I ordered my greenhouse!!!

Here is a close up pic of it all.

I now need to find some brick for the side by the house. Have 5" there. I do want to lock that in so the whole pad will be solid.
Any ideas on what to use there??????
Should I use wood?

Then need to finish up the 2 ends. Brought home some stakes so will pound them in the cedar boards for stability.

THEN..................................

I had my son plug in the power screwdriver.

SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO..............................

Then I will start on the base, I hope
Can't wait!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yes! It Looks GREAT!

5" ....hmmmmmmmmmm a 2 X 6 is a little more than 5 and a 1/2 so you'd be squeezing. Anything left on the fence side so you could scoot just a hair bit? I've taken my heel and moved a row of bricks by kicking backwards but it doesn't look like you could get behind them next to the house and scoot. And those'll be a lot heavier than a row of bricks. You could have a treated board ripped to exactly that width. Wonder what a landscape timber's width is? It's thick and the sides are "rolled" so you'd need to do a little digging to make a trough to get it down lower in the space to take advantage of it's widest part. Better to be too small and fill in with sand than to force one in too wide.

Check the pavers again Carol. There might be some the perfect width to slip in that space.

Those landscape timbers are usually 4" x 4".
I wonder if those small red bricks (like they use on chimneys (sp?)) would work lengthwise? Need to measure them. Tho I don't have any here and hate to buy anymore bricks. Spent enough money on that dang pad, LOL

Believe me, I have used my heel to tap each and every one of those bricks. I can'b budge them another inch! They are so heavy. At 26 lbs each..........................

But thanks.

why not pick up a 80 pound bag of morter mix and spread it out on the edge and mix it up with some of the sand and then just spray it down with some water but not too much to make it pour out?

JB is right but I'd suggest Quickcrete (spelling?). You put it down dry and then add the water. Easier to work with.

MollyD

And what does this do then???
Make like a handmade concrete walkway???
Without a form?
Please let me know what you guys are thinking please!

Also, with the concrete bricks, should I spread a light layer of sand on top of the pad and sweep with a broom in the sand into the cracks???
Or maybe I should ask elsewhere this question, like building forum?

The cement will form a solid walk if you remember to put ends on the space. In other words your brick pad forms one side of your "form", your house is the other and then you add the two ends. You may have to scoop some soil out so that it's thick enough not to crack easily.

As for the bricks sweeping sand in will work very well especially if you've done something to hold the bricks in place. Water the sand in a little and then add a little more. That should make it very rigid.

MollyD

Ok, Molly, thanks for the tips. I need to think on how to do the tiny walkway/edge along the house. May just put temporary boards there until I can find some free bricks.
I will spend time sweeping sand in the spaces then.

Was hoping to do more tonight but am still very sore. Back of my legs and back aren't too happy right now.
Plus need to think more.
Hopefully this weekend I will be putting it up!!! Shall see.

Well, it was raining and windy today so I figured I might as well spend Valentine's Day inside the garage putting a sealer on the redwood boards of the greenhouse.
I wasn't going to do it but I stopped by at the nursery that has a Sunshine Gardenhouse on display and is only a year old. It didn't look that great now being weathered. So I decided to try to put a clear sealer on the wood.
It actually went pretty good and faster than I thought it would. So I totally decided to give all the pieces of wood a coat. Might as well while they are in pieces now.

This picture is of the door. I don't know if you can see it but it is a dutch door. Using that blue tape for edging worked great. Had planned on putting pieces on and then taking them off to put on other sides. Well, that didn't work. The sealer isn't dry on the blue tape so..........................Just ended up using new tape all over. I could use a plastic guide but nah, don't want to, LOL

Only got 2 boxes done tonight. My garage is still full of my son's engine parts so only have so much room to work in. Have 3 more boxes to do.

This picture is of some smaller pieces.

Stopped by a discount place that sells used lumber, building supplies, etc. and found some Trex (sp?), that manmade deck material, for a $1/lin. ft. I may get some of that to finish off the side of the brick pad.

Tomorrow will try to do more painting/sealing and finish up the concrete brick pad area for good I hope.

That's a really good price for Trex! It use to be very expensive. They have a web page that shows how to install it. A lot of people just screw down through the surface like they would for wood boards but that isn't how the company wants it done. Check it out.
Your sealer is looking great. Probably a very good idea to do it now before you put it all together.

MollyD

Oh how wonderful to have a used building supply. We had a Habitat store until just recently. That's where my bricks came from. 30 dollars for a whole pallet. I haven't used any of the man made deck wood but it may outlast wood. Are they narrower than real boards ?
I need to treat mine with a sealer too so it'll stay purdy. But it just keeps raining here! Wish I'd gotten some sealer when the Habitat store was still open. It was only 3 dollars a gallon ! And they had tons of it and all kinds of paint and stains too from some hardware store that closed.

One more day till the weekend. Hoping for a clear weekend for you so you can get it up.

Yes, that Trex is expensive. That is why I was considering getting it since it was so cheap. It was brand new too. The size is just like a normal 6" board, 5 1/2" wide. So that is why it would work perfectly.
Oh, I love the Habitat for Humane building discount store. I have gotten lots of usable things/good parts there. Why did they close it???
The $30/pallet for brick is a great price!!!
I never thought of buying the sealer at that store. Darn! Should have looked there first. That sealer was $27/gal at the lumber store. Benjamin Moore brand.
It is to be nice on Sat. so hope I do get it put up. Tonight, more painting/staining is in order, LOL Many more parts to paint/stain............................MM, yes, you do need to stain to keep it looking good. That is one reason why I am doing it besides hoping to at least preserve it for a few years until I get enough energy to redo it, LOL

Got another box stained.

But found a few boo-boos on 3 pieces.
As you can see in the picture, this is one piece where the poly. wasn't cut properly and doesn't fit in the triangular section right. It is loose, kind of flimsy, and wind will be able to get thru very easily. Am worried that the wind will separate the poly. from the wood frame if it blows too hard. This wood piece is up high and near the peak.

This picture (fuzzy, sorry) shows the improperly cut poly. on the other piece.
This other piece that goes on the other end is similar not make right.

Here is the crack in the wood. Need to figure out if this piece has any weight bearing on it and if it doesn't, my son will just putty it up and I will stain over it.

Guess I am just kind of picky but I spent a lot of money and would like some good workmanship done on these parts. My son, who is only 19 years old, told me that they should have used more screws to fasten the poly. roof panels down. He said we will have to add more screws so the poly. panels won't blow out in a strong wind. I thought he was pretty smart to figure that out. I had already noticed that but...............didn't want to bother but now I will since he had found that problem. He does build a lot with wood besides his car hobbies so.........................

Carol, I think you have every right to be picky! I would be too if I'd spent that kind of money! I hope it will hold up for you.

I think I would call about that piece. Even if it isn't load bearing strong winds could cause it to rip apart at the worst time. Maybe the company can send you a replacement for just that part. I would also ask about the parts where the poly doesn't quite meet the peak. Those could need replacing too or if they're all like that you can use silicone caulk to fill them up before you put the panels up. Given what these things cost and the environment they go through I would certainly call the company about these problems. Good thing you are staining it so you're getting to see all the pieces up close before the construction! Did you also go through the parts list and check that you had been given everything that the kit says it contains?

MollyD

You're not being picky. That's defective. I'd want a replacement for that and the miscut poly too and anything else not right. I'd be upset.

That also means a delay in putting it up which would infuriate me even more.

Hi,

Good for you with your new greenhouse.

I can only imagine your excitement to get it up and running...

I hate to say this but the manufacturer really should replace the split wood. Wood is tough in humidity & you can expect minor things eventually but not upon delivery!
They should gladly replace it for you along with any improperly cut panels.

Call them up you may be pleasantly surprised
I sure hope so.

Good luck in all your endevours.

paul

Hi all.
Yes, I ended up emailing the gal I bought it from. But of course, haven't heard beep from her. So..................

Yep, Mendy. It is a lot of money and I want a good product. As you know, I can be kind of picky. But............

Molly, you bet I have gone thru and made sure all the pieces are there. So far, so good. They did get me my 2 dutch doors right, but what is interesting is that those parts with bad poly at the peaks are for above the 2 dutch doors! I just wonder if someone put them together in a hurry and thought nothing of their shoddy work?
I am glad I am staining it. It looks so nice and guess it will keep the wood looking nice for at least a few years.

MM, that is what is making me the most upset. I wanted to put it together this weekend!!!! My son agreed to help me so.....................it is hard enough to get his time to help me so.........................
I am almost tempting to just stain the pieces, put them up, use silicon caulking to fill in the hole (but really, it is a huge hole to caulk, I really don't think the caulking will stick right. I need an actual piece of the poly tho), and then put the pieces in place. If I have to take them down later if I get more new pieces, I will.
But they are the pieces that go above the doors and is quite a load bearing piece, so...............am not sure if I could redo it without taking it totally apart.

Paul, I have been watching/reading your thread on your greenhouse too. So hope you get yours done too. Thanks for the comments on the wood tho. Yes, the parts should be in good shape at least at the beginning!

So am staining another box tonight. Am on box #4. Only one more box left. Besides the 2 pieces with the bad cut in the poly which are just sitting there, staring at me................... LOL

Guess what????

Never change the items in the order!!!!

I had switch/added another Dutch door so I can walk thru this greenhouse.
WELL...............................

That sure was a mistake............................

My son was all ready to help me today. It was a glorious sunny, warm day here in the NW! He was roaring to go. And I was very happy for his help finally.
Had my laptop all set up to watch the video in parts as we move along putting it together on my potting bench......

We got the base done as you can see in the picture. Looks good, huh?!

Well, enjoy the picture. Won't see too many more for a long while.

Because..............................

The darn company didn't send me 2 very important parts/pieces!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We went to put in one of the Dutch doors. Went up and in just fine. Then went to find the other side panel that would hook up the Dutch door completely.
DUH Where is it????

I finally realized that it had never been included in the proper box at all. What I thought the front panel (as they call it) was the other part attached to the Dutch door. I will show you all what I mean when we finally get the parts in a picture later.

So I was very upset and frustrated after we had found out all this!!!!
It was a great day to get it put up!!!
I was all ready to move my plants in that my neighbor had been babysitting for me, ready to maybe sow some seeds, etc...................................
Sigh.............................

The lesson learned here is: Never assume anything, always make sure you have it all, and never, ever change anything..................................People can't handle anything out of the ordinary............................... too complicated...................

So have 2 phone calls in and 2 emails to the place I had ordered it from and the actual direct factory/company where it was made/shipped out from.

Oh, I really wanted to get it all done this weekend......................................................

Here you see the side of the concrete brick pad/area where I had to use treated lumber to finish off that area. I never could decide on how to do it. But I had the scrap lumber so just figure I would use it for now.
I thought it turned out pretty good for now. If I get some free bricks, I will try to finish it nicely.

I guess I will put the benches together tomorrow. Not what I had in mind to do but.................

They need to be totally assembled. I thought they were already put together but found out the word "kit" means, you put it together totally with these benches. If I had known this, I wouldn't have bought them. I would have just gotten some white painted metal shelving (like you use in closets). It would have been much, much cheaper. Or even used up my scrap wood and made some shelves (or shall I say I would have my son help me, LOL)

Oh well. Too late now. It will give me something to stain and do tomorrow........................

So stay tuned much later...........................Carol

hey daisy looks like you got everything under control it wont be long now and youll be saying
grow!

Oh Carol !! I'm gritting my teeth. How frustrating. Well...crap.

Hey, bulbh, that looks great on what you have there in your greenhouse. Did you make up the shelving with metal and wood? LOL Yep, can't wait until I am talking to my plants too, LOL

MM, yep, crap is the word. Life is interesting here, that is for sure! Guess I should have just built ourselves with my son and Solexx with wood frame. Oh well, too late. Can't ship it back. They would want a 25% restocking fee so......................
Off today to stain the shelving........................

Hey Carol,

I've been watching your progress this whole time and I am so sorry for your problem. I didn't have any missing pieces, but we did have some problem pieces that we had to deal with. I still don't have my little round vent installed, over the door...it just doesn't fit! I do have a phone number to call for problems, but everytime I have some time to work on it with DH around, the East Coast time doesn't match mine. lol Three hours time difference makes it very hard to call.

I finally got my flooring in on Friday. I ran out of pavers and bricks and had to wait till this past Wednesday to go to my dads and get some more from his neighbor. I am really looking forward to setting things up today or tomorrow. I want to get some seeds started soon.

We have had some really nice weather for the past few days and when I checked the temp in the GH on Friday morning, it read "116 degs." What do I do when that happens? I am really getting scared about this new venture of mine. Do I know what to do when I actually have seeds or plants in there? I guess I will just have to live and learn. lol

Good luck with getting the new part soon. Hopefully they will give you some help on the mismatched parts as well.

Donna

Oh my, Donna. It was 116 degs??? Oh dear. That sounds bad. You do need that vent for sure!!!
I sure hope you do get it all settled too. Yes, it is kind of frustrating dealing with all this. The flooring sounds good tho. I do like the bricks for the floor so far. I think it will be nice and easy to take care of.
You need to post some pics of your greenhouse!!! I want to see the area and it up!!!
But thanks tho for your kinds words.
Carol

Oh, you don't need to tell me about the pictures!!!! I am so frustrated over this new photo program. I just haven't figured it out yet. I finally figured out how to download the pictures into a new folder, but the pictures are a lot bigger than I'm used to and now I have to read more on how to downsize these darned pics to fit on to DG. DH said he will work with me today..hopefully. I just don't do "change" well. lol I had my other photo program for 5 yrs., but when we got this new computer with all the new technology, we had to upgrade the photo stuff too. I am still a newbie when it comes to computer tech. lol

Donna

Oh, I get you. I don't like changes either. When you use a program/software for so long, the upgrade isn't worth it at times, LOL I have kept my old photo program and just loaded it onto each of my computers. I hate to give it up. It crops pictures so nicely compared to the "new" software where you have no control over how you want to edit the pictures, I have found.
So good. Hope you and DH get it figured out. I really want to see your greenhouse up so I can drool, LOL !!!!

Donna there is a setting on your camera to make the pictures not be so huge. As long as I stay on AUTO it remains the way I want it but is someone else changes the setting the the pics become huge again until I put it back on auto where I told it to make postcard size pics. It's so aggravating to have to change every pic to smaller when that happens. I have to scroll for a mile to see the pics and every pore on a face shows up!! LOL

I just joined the forum yesterday. I love seeing your progress on your new GH - I hope they get your parts to you quickly. I just put up a little (6 x 6) one last week, so I'm looking forward to seeing how you and Donna handle things so I can learn from you both!

Missy, you should post some pictures of your new greenhouse then. We all would love to see it!

Here it is! It's only been up 2 weeks, but I've learned that I need shadecloth (that white thing you see on the roof is a sheet), one or possibly 2 more vents of some sort, an automatic vent opener for the top vent, possibly an automatic door opener, and a fan. The single vent in the roof is pretty inadequate - I wish they would have also included a vent in the back. I'm going to have to cut through the polycarbonate to install one, which makes me pretty nervous. I'm hoping to get ventilation ideas from all of you!

Hey missy, that looks good. Did you get that greenhouse at Costco?
I like your brick pad! I used in the past couple years just a regular tarp over my old plastic greenhouse. You might want to try that or just get a regular shade cloth since you will be much warmer in CA than me.
One reason I got the 2 dutch doors on my someday put up greenhouse is for ventilation besides walking thru it on that side. Cross ventilation will be the best so yes, you should do something in the back. If you cut carefully, you should be okay. They do make different kinds of automatic opening vents so check into those.

Yes, it's from Costco. I bought it after the 3rd markdown - it was one of those things that was too good to pass up. Thanks for your vent suggestion - if I put one in the back, do you think it should go near the top or the bottom? And if there's one in the back, should I put another one in the front?

Hey Missy, I see you finally joined and found this great thread. :-) That is a nice looking GH. I didn't even know that Cosco sold them. What size is yours?
Regarding the vent issue, I will let someone who knows more give you that vital info. I am as new as you are regarding all this GH stuff. lol

Carol, Missy only lives about 16 miles down the fwy from me and her weather is very different than mine. She gets a lot hotter in the summer months than I do...phew!! I hope we can learn from each other on taking care of our GH's. :-)

Donna

I had seen that same greenhouse at Costco last spring. I debated and debated on whether I wanted it to the point it was gone by the time I had gone back there. LOL
As for the vent, I really don't know. I hate to see you punch in too many holes tho. I think with one in the back (up high since heat rises)(but don't take my word for this, other people might have better suggestions than me) and the door open, that sound do it.

As for the difference in temps of you 2. Well, Donna, you are like near the ocean and she isn't, right? The wind off the beach sure would help a lot.