Greenhouse base help

Well now i have my allotment i have marked out the area for my grrenhouse.

I've been thinking about the base and trying to cost it up, i should mention i have a 8x6 greenhouse.

I looked at the lightweight breeze blocks and i think it would cost under £40 for everything although it will need more skill (which i dont have but could learn!) to make.

Or i could make it out of wood, can anybody advise me on what size wood to use?

Trying to do it for the least amount of money but also dont want to thing to fly away!

Thanks for any advice

Adam

 

How about paving slabs? Try your local council offices they sometimes sell off old ones for £1 or £2 each ( councill slabs are 2ft by 3ft so an 8 x 6 greenhouse would need 8, £8 @ £1 each), or you could try freecycle for whatever base you want http://uk.freecycle.org/ old paving slabs are quite easily found through freecycle, just be prepared to collect them and they are free!

Steve...

 

Adam, use 3" x 3" fence posts. They will raise the frame enough for the door to run, and make it easier for you to set up. When the greenhouse is glazed use Metpins or something similar, to anchor the base to the ground.:gnthb:

 

If were talking glazed greenhouse, (with glass that is), it needs a good solid base that wont sink unevenly.

To do it cheaply I think I would use Davids idea of fence posts, but set in concrete in the ground, (you could just hammer them in), vertically, then bolt timbers to these posts that the greenhouse could be fixed down to.
That way the base is supported on the posts, and less likely to sink with surface shift in wet conditions.

Maybe thats what metpins do David, or do they only anchor and not support?

 

Normally I would agree, concrete the Metpins in, but, we are talking allotment here. You are not, normally allowed " permanent " buildings. And using concrete constitutes " permanent ".:thumb:

 

You've not seen my concrete, I defy anyone to call it permanent:D

 

Good idea David

http://www.metpost.co.uk/mp_metpin.html

 

its a bit of metal,...........with holes in.
Surely they dont manage to sell that,..do they?:D

 

One other thing, Adam, your greenhouse ISN`T 8 x 6, it will actually be something like 8`3" x 6` 2". So measure the frame before cutting any wood.:gnthb: At about a £1 per throw, Pete.:thumb::hehe: And as Metpost are based here in Cwmbran I totally agree with them.:lollol:

 

Id use dense breeze blocks butt joined and layed on compacted and leveled soil screwing the frame down to every third block or so.

 

That`s because you are experienced at using blocks, Paul. Anyone who is not, is better off using timber. Happy New Year, by the way.:gnthb:

 

Ive looked at breeze blocks and although there cheap im not confident in getting it right.

However, fence posts i can do

Thank you for the advice though, very kind of you all

Ad

 

Don`t forget to measure the frame, Adam. This well then be the OUTSIDE measurement of the base.

 

I plan to take the 4 bits of metal that make the base to the alloment and lay it on the ground. Then i can get the messurements correct.

I'm assuming the wooden base needs to be flush with the greenhouse base or can the be a slight "edge"?

 

Hang on, now. Back up, there is an aluminium base?