Reviewed by the Palmako UK content team with insights from our garden building experts.
If you’re that way inclined, building a greenhouse from scratch (or with a greenhouse assembly kit) is a rewarding project that can give you years of gardening enjoyment. Many DIY enthusiasts who have started small and loved the project so much that they continue to build larger greenhouses as they get more skilled.
We all have to start somewhere, and in this beginner’s guide, we take a look at DIY greenhouse plans, what building materials you’ll need, and the essentials you must have. We will also discuss how greenhouse kits are a great option (even if you lack building skills).
Quick Overview
Building a greenhouse involves finding the right location, choosing a suitable DIY plan, gathering necessary materials, and laying a solid base for your greenhouse structure. You can build it from scratch or use greenhouse kits, which are prefabricated and come with step-by-step instructions for DIY assembly.
Table of Contents
- Finding a greenhouse building plan you like
- Laying a solid foundation
- Gathering the greenhouse building materials
- Greenhouse build times for beginners
- Conclusion
- FAQs: How to build a greenhouse
Finding a greenhouse building plan you like
The starting point for your project is deciding what kind of greenhouse you want to build. This stage is really about finding a good match between your skills, what materials you want to use, and what you’re going to do with your greenhouse.
Thankfully, there are a number of free greenhouse plans online to help you with this step. Some of these projects are innovative, like building a greenhouse from old windows, or a geodome greenhouse, Others are more ambitious, like a 10-metre arch greenhouse, or a barn-style greenhouse.
If you’re confident you have a good level of building skills but want a quick build, then look into these small greenhouse plans. Here you’ll find the materials, equipment, and explanations you need.
An excellent alternative to building a greenhouse from scratch is to buy a prefabricated assembly kit, such as the ones sold by Palmako. All construction materials (except the base materials) come in one kit with assembly instructions. Each part is labelled, making it easy to follow the instructions. For a first greenhouse build, this gives you the satisfaction of building while eliminating building mistakes and costly rebuilds. Browse through the Palmako greenhouse catalogue.
Learn more about Quick Fit Modular Kits.
Laying a solid foundation
One of the mistakes people make when building their own greenhouse is not paying enough attention to the base of the greenhouse. Preparing your base carefully will prevent a lot of problems later.
Firstly, you need a solid base for anchoring your frame down. The stability of your entire structure depends on this. One popular way of securing a greenhouse frame is to bolt it directly into concrete slabs using bolt screws, hinges, or base plates. This works by making screw holes in the bottom of the frame and in the concrete, and then using the base plate to attach one to the other.
Soft ground anchors include ground anchors (sometimes called corkscrew anchors), iron rebar, railway sleepers, and garden U-pins. These anchors work well for smaller or lightweight structures.
The internal floor is just as important because it must give you access to your plants, but also not cause water to pool in your greenhouse. To combat this, gardeners use a combination of pavers (walkways), gravel (to catch watering runoff), and soil beds (for plants with deep root systems). As a minimum, have at least one row of pavers that acts as a walkway in your greenhouse.
Gathering the greenhouse building materials
For most beginner-level garden houses, the same basic building components apply. However, the plan you choose will provide a more accurate list of building materials and tools that you need. This guide will give you a good idea of the basic components and explain what they are.
|
Building Component |
Description |
|
Base |
|
|
Base frame |
This depends on the type of greenhouse. This creates the foundation that the structure sits on. Wooden frames use a base frame to anchor the greenhouse to the ground. |
|
Ground anchors |
Hold the greenhouse securely to the ground. |
|
Frame |
|
|
Corner posts |
Main vertical supports at each corner. |
|
Wall studs |
Vertical supports along the side of the structure. |
|
Top plate/ wall beam |
Horizontal beam connecting the top of the wall posts. |
|
Cross bracing |
Diagonal supports that keep the frame sturdy. |
|
Roof |
|
|
Roof frame |
Describes the entire roof structure, including the rafters, purlins, ridge and wall plate. The wall plate connects the rafters to the walls. |
|
Greenhouse roof trusses |
Roof trusses from the triangulated support system for the roof. These provide stability for your greenhouse roof. |
|
Roof vents |
Allows the escape of hot air. Greenhouses with automatic roof vents open when certain temperatures are reached, allowing immediate ventilation control. |
|
Door |
|
|
Door frame |
Supporting structure for the greenhouse door. |
|
Panels |
|
|
Glass panels/Plastic sheeting |
Panels that make up the body of the greenhouse. These can be toughened glass or polycarbonate sheets. They allow light in and also keep heat inside the structure. |
|
Windows |
Either as part of the glass panel (louvres) or a separate structure. Old windows can be used effectively in DIY greenhouse builds. |
|
Panel fixings |
Screws, clips, or washers are used to secure panels. |
|
Accessories |
|
|
Shelving/Plant staging (optional) |
Holds plants and trays inside the greenhouse, keeping everything clean and tidy. |
|
Sealant |
Applied as a seal around panel joints and the door frame, it prevents drafts and water leaks. |
With Palmako prefabricated greenhouses, you can skip this entire step. Their timber greenhouses with toughened safety glass come in a prefabricated kit, providing you with all essential materials. Their newer designs are greenhouse/shed combos, giving you additional storage space right where you need it. You can feel the satisfaction of a self-build, while skipping the stress of material collection. It's the best of both worlds. View the entire greenhouse collection.
Greenhouse build times for beginners
How long it takes you to build a greenhouse will depend on the type of greenhouse you choose and your level of experience. Whether you’re a beginner or more experienced, do your preparation work. This will help you visualise the build and also catch any mistakes or missing building supplies.
|
Greenhouse Type |
Main materials |
Typical build time |
|
PVC sheeting greenhouse (2 m × 3 m) |
PVC pipes or conduit, a simple timber frame, greenhouse plastic sheeting, pipe connectors, screws, and ground anchors. |
6-8 hours |
|
Metal hoop greenhouse (2 m × 3 m) |
Metal hoops or steel conduit, ground stakes, polyethene greenhouse plastic, fixing clips or clamps. |
4-6 hours |
|
Cattle panel greenhouse (2 m × 3 m) |
Timber frame, cattle panels (arched roof), greenhouse plastic or polycarbonate sheets, screws or staples. |
1-2 days |
|
A-frame greenhouse (2 m × 2.5 m) |
Timber A-frame structure, ridge beam, rafters, polycarbonate panels or greenhouse plastic, screws and brackets |
1-2 days |
Not everyone will go about building their greenhouse in the same way, so the build times are only approximates. The plan you go with will give you a better indication of how long the process will take and precise material quantities.
If you’re leaning towards a greenhouse assembly kit, you’ll still need to make a few important decisions. In ‘How to choose a greenhouse’, we help you work through these decisions so you can choose the best greenhouse for your needs.
Conclusion
Building a greenhouse is a worthwhile project to invest in for gardeners, and you don’t have to let your building skills deter you. There are various free plans online to suit everyone’s skill level, or you can buy greenhouse assembly kits. These kits come with all the materials you need and assembly instructions. Assembly kits give you the satisfaction of knowing you built it, without the stress of collecting the materials.
With the right plan, tools, and a bit of preparation, even beginners can successfully build a greenhouse that will provide produce all year round. Enhance your gardening experience right now by browsing Palmako’s greenhouse collection.
FAQs: How to build a greenhouse
1. Is it easier to build a greenhouse from scratch or buy an assembly kit?
Most DIY greenhouse projects are easier when you buy an assembly kit. The materials are prefabricated and come packaged with clear assembly instructions. However, it will still be necessary to lay your own base to anchor the greenhouse to the ground. More experienced builders can also use an assembly kit as a base for a greenhouse, and then customise it according to their needs.
2. How long will it take to build a greenhouse?
How long it takes you to build a greenhouse will depend on the type of greenhouse and your skill level. Small greenhouse builds (about 2–6 m²) using simple materials like PVC sheeting, timber frames, metal hoops, and PVC pipes can take between 1-3 days. The fastest build will be a simple polytunnel greenhouse. This can take a beginner between 4-8 hours. Prefabricated greenhouse kits can be assembled in 6-8 hours by two people working together. Larger greenhouses may take up to a week to build if they involve complex roofs, metal frames, and toughened glass panels.
3. How long is a growing season for a greenhouse?
A high-quality greenhouse can be used throughout the summer and winter. You can grow different kinds of plants for each season, and also germinate seedlings for planting in the next season. Extending your growing season will require you to control heating, humidity, watering, ventilation, and insulation in each season. Once you have this sorted out, you can continue to grow plants all year round.
4. Can I use reclaimed windows in my greenhouse?
Yes, you can use reclaimed windows in your greenhouse. It is a sustainable, budget-friendly, and creative way to build your greenhouse. If you’re using only reclaimed windows to create your structure, make sure you create a solid base and either a steel or wooden frame before placing the windows. This will ensure the structural integrity of your greenhouse.
5. What mistake should I avoid when building a greenhouse?
A common mistake that gardeners make when building a greenhouse is not securing the structure to a base. Weather conditions vary from place to place, but you have to plan for strong winds, the weight of snowfall, and also the effect of storms. Greenhouses can be secured to concrete slabs or a wooden frame using base plates, anchor screws, or bolt screws. Investigate the best options for the type of weather challenges you have in your area before you begin building your greenhouse.
