Greenhouse tales

[Garden Manager]

Wasnt sure quite where to put this, but here goes:

I just wanted to update you on the progress of my new greenhouse.

After constructing the frame in one location (on Patio) then decided to change the location(in fruit garden - more sun). This required  a certain amount of reorganising in the fruit plot, moving raspberry and gooseberry plants before leveling off the site and diggign holes for concrete anchors. Then with help the Greenhouse frame was moved in one piece to the site.

I have just spent the day today glazing the structure, and whilst most went quite smoothly , the operation was not without its problems, mainly associated with parts of the frame being not quite true and the glass not quite fitting. Ther was also 'fun and games' fiting the vent and louvre.

Of course the biggest problem was saved until last. The DOOR. despite both top and bottom runners being level and parralel, the door WOULD NOT slide all the way across, no amount of 'controlled force' would do the trick. i then discovered the vertical glazing bars forming the sids of the doorway were somewhat off vertical. Quite how this stops the door working properly, i am not sure but u suppose it does somehow. The only remedy fot this will require all theglazing at the door end to be removed again and th various parts of the frame at the front end partialy dismantled. JOY! I think i will try the door again BEFORE reglazing, just to make sure it works ok.

It is such a shame this last problem happened, it was going so well. I now feel a bit frustrated and disapointed. >:(

One glazed the next bit will be to concete in the anchors, which will be fun and get the whole thing secure before the weather changes again.

Once complete i will take and post some pictures in the gallery.

PS. Feel free to reply with your own 'Greenhouse tales'.  :)

[Garden Manager]

[Granny_Smith]

Oh Richard, what a shame it's not going smoothly for you. I've got 2 greenhouses in my very small  (now almost non- existant) back garden which came to us as 3rd hand structures. We must have been very lucky when we moved them as we had no problems except for a shortage of glazing clips - we have no idea where they all disappeared to during the dismantling for removal.
My lawn area is about postage stamp size, but just big enough for the cats to lay on in the sun, and we have the patio area to put chairs out to sit on. But hey who cares - I love watching the plants grow - bedding for the front garden and veggies for the lottie. Couldn't imagine life without them now.

[ACE]

The secrete of glass and door fitting is to make sure you are 100% level. I usually use small bits of slate under the corners and sometime elsewhere. Just gently tap a wedge in and see if it helps. Do not fix to the base until every thing is in place.

[Garden Manager]

I have been looking at things again and i now realise that whilst the base is level, parts of the mainframe (corner posts in particular) do not appear to be 'true' or vertical. the amount they are out would appear to be the same as the amount the door wont close by. Yes i got the door on, it just wont close and make a draughtproof seal around the door frame. AGRRHH!

It is starting to look like more if not all of the structure will have to be deglazed in order to correct the problem. No good having a greenhouse door that doesnt close properly is there?

[ACE]

It has happened to me before, if you gently lever the corners up it should come true. Although I did not remove the glazing and worked very gently, I was lucky nothing cracked, but I would not recomend it unless you feel confident.