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.