Replacing the GH Roof & Building a Palm Shelter

Knnn · Post by **Knnn** » Thu Sep 10, 2009 7:33 pm

The original section of this greenhouse was built with recycled materials, after 4-5 years of hail & falling branches, it's ready to cave in (had to put up plastic on the inside due to the leaks)

Posting photos to show the progress, it's just me doing this so it might take a while

Here is some "Before" photos.

I tried patching what I could.................

Inside,

Knnn · Post by **Knnn** » Thu Sep 10, 2009 7:40 pm

Starting the work, since I couldn't leave the roof open for too long, decided to build over the old roof and then remove it when done. Also going to add some more height.

Knnn · Post by **Knnn** » Thu Sep 10, 2009 7:45 pm

The framing work is just about done

The back 4' of roof will be plywood & shingles, the rest will be polycarbonate panels.

oppalm · Post by **oppalm** » Fri Sep 11, 2009 8:06 am

more height is good. Looks like great fall project to me.

BILL MA · Post by **BILL MA** » Fri Sep 11, 2009 10:41 am

Nice choice replacing the roof. That would be all you need to have it collapes in the winter and kill all of your plants. More height the better too.

Bill

Okanagan desert-palms · Fri Sep 11, 2009 11:31 am

Steve that new roof height should be good for at least another couple of years. Maybe less the way things are growing in there.

John

Knnn · Post by **Knnn** » Fri Sep 11, 2009 5:22 pm

Thanks for the comments

I think the first heavy snow would have done it in, a cat jumped on it a couple weeks ago and one of the supports fell out

The extra height is going to be nice! finished up the back section today.

Steve

oppalm · Post by **oppalm** » Sun Sep 13, 2009 6:44 am

the man from central Kansas possesses some construction skills. Coming along nicely Steve. Are you going to have two layers of panels on top for insulating value , or is one layer good enough. I suppose if you put two layers with air space between you block too much light?

Knnn · Post by **Knnn** » Sun Sep 13, 2009 8:08 am

the man from central Kansas possesses some construction skills

Not really, just a decent mitre saw to keep cutting with till I get it right

Double or even triple wall panels would have been ideal! Wish I could afford them...lol
If things get too cold, I'll add a layer of plastic on the inside for the winter.

Started to put them up yesterday, hope to finish the front & sides in a few days.

Steve

lucky1 · Post by **lucky1** » Sun Sep 13, 2009 3:12 pm

Hey Steve, great project, great idea to increase the height...especially the way your stuff grows.
Proof alone is that Pachypodium!

A cat broke a roof support???? On the same roof you were up there patching ????

I've always enjoyed seeing your carpentry projects, nicely done.

Congrats!
Barb

Knnn · Post by **Knnn** » Sun Sep 13, 2009 5:18 pm

Hi Barb,

The cats would climb up the pole next to the GH & jump on the roof. Most of the wood rotted out , so it didn't take much to dislodge it.
(I was afraid to climb up there, instead, used a broom handle to dip in sealant and reach across

Finished up the roof section & front. Need to finish the sides and I'm done!

As soon as it's sealed off, I'll pull the old roof out from the inside.
(need to relocate electric lines underneath it, etc.)

<img src="http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t7/k ... -20093.jpg">
Steve

BILL MA · Post by **BILL MA** » Mon Sep 14, 2009 8:20 am

Looking really good Steve! I like the new look, more streamlined.

Bill

Knnn · Post by **Knnn** » Mon Sep 14, 2009 5:07 pm

Thanks Bill ! Hope to have things finished up tomorrow.
(then I need to start on my palm shelters ..........

Steve

lucky1 · Post by **lucky1** » Tue Sep 15, 2009 9:51 am

Great idea and good looking finish!

That Pachypodium will reach the new ceiling quickly!

Barb

BILL MA · Post by **BILL MA** » Tue Sep 15, 2009 11:23 am

Steve, your washy is in there right? How big is it now?

Bill

Knnn · Post by **Knnn** » Tue Sep 15, 2009 1:43 pm

Bill, The washy is still there. We had a stretch of 100*F + days in July with the misters on almost continuously, one of them was spraying into it's crown....
A bit of rot set in, treated with peroxide, it seems to be outgrowing it now

Will get some photos later!

Barb, Maybe I can get the Pachy to bloom now!

Steve

lucky1 · Post by **lucky1** » Tue Sep 15, 2009 2:36 pm

That would be exciting!

Knnn · Post by **Knnn** » Tue Sep 15, 2009 4:54 pm

Finished the outside, still a bit of trim work to do.

Back,

Side,

Tomorrow I get to start on the inside

Steve

Knnn · Post by **Knnn** » Tue Sep 15, 2009 5:01 pm

Bill, A bit crowded, but here's the Washingtonia.

Steve

BILL MA · Post by **BILL MA** » Tue Sep 15, 2009 5:42 pm

That's Great that you built the greenhouse around the washy that year Steve! I'm in the construction business and I just threw out three good vinyl windows before Jim mentioned that I should use them for my washy en closers. Oh well I think
my plan is pretty solid for protection. Good to see your green house just about wrapped up! Time for the other protection stuctures soon like you said.

Bill

Knnn · Post by **Knnn** » Fri Sep 18, 2009 6:05 pm

Looking forward to seeing what everyone builds for shelters this year

Last year didn't work out to due to animals clawing their way in (I'm using OSB & windows this year

Just about have the inside put back together, going to build new racks and insulate.

Steve

Knnn · Post by **Knnn** » Mon Sep 21, 2009 5:09 pm

Just about back together, here are some "After" photos,

Steve

lucky1 · Post by **lucky1** » Mon Sep 21, 2009 5:49 pm

You've done a lot of great work, Steve.
Well planned out.

Man, look how everything's grown in there in the last couple of years!

Where'd you put the wiring you removed from the old ceiling?
Those new clear roof panels...presume they can handle a heavy snow load without cracking?

You make a good point that our winter shelters have to be animal proof.
There are a couple of stray cats in our neighbourhood...I'm sure they'd rather be inside a cozy shelter than out in -20.
Rigid enclosures are a necessity for our peace of mind.

Barb

BILL MA · Post by **BILL MA** » Mon Sep 21, 2009 7:53 pm

Looks awesome Steve! All of your hard work will really pay off this winter. I like the new upper shelves too.

Well done,
Bill

Knnn · Post by **Knnn** » Mon Sep 21, 2009 9:01 pm

Thanks for the comments! Need to put up some more insulation and hopefully it's ready for winter.
Starting on the palm shelter tomorrow, Looks like maybe two more weeks before our lows are in the 30's..........

Barb, most of the wiring was left exposed along the main beams ( just so I don't forget where it is

The same panels used on the other side of the GH have been through snow, ice, and 1" hail, nothing has bothered them yet.

Steve

lucky1 · Post by **lucky1** » Tue Sep 22, 2009 10:12 am

Let's hope freezing temps are a long way off so we can all get needed work done to protect plants.

Good those panels are that strong.
I always wondered why people used the opaque ones when clear seems such a better choice, especially areas where clouds prevail in winter.

Looking forward to pics of your palm shelter. The one out front?
Barb

Knnn · Post by **Knnn** » Tue Sep 22, 2009 5:13 pm

Barb,

Planted a fillibusta in place of the robusta that didn't make it, here it is back in May.

And today, have a Trachy seedling to the side, some Livistona saribus & Sabal minors in there.
(something is bound to survive

Have the frame up, will have a window in front and OSB sides.
(nothing is clawing it's way in this year... lol

Steve

lucky1 · Post by **lucky1** » Tue Sep 22, 2009 5:18 pm

Nice construction, glad you're using cat-proof/windproof housing.
Great looking plants.
Just think how they'll take off next spring!

Congrats.
Barb

BILL MA · Post by **BILL MA** » Tue Sep 22, 2009 5:27 pm

Looks like you have to be careful about shuting a cat in your encloser. LOL! You have been really productive Steve I need to get my S@#T together and get thinking about my robusta enclosers at very least. I will order my parts tomorrow so maybe I can get busy Sat. Love the updates.

Good Job,
Bill

Knnn · Post by **Knnn** » Wed Sep 23, 2009 8:13 am

Thanks Bill, I think winter is going to be here a few weeks early this year, 44* this morning!
It seems like every stray cat in the neighborhood ends up here..................... and my dogs aren't helping, they share their food with them

Barb, Not taking any chances after last year!
BTW- The tinted panels work out better for me, without them, I would need to put up some shade cloth during the summer.
During the winter, the sun exposure goes up once the trees drop their leaves.

Steve

lucky1 · Post by **lucky1** » Wed Sep 23, 2009 3:33 pm

Keep the shelter plans, and just copy them at 120 per cent for next year's build!

Your plants will be well protected in there this winter.
Barb

Knnn · Post by **Knnn** » Wed Sep 23, 2009 6:24 pm

No plans here, just build and see how it looks

Hopefully it will last a couple seasons, if needed will just add a base for more height next year.

Wrapped poly on both sides today, will keep the framing from direct contact with the ground and the air space should provide some insulation.
(walls & window are on tomorrow's schedule.............

Steve

DesertZone · Post by **DesertZone** » Wed Sep 23, 2009 7:14 pm

Looking good! Love the open window.

Knnn · Post by **Knnn** » Thu Sep 24, 2009 3:58 pm

Fixed that window today

Added the OSB,

Knnn · Post by **Knnn** » Thu Sep 24, 2009 4:00 pm

Installed the window, need to scare up some shingles, (or whatever I can find for the roof), and I'm done!

Steve

lucky1 · Post by **lucky1** » Thu Sep 24, 2009 4:52 pm

Great, Steve.
No critter will get through that this winter...

Rolled roofing is a quick install, and it's cheap.
Depends on how windy it gets though.

Barb

Knnn · Post by **Knnn** » Thu Sep 24, 2009 10:05 pm

Rolled roofing is quick & easy, about $30 here for a roll now, last year it was $12

(Hoping I can find more shingles stashed in the back of the garage.......

Steve

BILL MA · Post by **BILL MA** » Fri Sep 25, 2009 7:38 am

Steve,
Your going to need a crane to lift that bad boy off in Spring! LOL Looks good, I would say it will do the trick very nicely.

Bill

oppalm · Post by **oppalm** » Fri Sep 25, 2009 9:20 am

nice work steve. Are you planning on spending some quality time with your washy in that plam hut. I think you could hang a flat screen on one of those walls and watch football on Sundays. ?

Knnn · Post by **Knnn** » Fri Sep 25, 2009 10:59 am

Home away from home

(may end up living out there once my wife notices all the plants I'm moving into the house...........

It's heavy, but I can still stand it up

Have a cart to move it behind the garage when not in use.

Steve

PalmsNorth.com

Replacing the GH Roof & Building a Palm Shelter

Replacing the GH Roof & Building a Palm Shelter

Raising the roof