This article is about free wood greenhouse plans. If you want to build a construction to store your plants during the cold winters or to grow your own vegetables, we will show you all you need to know before starting the project. If you pay attention to the location of the wood greenhouse and use the right materials, you will build a nice 10×14 greenhouse in just several weekends. Plan everything from the very beginning, if you want a straight forward process without major issues. Check out the rest of our greenhouse plans.
The location of the wood greenhouse should be set as to benefit from sunlight, most of the day. This aspect is essential for your future crops, as the plants need morning light to develop properly. Place the solar greenhouse far away from buildings or trees. If this is not possible, try to build it as to get the morning light from east. Before building the wood greenhouse, level the ground and excavate the soil if necessary. If you don’t have enough expertise in the field, you could buy a greenhouse kit or hire a contractor to assemble it for you.
If you want build a durable greenhouse, you should choose the materials with great care. Buy pressure treated lumber or cedar, making sure the studs and beams are perfectly straight. In addition, examine the studs and select the lumber without visible signs of damage. Use the right woodworking techniques, as to join the wood properly and a spirit level to plumb the walls before setting them into place. See all my Premium Plans in the Shop.
Made from this plan
In order to build a wood greenhouse, you need the following:
Materials
- A – 2 pieces of 4×4 lumber – 120” long, 2 pieces of 4×4 lumber – 168” long BASE
- B – 4 pieces of 2×4 lumber – 113” long, 4 pieces of 2×4 lumber – 168” long PLATES
- B – 24 pieces of 2×4 lumber – 72” long STUDS
- C – 8 pieces of 2×4 lumber – 87 1/2” long, 8 pieces of 2×4 lumber – 6” long RAFTERS
- D – 14 pieces of 2×2 lumber – 14” long, 14 pieces of 2×2 lumber 22” long VENTS
- E – 2 pieces of 2×3 lumber – 36”, 2 pieces of 2×4 lumber – 69” long, 1 piece – 33″ long DOOR
- F – 500 sq ft of translucent polyethylene foil / polycarbonate sheets FOIL
Tools
Tips
- Place the greenhouse in an area where it gets the maximum sunlight
- Fit the side posts every 2′ / 60 cm
- Install plastic strips every 1′, to support the foil
Related
- One weekend
Greenhouse plans free
Building a small greenhouse in your backyard is a great project, as it is the first step towards a healthier lifestyle. If you pay attention to the basic guidelines, you will get a nice greenhouse with all the features needed to grow your own vegetables during the whole year.
Free greenhouse plans
First, build the base of the wood greenhouse. Therefore, you have to choose an appropriate location and build the base, using 4×4 pressure treated lumber. Measure the diagonals of the rectangle, to ensure the corners are right-angled.
Anchor the base into place, by inserting several 24″ long 2×4 stakes. Drive in several screws through the stakes into the frame, after you have installed them into position properly.
In order to join the wooden posts together, you have to cut their ends, as in the image. In this manner, the base of the greenhouse will be durable and it will support the rest of the structure properly. Use a spirit level to ensure the base is horizontal.
Next, you have to build the side walls of the greenhouse, using 2×4 studs. As you can see in the image, you should anchor the wooden studs to the bottom and top plate. Insert 2 1/2” screws through the plates in the 2×4 studs, after you pre-drill several holes.
Place the studs equally spaced, every 22 1/4”. If adjust the size of the greenhouse, you can place the posts no more than 2′ one from another.
After you have built the side walls of the greenhouse, according to our free plans, you should install them into position, by driving 3 1/2” screws through the bottom plates into the wooden base.
If you want to get the job done in a professional manner, you should plumb the walls with a spirit level and lock them into position with 2×4 braces. Afterwards, insert 3 1/2” screws or nails through the bottom plate into the wooden base.
Continue the process, by building the front and back walls of the wood greenhouse. Proceed in the same manner as described above: build the walls on the ground and afterwards, install them into place. Cut the bottom and top plates at 113″ and the studs at 72″.
If the frame is not rigid enough, you should install several braces, as in the image. The best method is to use a 4×4 post and to cut its ends, to fit perfectly into position.
Drive in screws through the braces into the wooden studs. Work with great care and with good judgement, if you want to obtain a professional result. Take accurate measurements several times before cutting the components.
Wood greenhouse plans free
Cut the rafters at the right size after taking accurate measurements. Pay attention to the instructions described in the diagram.
The next step of the woodworking project is to attach the vertical supports into place. Drill pocket holes at both ends of the components and secure them to the rafters, as described in the image.
After you have built the main frame of the wood greenhouse, you should install the rafters. As you can see in the image, this greenhouse doesn’t have a symmetrical roof , as we will build several windows at the top.
Use 2x4s to build the short and long rafters, according to our plans. As you can see in the image, you should cut the base of the rafters at 30º, and the other end of the short rafter at 60º.
Continue the building process by installing the frame of the top windows. Therefore, you should use 2x2s to build the bottom and the top frame, as you should notice in the image.Plumb them into position with a level.
In addition, you should build several wooden elements from 2x4s, as to joint the rafters together. Use a spirit level when fitting them into position (cut their both ends at 30º).
Building the windows of the greenhouse is a straight-forward process. Use a tape measure to determine the size of the windows and use 2x2s to build the frame. Work with great care and attention to make sure the corners of the windows are right angled.
Cover the frames with polycarbonate sheets and lock them into position with metal hinges. The poly-carbonate is more durable than regular foil.
An essential step of the construction process is to install plastic strips every 10”, as to support the translucent polyethylene foil. Work with great care and attention, as to install the strips equally spaced. Staple the strips to each rafter, after you have ensure they are equally spaced. This step is not necessary if you fit polycarbonate sheets.
Next, you have to build the front door of the greenhouse, from 2x3s. Use a framing square when building the door, to ensure the corners are right angled. Drive in several 4” screws at any corner, after you have drilled the pilot holes (to avoid the wood from splitting). Cut the vertical supports at 69″ and the horizontal components at 36″. Drill pilot holes through the horizontal supports and insert 2 1/2″ screws into the vertical supports.
Lock the door into position by using 3 hinges. Plumb the door and then insert the screws. Last but not least, install a latch to make it a functional door.
Check attentively the wood greenhouse before covering it with translucent polyethylene foil / sheets. Make sure there are no sharp edges or protrusions that could damage the foil.
Check our latest greenhouse plans here. The new plans are more detailed and come with a cut list and step by step diagrams. This greenhouse is made entirely from 2×4 lumber, so that you can get the job done with common tools in just a weekend.
Thank you for reading our article about free greenhouse plans and we recommend you to check out the rest of our projects. Don’t forget to share our articles with your friends, by using the social media widgets. LIKE us on Facebook to be the first that gets our latest updates and to help us create more free plans for you.
Great greenhouse plans – look like they were designed by a carpenter – no nonsense, to the point and scaleable.
For folks that are going to use polycarbonate panels the lowest horizontal framing member at bottom of vertical / plumb window(s) could be a 2×4 or wider and project above the roof rafter plane which would allow the polycarbonate panel a place to butt against and not interfere with window operation. Flashing
could be installed here to land on top of panel and prevent water from entering greenhouse. Vinyl hopper windows could be used right out of the box.
Thanks
Thanks for the tip!
In the parts list you have a vent opener and thermostatic bu..t there is no instructions on when or where to install, do you need for all windows or just one?
The instruction for installing the vent opener comes with the product. I would personally add the opener on all vents, as it will keep a proper temperature inside the greenhouse easier.
Great plan ,,, slight modifications, I added wall insulated wall panel to build the best vermin proof turkey house ever. Plenty of light and ventilation it is perfect as a breeder house I now have built more !
That is awesome! Congrats for the project and I am happy that my plans were useful. I would love to see a few pics of the project. You can share them at: http://howtospecialist.com/give-back/diy-wood-greenhouse/
What are the plastic strips you talk about and where would you get them? What size are they?
Packing strips. They should be around 1/2-3/4″ wide. You can use 1×2 lumber to secure the plastic foil to the framing, as well.
Cost estimate?
Hi Jack, do you have any plans in this style but for a 12 by 18 or potentially a 12 by 16?
I have a 10×16 greenhouse: http://howtospecialist.com/garden/10×16-greenhouse-plans/ If you want a 12×16 greenhouse, take a look here: http://myoutdoorplans.com/garden/wood-greenhouse-plans/
Hi Jack, I would like to know if this style of greenhouse could be expanded to 16’ x 48’, and if so, what would the rafter lengths have to be? Thanks.
I’m in the process of building this now. About 90% completed with the framing.. great set of plans, easy to follow instructions. Only thing I found was your angles on the rafters are swapped. Should be 60° at the plates and 30° at the top cuts..
Regardless of that, I’m super happy I found your plans and very happy to be building this greenhouse !
Thank you! Looking forward to seeing your project!
Any additional recommendations for an all year 20×40 in the northwoods of Wisconsin? Including heating it.
I have the frame all built and am working on the windows that I have modified just a little to do a two window top versus the seven windows. Also adding a vent fan on a thermostat to the back wall. I found that I needed a few cross braces on the corners for rigidity and it will also help with the polycarbonate siding that I am using. Since I live in the deep south and rarely have really hard winters, I am only using the single wall siding – it also is quite a cost savings over the double wall siding. I hope that I don’t regret that move.
Thank you for the plans. It is my first construction project of this kind, and I won’t lie and say that it has been easy, but considering my lack of experience, it have gone well.
I plan on doubling this, any tips?
Do you have printable plans available? I need it on paper to make sure I get it all right.