Introduction 1. Questions to Ask before You Begin How Much Time Does a Greenhouse Require? What Is Your Budget? How Large Should Your Greenhouse Be? What about Structure and Systems? What Are the Pros and Cons of Kit Greenhouses? Build It Yourself or Hire a Contractor? What Aesthetics Are Important to You? 2. The First Glasshouses The Start of Growing under Glass * The First Conservatories * Orangeries and Pineries * Nineteenth-Century Colossal Greenhouses * The Hobby Greenhouse 3. An Overview of Greenhouse Options What Type and Structural Style Do You Want? * Five Basic Types * Basic Structural or Building Styles 4. Choosing the Greenhouse Site, Size, and Interior Layout Site selection * Determining the size of your greenhouse * Making the floor plan * Designing the entrance * Getting permits 5. Controlling the Greenhouse Environment Water in the Greenhouse * Lighting and Electricity in the Greenhouse * Heating, Cooling, and Ventilation Systems * Hydroponics * Insecticides in the Greenhouse 6. Greenhouse Building Materials Wood as a Construction Material * Sheathing * House Wrap * Exterior Siding * Other Greenhouse Framing Materials * Framing Materials Insulation * Vapor Barriers * Doors * Alternative Building Materials * Painting the Greenhouse 7. Glazing Understanding Light Transmission * Types of Glazing Materials * Combining Glazing Materials * Caulking and Weather Stripping Checklist for a New Greenhouse 8.

The Foundation Types of Foundations * Types of Floors * Constructing a Concrete Foundation and Slab * Finishing the Foundation 9. Building Techniques Building a Kit Greenhouse * Building a Conventional or Do-It-Yourself Greenhouse 10. Wiring, Plumbing, and Heating: Systems Design and Installation Installing Electricity * Installing Plumbing * Installing a Heating System 11. Greenhouse Accessories Benches * Shelving * Growing Beds * Tools and Equipment * A Germination Chamber or Seed-Starting Box * A Growing Chamber * A Potting Bench * Storage * Greenhouse Clothing * Accessories to Control Insects 12. Greenhouse Maintenance Regular Chores * Monthly or Quarterly Maintenance * Biannual or Annual Maintenance 13. Greenhouse Plans Basic Conventional Greenhouse Slant-Front, Insulated Greenhouse Slope-Sided Greenhouse Gothic Arch Greenhouse Lean-to Greenhouse Greenhouse Built on Piers or a Deck Hoop House or High-Tunnel Greenhouse Window Greenhouse Garden Shed/Greenhouse Multiuse Cold Frame Potting Bench Resources Index.