We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Gardening

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

How do I Choose the Best Greenhouse Base?

By Kaitlyn N. Watkins
Updated: May 16, 2024
Views: 10,264
Share

The base of a greenhouse has a unique set of requirements and can be a challenge to design. Excellent drainage, sturdy construction, and insulation are all considerations to take into account when choosing the best type of greenhouse base. While materials like wood, concrete, steel, and gravel are frequently used, they work best when combined to form a solid greenhouse base.

Using wood as a frame for the greenhouse base works well because it is sturdy enough to support a heavy structure. Wood is a cost-effective base material and is generally less expensive than galvanized steel or concrete. Consider a naturally pest- and deterioration-resistant wood like cypress, cedar, or redwood, as wood can attract termites or promote rot. Treated woods can release harmful chemicals into the soil and may also break down aluminum framing materials.

For permanent greenhouse structures, including large-scale commercial buildings, concrete is sometimes used as a slab foundation. Concrete greenhouse bases are very sturdy, can support heavy materials like glass and wood, and generally do not need to be replaced or repaired. A base made from concrete can be expensive, however, and does not allow for contact with the ground. In fact, a concrete slab foundation must have drains installed to prevent water build up, which can promote disease and mosquitoes inside the greenhouse. The work involved in digging a level area and adding the gravel and subfloor materials that are necessary beneath a concrete base can be exhausting for the home gardener.

Greenhouse kits are often sold with steel stakes that are meant to be hammered into the ground for temporary structures, making it easy to pull up and store the greenhouse in the off-season. Drainage is also very good in a greenhouse secured with stakes because there is no solid floor to collect moisture. Due to the large surface area and lightweight materials used in store-bought greenhouse kits, they can be susceptible to high winds, however, and can often collapse or tip over if not properly secured. For longer-term uses, some kits recommend using a reinforced base in addition to or instead of the included steel stakes. The easiest way to do this is by securing the greenhouse into a wooden frame.

Though wood is sturdy and inexpensive, when combined with steel anchors or concrete footings, a more permanent greenhouse base can be created. Concrete footings can be made by digging a few holes alongside the frame and pouring the concrete around a bar that is attached to the wooden frame. This saves money because less concrete is used, and it also allows for drainage. Steel anchors, like the stakes found in kits, can be driven into the ground along the sides of the wooden frame and attached with bolts. Once the wooden frame has been anchored, an easy-to-maintain floor of landscape fabric or plastic topped with a few inches of pea gravel will ensure optimum drainage at a minimum cost.

Share
HomeQuestionsAnswered is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Discussion Comments
Share
https://www.homequestionsanswered.com/how-do-i-choose-the-best-greenhouse-base.htm
Copy this link
HomeQuestionsAnswered, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

HomeQuestionsAnswered, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.