Despite the fact that the greenhouse is a lightweight structure, it requires a reliable and solid foundation. Indeed, in the absence of a good foundation, there is a risk that it will “walk” around the site, and young plants may die from frost and wind. So, what kind of foundation is needed for a greenhouse and how to build it correctly?
Polycarbonate greenhouse
Foundation for a greenhouse
Selecting and installing a foundation for a greenhouse.
The foundation for a greenhouse is the basis that will ensure the stability, integrity, and strength of the building.
Whether you build with your own hands or have the opportunity to buy a ready-made structure and carry out independent installation on the site, the site must be equipped in accordance with the specifics of the structure. What is the best foundation for a polycarbonate greenhouse?
In the article we will tell you why you need a foundation, what is the best foundation for a greenhouse made of polycarbonate, glass, with a frame made of timber, for metal structures, light buildings made of boards, film, old window frames, etc. And we will provide detailed step-by-step instructions on how to make a foundation for a polycarbonate greenhouse with your own hands.
Wooden foundation for a greenhouse. What is the best foundation for a polycarbonate greenhouse?
The foundation ensures the reliability, safety and stability of the building. But light structures on the site are temporary, so the question reasonably arises: in general, is a foundation made of polycarbonate or other materials needed for a greenhouse and why? The answer is clear – it is needed, it is a base that performs a number of important tasks:
- fixes the greenhouse frame, holds it during gusts of wind, heavy downpours, when the area is flooded and from other atmospheric surprises;
- isolates the structure from contact with the ground, protects materials from the harmful effects of the soil, significantly extends the service life of the building;
- helps retain up to 10% of heat inside, promotes a favorable microclimate and saves on heating;
- prevents fog and cold air currents from penetrating into the greenhouse;
- helps protect the structure and crop from harmful insects and rodents.
What kind of foundation is needed for a polycarbonate greenhouse?
How to make a foundation for a greenhouse with your own hands, photo of a lightweight structure on tape.
Which base is better to choose?
The choice of foundation for a greenhouse depends on the type of soil, the depth of its freezing, the height of groundwater, as well as the desired appearance. The base must not only withstand the load from the frame, which will come from above, but also the pressure from the side winds.
Due to its low mass and high windage, a polycarbonate greenhouse can easily be overturned or displaced by strong wind currents. Therefore, the foundation must additionally support the frame during the wind.
There are several main types of foundations that are suitable for a polycarbonate greenhouse:
The usual strip type of base is most often used for greenhouses that will operate in autumn and winter, since when deepened, it additionally protects the soil inside the building from freezing.
It can be made from reinforced concrete, brick, blocks or timber (not recommended due to rapid rotting and low depth, but quickly built and easily disassembled).Among the disadvantages of this foundation, the long construction period should be noted, since concrete needs 20-30 days to gain strength.
- The columnar type of foundation is most often made of blocks or bricks, but in some cases asbestos pipes are used, which are filled with concrete.
Read more about how to make a columnar foundation from pipes with your own hands here. This type of foundation is quicker and easier to build than a concrete strip, but does not tolerate heaving soils. Most often it is used when it is necessary for the base to be slightly above the ground, since melt or groundwater can flood the soil. - Pile-grillage foundation similar in properties to columnar, but in this case the pillars are not laid in parts of bricks or blocks. This type of foundation uses metal or concrete piles that are screwed (sometimes driven into the ground).
Most often, this type of foundation is used to build structures in places where the soil is too soft or there is no way to level the site. On top of the piles there is a grillage crown, which connects them to each other and also distributes the load more evenly.This type of foundation is quickly installed and is not subject to heaving or groundwater, but for piles longer than 2.5 m in length, special equipment will be required to screw or drive the post.
- A monolithic base is considered the best option for growing plants all year round, as it has high resistance to heaving, can be installed on moving soils, and also reliably protects against the penetration of rodents from the soil.
The disadvantage of this type of foundation is that its construction requires too many resources, time (20-30 days) and cannot be disassembled. It is made according to a similar principle to tape, only the formwork is made over the entire area of the future building, after which the entire space inside is filled with concrete.
On a note. There are many more types of materials that a base can be made from, but most often they are of low strength or poor appearance, such as a base made from glass bottles or water pipes.
Types of foundations for greenhouses.
There are 4 types of foundations in total and each of them can be equipped for a greenhouse:
The choice of foundation depends on the specifics of the soil on the site, its relief features, the scale of the construction, climatic conditions in the region, and much more. etc. Next, we’ll talk in detail about each type of foundation for a greenhouse and the materials for its construction.
Strip foundation is the most popular base for almost all types of buildings. According to the construction principle, it can be:
- not buried - lying on solid ground, it is enough to remove the top, fertile layer, usually serves as a grillage for pile foundations;
- shallow - placed in a trench 700-800 mm deep, on a specially prepared cushion; such a device is not advisable if there is high groundwater in the area;
- recessed - recessed 200-400 mm below the soil freezing level, this parameter is individual and depends on the region, the average is 1200-1400 mm, exact information can be found in the table.
Note: We will not delve into the technical nuances, but when installing a strip foundation, it is important to follow the rules: in the cross section, the height should be greater than the width (thickness), and the total length of the structure is in a proportion of 1.5-2:1 to its width.
What kind of foundation for a greenhouse?
Foundation for a greenhouse made of brick, diagram of the correct foundation.
Optimal ratio, depth and height: 700:300-400 mm. Before making a foundation for a greenhouse, you need to decide on the materials for the tape:
- Monolithic concrete, consisting of a reinforcing frame and filled with mortar.
- The base is made of special ready-made concrete blocks interconnected by reinforcement.
- Rubble structure made of stones and clay.
- A strip of bricks, foam blocks, it is advisable to still pour a monolithic concrete base and build a base on it.
- Construction from scrap materials: thick timber, bottles, logs, etc.
Wooden foundation for a greenhouse.
A non-buried foundation for a greenhouse made of polycarbonate, made of timber on concrete supports.
Good to know: It’s faster and cheaper to make a foundation for a greenhouse from timber with your own hands. But the tree does not tolerate physical, chemical and biological influences well; the soil becomes saturated with moisture, fungus appears, and signs of rotting appear. To extend the service life, it is better to make a foundation for a greenhouse made of timber from hard wood, for example, larch; the frame must be impregnated with protective compounds, covered with bitumen mastic, machine oil, and covered with roofing felt.
Which foundation is better for a greenhouse?
One of the inexpensive ways to install a polycarbonate greenhouse.
A slab foundation is a strong, reliable foundation for construction in areas with high groundwater and unstable soil; pyramids in the sand have just such a base. The greenhouse can be installed on two types of slabs:
- Floating - a concrete platform lies almost on the surface.
- The base with stiffeners is a combined structure made of concrete strips, with a monolithic slab attached to them on top. If a strip foundation must necessarily be closed along the contour, then in the case of a slab this requirement is absent.
To organize the slab, a pit with a depth of 300-700 mm is dug, a sand-crushed stone cushion is laid on the bottom, covered with geotextiles, roofing felt, this helps to avoid siltation. The optimal thickness of the foundation depends on the expected loads: for outbuildings and light greenhouses - 100 mm, for large stationary greenhouses, designed for the winter period, 200-250 mm.
As a rule, a slab foundation for a greenhouse is made of concrete, but tires filled with earth and other available materials can be used.
What is the best foundation for a polycarbonate greenhouse?
Scheme of arrangement of the slab base.
Columnar.
A column foundation is a simple, inexpensive, quick way to build a foundation. The pillars are deepened by 700-800 mm; for small buildings they may not be sunk into the ground. The optimal distance between pillars is 1.5-2.0 m.
A columnar foundation for a greenhouse can be made from the following materials:
- Bricklaying, rubble stone.
- Use ready-made T-shaped concrete pillars.
- Install, reinforce and fill metal, asbestos and roofing felt pipes with mortar.
- Foam blocks, flat rubble stones, even wooden stumps are suitable for organizing a non-buried columnar foundation.
What is the best foundation for a polycarbonate greenhouse?
Pole arrangement diagram.
A significant disadvantage of a columnar foundation for a greenhouse is the gap between the ground level and the base of the building, through which cold gets inside. Such conditions contradict the functionality of the building, so the perimeter should be insulated: make a brick frame, cover it with boards, etc.
Which foam block is suitable for the foundation of a greenhouse.
The foundation for the greenhouse is made of foam blocks, a high base will protect the timber from harmful influences.
A pile foundation is an ideal solution for building a greenhouse on a swampy or uneven area. It is installed below the soil freezing level by 200-300 mm. There are 2 types of piles:
- driven - pipes, sleepers, channels;
- screw - poles equipped with blades that are immersed in the ground in a circular motion using a drill or special equipment.
Important: The pile type of foundation does not require concrete work, the time spent on installing the foundation is much less than for other types, but it is very difficult to screw the supports strictly vertically with your own hands, so it is recommended to use the services of specialists. If you are making a pile foundation for a greenhouse yourself, if the geometry of the support is violated, you should pull it out and screw it in another place.
The optimal installation of piles is 1.5 - 2.0 m from each other. After installation, the upper heads are sawn to size and tied together with a grillage, which ensures the integrity and strength of the structure. The grillage can be made of timber, sleepers or monolithic concrete.
What is the best foundation for a polycarbonate greenhouse?
Organization of a pile foundation for a greenhouse with a monolithic concrete grillage.
Let's summarize.
If you choose bases for glass structures, film buildings, bases for structures made from old window frames, ready-made prefabricated metal structures, foundations for a polycarbonate greenhouse, which one is better, it is impossible to say with any certainty. You should rely on geodetic research, soil quality, dimensions and materials; the weight of the building and climatic conditions depend on them.
For capital warm buildings, it is recommended to make a strip foundation - this option is suitable for almost all conditions. Temporary and lightweight greenhouses, if you want to save money, can be safely installed on a point columnar base.
What is the best foundation for a polycarbonate greenhouse?
Internal structure of a strip base for a greenhouse.
We select the foundation depending on the type of soil
First of all, it is worth choosing the type of foundation based on the characteristics of the soil on the site, and not on the budget allocated for the construction of the greenhouse. If this important factor is not taken into account, the base may “float” during snow melting or heavy rainfall.
| Soil type | Soil features | Type of foundation |
| Sandy | Does not retain moisture, freezes in winter, sag easily under heavy weight | Surface strip made of timber |
| Clayey | The earth is compressed, eroded, absorbs water well and freezes, which is why it is easily deformed | Recessed strip, columnar, pile, pile-tape |
| Rocky | Holds any structure well, does not blur, does not deform | Surface strip foundation |
| Clastic | Contains stones and gravel that prevent subsidence and deformation | Shallow strip foundation |
| Quicksand | Silty, loamy soil with high water content, very mobile | Slab foundation, monolithic concrete foundation, pile foundation |
Foundation for a polycarbonate greenhouse - photo and step-by-step instructions.
We will build a strip foundation for the greenhouse, size 3*6 m, with a high brick base and insulation around the perimeter.
We make a drawing.
Before building a greenhouse, you should choose a project or make a drawing with your own hands, indicating the dimensions and main components of the structure. The materials, their quantities, and the main stages of work are also determined here. It is better to use a standard project and adapt it to your own conditions.
How to make a foundation for a greenhouse.
Typical ergonomic greenhouse design.
We choose a place.
The choice of location depends on the individual characteristics of the site. It is better to build a greenhouse on the southern and most windless side, behind the house. We clear the site of debris, tree roots, and weeds. We fence the perimeter with pegs, tighten the rope, and check the geometry. The diagonals must be equal. Remove the top, soft layer of soil.
Foundation construction.
We dig a trench 800 mm deep around the perimeter. Level the bottom. We cover it with roofing felt in 2 layers, you can lay geotextiles. We fill in crushed stone, sandstone, layers of 100-200 mm, and compact the pillow.
We install the reinforcing frame. There will be two horizontal belts, two parallel rods in each, vertical ties every 300-500 mm. The reinforcement is corrugated, with a cross section of 8-12 mm. We place pebbles, 50 mm high, or stands on the bottom.
We lay 2 lower horizontal rods, the distance between them is 200 mm, we lay smooth thin rods perpendicularly to better preserve the shape of the frame. At the corners we bend the reinforcement to the adjacent side, extending it to 500 mm or more. Also on the other hand, a double overlap is obtained to strengthen the structure. We drive in vertical rods and tie the parts together with wire. We mount the upper horizontal belt in the same way.
What is the best foundation for a polycarbonate greenhouse?
How to knit reinforcement correctly.
The distance between the horizontal belts depends on the height of the foundation for the greenhouse. If the tape is 400 mm high, then there should be a distance of 300 mm between the upper and lower rods, +50 mm per concrete layer on each side. The width is calculated in the same way, if the total dimension is 300 mm, then the frame is 200 mm. Don’t forget, the height must be greater than the width of the tape.
We install formwork in the trench; these can be knocked together boards, moisture-resistant plywood, or durable plastic panels. For the correct geometry, we make a tie along the top of the sheathing with bars, and install spacers on the outside, they will hold the structure when pouring concrete.
Note: In order to retain heat in the greenhouse as much as possible and protect the building from harmful influences, the height of the foundation must be calculated so that it rises 1/3 above ground level.
The tape should be poured at once to avoid the formation of seams and cold bridges. Proportions of solution for the foundation for a greenhouse: cement (binder) - 1 part, sand - 3 parts, crushed stone, fraction up to 40 mm (preferably 10-20 mm) 4-5 parts, water 4-5 parts, until the consistency of thick sour cream. First, the dry ingredients are thoroughly mixed, then water is added.
What is the best foundation for a polycarbonate greenhouse?
The photo shows how to properly fill the base for a polycarbonate greenhouse with your own hands.
Pour the mixture into the sheathing, tamp it, remove the air. Bubbles in hardened concrete will lead to destruction. The solution needs to harden, until it is fully formed - 4 weeks, only then load the foundation.
We remove the formwork, glue the sides with roofing felt or coat them with bitumen mastic in 2 layers, attach foam sheets on top, you can order insulation - sprayed polyurethane foam. We cover the top of the sheets with 2 layers of roofing felt, the seams overlap 100-200 mm, seal with tape, and weld with a blowtorch. We backfill the soil. For horizontal waterproofing, roofing felt is laid on top of the foundation under the greenhouse.
How to install a polycarbonate greenhouse on a foundation.
Along the fresh concrete in the center of the tape, in the corners and every meter, it is recommended to install and extend out reinforcement for metal structures or special corners with welded anchors for fastening the bars; the greenhouse frame will be attached to them. If the mortgages were not provided during the process of pouring the foundation for the greenhouse, then the frame can be fixed with anchor bolts.
Wooden foundation for a greenhouse.
Method of attaching the frame to the foundation.
Installing a polycarbonate greenhouse on a foundation has one more important step: in order to avoid drafts, ice, and freezing, the gap formed when the base of the greenhouse adjoins the foundation is sealed with elastic sealants, and a gasket with rubber edges is placed in the gap. This is especially important if the structure is insulated and you plan to grow crops in it all year round. When setting up a winter greenhouse, do not forget about additional lighting and heating.
What is the best foundation for a polycarbonate greenhouse? What is the best foundation for a polycarbonate greenhouse?
Convenience of placement
It is important to position the greenhouse according to the cardinal directions. The optimal location is from north to south or from east to west. But it is much more important to consider the accessibility of the greenhouse. That is, it should be easy to access, because you will have to open and close it every day. It is better to install the greenhouse close to the house and communications - the plants need frequent watering.
It is necessary to take into account the location of the greenhouse, because providing autonomous maintenance can be quite expensive.
In fact, even a novice gardener can install a greenhouse correctly and achieve a good harvest in it. You just need to follow these rules, approach the process wisely and first plan everything correctly, and only then build it.
Why do you need a foundation for a greenhouse?
There are several reasons to build a polycarbonate foundation for a greenhouse:
- The foundation ensures the stability of the greenhouse. If not secured to the base, the structure can easily be torn off by strong gusts of wind or knocked over. If it is intended to erect a large stationary structure, then the construction of a foundation is a prerequisite;
- Greenhouses installed on the base of a wall are protected from contamination, so such a structure looks more solid, polycarbonate sheets do not need to be buried in the ground, and its lower part does not suffer from moisture;
- The foundation protects plants from late frosts in spring and early frosts in autumn;
- In a greenhouse on a foundation, it is easier to protect the interior space from the invasion of pests and weeds.
Direction of the wind
Gardeners in cold regions and those who want to harvest crops all year round should pay special attention to the compass rose. It is important to reduce energy costs for heating the greenhouse during the cold season. The wind can carry away the lion's share of the heat intended for plants. In addition, strong gusts can break or tilt the structure.
How to fight the wind?
- At a distance of about 7 meters from the greenhouse, you need to install a fence in the path of the wind. Gusts of wind that break against it do not pose a danger to the greenhouse.
- Plant a hedge at a distance of 12-25 meters. Powerful streams will become entangled in leaves and branches and break up into small streams.
Types of foundations for polycarbonate greenhouses.
Usually a strip foundation is installed under the greenhouse, and it can be made from the following materials:
To decide which foundation is best to choose, you first need to decide on the scale of the structure and its purpose. A wooden foundation has the simplest design, good for small greenhouses, and is suitable if it needs to be moved.
Block and brick foundations are much more reliable and have greater advantages than wooden ones. But if you intend to make a solid structure, in the expectation that it will serve you for decades, it is better to make a combined strip concrete-brick foundation. Such a foundation is especially good to build in areas with marshy soil to limit the access of moisture into the greenhouse from the outside.
Terms of Use
Most often, a brick base is made for a greenhouse with a heavy metal frame, as it can withstand high loads. In order to prevent deformation of the foundation, it is recommended to place it on a bed of gravel and concrete. But in some cases, brick strip or piles are mounted on a drainage layer or simply on the ground.
Advice. For a longer service life of the brick base, standard red should be used for its construction, as it is more resistant to weather conditions and external factors. To prevent this material from being destroyed by excess moisture, it must be protected with waterproofing.
Technology for constructing a concrete-brick foundation for a greenhouse.
The construction of the foundation begins with the preparation of the trench. It is dug according to the plan outlined on the site, in accordance with the length and width of the future greenhouse. A depth of 20 cm is enough to grow seedlings in the spring and then transplant them into open ground.
What is the best foundation for a polycarbonate greenhouse?
If you plan to grow seedlings and herbs in the winter, then you might want to think about whether a deeper foundation is needed. By deepening it 40 cm into the ground, you will prevent freezing of the greenhouse. The width of the trench is not important, but should not be less than 20 cm.
When the soil on the site is loose, the inner walls of the trench are strengthened with formwork - it will prevent the earthen walls from collapsing during concrete pouring. It can be made from any available materials: old boards or plywood, and spread inside with transverse planks. The space between the formwork and the walls of the trench is filled with previously excavated soil and compacted.
If you are installing a very large greenhouse, you can raise the concrete foundation belt 20 cm above the soil level. Accordingly, the formwork must be raised to the same height. The upper edge of the formwork boards is leveled so that the brickwork laid on concrete does not warp.
A layer of gravel up to 5 cm thick is poured into the bottom of the prepared trench, moistened with water, and then filled with concrete.
Concrete proportions for the foundation:
- 1 part cement;
- 2.5 parts fine-grained sand;
- 4 parts filler (gravel or broken stone).
What is the best foundation for a polycarbonate greenhouse?
Concrete is poured in one day so that weak joints do not form in the base, through which moisture and cold can penetrate into the greenhouse. As concrete is laid, it needs to be compacted. Usually a vibrator is used for this, but for such a small structure this can be done by the simplest method: punch the concrete pour several times with a bayonet shovel so that the solution shrinks and becomes denser.
When pouring concrete, you can lay pieces of reinforcement, rod or wire along the entire perimeter in the longitudinal direction, which will further strengthen the base and prevent it from cracking.
The top layer of concrete is leveled, and anchor bolts are installed on its surface, onto which the greenhouse frame will be attached. The concrete will harden within a week, and if the weather is hot, it should be moistened with water from time to time during this time to prevent cracking of the concrete surface.
Construction of the brick part of the foundation.
A low brick wall is laid on an established concrete base. Its height varies from 20 to 40 cm - this is enough so that the lower part of the walls of the greenhouse is not splashed with dirt during rain, and so that the plants inside the greenhouse have sufficient access to light.
First, the corners of the structure are laid out, and then the wall space between them. Previously installed anchor bolts are located in the seams between the bricks, and all seams are tightly filled with cement-sand mortar.
What is the best foundation for a polycarbonate greenhouse?
Subsequently, the frame of the greenhouse will be screwed to the bolts using nuts, and, if necessary, they can be unscrewed and the walls can be replaced or repaired. But you can do it another way: instead of bolts, install embedded parts into concrete, and then weld the frame to them using a welding machine.
What is the best foundation for a glass greenhouse?
The final stage of work is the installation of a small blind area around the brick wall. Soil is selected along the entire perimeter to a depth of 3 cm and a width of about 30-40 cm, and the recess is filled with gravel and compacted. If you don’t want to fight weeds growing through the blind area, fill it with cement-sand mortar and level it with a slight slope from the wall. Rainwater will flow down the slope and will not flood the greenhouse.
Advantages of a combined foundation.
- Brickwork is always beautiful.
- A concrete foundation is a monolithic foundation, therefore the most durable.
- The concrete base can be used for repeated construction, including for heavier structures.
What is the best foundation for a polycarbonate greenhouse?
What and how to make a stationary base for a polycarbonate greenhouse most often depends on the availability of certain materials. But the main thing is that you are confident in the reliability and strength of the structure.
If a grillage is constructed from timber
In the case of using timber as a grillage, the layout of the site is carried out taking into account the installation of supports, which can be:
- low posts made of timber dug around the perimeter, the size of which is similar or larger than the lumber used to construct the frame;
- screw supports with disks whose diameter is equal to the diagonal of the beam;
- point concrete supports, for pouring which it is not necessary to make formwork. Concrete is poured in two steps into a miniature pit with sides 25 cm, 30-40 cm deep. First, the hole is filled to about half, then a piece of metal mesh is placed on the set mortar and the pit is filled with concrete flush with the ground;
- brick pillars, in front of which a 5cm concrete base is poured. Its area should be larger than the area of the brick support. The bricks are laid two in a row, in two or three rows.
The frequency of support placement depends on the weight and dimensions of the greenhouse being constructed. For a light, small-sized structure, only corner posts are often sufficient; row posts are installed at a distance of 1.2-1.5 m from each other.
In the process of preliminary calculations, it is necessary to take into account that the timber is laid exactly in the middle of the support column. Between wood, brick, metal or concrete, a roofing material is required. The timber frame is attached to the supports with anchor bolts and washers, and a greenhouse frame can be erected on it without any difficulty.
These are all the subtleties of constructing a wooden foundation for a personal greenhouse, the construction of which the owner will devote a minimum of time, money and effort.
A good foundation for a polycarbonate greenhouse: which one is better.
What kind of foundation for a polycarbonate greenhouse?
The foundation for the structure must meet the criteria of durability and convenience. A durable foundation for a polycarbonate greenhouse. Only a thorough analysis of many parameters will help you choose which one is better. The size of the plot, the chemical composition of the soil and the depth of its freezing, the volume of the greenhouse and the duration of its use - all this needs to be analyzed in order not to waste money. Once all the information is presented in the form of mathematically precise values, you can start working.
How to make a foundation for a polycarbonate greenhouse using bricks.
Regardless of the chosen material, creating a foundation for a greenhouse begins with the formation of markings corresponding to the parameters of the structure. At the next stage, it is necessary to excavate the soil to a depth of 210 to 255 mm.
How to make a foundation for a greenhouse.
The bases for greenhouses are made from materials traditional for the construction of foundations.
The maximum value is taken only in the absence of severe frosts in the region. After this, fine gravel is added to the resulting pit and then leveled.
The final step in compaction is re-measuring. If the level of gravel is less than 50-60 cm, then in this case you need to fill it up to the specified value. The more accurately the gardener maintains this parameter, the less the greenhouse depends on changes in the soil level.
In the future, you should adhere to the sequence below:
- Concrete is prepared in the required quantity;
- Waterproofing of brickwork is carried out using roofing felt;
- Before laying the brickwork, all elements of the future greenhouse base should be fixed in the ground;
- It is recommended to use a building level to get rid of unevenness;
- Even a small space between the bricks must be filled with mortar.
Novice builders pay attention to the difficulties associated with correctly determining the size of the “pillow”. There are no universal values here, so you need to proceed from the dimensions of the future structure and the expected weight. The duration of use of the greenhouse plays an important role. For example, for a winter one it is better to make a smaller “pillow”, and for a year-round one – a larger one. This will prevent rapid wear.
Tools and materials
To build a brick foundation you may need:
- shovel;
- drill, screwdriver and hammer drill;
- concrete mixer or mixing attachment for a drill;
- anchor fastenings (for columnar ones additionally U-shaped ones are needed to secure the grillage);
- concrete mortar made of sand and cement;
- wooden beam;
- building level;
- roulette;
- thread and pegs;
- waterproofing materials;
- saw for wood (for a grillage made of timber) or metal (for a greenhouse frame);
- Bulgarian;
- bricks (it is recommended to use red ones, since white ones are destroyed more quickly by moisture);
- spatula and trowel;
- marking marker;
- protection for hands and eyes (if you need to cut bricks with a grinder, you will additionally need a respirator).
Which foundation is better for a polycarbonate greenhouse: strip structure.
Beginning gardeners and more experienced gardeners often cannot choose between two, as it may seem at first glance, equivalent options. The first alternative is represented by a strip foundation, which is one of the most durable.
What kind of foundation for a greenhouse?
A reliable foundation for a polycarbonate greenhouse can be a row of bricks placed on a concrete base.
At the same time, you should not think that by installing it you can make the greenhouse practically invulnerable. Its arrangement is advisable only when a year-round greenhouse is being built.
In other cases, a strip foundation is a waste of money. In addition to the minimum required greenhouse size, it is worth taking into account the climatic features of the region. Strong winds and harsh winters are another possible reason for a strip foundation.
In addition, you need to remember the following:
- Its creation begins with excavating the soil to a depth of 350 to 400 mm;
- After this, the dug base is filled with gravel and leveled;
- The stage ends with checking the evenness of the surface.
If we talk about pouring concrete, it is mixed exclusively by hand. After this, you need to carefully pour everything onto the base in one go and wait for it to dry. You can move forward only after checking the quality of the coating. The presence of cracks will indicate the heterogeneity of the concrete floor. Before starting direct pouring, you need to install the formwork and all the base fastening elements;
Illumination
It's not for nothing that this is the first item on the list. Lighting plays a key role, because crops grown in a greenhouse love natural light. Of course, in low light conditions you can resort to installing special lamps, but this will lead to additional costs. Therefore, it is better to immediately choose a place on the site where the greenhouse will be maximally illuminated.
For a greenhouse that will be used year-round in areas with harsh winters, it is better to provide a place where the crops will receive sunlight all day. For greenhouses in the southern regions, a place where the sun's rays will reach in the first half of the day is suitable. After lunch, it is advisable to have some shade. This is necessary, as plants can get burned or dry out from the scorching southern sun. In this case, you can’t even dream of a bountiful harvest.
Polycarbonate greenhouse: clay foundation.
The second alternative is a clay base, which is mistakenly considered an insufficiently strong material. Experts say that the strength of a self-made structure largely depends on the physical parameters of the clay. The secret lies in the mandatory addition of sandstone (stone). Even with strong changes in temperature and humidity levels, even wooden structures will not lose stability.
What should be the foundation for a glass greenhouse?
It was this type of foundation that builders used in Ancient Rus'. This is proven by the fact that ancient Russian buildings with clay foundations are still preserved.
In addition to ease of installation and durability, clay is low cost. Thanks to this quality, a polycarbonate greenhouse can be installed with minimal financial costs. The key parameters here are 2: density (2750 kg per 1 cubic meter) and maximum compression ratio (400 MPa).
The recommendations below will help you create it correctly:
- Place the proposed area with pegs;
- A trench is dug taking into account the depth of freezing;
- From the lowest freezing point, 200 mm is deposited and a trench is dug;
- Stone is poured onto the leveled surface;
- Dilute the clay and pour it over a layer of stone;
- Lay out another layer of stone and repeat the filling as described above.
In this way, you need to fill strictly 2/3 of the height of the dug trench. The final stage of pouring is carried out using a mixture of slaked lime and clay in a 1:1 ratio.
Recessed option
Recessed columnar foundation for a winter greenhouse
A greenhouse or greenhouse is built on a wooden foundation even if it is necessary to grow vegetables and seedlings in the winter. It is usually buried 1 meter. This makes it possible to save on resources, taking advantage of the warmth of the earth. Despite the fact that the area of the walls transmitting light is reduced, this option allows you to save fuel.
The technology of the polycarbonate surface version differs not only in the design of the frame, but as for the base, it is created much more powerful. Using logs or semi-tips, semi-logs. Having removed the bark and carried out pre-treatment.
In these basics, the work goes like this:
- They excavate the soil to a given depth and level the walls. Lay a waterproofing layer of roofing felt on the outer wall.
- Drive the pointed end of the log into the ground around the perimeter. Pre-treating them with bitumen or mastic.
- Along the lower and upper parts of the finished log walls, staples 40-50 cm long are driven in and tightened.
- Level the top edge using a chainsaw. Then they place the top beam, screwing it to the ends of the logs.
- They compact the base near the pillars.
Every 5th log should be 50-60 cm longer than ordinary logs. For example, the burial height is 1000 mm. The row post is 1400 mm long, and the corner and intermediate post is 1800 mm long.
To build greenhouses made of wood or polycarbonate, you can use any of these technologies. The main thing is to determine the direction and purpose of the greenhouse. And to build a base from wood means choosing the optimal ratio of price and service life.
An easy way: how to install a polycarbonate greenhouse without a foundation.
If there are favorable climatic conditions, it is possible to install a greenhouse without using a full foundation. At the same time, you should not think that the greenhouse literally just stands on the ground. In this case, you cannot count on any harvest. Properly organized preparatory work will help reduce the negative impact of the heavenly office.
What foundation to make for a polycarbonate greenhouse.
A greenhouse without a foundation can be installed independently. This installation will save significant money on the device.
There are several ways to securely secure structures on a site. The first involves installing not only the main base fastening elements, but also several additional ones.
The number of the latter is determined by the size of the structure. The second option is based on the use of a thermal insulation coating. It is installed strictly along the perimeter of the greenhouse.
Its advantages include the following characteristics:
- Resistance to prolonged exposure to moisture;
- Does not allow frozen soil to negatively affect seedlings;
- Durable - guaranteed service life is 2-3 years.
Paying attention to detail will help you avoid common mistakes when installing a protective coating. You need to make sure that all elements fit snugly together. A lit match will help with this. If the flame “dances” even a little, this indicates the need for additional thermal insulation.
Advantages and disadvantages
Brick foundations can be of several types, which is why some of the pros and cons differ. Positive qualities include:
- Fast and easy installation. If tape or pillars are made, then the construction speed is higher than that of a reinforced concrete base, so the fastening solution does not need to infuse for 20-30 days.
- Environmentally friendly.
- Long service life, which can reach 20-30 years with a little care and proper installation.
- High strength, resistance to external factors and weather conditions.
- The cost under certain conditions is lower than that of a reinforced concrete base.
- Low thermal conductivity, which allows you to additionally protect the greenhouse from freezing.
- Beautiful and aesthetic appearance.
- The mass of a brick foundation is greater than that of a wooden foundation, which reduces the wind load on the foundation and also reduces the likelihood that the greenhouse will blow away.
Among the disadvantages it should be noted:
It is difficult to make a recessed foundation, since it is not convenient to do masonry in a narrow trench.- Waterproofing is needed, as over time the brick may begin to crumble.
- Higher costs of money and time than when installing a foundation made of timber or blocks.
- If temperatures are too low, insulation may be required.
