With a solid foundation from the greenhouse, do-it-yourselfers have the guarantee that their construction will withstand extreme weather conditions and that the valuable plants are reliably protected against the weather. The type of foundation chosen depends primarily on the size and weight of the new structure.

Even a small greenhouse needs a foundation

As a load-bearing substructure, the foundation of a greenhouse should ensure stability under all conceivable weather conditions. All static forces, such as dead load and roof load, wind pressure and its suction must be able to be absorbed by the foundation and, in addition, it must not sink into the ground or lift off if it is a lightweight construction. Not to mention the Protective function against heat loss towards the ground, which is particularly important for the planting used.

Does every greenhouse need a substructure?

With small foil houses, which are usually built in lightweight construction, you will be able to do without a foundation in the traditional construction method. With such greenhouses, the supporting pipe or wooden structures only have to be with stable ground anchors in the ground fastened to ensure stability. In these buildings, a stable wooden frame is often mounted above the ground as an addition to the actual support structure, which accommodates the corner pillars and minimizes the floor load in the area.

Foundation as substructure of massive greenhouses

In the case of industrially prefabricated greenhouses, the set already contains a prefabricated metal or wooden frame that takes on the load-bearing function of a foundation. In the interests of the highest possible level of safety and statics, the instructions for on-site assembly must be observed. Anyone who builds a large greenhouse on their own and builds it with solid roofing and frame elements can easily build their own foundation using the following construction methods:

  • wooden beam foundation;
  • Aluminum or tubular metal foundation beams with impregnated ground anchors;
  • massive 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 erected are essential criteria when deciding on the type of foundation and its dimensioning. For larger greenhouses (€72.95) it may also be necessary to even obtain a building permit must, which in turn requires the preparation of a technical construction drawing. And otherwise, when building foundations for the greenhouse, there are a few important rules 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 perpendicular to each other on all sides.
  • The foundation surface should be horizontal and free of unevenness at all points.

tips

If a water connection is to be used for watering plants, lay it frost-free and preferably below the foundation of the greenhouse. Installing a drain cock for the frost-proof lines must also be considered.

Category:

Garden design