Our stock kit for the typical backyard greenhouse enthusiast is about a 200 square foot structure that uses 8 mm 4-layer polycarbonate with a frame made with 14 gauge (2 mm wall thickness) 40 mm (1-9/16") galvanized square steel tubing, with aluminum and galvanized steel trim and all the fasteners and hardware you need to complete your project. The kit actually comes slightly bigger than 200 square feet at around 205 square feet. The International Residential Code allows residences to have up to a 200 square foot greenhouse structure without a permit. Our experience is that many municipalities don't care to a high-level of detail regarding greenhouses that are slightly over size so we chose to offer this kit at optimum size to utilize the steel and polycarbonate. You can easily cut this down just a few inches to ensure you do not exceed 200 square feet. Some local codes actually prohibit accessory structures over 120 square feet. Some customers live in areas where there is no greenhouse minimum size. This greenhouse can be easily modified to meet the 120 square foot limit, or you can extend it in 7' increments to make it as long as you want it. The extensions are only $1,000 per 7'. Here is a video that shows some of the steps for constructing the frame. The following shows a parts list of what you will get in your standard kit for $5,000.
Description | Quantity |
---|---|
6.9'X19' 8 mm 4-layer Polycarbonate | 6 panels |
1-1.5 inch long self drilling screws | About 3,000 |
1.2" Gasketed Aluminum Washers | 1,000 |
Galvanized steel corner trim | 9 sticks |
Galvanized steel ridge cap | 7 sticks |
Aluminum U-channel (19') | 10 sticks |
Galvanized steel mending plates | 60 |
Neutral silicon caulking | 9 cartridges |
Small L-brackets | 150 |
40 mm L-brackets | 150 |
48 mm galvanized sleeve joints | 2 |
2-part aluminum 19' long butt joint | 4 |
Angled 2096 mm X 40 mm tubing | 14 |
Angled 1581 mm X 40 mm tubing | 14 |
2896 mm X 40 mm tubing | 9 |
1013 mm X 40 mm tubing | 48 |
937 mm X 40 mm tubing | 6 |
2032 mm X 40 mm tubing | 4 |
5800 mm X 40 mm tubing | 5 |
Welded Truss Connector Insert | 14 |
Vent and door hinges | 6 |
Vent and door latches | 5 |
Handles | 4 |
CatchSunlight's goal is to provide greenhouse construction supplies that have a higher level of quality and durability at the lowest price. We are in a county in Idaho that has severe wind and is very cold. Our observation is that about 1/2 of the greenhouses that are constructed here end up being severely damaged by wind. These greenhouses typically rely on polyethylene, which does not resist our extreme weather conditions. That is why Catchsunlight has developed designs for greenhouses that use stronger frames and durable materials so that they will not unexpectedly fail in most climactic events in our area.