Coroplast greenhouse! :)

[Xist]

Summer is officially over. Phoenix may stay under 100° and we will have our first frost soon. Mom's apple trees aren't impressive, but she likes them. She hasn't planted much in her raised garden, but she laments that the first frost will kill everything. While I always complain that I have far more projects than time, I have planned on building her a greenhouse for a while. I had planned on using my original loft and sheet plastic, but I ended up covering up the drywall that I bought for converting the shed into an office, and that completely disintegrated within months.

As if Arizona receives abundant sunlight.

Also, I don't know if this can keep plants alive all winter. Just extending our growing season will be worth something, but while it is rare, we have received up to 12-18" of snow at once.

Google says that could weigh up to 20 pounds per square foot.

Of course, as an Ecomodder, I must ask "Why not coroplast?"

Her raised garden is 8'3"x12'. At first I didn't want to make this larger than necessary. I thought about one built at a 45" angle, but then it would be 8'3" tall at the front, on top of the 10" board that makes up the side.

Huh.

Could I use a greenhouse as an office? I wouldn't keep any electronics unprotected in a greenhouse, but this irrelevant search result is vastly cheaper than most sheds that I have priced: Fullbloom 30' Greenhouse

That is about the same price as this: Value 12 ft. W x 24 ft. D Solid and Manufactured Wood Storage Shed

Anyway, a greenhouse with a 1:2 roof seemed much more reasonable. It might be awkward to reach the back, but Mom hasn't used it so far.

It would be 8.25" wide, 4.125' tall, with a 9.22' roof.

The only issue is that I didn't want to buy 10' boards to cut down or join 8' boards.

I had wanted to build a shed with a dirt floor and clear coroplast sides, but with all of my other projects, I need to keep this simple.

The best price that I can find is $208.49 for 10 at Home Depot

The problem is that I need to buy 10.

Clear wheelcovers?

Bob of I Like to Make Stuff used clear coroplast for his greenhouse, but that is about all these will have in common.

One half sheet for each side, 1.5 sheets for the front, and 3.5 sheets for the roof for a total of 6.

Of course, if I make it a box I would use one sheet for each side, 1.5 for the front and back, and 3 for the roof for a total of 8.

Then I don't need to cut any angles!

How about 7 sheets and the back wall is 2' tall?

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

For the sides most likely it would be OK, but for the roof if you're concerned about snow or some random debris buildup maybe those corrugated sheets used for roofing could get the job done in a more efficient way.

[freebeard]

I don't see where it says what plastic it is. Coroplast seems unlikely, maybe polycarbonate?

It claims to be cut-able with common tools, and you may save 'up to' $100 with some consumer card.

Cut one on the diagonal and use 1 1/2 at each end. Don't use half sheet for the front and roof, just let it be 2 ft longer.

[Piotrsko]

Might I suggest a hoop house? Built one 10 x 20 out of plastic EMT pipe, wood screws and 6 year reinforced clear plastic sheeting for about $600. Grew cool weather crops, mostly cabbage related all winter. They do need warmth to sprout however.

[Xist]

When you click on Specifications it says "Coroplast" right at the top.

I didn't read further.

"6 year reinforced clear plastic sheeting." Do you mean 6-mil? I searched for the former and got the latter. I hadn't heard of reinforced sheeting, but I am unsure how it would help. I bought the thickest sheeting Home Depot had. I believe that it was 6-mil and it disintegrated in the sun.

With reinforcement I would end up with a net with little bits of plastic stuck on it.

By the way, how come I see many green greenhouses. Sure, it is in the name, but isn't green exactly the worst color--except for black?

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

Originally Posted by freebeard

Coroplast seems unlikely, maybe polycarbonate?

Most likely polycarbonate, or some fiberglass-reinforced resin.

[freebeard]

Chemical Name(s) and/or synonym(s): POLYPROPYLENE COPOLYMER

Physical Form: Opaque, Fluted Sheets

Look for something on the transmission of light, across the visible spectrum. Translucent white might do fairly well.

[Xist]

"Clear"

People claim that it is great for greenhouses and some guy showed a small greenhouse that he built with a friend that used similar panels.

He said that it worked great.

[freebeard]

Polycarbonate is stiff, can you bend it in a curve?

[Xist]

I will let you know when it arrives!