12x16 Greenhouse with Twinwall Glazing - Free Build Plans with Video

Why We Built This Greenhouse

Our friends were looking to add a beautiful, long term greenhouse to their yard.  They had already built a 12 x 16 wood deck for the greenhouse, and just needed the structure on top.

Since it was winter, they wanted to prefab the pieces inside a shop, and then just assemble outside.  So they asked me to draw up plans to help them prefab the pieces.

I did the plans, and our friends cut the pieces out and refinished them in a black paint.  Then we just met up a few times over last winter and helped put it all together and install the twin wall glazing.

Then this spring, we finished it up and it's ready for planting!

Why Choose This Greenhouse Plan

• This is a large greenhouse, with lots of space inside
• The exterior is fully sealed off, so this keeps the maintenance down, similar to the maintenance of a well built house
• This plan is optimized for the twin-wall polycarbonate sheets, which offer insulating properties and is more attractive to look at
• We designed the front for fitting a storm door - so it's easy to come and go year round
• The eaves have been designed for easy installation of a gutter system for rain collection
• You can add siding to match your house to the lower portion of the greenhouse
• This greenhouse turned out very sturdy and attractive looking

Quick Video of Us Putting this Greenhouse Together

Here's a quick video of us working on this greenhouse over last winter

 

Base Options for Greenhouses

Our friends already had a base built for their greenhouse, so we didn't show that in the video.  Your base should be determined by your needs and property.  Here' a few popular options:

• Wood Deck - this is what our friends used for this greenhouse.  A deck was built on poured concrete footings.  If you like this option, use the same techniques as building a deck - this meant concrete footings under the frost line for us in Alaska.  For the top of the deck, our friends used painted tongue and groove plywood, as they will have only raised beds inside their greenhouse.  
• Concrete Pad - this is a popular option if you have a pad, or want something very low maintenance.  Do consider water drainage, anchoring the walls tot he concrete, and make sure the bottom plate of your walls is treated lumber. 
• Soil or Gravel Pad - this is the least expensive option, make sure the base of your walls are treated lumber, and use a method of anchoring that is suitable for your region

My recommendation is to do some research in your local region on what works for greenhouse bases.

Free Plans to Build Your Own Large Greenhouse with Twinwall Glazing

This is an advanced project, and builders should have general knowledge of framing techniques and tools.  We are happy to be able to provide the free plans for you to use, please share photos of your project when you are done!

from Recent Project Plans https://ift.tt/wRkADUh