How to Build a Year Round Greenhouse

Select the right location. Ideally, you will want to place the greenhouse where it will receive a maximum amount of sunlight, either in the south or southeast side of a building. If you do not have sunlight available all day in a southerly exposed location, then settling for an easterly location where plants can soak up some solar rays in the morning will be sufficient. Locating the greenhouse away from trees that provide shade, especially in the winter, will be crucial to being able to use your greenhouse year-round. There should also be adequate drainage so that too much moisture does not damage the structure or the contents of the greenhouse. Moisture should be a factor that you can control rather than try to eliminate with the changing seasons.

Construct your base or foundation. Use 6x6 pieces of lumber to build a rectangular frame. Use nail plates to secure the 6x6s together. Check your foundation by making sure that the diagonal measurements from corner to corner are the same. If they are not, then you will need to readjust the foundation by hitting it with a hammer or by taking out the nail plates and re-nailing them.

Construct the walls by using 2x4s placed about three feet apart from each other. Frame all of the walls and erect them, using additional nail plates to connect them. Also construct the roof frame in the pattern of an A-frame-style house, using the measurements for 2x4 spacing for the spacing of the rafters.

Stretch UV-resistant polythene over the house, nailing the polythene with thin battens, continuing to make it taut as you go along. Once you have stretched the polythene over the frame, cut slits along the bottom of the house for increased ventilation.

Install some electrical power outlets, depending on the size of your greenhouse. If it is large, then you may want to install wall outlets for electrical needs such as cooling or heating during the summer or winter months. You will also want to utilize electrical power for fans to stir up some of the air for ventilation.