Homestead How-To Budget-Friendly Greenhouse
Framing With Reclaimed Wood
After the windows, we went to gather up reclaimed wood. We were lucky enough to have a neighbor doing construction who offered us a pile of extras. If anyone offers you free wood, accept it and find a place to store it. It will always come in handy for future projects.
Our pile consisted of some two-by-six-inch, a few twoby-four-inch and some two-by-two-inch boards. We started by attaching our one-by-six-inch boards to our existing wall at the desired height, then we started building the basic framework with our two-by-fours. We framed up the windows using two-by-six-inch boards on both the top and bottom and then fit the outer edges with plywood to close in any gaps.
As you start putting the frame together, it’ s normal for the greenhouse to look a bit rough; don’ t worry, this“ ugly duckling” stage is just part of the process, and it will come together as you continue building.
Roof Panels and Insulation
Our clear polycarbonate roof panels are one of the few purchases we did have to make. We picked up six sheets at
AcreageLife. com approximately $ 38 a piece. This is a bit of an investment, but after some trial and error, we found them to be a necessity.
Previously, we had tried using windows for the roof, but they don’ t allow the rain to drain properly, which can be both a weight hazard and cause leakage. We constructed the greenhouse at approximately six feet wide, which allowed us to cut our panels in half to span the length of the roof at a reasonable cost. We used the remaining panels to finish the end wall and door.
Additional Insulation for Cold Weather
For the roof portion, we also purchased three cans of insulating foam. The foam was applied, then the panel inserted, then screwed into the two-by-six-inch board. This allowed the foam to expand and seal up the roof portion of the project. You can go in with a utility knife once everything has dried to trim the foam for a neater appearance.
To further insulate our lean-to greenhouse, we purchased two sheets of foam insulation board for $ 11 each. These were cut to fit on the side wall and the top of the windows. All you’ ll need is your utility knife to trim the boards to the appropriate size.
February 2026 AcreageLife 23