Whether you have a green thumb that’s itching to expand its growing power and take gardening to the next level or you’re upping your preparedness efforts to become more self-reliant, an attached greenhouse may be the answer. Perhaps having your very own greenhouse has always felt like a distant dream that includes a structure reserved for the wealthy or for those with lots of extra land. The truth is that a personal greenhouse can actually be quite affordable, especially if you build it yourself. Huge land parcels are not always necessary.
What is an Attached Greenhouse?
You’re likely already familiar with what a greenhouse is: a structure in which various plants, fruit and herbs can be grown throughout the year away from some of the seasons’ harsh elements. So what makes an attached greenhouse stand out from the rest? These greenhouses, sometimes referred to as lean-tos, are attached to the side of an already existing house or other structure and generally share at least one wall with the other building.
7 Reasons You Should Consider an Attached Greenhouse
There are innumerable reasons for, and benefits to, installing the addition of a greenhouse attached to your home. If you can envision yourself enjoying your own personal green paradise but still need a nudge to commit, check out these seven top reasons why you should draw up some plans, procure your materials and gather up your tools ASAP.
1. Solve Accessibility Issues
2. Improve Home Heating
3. Spend Less than on a Home Addition
4. Grow More Food
5. Run Your Own Home Humidifier
6. Increase Home Value
7. Customize the Appearance to Your Home
Why Build Your Own Greenhouse?
- Ships from Vermont
- Osentowski, Jerome (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
Maybe you’ve always thought that the cost of a greenhouse made this a luxury that was out of your reach. You don’t have to spend an arm and a leg for an attached greenhouse. Particularly if you’re a die- hard DIYer, this is a structure you can build yourself, rather than relying on an outside builder or kit.
Save on Costs
Don’t let the price tag keep you from your own personal greenhouse oasis. Plan and build it yourself to make your structure an affordable project. Shop salvage centers for supplies such as used windows first before buying new, to ensure additional savings.
Decide Every Last Detail
Drawing up and building your very own design ensures that your greenhouse looks and functions exactly how you would like it to. You choose every material, every color and every last detail. This also gives you direct control over the money and resources put into your new green space.
It Isn’t as Difficult or Time Consuming as You Think
Even if you aren’t a master architect, it’s still within your reach to design and build an attached greenhouse. If it makes you more comfortable, and you have the financial means to do so, you can certainly consult a professional during any stage of your project. However, you can easily find ideas, inspiration, building blueprints and design plans online.
Those who aren’t adverse to DIY building projects could make this a weekend or multi-weekend activity. Supplies aren’t difficult to procure, with most of your needed building materials available at your local home improvement store or at used and salvaged building supply centers, should you choose to utilize them.
Getting Started: Considerations for Planning and Building Your Dream Greenhouse
- Amazon Kindle Edition
- Freeman, Mark (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- Baird, Craig (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 336 Pages - 11/15/2010 (Publication Date) - Atlantic Publishing Group Inc. (Publisher)
You’re no doubt excited to jump into the adventure of building your own attached greenhouse, but there are a few things to keep in mind before construction begins.
Choose Your Location
You’ll often see it cited that the best location for your attached greenhouse is the south side of your home. While it’s true that structures built facing southward may better harness the sun’s rays, particularly during cold winter months, it’s acceptable to place it elsewhere if it works better for your housing set-up. Also keep in mind that cost savings will apply if you’re lucky enough to have an “L” in the perimeter of your home that the greenhouse can be nestled into. This would mean only needing to construct two walls rather than three.
- Used Book in Good Condition
- Peter Clegg (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- Fulcrum Group
- Smith, Shane (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
Choose Size
Don’t let the lack of a large space or sizeable resources hold you back from building. Even if you only have a small plot of land to work with, the careful arrangement of tables and benches inside can provide adequate growing space in sizes as little as an eight-by-ten-foot area.
After determining the size of the greenhouse that you’ll construct, take into consideration the height of the ceiling. Although the typical tall conservatory-style greenhouse ceiling is stunning, it isn’t absolutely necessary unless you plan on growing some tropical plant varieties. Take into account your budget and space limitations before building commences.
Choose Materials
Consider your preferred materials for your project. Great options for the plant room floor include concrete or bricks. Concrete is an inexpensive choice for your flooring, while you may find bricks to be easier to lay albeit slightly more expensive. Gravel or cinders can also be used, but should be thought of as more of a temporary set-up.
Wood varieties that are great for framing the structure of your greenhouse include cedar, redwood, Douglas fir and cypress. Seasoned lumber can also be used if that’s the material that fits within your budget. Just keep in mind that all woods should be treated to protect from rotting and warping.
Avid gardeners need not think of the addition of an attached greenhouse as being an unattainable and distant dream. Bring your aspirations of growing throughout the year to fruition through planning and building your very own lean-to enclosed green space. Stretch your DIY muscle and your dollars to complete a building project that will bring you a host of year-round benefits and supply added beauty to your living space.
