How to Make Green Houses

Making your own greenhouse for flowers and vegetable plants can help you have them year round.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• 2 x 4's
• Nails
• Staple gun and staples
• Plastic sheeting
• Hammer
• Ladder
• Door - Storm Door from Junk Yard will do
• Screws to attach storm door
• Screw Driver
• Saw
• Tape Measure
• Scissors

1. Draw a diagram for a greenhouse that is 8 feet wide and 6.5 feet tall. Measure out an area in your yard and stake off. Draw a simple diagram for the frame of your green house. Once you have these things done, go to the lumber store, Lowe's or Home Depot preferably. By going to either of these stores you can get every thing, including the storm door if you want to buy a new one, you need at one place. If you want to get a used storm door check to see if theirs any freecyclers in your area at freecycle.com, go to a place that deals in used house materials, such as Habitat for Humanity to get a storm door.
   
   Note: Get the widest and longest amount of rolled sheething available, preferably the clear sheeting. This will help let the sunlight in and help produce a certain amount of humidity and moister in the greenhouse.

2. Measure the 2 x 4's to 6.5 feet for the two end pieces of the side frame and cut. Nail one of the eight foot 2 x 4's to one of the 6.5 foot long 2 x 4's. Then nail the other 6 1/2 foot 2 x 4 to the other end of the 8 foot long 2 x 4. Once you have this done, nail an 8 foot 2 x 4 to the bottom of this. Measure the distance between the inside of the top and bottom (the 8 foot long section) of the outer frame. You will need to cut 3 2 x 4's to fit tightly into the frame. Once you have the three pieces cut, measure 2 1/2 feet apart and nail into place.

3. Repeat step 2 for the opposite side of the greenhouse. Once this is completed move to step four.

4. After you have the sides completed, measure and cut 2-2 x 4's 6 1/2 feet tall. If you wish, you can narrow the width of the greenhouse by measuring two 2 x 4's to 7 feet. Nail the back frame together in the same manner as you did for the sides. You will need to have 2 - 2 x 4's measured and cut in the same manner you did for steps 2 and 3 for the interior of the outer frame. Nail the two stabilizing 2 x 4's in the same manner as in step 2.

5. For the outer frame of the front of the greenhouse, do the same as in step four. Now cut two more 2 x 4's for the inside of the frame as before. But, before nailing them into place, get the measurement for the width of the storm door. You will need to mark of the area in the middle of the front frame for the storm door. Once you have this done, nail the two support 2 x 4's in place.
   
   NOTE: The storm door will be attached at the very end so it doesn't get broken during the rest of the construction of the greenhouse.

6. Now that you have the outer frames built, get a person or two to help you nail the four sections together in the upright position. Once you have this done, cut 4 2 x 4's that are the width of the interior of your greenhouse, measure in between the top 2 x 4's to get the measurements. Nail the 2 x 4's in place across the top with the width of the 2 x 4 facing down. Space the 2 x 4's 2 feet apart. This will help stabilize the greenhouse.

7. Once you have the frame done and the cross beams in, you now can start adding the sheathing around the outside of the greenhouse. There are two ways you can do this. Wrap the greenhouse in the sheathing from top to bottom and across the top of the greenhouse. (Picture hanging sheet rock or curtains for this option.)
   
   The other option is starting at the door 2 x 4's and wrapping the sheathing around the greenhouse, the way siding is hung. Then cover the top of the greenhouse either the length or width of it.
   
   After you have decided which way you want to cover the greenhouse with the sheeting, unfold it as you are unrolling it. Unroll and unfold the end and stapling it to the 2 x 4 where you are starting. As you are stapling, have someone unrolling and unfolding it as you go. Make sure the sheathing is pulled as taught as possible without tearing or ripping it.
   
   Cover the top of the greenhouse in the same manner stapling and covering it from the outside.

8. Attach the storm door now that you have the sheathing in place. You may need to shim around the door in order for it to stay in place.

Tips & Warnings

• You can build the frame of the greenhouse any size that you want to. Just make sure you have the correct measurements as described in the steps for building the wall frames.
• If you wish you can pour a concrete foundation for your greenhouse. Or you can build a wooden floor for the greenhouse out of plywood. You will need to add supports along the bottom of the greenhouse in the same manner you did for the top.
• Be careful with using the saw or power tools while making your greenhouse so you don't injure yourself.
• Keep the plastic sheathing away from children.