Things to Consider Before Building a Greenhouse in Your Backyard
Building a greenhouse from scratch can be a challenging task to accomplish even if you are an experienced DIY-er. Since this is a pretty large project to tackle, you might need some professional help, however, if you take into account some of the main points we have highlighted prior to building it, you could achieve most of it yourself and therefore save yourself some money. As long as you have the time and the motivation, it is not impossible to tackle on your own with the help of the internet and useful guides like this one.
Here at We Buy Any House, we have outlined some of the most important aspects to consider before you begin the whole process of building a greenhouse in the comfort of your backyard. They normally come with a full set of instructions, but we all know how confusing they can be sometimes which is why often we resort to the internet for help. And we are here for you!
1. Preparation is Key
As it is a very complex project, it is important to familiarise yourself with all the components, steps and processes which you will have to tackle next. When your greenhouse arrives, make sure you actually read through the instructions carefully and have a clear vision of what you need to do. Another important thing is to invite some friends over to help you as you will not be able to do it all alone. Instead of hiring professional help, it is always better to fully utilise your resources aka your handy friends.
2. Choose Your Location Wisely
One of the main requirements for a greenhouse is to have consistent sunlight onto it. That is an ideal situation, however, if you are limited to space in your backyard, giving preference to either morning sun or afternoon sun is also something to consider. It is better to get your greenhouse some sunlight in the mornings which will keep the heat throughout the day and increase the speed of plant growth.
3. Good Ventilation
What’s essential for greenhouses is to have an excellent ventilation system which will control the temperature perfectly for healthy growing plants. The wrong humidity levels could potentially harm your plants and even kill them. One way to ensure that the greenhouse is getting the ideal ventilation is by installing adjustable air vents or automatically controlled ones which will regulate the temperature for you. It’s important to install fans as well in order to keep the airflow going at all times.
4. Heating Options
Unless you live in a place where there is sunlight most days of the year, you will need some heating for your greenhouse. You can choose from bottled gas, paraffin and electric heaters, all of which will provide the heat you want but the gas and paraffin ones can create an additional condensation which may harm the plants. An electric heater could be your best option, however, you will need a power source. Alternatively, solar panels are the more ecological choice but can be less effective.
5. Consider Glazing
The glazing of your greenhouse is a massive part of your building and something which might be worth investing a little more money into. The most inexpensive option but also the lowest quality protection is the horticultural glass. It is a very popular choice for those doing it on a budget, but if you wish to make it a bit more sustainable, using toughened glass is the way to go. The best option and one which will ensure your greenhouse’s wellbeing is the polycarbonate panels one. Not only are they thicker in size but they also diffuse some of the sun rays and keep the plants from scorching heat.
6. Ensure Access & Paths
Having good access to everything in your greenhouse is a practicality which will save you a lot of trouble. You would want to create well-established paths with concrete, wood or any other material which will keep them from turning into mud. Having the access to water everything is essential especially in a small, cluttered space.
Once you have familiarised yourself with all the essential things and aspects to think about, only then can you begin getting your hands dirty. The more information you get and the more you learn about the whole process of building a greenhouse, the more confident you will feel once you start on this high scale project. There is nothing wrong with asking for help from a professional if you stumble on an issue but keep your spirits high and you will soon have a beautiful greenhouse where you can grow your organic produce.
This article was written by a quick house sale company We Buy Any House. If you are wondering “how can I sell my house quickly?”, head to the We Buy Any House website for more information relating to all property related enquiries.
