Index

A

Accessories, 108–9, 156, 166. See also individual accessories

Acrylic, 95–96, 97, 152

Active heating systems, 68, 71–75. See also individual systems

Adobe greenhouses, 88

Aesthetics, 10–11, 44

A-Frame greenhouses, 22–23, 23

Air circulation, 64–65, 65, 164, 173. See also Ventilation

Airlocks, 36, 47–48

Alpine greenhouses, 21–22

Aluminum, 83–84

Animals, 63, 92, 111

Arches, 210–11, 210, 211

Attached greenhouses, 18, 28, 29

conservatories, 29–30

humidity and, 28, 30

insects and, 30

lean-to greenhouses, 213–20

maintenance for, 30

overviews of, 28–29, 30

on piers or deck, 221–27

pit greenhouses, 26–27

shading for, 30

site selection for, 30

slant-front greenhouses as, 202

snow and, 28–29

vapor barriers for, 87

window greenhouses, 231–34

B

Backing plates, 217

Barn board siding, 83

Batter boards, 117, 117

Beds

hot, 31, 70–71, 169

for lean-to greenhouses, 219

locating, 41–44, 41, 42, 43

maintenance for, 179

overview of, 169

raised, 169, 204, 207, 219

size of, 38, 41–44

for slope-sided greenhouses, 204, 207

Bell jars, 31–32, 32

Benches, 167

electrical outlets under, 156

layout for, 41, 44–45

overview of, 166–68

for potting, 174, 174, 244–45, 244, 245

size of, 38, 41, 45

storage under, 175

Board-and-batten siding, 83, 83

Bolts, 122, 125, 128, 170–71

Bonds, 130

Breakers, 54, 156, 158, 159

Bricks, 114–15, 116, 116, 129–31, 129, 130

Budgets, 5, 103–9. See also Cost

Building materials

alternative, 87–88

aluminum, 83–84

for benches, 166–68

checklist for, 106

for cold frames, 241

concrete, 111–14, 120–28

for conventional greenhouses, 184, 186

cost of, 106

for doors, 87

for floors, 115–16

for glazing, 91

for Gothic arch greenhouses, 209

heat loss and, 68

history of, 13, 15–16

for hoop houses, 84, 85, 229

house wrap, 81–82

for insulation, 85–87

for kit greenhouses, 7, 8, 84–85

for lean-to greenhouses, 214, 216

light and, 35

masonry, 114–15, 116, 126–32

overviews of, 6, 77

for paths, 44

on piers or deck, 222, 223

plastic, 84–85

for potting benches, 245

sheathing, 80–81, 81

for sheds, 199–202, 236, 237

siding, 82–83, 82, 83

for slant-front greenhouses, 193, 195

for slope-sided greenhouses, 204, 205–7, 205, 206, 207

steel, 84

temperature and, 77

for vapor barriers, 87

wind and, 77

for window greenhouses, 232

wood, 77–81, 78, 81, 111, 132–33, 136–48, 146–47

Building techniques. See also Foundations; Framing

for build-your-own, 9–10, 135–36

for conventional greenhouses, 186–91, 186, 187, 188, 189, 190, 191

for corners, 136–37, 137

for doors, 137–38, 138, 147–48

epoxy, 141–43

for glazing, 144–47, 144, 148–49, 148

for Gothic arch greenhouses, 209–12

for hoop houses, 229–30

for joints, 133, 133, 140–41, 141

for kit greenhouses, 134–35

on piers or deck, 222–27, 223, 224, 225, 226

for ridge, 138, 138, 139–40, 139, 144, 144

for roof, 139–40, 139, 140, 144, 144, 148–52, 148, 149, 151

for sheds, 237–40, 238, 239

for slant-front greenhouses, 195–99, 196, 197, 198

for walls, 111–13, 112, 114–15, 119–20, 120, 126–32, 127, 128, 129, 130, 132, 136–37, 137, 138–39, 138, 139, 144

for window greenhouses, 232–34, 233

for windows, 137–38, 138, 140, 144–47, 145, 146, 147

for wood, 136–48, 146–47

Build-your-own greenhouses, 9–10, 26, 103–4, 135–36

Bull headers, 130

Buttering, 130–31

Butyl caulking, 98, 99

C

Cap pieces, 148–49, 148

Carts. See Wheelbarrows

Caulking, 98–99, 144, 149, 178, 212

Ceramic disc heaters, 72

Checklist, 100–109

Chlorine, 50, 52

Chopped strand mats, 95

Circuit diagrams, 155, 156–58, 157

Cloches, 31, 32, 243

Clothing, 175–76

Coal stoves, 73

Cold frames, 31, 31, 241–43, 241, 242, 243. See also Hoop houses

Color rendering index, 58

Compact fluorescent lights, 58, 58

Compounds, 99

Concrete

blocks, 114, 126–29, 127, 128

buying, 120–21

cost of, 123

finishing, 126–28

footings, 111–13, 118, 118, 122, 125, 126–27, 129

foundation types, 111–14, 126–28

leveling, 124–25

mixing, 113, 121, 121

pouring, 122–26, 185, 194, 195, 215, 216, 222, 236

slabs, 113–14, 118, 119, 123–26, 185, 194–95

Conduction, 66, 67

Conservatories, 12–15, 14, 29–30, 29

Construction. See Building techniques

Contractors, 9–10, 103–4

Convection, 66, 67

Conventional greenhouses, 23

building materials for, 184, 186

building techniques for, 186–91, 186, 187, 188, 189, 190, 191

doors for, 188, 189

foundation for, 184–85, 184

glazing for, 183, 189–90, 190

overview of, 23

plans for, 183–91, 183, 184, 186, 187, 188, 189, 190, 191

ridge for, 186, 187, 187, 188, 188

roof for, 186, 187, 187, 188

ventilation for, 188, 189

walls for, 186–88, 186, 187, 188

Cool greenhouses, 21, 21, 179

Cooling, 30, 34–35, 34, 49, 60–62, 62, 165, 180. See also Ventilation Copper lines, 162, 162

Corners, 116–17, 117, 117–18, 127–28, 127, 133, 133, 136–37, 137

Cost

of accessories, 108–9

budgets for, 5

of building materials, 106

checklist for, 103–9

of drip irrigation systems, 52

of electricity, 108

of fans, 65

of floors, 104–5

of fogging systems, 51

of foundations, 104–5, 119, 123

of glazing, 105–6

of heating, 106–7

of hoop houses, 25, 85, 228

of kit greenhouses, 9

of landscaping, 109

of light, 58, 59, 108

overviews of, 1, 7

of plumbing, 108

of rock heat storage, 69

of shading, 61–62

of site preparation, 105

size and, 5–6

of soaker hoses, 53

of ventilation, 107–8

of wiring, 108

of wood-burning stoves, 73

Course, 130

D

Decks, 221–27, 221, 223, 224, 225, 226

Design. See Layout; Structural styles

Disease, 45, 52

Doors

building materials for, 87

building techniques for, 137–38, 138, 147–48

for conventional greenhouses, 188, 189

design of, 47

in foundation, 127, 127

for garages, 227

for Gothic arch greenhouses, 212

for kit greenhouses, 135

on piers or deck, 227

for sheds, 240

size of, 47, 87

for slope-sided greenhouses, 207

for ventilation, 64

Double-pane glass, 93–94

Double-weight glass, 92–93

Drainage

foundation and, 110, 113, 114, 119, 123, 124, 185, 215

installation of, 163–64, 164

layout for, 44, 160–61, 161

piping for, 124

roof pitch and, 40

site selection and, 37, 37

Drip irrigation, 52, 160–61, 161

Dry-laid block, 114, 128–29

Dry wells, 163–64, 164

Duckboards, 44

E

Electrical heating, 71–72, 71

Electrical outlets, 46, 156

Electricity

for accessories, 156

breakers for, 54, 154, 156, 158, 159

checklist for, 108

cost of, 108

electrical outlets, 46, 156

for fans, 65

for freestanding greenhouses, 27

installation of, 154–60, 219, 220

layout for, 46, 154, 156

for lean-to greenhouses, 219, 220

for lighting, 154–58

need for, calculating, 154–58, 157, 160

permits for, 154

on piers or deck, 227

for sheds, 201

site selection and, 37–38

switches for, 46, 155, 159

water and, 54, 154, 158, 160

wiring, 87, 108, 110, 154–60, 219, 220

Entrance, 47–48. See also Doors

Epoxy, 89, 141–43

Excavation, 118, 118, 184, 193, 204, 214

Exfiltration, 66, 67–68

Expansion, 27, 91, 94, 123, 150, 152

Eye bolts, 170–71

F

Fans, 22, 64–65, 65, 70, 156

Fasteners, 80, 83, 149, 150, 151–52

Fiber form tubes, 112, 112

Fiberglass

for glazing, 95, 97, 148, 149, 151, 151–52

for insulation, 85

for parging, 114

Filters, 50, 52

Finishes, 89

Finish wiring, 159

Fish, 69

Flashing, 129, 130

Fleece, 32

Floor plans. See Layout

Floors, 104–5, 115–16, 116, 216. See also Foundations; Paths

Fluorescent lights, 54–55, 57–58, 58, 155

Fogging systems, 51–52

Foot-candles, 56, 57–58

Footings, 111–13, 118, 118, 122, 125, 126–27, 129

Formwork, 119–20, 120, 184–85, 194, 214, 236

Foundations

alternative, 115

animals and, 111

bolts in, 122, 125, 128

checklist for, 104–5

concrete, 111–14, 116–28

concrete footings, 111–13, 118, 118, 122, 125, 126–27, 129

concrete slabs, 113–14, 118, 119, 123–26, 185, 194–95

for conventional greenhouses, 184–85, 184

cost of, 104–5, 119, 123

doors in, 127, 127

drainage and, 110, 113, 114, 119, 123, 124, 185, 215

excavation for, 118, 118, 184, 193, 204, 214

expansion of, 123

finishing, 126–33, 127, 128, 129, 132, 133

formwork for, 119–20, 120, 184–85, 194, 214, 236

for Gothic arch greenhouses, 209

ground as, 110–11, 229

heating and, 75, 132

insulation for, 112, 122–23, 123–24, 144, 194, 215

for kit greenhouses, 134

knee walls, 111–13, 112, 115, 118, 119–20, 120, 122–23, 125, 126–33, 127, 128, 130, 132, 133, 194, 204, 204

layout for, 116–18, 117, 184, 214

for lean-to greenhouses, 214–16, 215

masonry, 114–15, 126–32

overview of, 110

piers or deck as, 221–27

pouring, 122–26, 185, 194, 195, 215, 216, 236

reinforcing mesh for, 123

for sheds, 199, 200, 236

sill plates for, 125, 133, 195, 205, 216–17

for slant-front greenhouses, 193–95, 193

for slope-sided greenhouses, 204, 204

types of, 110–15

wind and, 110

wood for, 111, 132–33

Framing

building materials for, 77–80, 83–85

building techniques for, 136–38

for cold frames, 242–43, 242, 243

for conventional greenhouses, 186–88, 186, 187, 188

for Gothic arch greenhouses, 208, 209–12, 210, 211

for hoop houses, 229–30, 229, 230

for lean-to greenhouses, 213, 216–18, 217

maintenance for, 178–79

on piers or deck, 221, 222–26, 223, 224, 225, 226

for potting benches, 244, 245, 245

for sheds, 199–201, 200, 201, 235, 237–39, 238, 239

for slant-front greenhouses, 195–98, 196, 197

for slope-sided greenhouses, 203, 205–6, 205, 206, 207

for window greenhouses, 231, 232–33, 233

Freestanding greenhouses

A-Frame greenhouses, 22–23, 23

conventional greenhouses, 23, 23, 183–91

electricity for, 27

expansion of, 27

gambrel-roofed greenhouses, 24, 24

geodesic domes, 25–26, 26, 43, 43

Gothic arch greenhouses, 23–24, 23, 208–12

heat loss from, 27

hoop houses, 24–25, 25, 39, 39, 40, 63, 84, 85, 110, 153, 228–30

insulation for, 27

overview of, 22–27

on piers or deck, 221–27

pit greenhouses, 26–27, 26

sheds, 199–202, 235–40

site selection for, 27

slant-front greenhouses, 192–99

slope-sided greenhouses, 24, 24, 203–7

storage in, 27

water for, 27

Frost, 37, 37, 113, 160, 161

Fungicides, 49

G

Gambrel-roofed greenhouses, 24, 24

Garages, 221–22, 227. See also Sheds Garden, 37–38. See also Sheds

Gas stoves, 73–74, 73, 164–65, 180

Geodesic domes, 25–26, 26, 43, 43

Germination chambers, 172–73, 172

Glass

for glazing, 48, 91–95, 93, 97, 148, 149, 149, 152–53, 152, 190, 190, 191

history of, 12, 13

light and, 35, 94

Glasshouses, 12–15, 14

Glazing, 90

acrylic for, 95–96, 97, 152

for A-Frame greenhouses, 22

angle of, 34, 35

animals and, 92

building materials and, 91

building techniques for, 144–47, 144, 148–49, 148

caulking for, 98–99, 144, 149, 212

checklist for, 105–6

for cold frames, 242–43, 243

combining materials for, 98

for conventional greenhouses, 183, 189–90, 190

in cool greenhouses, 21

cost of, 105–6

expansion of, 91, 94, 150, 152

fiberglass for, 95, 97, 148, 149, 151–52, 151

glass for, 48, 91–95, 93, 97, 148, 149, 149, 152–53, 152, 190, 190, 191

for Gothic arch greenhouses, 212

heating and, 92, 94, 96, 97, 97

for hoop houses, 25, 39, 39, 85, 153, 230

hurricane-proof, 48, 94

installation of, 39, 148–53, 148, 149, 151, 152, 189–90, 190, 198, 198, 212, 218, 218, 227, 234, 239

insulation for, 165

insulation value of, 97

for lean-to greenhouses, 218, 218

lifespan of, 97

light and, 34, 35, 91, 94, 95, 96, 97, 97

maintenance for, 90, 97, 178, 179

overviews of, 6–7, 90

Photosynthetically Active Radiation, 55–56, 91

on piers or deck, 227

plastic sheeting for, 97, 97

polycarbonate for, 25, 39, 96–97, 97, 148–49, 149–51, 152–53, 152, 189–90, 189, 190, 212

polyethylene for, 25, 39, 39, 97, 97, 153, 230

polyvinyl chloride for, 97, 97

roof and, 144, 144, 148–52, 148, 149, 151

for sheds, 202, 239

size of, 35, 38–40

for slant-front greenhouses, 198, 198

for slope-sided greenhouses, 206, 207

structural value of, 97

in tropical greenhouses, 19

Tufflite, 25

types of, 91–98

for walls, 40, 138–39, 144, 152–53, 152

weather stripping for, 98, 99

wind and, 25

for window greenhouses, 234

for windows, 144–47, 145, 146, 147

Gothic arch greenhouses, 23–24, 23, 208–12, 208, 210, 211

Ground, 110–11, 229

Growing areas, 22–23. See also Beds

Growing chambers, 173, 173

H

Hand tools, 170, 170, 171

Hanging baskets, 170–71

Hardiness zones, 7, 8, 249

Headers, 130

Health. See also Safety

epoxy and, 143

fiberglass and, 85, 95

insecticides and, 76

paint and, 89

pesticides and, 176

pressure-treated wood and, 79–80, 111, 132

Heating. See also Heat loss; Insulation

aluminum and, 84

backup systems for, 72, 74

checklist for, 106–7

coal stoves, 73

cost of, 106–7

electrical, 71, 71–72

foundation and, 75, 132

gas stoves, 73–74, 73, 164–65, 180

glazing and, 92, 94, 96, 97, 97

hardiness zones and, 7

history of, 13, 15

homes, 28, 30, 31, 62

hot beds for, 31, 70–71, 169

humidity and, 72

installation of, 164–65

kit greenhouses, 8

layout for, 46

local heating devices, 74–75

maintenance for, 179, 180

need for, calculating, 66–68

in orchid greenhouses, 20–21

overviews of, 7, 49, 60, 66

pellet stoves, 73

permits for, 164, 165

rock heat storage, 69–70, 70

size and, 5–6

systems for, 68–75, 87, 164–65, 180

thermostats for, 46

in tropical greenhouses, 19

in warm greenhouses, 19

water for, 68–69, 70, 71

wood-burning stoves, 72–73, 72, 165, 180

Heat loss, 27, 36–37, 47–48, 66–68, 180

High-intensity discharge lights, 58–59, 155

High pressure sodium lights, 58–59, 155

High-tunnel greenhouses. See Hoop houses History, 12–16

Hobby greenhouses, 15–16. See also Kit greenhouses

Homes, heating, 28, 30, 31, 62

Hoop houses, 25. See also Cold frames

anchoring, 111, 111, 229

building materials for, 84, 85

building techniques for, 229–30, 229, 230

cost of, 25, 85, 228

glazing for, 25, 39, 39, 85, 153, 230

overview of, 24–25

size of, 39, 39

snow and, 40

ventilation of, 63

walls for, 228, 230

wind and, 25

Hose end fittings, 172

Hot beds, 31, 70–71, 169

Hour of the day, 35

House wrap, 81–82

Humidity, 28, 30, 72, 154

Hurricane-proof glass, 48, 94

Hydroponics, 75–76, 75

I

Illumination, 56

Incandescent lights, 56–57, 57

Infiltration, 66, 67–68

Infrared radiation film, 67–68

Insects, 30, 45, 49, 63, 76, 86–87, 176

Insulation

aluminum and, 84

for foundation, 112, 122–23, 123–24, 144, 194, 215

for freestanding greenhouses, 27

for glazing, 165

glazing, values for, 97

maintenance for, 179

need for, 67–68

on piers or deck, 226, 227

polyethylene for, 165

shading for, 165

for slant-front greenhouses, 195, 199

for slope-sided greenhouses, 207

types of, 85–87

for walls, 138

for windows, 165

Irradiance, 56

J

Joints, 133, 133, 140–41, 140, 141

K

Kit greenhouses, 8

anchoring, 125

building materials for, 7, 8, 84–85

building techniques for, 134–35

checklist for, 101–3

doors for, 135

foundation for, 134

overview of, 7–9

tools for, 135

walls for, 134, 135

Knee walls, 112, 125

excavating for, 118

finishing, 126–33, 127, 128, 130, 132, 133

forms for, 119–20, 120

pouring, 122–23

for slant-front greenhouses, 194

for slope-sided greenhouses, 204, 204

types of, 111–13, 115

Knots, 79

L

Laminated glass, 93, 93

Landscaping, 11, 34, 34, 36–37, 36, 109

Lap siding, 83, 83

Latitude, 35. See also Hardiness zones

Layout

beds, 41–44, 41, 42, 43

benches, 41, 44–45

drainage and, 44, 160–61, 161

for electricity, 154, 156

for entrance, 47–48

for foundation, 116–18, 117, 184, 214

of geodesic domes, 43, 43

for light, 54, 59, 60, 155–56

overview of, 33, 40–41

paths, 41–44, 41, 42, 43

quarantine areas, 45

size and, 40

storage areas, 45–46

for water, 46, 51, 160–61, 161

work areas, 46

Lean-to greenhouses, 213–20.See also Attached greenhouses

Light

building materials and, 35

checklist for, 108

in cool greenhouses, 21

cost of, 58, 59, 108

electricity for, 154–58

factors affecting, 35

fluorescent, 54–55, 57–58, 58, 155

general lighting, 54, 155

glass and, 94

glazing and, 34, 35, 91, 94, 95, 96, 97, 97

in growing chambers, 173

high-intensity discharge, 58–59, 155

incandescent, 56–57, 57

landscaping and, 34, 34

layout for, 54, 59, 60, 155–56

for lean-to greenhouses, 219, 220

location for, 54–55

maintenance for, 179, 180

measuring, 56

in orchid greenhouses, 20

overviews of, 6–7, 49, 53–54

Photosynthetically Active Radiation, 55–56, 91

quality of, 55–59

reflectors for, 59

in seed-starting boxes, 173

shading and, 34–35, 34, 61

site selection and, 33–35, 34

snow and, 35

sunlight, 33–35, 53–54, 55, 91

switches for, 155

timers for, 155, 172

in tropical greenhouses, 19

types of, 54–59, 155–56

walls and, 35

in warm greenhouses, 19

water and, 54, 55

wattage, minimum, 56, 57, 155

Location. See Site selection Lockers, 175

Louvered ventilation, 64, 64

Low-emission glass, 94

Lumens, 56

M

Maintenance

for attached greenhouses, 30

for beds, 179

biannual or annual, 179–81

for caulking, 178

for dry wells, 163–64

for framing, 178–79

for glazing, 90, 97, 178, 179

for heating, 179, 180

for heat loss, 180

for insulation, 179

for kit greenhouses, 9

for light, 179, 180

monthly or quarterly, 178–79

overview of, 3–5, 177

regular, 3–5, 177–78

for shading, 180

for wood, 178–79

Masonry, 114–15, 116, 126–32

Materials. See Building materials MC low-emission glass, 94

Metal halide lights, 58–59, 155

Mildew, 179

Misting systems, 51, 51, 160–61, 161

Mortar, 114, 126–28, 128, 129–32

O

Orangeries, 13

Orchid greenhouses, 17, 19–21, 20

Oriented strand board, 81

P

Paint

for aluminum, 84

for shading, 61

for steel, 84

for wood, 78, 79, 80, 88–89, 178–79

Parging, 114, 129

Passive heating systems, 68–71, 87

Paths, 38, 41–44, 41, 42, 43. See also Floors

Pea stone, 116

Pellet stoves, 73

Permits, 10, 33, 48, 154, 164, 165

Pesticides, 49, 76, 176

Photometers, 56, 56, 91

Photosynthetically Active Radiation, 55–56, 91

Piers, 221–27, 221, 223, 224, 225, 226

Pilings, 222

Pineries, 13

Pit greenhouses, 26–27, 26

Plans. See also Layout

for cold frames, 241–43, 241, 242, 243

for conventional greenhouses, 183–91, 183, 184, 186, 187, 188, 189, 190, 191

for Gothic arch greenhouses, 208–12, 208, 210, 211

for hoop houses, 228–30, 228, 229, 230

for lean-to greenhouses, 213–20, 213, 215, 217, 218, 220

overview of, 182

on piers or deck, 221–27, 221, 223, 224, 225, 226

for potting benches, 244–45, 244, 245

for sheds, 199–202, 235–40, 235, 238, 239

for slant-front greenhouses, 192–99, 192, 193, 196, 197, 198

for slope-sided greenhouses, 203–7, 203, 204, 205, 206, 207

for window greenhouses, 231–34, 231, 233

Plant growth, 19

Plastic, 84–85, 97, 97

Plate glass, 93

Plexiglass, 95–96

Plumbing

checklist for, 108

cost of, 108

installation of, 160–64, 161, 162, 163, 164, 219

for lean-to greenhouses, 219

for sheds, 201

Plywood, 80–81, 119

Polycarbonate

cutting, 150

for glazing, 96–97, 97, 148–49, 149–51, 152–53, 152, 189–90, 189, 190, 212

for hoop houses, 25

light and, 35

size of, 39

Polyethylene

for glazing, 97, 97, 153, 230

for hoop houses, 25, 39, 39, 85, 153

for insulation, 165

for Walls o’ Water, 32

wind and, 25

Polyisocyanurate, 86

Polystyrene insulation, 85–86, 112, 122–23, 123–24

Polyvinyl chloride, 97, 97, 161, 162–63, 163

Pond areas, 216, 219

Posts, 112

Potting benches, 174, 174, 244–45, 244, 245

Pressure-treated wood, 79–80, 111, 132

Q

Quantum flux density, 56

Quarantine areas, 45, 176

Quonset greenhouses. See Hoop houses

R

Radiant emittance, 56

Radiant flux, 56

Radiation losses, 66, 67

Rafters. See also Ridges; Roofs

building techniques for, 139–40, 140, 144, 144

for conventional greenhouses, 187, 188

glazing and, 148–52, 148, 151

for lean-to greenhouses, 217–18, 218

for piers or deck, 226, 226

for sheds, 200–201, 239

for slant-front greenhouses, 198

for slope-sided greenhouses, 206

Rain, 40, 50–51. See also Water

Raised beds, 169, 204, 207, 219

Rammed-earth walls, 88

Ramps, 227

Rebar, 229

Reflectors, 59, 61

Reinforcing mesh, 123

Riddles, 171

Ridges. See also Roofs

building techniques for, 138, 138, 139–40, 139, 144, 144

for conventional greenhouses, 186, 187, 187, 188, 188

for Gothic arch greenhouses, 211

for sheds, 239

Rock heat storage, 69–70, 70

Roofs. See also Ridges

building techniques for, 139–40, 139, 140, 144, 144, 148–52, 148, 149, 151

for conventional greenhouses, 186, 187, 187, 188

glazing and, 144, 144, 148–52, 148, 149, 151

for lean-to greenhouses, 217–18, 218

for piers or deck, 226, 226

pitch, 40, 140

for sheds, 200–201, 239

for slant-front greenhouses, 198

for slope-sided greenhouses, 206, 207

Rot, 178

Rough wiring, 158–59

Row covers, 32

Running bond, 130

Rust, 179

S

Safety, 54, 154, 158. See also Health

Sanding, 143

Screeding, 124

Sealants, 98–99

Season extenders, 31–32, 31, 70–71, 169, 241–43. See also Hoop houses

Seed-starting boxes, 172–73, 172

Shade cloths, 61–62, 62

Shading, 30, 34–35, 34, 61–62, 62, 165, 180

Shading paint, 61

Sheathing, 80–81, 81, 201, 226, 240

Sheds, 199–202, 235–40. See also Garages

Shelving, 168–69, 168, 232

Shingles, 82–83, 82, 202, 202

Siding, 82–83, 82, 83

Sill plates, 125, 133, 195, 205, 216–17

Single-weight glass, 92

Sinks, 160–61, 163, 245

Site preparation, 105

Site selection, 27, 30, 33–38, 34, 36, 37, 100–101

Size

of A-Frame greenhouses, 22–23

of beds, 38, 41–44

concrete blocks and, 127

costs and, 5–6

of doors, 47, 87

of glazing, 35, 38–40

heating and, 5–6

height, 22–23, 40, 41, 45, 47

of hoop houses, 39, 39

layout and, 40

length, 38–40

overviews of, 5–6, 33, 38

of paths, 41–44

roof pitch, 40, 140

of vents, 62–63

width, 38, 41, 45, 47

of window greenhouses, 232

Slabs, 113–14, 118, 119, 123–26, 185, 194–95

Slant-front greenhouses, 192–99, 192, 193, 196, 197, 198

Slate, 116

Slope-sided greenhouses, 24, 24, 203–07, 203, 204, 205, 206, 207

Snow, 28–29, 35, 36, 40

Soaker hoses, 52–53, 53, 160–61, 161

Soil, 118, 169

Solariums, 29–30

Solar power, 64, 64, 65, 65, 69

Soldiers, 130

Southern exposure, 30, 34, 35

Spigots, 46, 160–62

Sprayers, 171

Steel, 84

Stone, 115, 116, 131–32

Storage areas

under benches, 244, 244, 245

layout for, 45–46

for lean-to greenhouses, 220

overviews of, 27, 169–70, 174–75

Storm windows, 94–95

Straw bales, 87–88, 115

Stress skin panels, 86–87, 86

Structural styles

A-Frame greenhouses, 22–23, 23

alternative, 87–88

attached greenhouses, 26–31

build-your-own, 26

conservatories, 29–30

conventional greenhouses, 23, 23, 183–91

freestanding, 22–27

gambrel-roofed greenhouses, 24, 24

geodesic domes, 25–26, 26, 43, 43

Gothic arch greenhouses, 23–24, 23, 208–12

hoop houses, 24–25, 25, 39, 39, 40, 63, 84, 85, 110, 153, 228–30

lean-to greenhouses, 213–20

on piers or deck, 221–27

pit greenhouses, 26–27, 26

season extenders, 31–32, 241–43

sheds, 199–202, 235–40

slant-front greenhouses, 192–99

slope-sided greenhouses, 24, 24, 203–7

window greenhouses, 231–34

Stucco, 126, 129

Styles. See Structural styles

Sunlight, 33–35, 53–54, 55, 91. See also Light

Sunrooms, 29–30

Switches, 46, 155, 159

T

Temperature

airlocks and, 36

building materials and, 77

for electrical heaters, 71

in heat loss calculation, 66–67

in kit greenhouses, 8

misting systems and, 51

in orchid greenhouses, 20–21

overview of, 7

for plant growth, 19

for seed-starting, 172

in tropical greenhouses, 19

in warm greenhouses, 19

Tempered glass, 93, 94

Thermometers, 171–72, 171

Thermostats, 46, 64, 65, 71, 180

TimberSIL, 80

Time, 3–5

Timers, 155, 172

Tools, 135, 136, 169–72, 170, 171, 175

Triple-pane glass, 94

Tropical greenhouses, 19, 20

Trowels, 130, 131, 170

Tufflite, 25

Twine, 170

Two-part sealants, 99

Types. See Structural styles; Uses

U

Unheated greenhouses, 21, 21, 179

Uses, 1, 3, 17–22, 100

V

Vapor barriers, 87

Ventilation. See also Air circulation; Cooling

checklist for, 107–8

for conventional greenhouses, 188, 189

cost of, 107–8

for Gothic arch greenhouses, 212

for kit greenhouses, 9

for lean-to greenhouses, 219

overviews of, 49, 60

for slope-sided greenhouses, 206–7

systems for, 62–64, 63, 64, 65, 65, 147

for tropical greenhouses, 19

W

Walls

building techniques for, 111–13, 112, 114–15, 119–20, 120, 126–32, 127, 128, 129, 130, 132, 136–37, 137, 138–39, 138, 139, 144

concrete, 111–13, 112, 118, 119–20, 120, 122–23, 125, 126–29, 127, 128

for conventional greenhouses, 186–88, 186, 187, 188

framing, 136–39, 137, 138, 139

glazing for, 40, 138–39, 144, 152, 152–53

for Gothic arch greenhouses, 211–12

for hoop houses, 228, 230

insulation for, 138

for kit greenhouses, 134, 135

knee walls, 111–13, 112, 115, 118, 119–20, 120, 122–23, 125, 126–33, 127, 128, 130, 132, 133, 194, 204, 204

for lean-to greenhouses, 217, 217, 218, 218

light and, 35

masonry, 114–15, 126–32, 127, 128, 129, 130

on piers or deck, 224–25, 224, 225

for sheds, 199–200, 238–39, 238, 239

for slant-front greenhouses, 195–98, 196, 197, 198

for slope-sided greenhouses, 205–6, 205, 206

thickness of, 40

wood, 132, 132, 136–39, 137, 138, 139

Walls o’ Water, 32

Warm greenhouses, 19, 20

Washington, George, 13

Water. See also Rain

chlorine in, 50, 52

drainage and, 37, 37, 160–61, 161, 163–64, 164

drip irrigation for, 52, 160–61, 161

electricity and, 54, 154, 158, 160

filters for, 50, 52

fogging systems for, 51–52

for freestanding greenhouses, 27

in growing chambers, 173

for heating, 68–69, 70, 71

installation for, 160–64, 161

layout for, 46, 51, 160–61, 161

for lean-to greenhouses, 219

light and, 54, 55

lines for, 50–51, 108, 110, 160–63, 161

misting systems for, 51, 51, 160–61, 161

overview of, 49–50

plumbing for, 108, 160–64, 161, 162, 163, 164, 201, 219

sheathing and, 81

site selection and, 37–38

soaker hoses for, 52–53, 53, 160–61, 161

spigots for, 46, 160–62

ventilation systems and, 63–64

watering cans, 172

Wattage, minimum, 56, 57, 155

Weather stripping, 98, 99

Wheelbarrows, 41, 43, 44, 171

Wheelchairs, 38, 45, 46, 47, 48

Wind

building materials and, 77

foundation and, 110

glazing and, 25

hoop houses and, 25

hurricane-proof glass, 48, 94

kit greenhouses and, 8

landscaping and, 36–37

polyethylene and, 25

shade cloths and, 62

site selection and, 35–37

Window greenhouses, 231–34

Windows

building techniques for, 137–38, 138, 140, 144–47, 145, 146, 147

glazing for, 144–47, 145, 146, 147

greenhouses in, 231–34

insulation for, 165

joints for, 140

screens for, 176

for sheds, 240

for ventilation, 64, 64, 147, 147

wood for, 146–47

Wiring. See also Electricity

checklist for, 108

cost of, 108

foundation and, 110

installation of, 154–60, 219, 220

for lean-to greenhouses, 219, 220

safety tips for, 158

for sheds, 201

stress skin panels and, 87

types of, 158, 159–60

Wood

building techniques for, 136–48

for formwork, 119

for foundation, 111, 132–33, 132, 133

for framing, 77–81, 78, 81

maintenance for, 178–79

painting, 78, 79, 80, 88–89, 178–79

for walls, 136–39, 137, 138, 139

for windows, 146–47

Wood-burning stoves, 72–73, 72, 165, 180

Work areas, 46