Greenhouses with pitched roofs are advantageous for many reasons. They reduce construction material costs. Attaching the greenhouse frame to the south side of a house or other building significantly reduces the footprint. In winter, heating costs are reduced, and there's less walking required to tend to the plants. Some daylight is lost due to the solid wall, but this can be remedied by installing artificial lighting.
Design Features
One side of such structures is adjacent to the wall of a brick house, garage, or shed. Brick is less susceptible to damage from moisture than wood. It dries faster and does not rot if the joints and the entire surface are treated with special hydrophobic agents such as Siloxyl or Funcosil. These products are environmentally friendly, water-repellent, and harmless to animals and plants.
The overall appearance of a lean-to greenhouse resembles the solid structure of a freestanding greenhouse, but as if cut in half lengthwise. The gardener selects the materials for constructing the extension:
- wooden frames made of timber or boards:
- polyethylene pipes;
- metal corners or fittings;
- whole window frames with glazing and vents.
Covering materials are also varied:
- glass;
- cellular polycarbonate;
- PVC film;
- a combination of all the above mentioned shelters.
The type of structure depends on the chosen material. The roof of wooden greenhouses made from timber beams and structures constructed from old windows has the shape of a right triangle. Its highest part adjoins the solid wall of the enclosure. Opening vents are convenient for ventilation of the greenhouse.
Roof polycarbonate greenhouses It can be built similarly or be rounded into a hemisphere. Polyethylene film covering is used for many types of extensions.
Profit and loss
Before construction begins, owners evaluate many details: the choice of location, the purpose of using the greenhouse, and suitable materials.
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Pros |
Cons |
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Small size |
Lack of usable space (for experienced gardeners) |
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Small area for basic plant care training (for beginners) |
Loss of natural light. Sunlight does not reach all areas of the greenhouse. |
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A separate room for growing seedlings |
Proximity to a residential building. Risk of damage to utility lines. |
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Savings on building materials, heating, lighting, and installation of an automatic irrigation system |
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Protection of the extension from wind and cold from the main wall side |
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The stability and reliability of the entire attached structure is ensured by fastening to the wall. |
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Assembling a greenhouse with a polycarbonate covering
https://youtu.be/MlUoQz-9RSY
For a greenhouse with a pitched roof, the best covering is cellular polycarbonate. This is a strong and durable material that can be used to form both triangular and hemispherical roof shapes.
Step One: Preparation
Before the main assembly of the structure, the location for the greenhouse is determined, the site for construction is cleared and marked. The dimensions of the future greenhouse are determined: What kind of foundation is needed?For larger spaces, a sturdy concrete foundation is chosen. Lighter structures are installed on a dirt, wood, or brick foundation.
The necessary tools should always be at hand during assembly work, so prepare a kit in advance, which includes:
- one straight and one Phillips head screwdriver;
- 8 mm socket wrench;
- electric drill or screwdriver;
- a sharp cutter for cutting out blanks from polycarbonate;
- fasteners: bolts, screws, nails, nuts;
- Additional tools: twine or cord, building level, hammer and shovel.
All parameters are marked on a diagram developed by the owner or designer. The required amount of material is calculated based on the dimensions marked on the plan.
Step two: assembly
Beginner gardeners may experience some difficulty organizing the step-by-step installation procedure. We suggest the following sequence:
- Choose a location for the extension. A brick wall on the south side of a house, fence, or shed is ideal. You can install the greenhouse near wooden structures, but keep in mind that the moisture present in greenhouses will quickly deteriorate the wood.
- Prepare the site. Level the ground and mark out the greenhouse dimensions using a tape measure, stakes, and string.
- Treat the retaining walls with moisture-resistant agents. It's best to do this twice, separated by two days.
- Assemble the frame from the prepared materials: wooden beams, metal angles, or plastic profiles. All dimensions are verified against the design and secured together with fasteners.
- Attach the frame to the wall. Check the structural integrity. Use a spirit level to ensure assembly accuracy.
- Made of polycarbonate sheets Cut out the sheathing pieces for the lean-to greenhouse. Their dimensions should be indicated on the diagram, but it's best to check everything against the actual dimensions. Minor deviations may occur during assembly.
- Secure all the pieces to the frame using bolts and a wrench.
- Seal the butt joints with sealants.
Tips and recommendations
The following optimal dimensions are recommended for single-pitched greenhouses:
- height - 1.8 - 2 meters;
- frame length - 3-4 m, beds - up to 0.8 m;
- width - 1.7 - 2.5 m, passage between beds - up to 1 m;
- roof slope angle - from 30 to 60°;
- ventilation windows (2-3 pcs.) square or rectangular - 50x50 or 50x70 cm.
The foundation is designed based on the structure's weight and whether it will be used seasonally or year-round. These may include:
- ground foundation for small light extensions that are used only in summer;
- block foundation made of wooden beams for greenhouses for spring-autumn use;
- Monolithic strip foundation made of concrete for heavy structures with continuous operation throughout the year.
Assembly of lean-to greenhouses begins with the bottom frame made of timber up to 100 mm in cross-section. Then, the side vertical posts made of 50 mm timber are installed and secured. The roof is assembled separately from boards and slats, covered with polycarbonate sheets. The roof is raised and secured first to the supporting wall, then to the top frame frame of the greenhouse.
If the dimensions of the wall for the extension are minimal, but there is still a need to build greenhouse for growing seedlings, it can be made quite small, the size of one or two window frames. Assembly of such a structure takes no more than two hours, installation is straightforward, and costs will stay within your budget.
To do this, the area near the wall is cleared, leveled, and compacted. A board is attached to the wall at a height of 60 cm. A 50x50 mm beam is laid 80 cm from the wall. Two glazed frames from old windows are placed on these supports and hinges are installed. The triangular side edges are covered with plastic film.
A lean-to greenhouse extension can be used in winter. Heating, auxiliary lighting, and water supply systems are connected to the main utility lines. The costs are minimal, but the benefits are enormous. It provides the family with fresh herbs and vegetables, and also adds a unique touch to the garden.
Lean-to greenhouses attached to the walls of a house serve as an exterior feature. Hanging boxes and planters can be used to grow flowers and climbing plants, adding beauty to the monochrome winter landscape.
Conclusion
Building lean-to greenhouses doesn't take much time. These structures combine utility and beauty. They grow plants that liven up the garden and are a joy to behold. Gardeners gain satisfaction from their work. The skills acquired during construction will be useful in future landscaping projects in the garden and the surrounding area.