How to Draw a Greenhouse to Scale

Decide how large your greenhouse walls will be (length, width and height). If you are drawing a greenhouse that already exists, use the measuring tape to get accurate measurements of the length, width and height. If you are drawing a greenhouse that you intend to build, you may want to use the measuring tape to lay out the corners in your yard so that you get a good feel for the size.

Decide what scale you will use to draw your greenhouse, depending on the size of your drafting paper and the size of your greenhouse. For example, you may want to use a scale where a one foot measurement on your actual greenhouse equals 1/2-inch measurement on your drafting paper.

Draw the floor plan of your greenhouse using the scale you've selected. If your actual greenhouse is 20 feet long and 8 feet wide and is a rectangular shape, and you are using a scale where one foot of actual greenhouse equals 1/2-inch on the drafting paper, then you will draw a rectangular floor plan that is 10 inches long and 4 inches wide. If you have drafting paper with a grid, use the lines on the paper to help you draw straight lines. If you have plain paper, use the edge of your ruler.

Draw the front elevation outline using the same technique and scale as in step 3. The front elevation outline will look just like a photo of the front of the greenhouse. Your bottom line will be the width of the greenhouse and the walls will be the height of the walls. If your greenhouse has a curved or peaked roof, you will need to decide how tall the walls and the roof will be, as well as what type of angle you want for the roof.

Draw the side elevation outline using the same technique and scale as above. The length of the outline is the length of the greenhouse and the height is the height of the walls plus the height of the roof.

Draw the details on your floor plan and elevation outlines. Some of the details you may want to include are the locations and sizes of the doors and any windows and ventilation units. You may also want to draw in any tables you intend to have inside the greenhouse for elevated work or specific plant beds that need special attention. Make sure to always adhere to the scale you have chosen, so that all of your drawings will be accurate.