any experience with a Rubbermaid Greenhouse?

I have a chance to buy a used Rubbermaid Greenhouse approx 10' x 15'. It's pretty much all one piece with built in shelves and doors on both ends. Was wondering if anyone has any experience with one of these?

I can't even find one on line to look at .... ? Is the person who currently owns it raising plants in it now?

I agree, I've only seen Rubbermaid storage sheds, never a greenhouse--do you have a picture you could post?

new it was $2400, she said Sams Club carried it a few years back...

2nd picture...

What do you think the drawbacks would be?

I've just received a proposal to have a greenhouse built & would like to receive your input on this:
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The greenhouse I've designed is of the following dimensions: height -
7.5 ft, width - 15 ft, length - 26 ft. All the dimensions are close
approximations as I may need to make small field adjustments.

The bulk of the work and expense will be in cutting and filling the
slope and building retaining walls to hold the soil in place. The
wall is going to take a lot of 6" x 6'. According to my calculations,
32 at 8' long but this will provide you with something of exceptional
durability, long life and utility. This will provide 3' of space
around the house on the lower slope. Room for moving around with
plants and materials. The bare soil will then be covered with plastic
to assist drainage. The entire cut area should be graveled to a depth
of 4". From there the house will be laid out and constructed.

The 26' house will consist of 13 ribs, spaced 2' apart and connected
at the peak with either a tee fitting (end ribs) or a 4-way connector
(middle ribs). Each rib will be approximately 24' long. Along the
bottom of each long side will be a 1" x 4" pressure treated board onto
which the plastic will be attached by furring strips.

End walls will be framed in with 2" x 4" pressure treated boards and
the door of the same material built on-site. Both will be covered
with plastic. The option is to have either two doors or just one and
a window. I suggest two to provide maximum air flow, unless we design
the sides to roll up from the bottom.

I have a materials list and have estimated the total cost for the
greenhouse at around $2200. That's materials and labor and please
note that it is only an estimate. Before we go further let's nail
down exactly what we're going to build. This way we won't be
confronted with any difficulties along the way. I'd suggest that we
meet one night this week (or when I'm down there to help out) to
review my plan and make any adjustments necessary. I should already
have all the tools necessary to build this and thanks for the offer.
However, the tractor may come in handy moving gravel and timbers
around though. Also I'll be glad to build your benches for you.

As far as accessory heating goes, I'd go with whatever provides the
best economy and at this time it's probably electric. What you can do
is provide an insulating layer in the form of a second layer of
plastic which is fan-inflated. This will more than double the R-value
over a single layer of plastic and help hold onto whatever is gained
over the day. Especially if you utilize the barrels of water to help
hold onto the heat.

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my thoughts would be to definitely add the 2nd layer of plastic &/or look into the better greenhouse fabric (forget what it's called). Definite yes on 2 doors. What would you add/change? What else would/should I be looking for? How does the price sound to you?

I wouldn't do the Rubbermaid house, there's just not enough places for light to get in to suit me. It would be nice to start seeds in (easier to heat than most,) but that's all IMO.

For what you're getting on the quote - leveling the land, two doors, and a heater, etc., it sounds like a good deal. I think he's doing over-kill on the ribs; if I remember correctly, mine are spaced 6-8' apart. I also have the double plastic with the fan. I highly recommend the roll up sides - cooling the house can be really tough and you'd be surprised how warm it can get on a sunny day in Feb. Make sure he leaves enough room to install a venting fan on one of the end walls, too.

when you talk about rolling up the sides, are you talking about rolling up from the bottom like he's suggested? I thought you always rolled em down instead but I really don't know. I've been trying to read everything I can get my hands on but that's one of the inconsistencys between different sites. My DH can't figure out what he's doing with all those 6x6's & thinks that's way too many. I'm gonna ask him to draw me a sketch. I guess the 55 gallon barrels will need to be boxed in somewhat.

Have you had experience with the greenhouse fabric to use instead of the plastic?
I made a note about the venting fan for next time I talk with him, thanks. Those are the kind of things I need to know about before he gets started on the house. The guy building it has helped build greenhouses as an employee for various nurseries & he has the education to back him so far as the horticultural aspect. So I'm thinking this would be the better choice over the rubbermaid house too.

Much better!

The industrial sized Gh up the road from me (like 30'x200') has mechanized sides that are lowered to open, which is probably what you're thinking. I'm a little more lo-tech (smile) - my gh plastic has a pole stapled into the bottom of it and roller handles on either end to roll it up. ( http://www.growerssolution.com/page/GS/PROD/GA/RollUp ) .

ahhh...now I understand how it rolls up, thanks for the link, that's perfect for me.

I believe this greenhouse was made by thinking outside which I heard has now went out of business. I had someone local who had this for sale and after doing research, it's definitely not a greenhouse but could be used for a potting shed.


Good luck if you have a greenhouse built.. be sure to take lots of pix to share with your DG friends! :)

Thanks everyone. One more question. Can you safely go on vacation for a week & come home to plants that still look good? Or would I need someone to check for me?

I will take pics when we get going, the contractor comes this afternoon to go over all the details. Wish me luck!

debbie

Nooooo way! You just can't tell how hot/ dry/ cold it gets without you there. Then might well be fine, but they could be a fried mess, too!

Best of luck!!!

ahhhhaaaa...perfect! Thanks Sheryl.