A greenhouse is the perfect way to grow plants and vegetables all year round. The controlled environment inside a greenhouse ensures healthy, disease-free plants. However, to maintain the growing environment, you need a strong base built on a solid foundation.
You can put a greenhouse on decking. In most cases, putting a greenhouse on decking is the best option to keep your greenhouse pest and weed-free and gives you better control of the humidity content in your greenhouse. The right choice of decking material is essential.
Many home growers enjoy the convenience of having a greenhouse right outside their back door. This means that they don’t have too far to walk to harvest fresh veggies every day or to maintain their growing beds. In addition, having a good, stable deck to place a greenhouse on keeps the floor clean, dry, and pest-free.
Is Decking A Good Base For A Greenhouse?
A deck can be the ideal place to build a greenhouse, but a few factors must be considered first. First, the decking should be solid and level before you place the greenhouse on it. Second, it should be able to carry the extra weight of the greenhouse structure and the additional insulation material needed on the floor.
Choosing a deck for your greenhouse depends on the space you have available and the type of greenhouse you require for your growing needs.
- A freestanding deck can be erected on the ground above a prepared concrete foundation. This deck is not attached to a building and floats on top of the ground over the foundation.
- An elevated or floating deck can be built above the ground using a platform with footings set into concrete for strength and stability. This type of deck is generally attached to a building but, it is ideal for placing anywhere in the garden.
There are three requirements for placing a greenhouse on a deck:
Heat Retention
A greenhouse is a sealed growing system. The heat and humidity are controlled to provide the proper growing conditions for the plants. Heat can be lost through the floor if it is not sealed correctly.
Foamboard insulation should be placed directly over the floorboards inside the greenhouse or underneath the boards on the deck between the joists to prevent heat from escaping through the floor.
Protecting The Deck
A deck is expensive to build, and the last thing you need is your expensive wood rotting or getting covered in mold and mildew. All wood and timber should be pressure treated before using on the deck. Ensure that the wood preserver used on the wood is not toxic as it could leach into the soil and poison your plants.
The humid conditions inside the greenhouse cause condensation to run down the walls onto the floor. To prolong the life of the floor decking, lay down a thick rubber insulated mat over the deck in the greenhouse. Insulating mats come in different colors, so you can use them to brighten up your greenhouse space.
The Correct Drainage
You will need to drain out excess water after watering the plants inside the greenhouse. A greenhouse floor must have a drainage system in place to get rid of excess water. The deck should not be in any danger of water damage due to water flowing over it or because of the humidity in the greenhouse.
Here’s a helpful video showing a greenhouse being built on a sleeper deck:
What To Consider For A Greenhouse Deck
Building a deck or using an existing one for erecting a greenhouse on is not as simple as it sounds. There are many factors to consider for each option.
Check out these Greenhouse Kits (link to Amazon) for an easy greenhouse that can be put any where.
When Using An Existing Deck, Consider The Following:
- The current deck posts should be on solid footings below the frost line.
- The foundation must be strong enough to take the extra weight of the greenhouse.
- Extra joists and posts will be a requirement to reinforce the deck directly below the greenhouse.
- The posts should be pressure-treated wood or timber, and the decking must be rot-resistant redwood, cedar, or pressure-treated lumber.
When Building A New Deck For The Greenhouse, Consider The Following:
- Do you have permission from the local town planning authorities?
- Will the structure meet all town planning requirements?
- Where to place the structure
- The size of the deck.
- Which building materials are you going to use for the deck and the greenhouse structure?
- Does the location have access to power and water?
Here’s another video using a small greenhouse kit on an existing deck:
Why Would You Build A Greenhouse On Your Deck?
A deck is a great way to keep your greenhouse protected from the elements. Raising the greenhouse off the floor offers protection from the rain and mud and prevents insects and pests from entering through the ground.
Generally, a deck is built as an addition to a home to extend the living and entertaining area. The addition of a greenhouse to a deck is conducive to making the greenhouse more inviting. You will want to spend time in it as it is only a short distance from the comfort of home.
A deck can add to the resale value of your home if it is built well. Placing a greenhouse on top of it adds an eye-catching feature to your outdoor space.
What Type Of Greenhouse Is Best For A deck?
Many different materials are suitable for constructing a greenhouse, but lightweight materials are essential for a greenhouse on a deck.
Check out these Greenhouse Kits (link to Amazon) for an easy greenhouse that can be put any where.
The type of greenhouse you place on your deck could be permanent or mobile according to your needs. Always consider the climate that you live in when deciding on which materials to use. Your local home depot should stock all the materials needed to build your greenhouse on your deck.
If you build a permanent greenhouse on your deck, you could use sturdier materials like glass for the walls and roof, with a steel frame structure. The structure is extremely important as it needs to withstand the elements without collapsing in the rain and snow or being blown over in strong winds.
A mobile greenhouse should be lighter and more maneuverable but still sturdy enough to withstand the elements.
Greenhouse plastic is an excellent option for any greenhouse. A greenhouse can be a stylish addition to your backyard, especially when placed onto a deck so consider the aesthetics of the materials you will use.
Conclusion
There are various affordable options available for use on any size greenhouse structure. Do your research first before building your greenhouse on a deck.
Consider all the local regulations and requirements, and research the best materials for your type of deck and greenhouse. Greenhouse materials vary according to the size of the structure, while decking can be built from treated lumber, composite lumber, and composite materials.