A step-by-step guide to building a greenhouse from polypropylene pipes is more clearly illustrated in a video, where a specialist explains everything in construction terms. We provide such videos with verified information in this article, but the article also highlights key aspects of constructing such a structure to ensure it is strong, reliable, beautiful, and functional. How to build a wooden shed with your own hands: useful tips.
Experience shows that you can build a greenhouse yourself using polypropylene pipes in just a few days. This easy-to-work-with and durable material makes the greenhouse mobile and durable, and its cost is low. Installation doesn't require any significant construction knowledge, which is another plus.
What shape can a greenhouse made of PVC pipes be?
- Arched.
- Rectangular structures are distinguished by the fact that their roofs can be made with a single-pitched or gable roof.
- Alternatively, several different sections can be combined in one structure.
- Rectangular greenhouses can have an arched roof. This design is more difficult to construct, but it's more practical because the arched roof allows for good ventilation.
Each person should choose the type of structure based on their requirements for the structure on their summer cottage. It's worth noting that the more joints in the original drawing, the more connecting elements are needed. This translates into additional costs.
Advice! It's practical to build a small or medium-sized greenhouse, for example, around two to two and a half meters high and up to three meters wide. The length, given these dimensions, can range from four to 12 meters.
A comfortable bed width in a greenhouse should be about a meter, and the path width should be approximately 0.8 meters. Based on these parameters, the dimensions and number of pipes required for each specific structure, depending on its type, can be calculated.
Which pipes to choose
Before you begin building a greenhouse from polypropylene pipes yourself, following the step-by-step instructions, you need to select the right type of pipe for the structure. These can be PVC water pipes, the standard size of which is about five meters long and ranges from 16 to 1100 mm in diameter. These pipes can also be purchased precut. There are no specific recommendations or preferences here; everything depends on the situation.
We are building a greenhouse from polycarbonate and profile pipes. quickly with your own hands.
Advice! For arched greenhouses, the optimal pipe diameter should be from 25 to 32 mm, and for posts and vertical supports (rectangular structures), focus on a diameter of 50 mm or more.
Why PVC pipes are ideal for greenhouse construction:
- The structure, if you follow all the rules of the step-by-step instructions, will be durable.
- No additional costs are required for construction or subsequent operation.
- The material is resistant to aggressive atmospheres.
- The service life of the material is 10 years or more; in construction practice, this material is considered wear-resistant.
- They do not rot when exposed to moisture. They are also impervious to chemical or biological attack and are fire-resistant.
- They do not emit harmful substances.
- They are capable of withstanding fairly strong mechanical loads without deformation.
- Due to its flexibility, this material can be bent independently during installation, even to the point of forming an arc, without the use of special tools.
Design features
To build a properly constructed and durable structure, you need to create your own drawing or find a ready-made sketch. This will clearly show the type of frame the property owner is leaning toward. It's important that the finished drawing clearly indicates the dimensions of the structure and key components. There are many ready-made projects online, including some included in this article. However, it's important to consider your individual requirements and further adapt each ready-made drawing to your needs.
What should be taken into account at the planning stage:
What should be taken into account at the planning stage:- Creation of an additional foundation and what it will be like.
- What is used for fronts.
- The shape and distance between the main nodes and supporting elements.
- The connection, as well as the method of fastening the pipes, and what parts to purchase. As a reminder, PVC pipes can be fastened not only with screws, but also by soldering and gluing.
If we're talking about easy options, the simplest way would be to build a frame for an arched greenhouse out of PVC pipes and then cover it with plastic film. Rectangular structures require additional, rather complex calculations, as well as large stiffening ribs and a large number of joints that weaken the structure itself.
These are the key points to consider when building a greenhouse from polypropylene pipes yourself. Detailed step-by-step instructions for constructing a specific structure are provided in several videos illustrating this material. However, it's also essential to read the article to understand the basic work processes and avoid common mistakes.