Mungler Posted January 30, 2021 Report Share Posted January 30, 2021 We’re looking at pulling a fir tree out that sits in the corner of our back garden and sticking a hexagonal greenhouse in the space (8x8 or 9x9 or thereabouts). I like the look of the wooden ones and in an ideal world I would go the route of dwarf brick walls and a hardwood frame on top , but it’s a damp corner of the garden, it will be nestled in a corner next to fencing and I can’t but think that the timber will need a lot of maintenance. I’m guessing it’s also pricey. So, being practical, I’m guessing that the sensible route is something metal framed. Anyone got any ideas or recommended suppliers? Cheers all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
henry d Posted January 30, 2021 Report Share Posted January 30, 2021 A slight tangent but we have had a hardwood table and chairs in our garden for around 16-17 years that gets an occasional coat of teak oil and is still in pretty good condition. It has sat out on the decking in all weathers including the cold winters of 2010 and 12 with a foot of snow on top and down to -20. Just a thought. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mungler Posted January 30, 2021 Author Report Share Posted January 30, 2021 2 minutes ago, henry d said: A slight tangent but we have had a hardwood table and chairs in our garden for around 16-17 years that gets an occasional coat of teak oil and is still in pretty good condition. It has sat out on the decking in all weathers including the cold winters of 2010 and 12 with a foot of snow on top and down to -20. Just a thought. Cheers H. I would like to go the wood route - it will look a lot nicer and it will give local trades a job. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
enfieldspares Posted January 30, 2021 Report Share Posted January 30, 2021 (edited) As you say that the corner is damp I'd be more concerned about if that infers if the greenhouse gets very little sun in the position intended? Corners can be good if they are such that, south facing, they get full sun most of the day but OTOH they can be dark and shady if north facing. Otherwise it is maybe throwing good money away when the structure might be better positioned elsewhere? Edited January 30, 2021 by enfieldspares Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mungler Posted January 30, 2021 Author Report Share Posted January 30, 2021 Good point, but we’ve been here before - different house but same issue. We put a greenhouse up in a sunny spot and everything just got blasted by the sun. I used the greenhouse whitewash and then ran trellis up one half to grow stuff up and restrict sunlight / scorch. As long at the greenhouse is well constructed, has power and a sufficient glass in it, that corner will be fine and dandy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fatchap Posted January 30, 2021 Report Share Posted January 30, 2021 Before you take a chainsaw to it, check there is no TPO on it. Not sure if Fir trees are covered but its worth a check. Bloke a couple of doors from me when we lived in Chafford Hundred lobbed one down and he got in all sorts of strife with quite a few different groups, council, Forestry commission. Got quite a substantial fine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mungler Posted January 30, 2021 Author Report Share Posted January 30, 2021 Deffo not a TPO on it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mice! Posted January 30, 2021 Report Share Posted January 30, 2021 http://www.altongreenhouses-uk.co.uk There will be others available but our cedar greenhouse was great, so long as it isn't sat in water it will be fine. Much nicer than metal if you can afford it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Walker570 Posted January 30, 2021 Report Share Posted January 30, 2021 (edited) I would certainly go for the quarter wall and a cedar wood top. If you give it a good coat of preservative every three or four years it will last forever. We put in a 'garden room' just a large glazed room where we could keep some attractive plants, orchids year round but move large containers of geraniums etc., in for the winter. The front is made from hardwood and it gets a coat of quality wood preservative every couple of years .... if we remember.... It has been there for over 20yrs now and is as good as new .. We just have an electric heater/fan in their set just above freezing which kicks in and keeps it ok during the winter. It is about 10ft by 25ft floor area. All of our geraniums are in large pots which we can wheel out every summer and saves buying and replanting. A garden room is worth it's weight in gold. I make it clear this is not a 'conservatory' Edited January 30, 2021 by Walker570 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dustydave Posted January 30, 2021 Report Share Posted January 30, 2021 You could go geodesic - https://growingspaces.com/compare-greenhouses/ easy enough to build out of hazel, an blue water pipe, few bolts and then a polytunnel sheet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dougy Posted January 30, 2021 Report Share Posted January 30, 2021 Something about Cedar Greenhouses that you just cant get with aluminium they generally have a good guarantee normally 10 years, with treatment they would last a life time, if its a damp corner then probably a dwarf wall would be a good idea, plus bricks will help retain heat. Obviously footing to be dug etc, if you do i would recommend a concrete path inside while your putting in footings. We had where i used to live they just look loads nicer and something about the smell. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mice! Posted January 30, 2021 Report Share Posted January 30, 2021 44 minutes ago, Dougy said: something about the smell Its lovely isn't it, an aluminium one while maintenance free just isn't the same. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yellow Bear Posted January 30, 2021 Report Share Posted January 30, 2021 Would also recommend using engineering bricks to reduce water uptake in the wall. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dougy Posted January 30, 2021 Report Share Posted January 30, 2021 2 hours ago, Mice! said: Its lovely isn't it, an aluminium one while maintenance free just isn't the same. They look allot nicer too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NoBodyImportant Posted January 30, 2021 Report Share Posted January 30, 2021 It would be a fun lockdown project to DIY. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Walker570 Posted January 30, 2021 Report Share Posted January 30, 2021 2 hours ago, Yellow Bear said: Would also recommend using engineering bricks to reduce water uptake in the wall. Yes, forgot that . A row of blues will also look professional. Make the wall high enough to accomodate a wide shelf all round to put plants/seedlings on. Built properly it will also add value. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mungler Posted January 31, 2021 Author Report Share Posted January 31, 2021 (edited) Cheers chaps. Some great ideas here. Edit: I’ve plumbed for this one, with the aluminium roof add on. Glass top to bottom but sitting on / off 2 courses of engineering bricks. https://www.woodpecker-joinery.co.uk/round-greenhouses/dagdale-8ft6-x-8ft6.html Edited January 31, 2021 by Mungler Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Loki Posted January 31, 2021 Report Share Posted January 31, 2021 (edited) Hiya If 'Locals' get wind the tree is going down a TPO doesnt take long to put in place - just saying - seen plenty done to thwart 'development'! For footings/foundation a 'raft', with reinforcement-mesh, is an option to weigh up. Agree completely with a couple of courses 'engineering bricks' ground level to dpc. Rockwool in any dwarf-wall cavity probably better for thermal efficiency than cavity-batts - cost/benefit analysis......... Recommend first check is what you can/cant do under 'permitted-development' - you can do a lot more now but size/dimensions and whether considered 'temporary' (read timber-shed) applies to designs/construction narrowed down to - neighbour could not build anything 'substantial' or not considered 'temporary' within Gubbernut rules, within 2m of any boundary, whereas I, albeit 20yrs ago, could go right up to my boundary.................recommend checking with Local Planning Authority to avoid down-tools if questions raised/asked when you start - just saying - been there with a 'good' neighbour! Enjoy the journey! L PS - sorry about the 'book'! Edited January 31, 2021 by Loki Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ph5172 Posted January 31, 2021 Report Share Posted January 31, 2021 Could you not build a mini conservatory on a brick base. If the greenhouse doesn’t pan out you still have a summer house / hot tub room Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dougy Posted January 31, 2021 Report Share Posted January 31, 2021 (edited) If building on a raft all thoughts of planting direct into the soil in the green house will be gone, and you will always have water egress, not that its a problem with a green house mind. I would go the harder more complicated route of footings as per green house foot print and incorporate steel fixing within the footings, then mini wall and then secure the Green house with steel fixings. Just read sales details, they erect it for you, easy peasy, ask them what do they recommend. Edited January 31, 2021 by Dougy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
henry d Posted January 31, 2021 Report Share Posted January 31, 2021 2 hours ago, Mungler said: Cheers chaps. Some great ideas here. Edit: I’ve plumbed for this one, with the aluminium roof add on. Glass top to bottom but sitting on / off 2 courses of engineering bricks. https://www.woodpecker-joinery.co.uk/round-greenhouses/dagdale-8ft6-x-8ft6.html That looks great, not letting my wife see it though we've been pondering sunroom extension, veranda, garden room, etc and combinations of them and that might tip her over the edge Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave-G Posted January 31, 2021 Report Share Posted January 31, 2021 A good half way house might be a UPVC greenhouse that can be made a summerhouse if it doesnt work out. I understand there are DIY options. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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