Monday, November 26, 2018

Shade Pavilion Greenhouse 3.0 — the big reveal!

As you may have read earlier, this was the year Andrew wanted to up his game for the Shade Pavilion Greenhouse (SPG). He started sketching early, but then things kinda stalled. When you're inventing a new system there are bound to be hiccups along the way. Here's where we were on October 16th.

The double wall polycarbonate panels look so sleek, like glass! Such a step up from the corrugated panels we've been using (shown here), which were a huge step up from the sheets of plastic we started with (shown here).

Andrew cut all new wood pieces, which still work within the existing structure (he just removes a bolt and slides the 2x4 into place and re-bolts), and I painted them all. That's an improvement as well, both for longevity and looks, no more bare wood.

The metal pieces are attached to the wood and the polycarbonate panels slide into a side channel and are joined together.

Much nicer than the duct tape we used in the past.

Andrew even found a metal piece for the corner.

Since the existing metal roof provides structure...

The roof panels are only to keep the rain out and the warmth in.

Fitting around the fifth post at the back of the structure has always added complexity, but Andrew managed to make it look elegant.

In addition to the bonus of extra insulating capabilities from the double wall panels the new design features two doors— one on each end—rather than the single door I've been using for years.

Double doors provide needed air-flow and accessibility. Here Andrew was working on exactly how to attach them.

At the bottom we still needed a way to seal the gap between the wood base and the gravel/pavers. Doubled up pieces of pipe insulation were perfect.

Andrew tucked thinner pieces of insulation around the top of the walls too, where the sides and top meet.

Storing the full length 2x4's had always been an issue in the "off season", this year Andrew came up with a method where the full length is obtained by joining two shorter pieces together. You can faintly see the outline of two sideways "L" shapes, pinned together by bolts.

The finished SPG 3.0 was loaded up with plants on November 1st, our rainiest weekend to date this fall.

Unfortunately we ran out of time to paint the wooden door edges, that's a project for next year.

As is the creation of more elegant shelving. Andrew has a design ready to go, but the time to build it just wasn't there.

Happy plants!

But we discovered a problem. The materials used for the sides aren't completely water-tight when used as a roof. Intense rainfall allowed a little moisture to get onto the polycarbonate roof under the metal roof, and water dripped down in the places where the panels fit into the metal channels.

Since the primary purpose of this structure is to keep the plants dry, that wasn't acceptable. Naturally Andrew came up with an elegant solution, which works wonderfully.

This a great photo for showing the metal tape which we were told to use at one end of each panel to keep out creatures, dust and moisture. The other end (when it's a wall) gets a permeable membrane tape, which does the same, but also allows in a little air.

The new panels act as a rain-sheild and keep water off the roof.

Happy plants once again! Still no freeze in my garden though, so things aren't buttoned up against the cold, yet...

Weather Diary, Nov 25: Hi 50, Low 36/ Precip trace

All material © 2009-2018 by Loree Bohl for danger garden. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited and just plain rude.

30 comments:

  1. I hope everyone will be very happy all tucked in safe and sound in the brand new SPG this winter! It looks fabulous.

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    1. Thanks Alison, of course I'd love to have a winter where I don't even have to turn on the heater...

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  2. I don't know how you manage to make it better again and again, as each version looks amazing at the time. I suppose in a few years this fantastic version will look so amateurish when 4.0 is revealed. :)

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    1. Well it's not me, it's Andrew, but yes...he certainly does! I'll let him know you're already looking forward to 4.0

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  3. looking good and very functional.

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    1. What more can a zonal denial gardener ask for!?

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  4. That is a beautiful project and so expertly thought-out and crafted. It is a good example of how simple something can appear when in fact it is quite complex.

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  5. I thought the 3.0 version was pretty darn fine but this is magnificent. It will be exciting to see Andrew's shelving ideas put into play next year. Well done!

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    1. This is 3.0, if you're referring to the last improvement I agree! But those tall corrugated panels were a bear to work with, so tall, brittle and floppy.

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  6. SPG 3.0 is the most elegant version yet. Good things are definitely worth waiting for!

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  7. Ingenious! You two could go into business selling these convertible structures if you so chose. This is SO much better than most of the greenhouses I see for sale.

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    1. I think Andrew would rather starve than have to produce these for a living.

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  8. Quite elegant for a structure that you don't use all the time. I agree with Barbara, well done.

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    1. I too think of it as temporary, but in realist it's up about half the year.

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  9. An impressive project! Happy plants, indeed!

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  10. Beautiful and functional! Andrew is a prince-right up there with the Facilities Manager. I'm looking forward to his shelving solution next year.

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    1. I have to agree with that. There wouldn't be a patio, a shade pavilion or a greenhouse without his vision and "can do" ways.

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  11. i am still dreaming of creating a first version of your beautiful plant shelter. the color you painted the wood structure is fantastic. it looks like rusty metal. do you know what color/brand it is? thank you.

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    1. It's an Olympic brand paint we picked up at Lowes, color name is mincemeat (ha!). It is from 2009 though, so might be hard to track down.

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  12. Wow, that is seriously impressive! I mean I liked your previous versions, too, but this is dreamy. Kudos to both of you!

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  13. I love everything about this greenhouse from the first time I saw it, regardless of the version; It ought to be patented and made-to-order. Lucky plants!

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    1. Thanks chavliness, I'll let my husband know ;)

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  14. I love everything about this lath house especially its dual functionality. It is beautiful in every way. A perfectionist at work. Like me you are lucky to have a man who supports your hobby.

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    1. I am so lucky! And with such a small garden I can't imagine dedicating space year round to a greenhouse, this is the perfect compromise.

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  15. Very impressive! Now I'm envious twice over.

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  16. I seem to have a problem leaving comments, Anyway I think Andrew deserves an architectural award. If you were in the UK you'd win a gold at Chelsea.

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