How to build a small greenhouse

This step by step diy project is about how to build a small greenhouse. Building a small greenhouse is easy, especially if you use the right plans and materials. Moreover, you need to plan everything form the very beginning, including the size and the orientation of the greenhouse. Pay attention to the instructions provided in this article and adjust the size and shape of the greenhouse to your needs. See lots of free projects for your garden HERE.

There are a few things that you should take into account before starting the construction project. Therefore, first of all you need to choose a proper location for the greenhouse. Most of the plans require at least 6 hours of full sunlight each day, so make sure the greenhouse will be southern-oriented. If the soil isn’t good enough for the plans you want to grow, you could build a small raised garden bed.

On the other hand, we recommend you to use quality and weather-resistant lumber, if you want to use the greenhouse for many years in a row. Although using quality lumber will most likely increase the total costs, the investment will pay off on the long run. Always align the components at both ends and drill pilot holes before inserting the galvanized screws, to prevent the woof from splitting.

 

Made from this plan

 

Building a small greenhouse

 

Materials

• A – 2 pieces of 2×4 lumber – 120″, 2 pieces – 113″, 8 pieces – 85″ SIDE WALLS
• B – 2 pieces of 2×4 lumber – 80″ long, 1 piece – 96″, 1 piece – 65″ 2xFACE
• C – 1 piece of 2×6 – 120″, 8 pieces of 2×4 lumber – 40 3/4″ ROOF
• D – 2 pieces of 2×4 – 32″, 2 pieces – 73″, 1 pieces – 25″ DOOR

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• 4 pieces of 2×4 lumber – 10′
• 23 pieces of 2×4 lumber – 8′
• 1 piece of 2×6 lumber – 10;
• 500 pieces of 2 1/2″ screws
• film
• vent opener
• thermostat outlet 
• hinges + latch

 

Tools

• Safety gloves, glasses
• Miter saw, jigsaw
• Chalk line, tape measure, spirit level, carpentry pencil
• Drill machinery and drill bits

 

Tips

• Build a loft to increase the storage space
• Secure the walls temporarily with braces

 

Time

• One Week

 

Related

• Free greenhouse plans
• How to build a cold frame

 

 

How to build a small greenhouse

 

The first step of the project is to build the side frames of the small greenhouse. As you can see in the imagine, you need to cut the ends of the studs at about 82 degrees (make 8 degree cuts). Use a circular saw with a sharp blade and smooth the cuts edges. In addition, you need to drill pilot holes trough the plates and insert 2 1/2″ galvanized screws into studs.

Smart Tip: Check if the screws are right-angled, before locking them into place.

 

 

Continue the project by fitting the front and back faces of the greenhouse. Cut the components at the right size and lock them together to the side frames with galvanized screws, after drilling pocket holes at both ends. In addition, place a spirit level on top of the walls, to check if the top plates are horizontal. It is necessary to insert several screws in the adjacent walls, in order to reinforce the rigidity of the frame.

Smart Tip: Cut both ends of the top plate at 82 degrees. Make sure the corners are right-angled, when installing the vertical suds. Drill pocket holes at both ends of the studs and secure them to the plates using 2 1/2″ screws. The bottom plate will fit under the side walls.

 

 

Building the roof of the greenhouse is a straight-forward process, if you follow the instructions described in the plans. Therefore, cut the rafters from 2×4 lumber and secure them to the 120″ long top ridge and to the top plates. Place a spirit level on top of the ridge board to make sure the component is perfectly horizontal.

Smart Tip: Cut one end of the rafters at 30 degrees and the opposite one at 60 degrees.

 

 

As you can see in the image, you need to place the rafters equally spaced. In this manner, you will get a symmetric appearance and distribute the weight in a professional manner. Drill pilot holes trough the rafters before locking them into place, to prevent the wood from splitting.

Smart Tip: Use a spirit level to make sure the top ridge is horizontal.

 

 

One of the last steps of the project is to build a door for the wooden greenhouse. As you can notice in the plans, you need to use 2×4 lumber and several galvanized screws. Drill pilot hole trough the frame and insert the 2 1/2″ screws, or use a pocket hole system. Work with attention and with great care, if you want to get the job done as a professional.

Smart Tip: Use hinges to secure the door to the frame. Check if it opens and closes easily and install a latch. If you want to increase the utility area, you can also add nice shelves to both sides of the greenhouse.

 

 

Last but not least, we recommend you to take care of the finishing touches. In order to get a professional result, fill the holes and the gaps with wood filler and let it dry out for a few hours. Check if there are protruding screws and fix the issue if necessary. Cover the structure with translucent polyethylene foil / polycarbonate sheets and lock it into place with strips of wood, over the greenhouse framing. Use stakes to anchor the greenhouse to the ground.

Smart Tip: Apply a few coats of stain or exterior paint to the components, in order to protect them from decay and water damage. We recommend you to check the rest of the garden projects, as to learn how to build cold frames, planters and a lot more. Take a look over more garden plans HERE. 

 

 

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