When you want to start something new, you have to start from scratch. The same goes for those who want to start vegetable gardening in a greenhouse. Since people often ask how to assemble a greenhouse and everything beforehand, we provide eight chronological tips & tricks around that topic.
1. Do you need a permit?
To install a detached outbuilding in your garden, you need a permit. So too for installing a greenhouse. But not always. You may get an exemption and thus not need a permit for your greenhouse. The conditions for this are:
- The area of your outbuilding may not exceed 40m².
- If it is intended that someone will live in the outbuilding, a permit is required.
- The greenhouse may be a maximum of 3.5 meters in height.
- The outbuilding must be within 30 meters of your house.
- In the side yard, the greenhouse must remain 3 meters away from the property line, in the back yard it must be 1 meter away from the property line.
- There may be additional conditions for getting an exemption, but for that it is best to contact your municipality.
2. Which greenhouse do you want to install?
Are you one of those big doubters who doesn’t make big decisions quickly? Buying a greenhouse remains an investment. Its easy to choose a greenhouse from ACD® because they sell so many types of greenhouses. ACD® sells greenhouses with sloped or straight walls, wall greenhouses and garden rooms. We sell those types in different sizes and colors.
Types of greenhouses
- A greenhouse with sloped walls offers optimal light and heat collection. Thanks to the sloped walls, your greenhouse easily escapes strong gusts of wind and the weight of the walls is better distributed, providing optimal strength.
- A greenhouse with straight walls saves more space, allowing your space to be used 100%. This type allows you to grow in height because ….
- Any classic greenhouse can be used as a garden room. But ACD® also sells garden rooms on their own. Are you an optimal epicurean still looking for an extra space to unwind? Then you best choose the garden room.
- In addition to free-standing greenhouses, you can also choose a wall greenhouse. This type stands against a house or outbuilding. This makes it easier to lay pipes for heating, water or electricity. With this greenhouse, you also have the choice of a straight or sloped wall.
The size of your greenhouse
As a beginning vegetable gardener, you may want to start small, but don’t choose your greenhouse too small. You might start today with some basic vegetables, but gradually your interest will grow and you will also start growing rare fruits and vegetables or even tropical plants. Through the influence of friends you can exchange plants, take on new challenges, and so on. By the way, did you know that a slightly larger greenhouse is sometimes more advantageous in price per square meter? So look at a greenhouse as a long-term investment, one that you can move with you or even sell if you choose a self-supporting aluminum foundation.
This chart will help you in your search for the right greenhouse. Another thing we want to give you is: every greenhouse you see can be transformed into a garden room yourself. You can just as easily put the urban greenhouse and wall greenhouse in your giant garden in the countryside. Did you think you couldn’t put plants in a garden room? Of course you can! Just to give you a clear picture.
Can’t get over it and curious to see what our greenhouses look like in real life? Take a trip to the ACD® Experience Center.
3. Where to place your greenhouse?
Before installing the greenhouse, it is best to plan where to put it. We give you some tips for the right place.
- As you have read in the first paragraph, it is mandatory that your greenhouse must be 3 meters away from the property line in the side garden and 1 meter away from the property line in the backyard.
- There are a lot of plants that need a lot of sunlight, so it is not wise to put your greenhouse in a place with a lot of shade.
- If your greenhouse is not sheltered from wind and is therefore on an open plain, your plants will not be sufficiently protected during cool nights. Therefore, place your greenhouse next to a hedge, but keep enough distance so that it does not create too much shade.
- In terms of orientation, place your greenhouse with the upper part of the roof (ridge) on the north-south axis, with the door opening to the south. That way your vegetables will take maximum advantage of the rising sun.
- Don’t place the greenhouse too far from your house. That way it will be used much more and the plants will receive optimal care.
Voor je de serre plaatst, teken je best uit waar je de serre zal zetten. Wij geven je enkele tips voor de juist plaats.
4. Which foundation do you choose?
A foundation gives your greenhouse an extra solid base. It is literally the bottom on which your greenhouse rests. The foundation is extremely important because it protects the greenhouse from all possible pressure from the ground. Frost in the winter, for example, causes groundwater to push the greenhouse upward in an uneven manner. And in summer, the drawdown of groundwater causes subsidence. You can choose between aluminum foundation and concrete foundation.
An aluminum foundation has a self-supporting profile, which has several advantages. For example, it provides ideal protection that can handle seasonal pressure. In addition, it is not sealed off from the soil outside the greenhouse, making it easier to flush the greenhouse without having to renew the soil. When you want to move, you can simply take the greenhouse with you. Installing this type of foundation also takes much less time than a concrete foundation since no concrete is poured. If you are interested in an ACD® greenhouse, your greenhouse will have a self-supporting aluminum foundation anyway.
If you choose a concrete foundation, the greenhouse is considered real estate. The disadvantage of this foundation is that you cannot therefore move your greenhouse with you. In addition, there is a lot involved in installing a concrete foundation. For example, it must be 60 to 70 centimeters deep, just below the frost line. The surface on which the greenhouse will be placed must be level, the greenhouse must be level in width. The surface of the foundation must slope (about 0.5 to 1 centimeter per running meter) and that along the entire length of the greenhouse so that rainwater can drain. Conclusion, there are a lot of factors to consider when choosing a concrete foundation.
5. What type of glass do you choose?
For the glazing of your greenhouse, you can choose between two types of glass: horticultural glass or safety glass. Safety glass, as the name implies, is the safest choice. It undergoes a specific treatment to ensure the safety of people and animals. The glass breaks into very small pieces with flattened edges, reducing the risk of injury. Horticultural glass, on the other hand, breaks into large pieces that can quickly cut you.
ACD® is the only greenhouse manufacturer that uses hammered glass for the roof of their house brand. Hammered glass breaks sun rays so there is less chance of burning inside the greenhouse while there is virtually no light loss. Along the sides is clear glass so you can see the results in your greenhouse from the outside and also enjoy looking outside while vegetable gardening.
6. Anchoring
With anchoring, ACD® secures your greenhouse with anchors deep in the ground, at the corners of your greenhouse. If you have seven panes, your greenhouse will also have anchors in the center of the self-supporting profile. The wells where the anchors are located are then filled with concrete. Will your greenhouse be placed on a concrete floor or stone wall? Then anchor the greenhouse with an L bracket and a screw which in turn is screwed into a plug in the concrete.
7. Preparing the ground
Make sure you prepare the ground before assembly. Clear the area on which the greenhouse will stand. If necessary, dig over the soil and make sure it is firm. These jobs are easier when the greenhouse is not yet there.
8. Assembly
Each greenhouse is delivered in a self-assembly kit. Thanks to the very comprehensive and clear manual it is easy for everyone to do it themselves. Optionally, use the ACD® Assembly Kit, which contains all the materials you need to set up your greenhouse. Ask for it when ordering as it is not included in the standard delivery.
Do you live in Belgium and are you thinking of having your greenhouse assembled by a professional? You can! Our ACD® employees are eager to do it for you. Please contact us for more information.
If you choose to install your ACD® greenhouse yourself watch our full video tutorial