Ledgewood Farm greenhouse construction

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Ledgewood Farm greenhouse construction

• How do I Start?

to
Im Finished!
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Post layout

• The string will be 7 above the ground and the
  posts will be driven until the proper drill hole
  is at the string.

3
Spacing and driving posts

• Use the template to space the posts four feet
  apart and the large bolt to hammer the posts into
  the ground. Use a bar or drill to make a pilot
  hole for the post.

4
Level the two lines of posts

• Use a line level or laser to level the frame left
  to right so you have a level end wall. The frame
  can slope end to end over the length.

5
Squaring the greenhouse

• Using the table in the instructions and a tape
  measure square the two sides of one end and then
  square the other end. The tape must be the same
  height at all three points.

6
Squaring the greenhouse

• Check your measurements to make sure your frame
  is square before you pound all the posts.

7
Assemble the bows

• The three pieces of the bow are assembled on the
  ground, bolted with the 2-1/2 carriage bolts and
  then erected as a unit.

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Assembling the 26 and 30 foot bows
The cap piece slides inside the bow and is bolted
with a 5/16x2-1/2 carriage bolt. The black mark
helps line up the holes.
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Erecting the 14,17, and 21 foot bows

• A pair of vise grips or clamp is attached to the
  bow at the black mark. When the bow is lowered
  into the post the clamp will stop the bow at the
  proper depth. A nail is used to hold the bow in
  place until the baseboard is attached.

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Finish erecting the bows

• Compress the bow and slide the other side into
  the ground post until the clamp stops the bow.
  Use the nail to hold the bow in place.

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Erecting the 26 and 30 foot bows
The 3 hole insert connects to the bow with the
hole that is farthest from the end of the insert.
Do not use the end that has a hole 1 from the
end. Connect using a 5/16x2-1/2 bolt.
The tall post 30 foot bow insert has 2 holes. One
to connect the insert to the bow and one to
connect the insert to the post.
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26 and 30 foot bow connected to the post
The insert slides into the post until the bow
rests snug on top of the post. The holes in the
insert and post should be aligned. Do not install
the bolt in the ground post yet.
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Installing purlins

• Install the lowest purlin on one side of the
  house. Start with the number 1 pipe from a bundle
  and bolt it in place. Then install number 2,3,
  and 4 etc.

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Purlin joints
A 2 bolt connects the purlin pieces together.
The joints will be between bows. Install the 2
bolts as you add purlin pieces.
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Install remaining purlins

• The remaining purlins are installed from bottom
  to top. Always install the ridge pole last.

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Corner brace installation
Clamp the lower end of a corner brace to the
second bow using a long clamp, then pivot the
corner brace so the other end can be clamped to
the fourth bow with another long clamp.
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Finishing the corner braces
Use 2 clamps and one bolt to connect the bow and
the brace together at the intersection. The
clamps will make a figure 8 shape.
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Crossties (if you have them)
The crosstie is connected to the bow with a brace
band and bolt. Level the crossties by making the
ends equal distance from the purlins on each side
of the house.
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Crosstie and drops
Connect the drop to the crosstie using two small
clamps. One attached to the ridge purlin and the
other around the crosstie.
20
Adding the trusses to the crossties
The end of the truss with the drill hole in the
center attaches to the bow with a large brace
band and the other end attaches to the crosstie
with a small brace band.
21
Baseboard
Mark the post so the baseboard is about 2 into
the soil and the top of the board is straight the
length of the house. A 2x10 board is preferred.
Drill and bolt the baseboard to the post. Attach
the 30 bow to the post using a 5/16x2-1/2 bolt
through the insert coupler..
Dig the soil out of the way so the top of the
board will line up with the marks on the posts.
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More baseboard
Use a second layer or one wide plank. Connect the
joints with pieces of board. One 2x10 board is
preferred so there isnt an air gap between the
boards.
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Hip board for roll-up sides
Place the hip board on the bow using the marks on
the bow as a guide. Drill the hip board and
attach it to the bow using the included bolts and
nuts. Make sure to keep the hip parallel to the
baseboard by using the marks on the bow. Pressure
treated 2x4 is preferred.
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Hip board and attaching poly
This piece of wood helps with snow and rain
shedding. Pressure treated 5/4x 1-3/4strips are
preferred.
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Starting the end walls
Place a sill along the ground from side to side.
Use banding to attach the sill to the bow and
baseboard. Toenail the studs to the sill using
the included 3 decking screws.
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Metal banding to attach studs
2.
1.
4.
3.
Attach the banding with one screw on the outside
of the stud, then wrap the banding over the bow
and attach the band to the top of the stud. Use
the 3 decking screws.
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Finish the end wall
You may use any material to finish the ends.
Poly, clear structured sheets, boards, or
plywood. I use ½ CDX plywood as it is fast and
durable.
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Block between studs

• Use some of the left over 2x4 or 2x6 lumber
  to block between the studs. The blocks will be on
  their vertical edge in between the studs. This
  gives a surface to attach the poly and sheathing.

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How about doors?
Any door size will work, I like two 4 by 8
doors for a large opening so a small tractor fits
inside. A simple, yet secure latch is made from
3/8 inch steel rod and a block of wood.
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Are you ready for the poly?
Attach the poly at one end and roll it down the
ridge pole. If you start with the roll centered
on the ridge it is easy to keep it that way.
If you arent so brave, roll it out on the ground
and pull it up over the frame using ropes. Make
sure it ends up straight, square and right side
up.
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Here we go!
It really isnt too scary! You have the roll, the
long pipe and your most trusted to provide
stability. Stop a couple of times to pull the
roll tight and make sure it is centered. Did you
tighten all of the bolts?
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Cleats ready to attach
The cleats should have screws already started so
they can be installed quickly before the wind
blows. Make sure to pre-drill the cleats using a
5/32 bit.
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Double Poly

• Unroll the outer layer before you unfurl the
  inner layer. Make sure both layers are straight
  and pulled taut from the end before you unfurl
  them together.

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Spread out the poly
The poly should be pulled straight, square, and
comfortably snug.
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Attaching the strapping
Attach all of the strapping as fast as you can
with a few screws and then go back and drive the
rest. Make sure the screws pull the two boards
together so the plastic cant slip.
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Like this
It takes less than ten minutes to finish each
side.
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Installing the Inflation fan kit

• The bracket attaches to the second bow from one
  end using two Tek screws. Pull the inside layer
  of poly down into position and cut a hole in the
  poly matching the circle in the bracket.

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Installing the flange for the inflation kit

• The plastic flange will secure the inner poly to
  the metal bracket. Now bring the outer layer of
  poly into position and cleat both layers using
  the wood strapping.

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Roll up side installation
Attach the handle to the roll up pipe with a 2
bolt and nut.
2
1
Connect the sections of pipe with the 12x3/4
Tek screws. Keep them in numerical order.
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Attach the poly to the roll up pipe
Roll one wrap of poly around the pipe and put a
clip onto the pipe. Be careful to keep the poly
straight as you proceed the length of the house.
The roll up will be perfect!
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Make sure roll up is straight
Pull down on the pipe to make sure the poly is
wrapped tight. The roll up should be straight. If
not, lower it and adjust the clips.
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Drill holes for eye bolts
Attach the eye bolts about midway between two
bows. The bottom 4 eyebolt will be 3 below the
top of the baseboard and the top 5 eye bolt will
be through the hip board and the poly cleat. The
ropes will be located every other bow, starting
at the end bow.
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Attaching the ropes
Rope attached to the hip board bolt
and to the baseboard
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and were finished!
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Time to wake up!