How easy (or hard !!) is it to dismantle an aluminium greenhouse ?

Hi

I've just been offered a greenhouse for my allotment (an 8' x 6' model)

I am obviously delighted, but am now wondering how easy, or otherwise is it to dismantle a greenhouse and then rebuild it somewhere else.

I suppose I could take photographs before the dismantling takes place and even during the process, which would maybe help later on.

Any other tips would be appreciated. I've told the person I'll come for it on Saturday, but of course I have no idea how long it will take me.

thank you very much

 

I did one a couple of years ago.
It depends a bit on how long its been in position, and the glazing method.
Just number up the joints, as you take them apart, with a permanent marker, if you think it will help reassembly.

You might think about buying some extra bolts and glazing clips.

 

I would think it would be a nightmare!!!!

Val

 

Well I have done it now about 6 times and it is not hard. As you say, take photos of how it is put together and mark the pieces so you can put them back in the same way.
You definitely will need to buy new glazing clips and nuts and bolts. If it has been up for any length of time they will have fused and the only way to remove them is to turn them until the bolt snaps. Sounds hard but they are only soft aluminium.
I used an electric screwdriver last time with a set of sockets. Made the job easy.
The glass may well be well stuck to the glazing strips, usually a little liquid soap squeezed on will release them, if not then a wall paper scraper is useful to break the suction.
A spray can of WD 40 is a good idea too. If it is fastened to the ground/base, then a small hack saw might come in handy to cut the screws holding to the base.
Sheets of newspaper are also good for putting between the sheets of glass, stops them sticking together when you move them. Otherwise, gloves and a lot of patience. Take your time over it.
Anything else occurs I will add, but for the moment that is all I can think of.

 

This is the last one I bought home:

 

I've dismantled a couple too a few years back when slightly less decrepit! Kristen has done well not to break glass as 1 word of warning from me (lots of good advice already given by others) is don't lay too many panes of glass one on top of the other as the bottom ones can easily break. I managed to break a few when stacking them against walls etc as well unless you get them very even if this makes sense. Also I found it easier to clean the glass before putting it back in place. Don't do what I did once which was to sit in direct sunlight and clean panes all day. I couldn't for the life of me understand why my eyes began to water non stop and were SO sore. Ended up at the optician's the next day who informed me with a deep sigh that idiot me had burnt my corneas......not clever!

 

So true If not familiar to you the trick is to measure the diagonals, and make sure they are both identical - then it will be "square"

 

If you don't have a large square then remember the Pythagoras theorum from school - 3, 4, 5 (or equal multiples thereof).

 

If you don't have a large set square ...

 

I made a large right angled triangle with roofing laths. Very useful for many building tasks. Still used the diagonal measurement as well though.
Make sure your string does not stretch too!

 

It's likely I'll be getting a secondhand greenhouse this year from looking at what's available on Gumtree. What do you actually do then? Work from the top? I can imagine me pulling one bit off and then piling lots of broken glass into the back of my car.