Well I hope to get 10+ years out of mine... planning on reinforcing quite a bit. We do get winds here! Lot's of extra aluminum, screws, and other interior supports. Going to add water and electricity so I hope it doesn't come crashing down. I plan to document the build as soon as it dries up a bit here. Wettest March on record here and my tractor is making soup. Hardly worth firing it up now as I seem to be making a bigger mess than when I start at it.

 

[randy41]

i have a different kit that i've been using since 2001. it is screwed to treated 4x6's. the 4x6's are anchored with duck bill anchors. it gets very windy here. what are you covering the ground inside the greenhouse with?

 

[troutsqueezer]

As for winds, you will do fine if you follow the simple advice that is out there. You mentioned having already done the research so you are one step ahead of the game. Mine has withstood very high wind gusts and some snow. It stills stands proudly.

What I would do differently, if I had it to do it all over again is to find another way to seal the ends of the panels. I used aluminum tape along the edges and carefully perforated a pinhole into each channel in the plastic. After two years, the aluminum tape is peeling off on some panels. I think I would try caulking the top and bottom of the panels next time and live with any condensation inside the plastic. Or maybe do something to keep the tape from peeling, dunno.....

 

[NY_Yankees_Fan]

I have the small 6x8 HF unit, 11 years, still working for us. Calking is the way to go, have not lost one panel. After this winter with 2 feet of snow on the greenhouse I thought for sure it would be the last year, nope no problems, still standing all panels in place.

 

[BeltfedGoodness]

I personally am super interested in this thread as the wife and i bought two 10x12 HF units this spring. After reading many blogs and posts on the HFGH we didn't feel afraid of the needed upgrades to make them long lasting.

I plan on placing my pair end to end to give me a 10x24 unit. The front unit will be for our own vegies through fall and winter months. The back portion will be for fooder feed for the goats,sheep,cattle, whatnot.....

My concern for the building is heat in the winter months. This last winter was a bad one for northern AR and single digits were more common than needed at night!

What can be done for winter heating? Id like something heated directly or indirectly with wood as we have plenty of that. Id prefer NOT using LP just to be self sufficient from LP costs. Also electric heat is also out for me too...same reason. Would a subsurface grid of water lines heated by a wood/waterjacket stove be overkill? I'd like to fire up at night and be good to go for the night on those cold ones. I read of fellas using heat banks of rock and water filled barrels that circulate through underground piping???? Any ideas on this from the been there done that crowd?


>>>>>>anxiously waiting for replies!!

 

[DFB]

I personally am super interested in this thread as the wife and i bought two 10x12 HF units this spring. After reading many blogs and posts on the HFGH we didn't feel afraid of the needed upgrades to make them long lasting.

I plan on placing my pair end to end to give me a 10x24 unit. The front unit will be for our own vegies through fall and winter months. The back portion will be for fooder feed for the goats,sheep,cattle, whatnot.....

My concern for the building is heat in the winter months. This last winter was a bad one for northern AR and single digits were more common than needed at night!

What can be done for winter heating? Id like something heated directly or indirectly with wood as we have plenty of that. Id prefer NOT using LP just to be self sufficient from LP costs. Also electric heat is also out for me too...same reason. Would a subsurface grid of water lines heated by a wood/waterjacket stove be overkill? I'd like to fire up at night and be good to go for the night on those cold ones. I read of fellas using heat banks of rock and water filled barrels that circulate through underground piping???? Any ideas on this from the been there done that crowd?


>>>>>>anxiously waiting for replies!!

Well it would certainly depend on the severity of your winters and what plants you are trying to keep established. 4 Season farming with minimal heat is well documented for many crops that include greens like lettuces and spinach. Nighttime temperatures kept above freezing up to 40-50 degrees in the daytime are easily attainable and plants can tolerate periods of dormancy due to the cold without incident ready to start growing as temperatures increase. Use of row cover fabrics on and over beds increase cold tolerance too.

Now growing tomatoes all season would be a totally different animal and its now being considered less than economical for growers in areas with long winters.

 

[doxford jim]

I would add some centre supports inside to handle any snow build up on the roof.
We just had our 20' long fibreglass green house collapse under accumulated snow weight. admittedly the greenhouse is probably 30 years old and weathering and UV rays have taken their toll. However, it never occurred to me to put in some centre supports for the snow load - duh :ashamed::shocked:
Have attached before and after pictures.
Note that the smaller aluminium frame, plastic covered green house did perfectly well

 

[randy41]

i heat my approx 6x8 greenhouse with a small electric heater but i only use that greenhouse for starting things. a lot of farmers who depend on propane for heat had a bad time finding any this past winter. you can heat with wood but that can make for some sleepless nights. there are more sophisticated hydronic systems that run under the benches. if you have no budget restrictions.......