2 years ago I build an awesome SCHS base for a greenhouse. It is only small- 5m by 2.6m, in an urban garden. This was two years ago- and I have complete decision fatigue from trying to work out how to build the greenhouse to go above it.
Requirements
- be able to hang a hammock inside! It isn't only a greenhouse, it is a space to be nearly-outdoors when the weather here is rainy, as I like being outside.
- protect my Mediterranean plants and keep them frost free over winter (it only dips below freezing by a few degrees for 10 nights or so a year here)
- season extender- I want to start my seeds off earlier and grow them on later in the season than I can outdoors.
- not be massively expensive, my budget is probably about £1K.
- has to buildable largely by me, on my own, in a year of weekends. I can draft in some friends for a bit of heavy lifting help, but mostly it'll just be me. Limited access, no machinery. Hired help fine if within budget, but that is unlikely.
- Needs to fit raised beds in- can't grow in crushed bricks.
- Be pretty enough that no one complains about it- urban environment and nosy neighbours. Building control also say I can't go over 2.5m in height.
- Have a cleanable roof! Lots of trees round here- I'll need to clean it regularly. The steeper it is, the less I have to clean.
I don't have enough room for cob or straw bale buildings- I'm up against the neighbours fence as it is.
The underground structure is detailed here:
https://permies.com/t/58216/SCHS-Greenhouse-Build#505158
I put in concrete pillars every 1.5m down the 5m length of the greenhouse up to ground level- this is the 'solid structure'. I don't think I could build brick walls or anything on the 'disturbed' earth- though it has now been sat for 2 years. The undegrround bit is insulated.
Cheapest option- polytunnel. Thermal efficiency is rather pants. I'm not convinced they're solid enough to hang a hammock from.
Next option- buy a greenhouse (glass or polycarbonate)- just over £1000 I think. Hard to put raised beds in.
Custom-built greenhouse- waaay out of my price range. Though really beautiful.
What I want to do- custom build of an insulated timber frame back (north side), and a polycarbonate conservatory roof and front windows. Would cost less than £1000, but I'm not convinced i could build it myself. Whilst I can screw things together the joinery of such a building seems a bit too difficult for me. Self supporting alu roof? Or alu on timber roof? How to build this with a ladder and just me? Hmmm.
Any other options or ideas? Words I can google to find out about building techniques that might be useful? General help on making an actual decision? Stories of building ambition or failure?