Greenhouse Structure and Frame Materials

There are several frame types being used toeither plywood or fiberglass sheets. Fiberglass sheets
construct greenhouses. Depending upon your needscan also be screwed to the hoops to form a cover
some are better than others. The chief structureover the frame.
materials are galvanized steel, aluminum, PVC,Wood
fiberglass and wood.Treated wood can also be used to construct a
Galvanized Steelgreenhouse. This type of structure would be a bit
Steel is one type of framework used on kits. It isharder to build. Just about any type of covering could
strong, and galvanized steel will be rust resistant. Butbe installed over a wood frame. It is strong enough
it will rust a bit. Because of the weight, it will costfor glass, Polyethylene films can be stapled to it and
more to ship than other materials. It is not readilypolycarbonate or fiberglass sheets can be screwed
available for do it yourself construction. Galvanizedto it. Wood is the most versitle material to be used
steel tends to be used on the lower end greenhousefor a greenhouse structure. Besides pressure treated
kits, but it can be found on the more expensive oneslumber, cedar and redwood can also be used for
too.greenhouse construction. Both are lightweight and
Aluminumstrong. Redwood is the most readily available and
Aluminum is strong, will not rust, and lightweight.tends to be used in high end kits. Greenhouses
Round or square tubing is used, depending upon theconstructed from redwood are both attractive and
covering material to be used on it. Square tubing islonglasting.
available from building supply stores and this materialFiberglass
could be used to construct a greenhouse frame.Fiberglass tubing is also used as a greenhouse framing
Drilling holes in it is fairly easy, so fiberglass panels ormaterial. An advantage to this material is that it will
polycarbonate sheets could be fastened to thenot conduct heat or cold easily, thus helping keep
structure.heat in and cold out.
PVCThe materials used for a greenhouse frame must be
PVC pipe can be uses to construct a Quonset typestrong, lightweight and water resistant. A number of
greenhouse frame. It is readily available, fairly cheapmaterials fit this description. All are used in various
and easy to work with. Up to one inch diameter cantypes of greenhouse kits, some suitable for easy do
be bent for form hoops over which Polyethylene filmit yourself greenhouse structure construction.
can be stretched. Ends can be constructed from