With a solid greenhouse foundation, do-it-yourselfers can be assured that their structure will withstand extreme weather conditions and that the valuable plants will be reliably protected against the weather. The type of foundation you choose depends primarily on the size and weight of the new structure.
Which foundation should I choose for my greenhouse?
A foundation for a greenhouse ensures stability and protection for the plants. The choice of foundation type depends on the size, weight and use of the greenhouse and ranges from wooden beam and metal pipe foundations to concrete slabs and strip foundations.
As a load-bearing substructure, the foundation of a greenhouse should ensure stability under all conceivable weather conditions. All static forces, such as dead and roof load, wind pressure and its suction, must be able to be absorbed by the foundation and, moreover, it must not sink into the ground or lift off if it is a lightweight construction. Not to forget theprotection function against heat loss towards the ground, which is particularly important for the planting used.
Does every greenhouse need a substructure?
For small foil houses, which are usually built using lightweight construction, you will be able to do without a foundation using the traditional construction method. In such greenhouses, the supporting pipe or wooden structures simply need to befastened to the ground with stable ground anchors to ensure safe stability. In these buildings, as an addition to the actual supporting structure, a stable wooden frame is often mounted above the ground, which holds the corner pillars and minimizes the floor load in the area.
Foundation as a substructure for massive greenhouses
In the case of industrially prefabricated greenhouses, the set comes with a prefabricated metal or wooden frame that takes on the supporting function of a foundation. In the interest of ensuring the highest possible level of safety and statics, the instructions must be strictly followed during assembly on site. If you build a large greenhouse on your own using solid covering and frame elements, you can easily build your own foundation using the following construction methods:
- Wooden beam foundation;
- Aluminium or metal tube foundation frame with impregnated ground anchors;
- solid concrete slab over the entire floor area;
- Concrete strip foundation;
- cast point foundation at the corners made of precast concrete;
Factors for choosing the foundation of the greenhouse
The later planned use and of course the weight and size of the building to be constructed are essential criteria when deciding on the type of foundation and its dimensions. For larger greenhouses, it may also be necessary toobtain a building permit, which in turn requires the production of a technical construction drawing. And when it comes to building foundations for a greenhouse, there are a few important rules to follow before you start work:
- Carry out the work accurately and with care in the interests of later stability of the building.
- The foundations must be aligned at right angles to each other on all sides.
- The foundation surface should be horizontal and free of unevenness wherever possible.
Tip
If a water connection is to be used for watering plants, lay it frost-free and ideally below the foundation of the greenhouse. The installation of a drain cock for the frost-proof pipes must also be considered.