1/2" EMT Conduit Greenhouse Question

Hi there.  I live in Northern Minnesota.  I'm planning/sourcing supplies for a smaller-sized (10' by 6') greenhouse that I'd like to build primarily out of 1/2" EMT conduit.  I'm going to buy a 1/2" conduit bender that will leave me with a hoop that is 3' high and with a 6' width.  As such, I'll have to couple 1/2" EMT "legs" onto the bottoms of the hoops in order to achieve the desired finish height of my greenhouse.  What sorts of couplers/connectors do folks like most for this purpose?  I've found some online that I like because they look to be about 4 or 5" in length (meaning a bit more of the conduit will actually be inside the coupler, making a stronger connection) but they're $2.50/piece.  However, I've also found what is pretty much standard fare at Home Depot which is a coupler that is approximately 2" in length and which go for $2 for a 5-pack (much cheaper).  As long as I use adequate cross connectors between the hoops and a ridge pole and have some sort of 2" lumber fastened to the sides of the structure for my "wiggle wire," would the cheaper couplers be adequate you think?  I'm curious what other folks have done in this situation.  Thanks for your time!

Hi Adam:

I can't offer any thoughts on conduit,  I built my greenhouse using cattle-panels and it is working very well for me.
I'd recommend giving this a look if you have not considered this option, especially considering you are in a northern climate - the cattle panels hold up very well to snow & wind loads, are affordable and easy to work with.


here's a link to give you some ideas: https://www.peakprosperity.com/building-a-cattle-panel-pallet-greenhouse/


here's a pic of my build:

I've been an electrician for many years,  and in my experience the 1/2" set screw connectors would be plenty strong.
The conduit itself,  maybe not.
Anything that is strong enough to bend it a little could spell doom.
The strait sides are the most vulnerable bit.

Since your arches will be  3" high,  maybe use 5' tee posts for your uprights.
Drive them a foot into the ground.
The  emt arches can be affixed  to the tee posts with hose clamps.

Having lived a couple hundred miles north of the Cities, I would say 1/2 inch is much too weak.  You may want to ask around at some plant nurseries.

you might want to try using chain link fence top rail pipe at least  if not 1" schedule 40 galvanized pipe with snow load that can occur in your part of the world. if that's what you have 1/2" emt I would want a hoop at least every foot if not closer.

Pete Podurgiel wrote:Hi Adam:

I can't offer any thoughts on conduit,  I built my greenhouse using cattle panels and it is working very well for me.
I'd recommend giving this a look if you have not considered this option, especially considering you are in a northern climate - the cattle panels hold up very well to snow & wind loads, are affordable and easy to work with.

I live in the USA. I also built a greenhouse using an EMT conduit and T Connectors. And It's working well. I will try to build different products using an EMT conduit and T Connectors. I think so you also should try to build more products.