How to Build a Cheap DIY Greenhouse: Ideas, Tips and Tricks – JustCraftingAround

A greenhouse can be a great investment for any gardener. Not only does it allow you to extend your growing season, but it also helps protect your plants from the elements. If you’re looking to build a greenhouse on a budget, there are plenty of ways to save money. In this blog post, we will discuss some tips and tricks for building a DIY greenhouse that is both cheap and efficient!

One of the first things to consider when building a greenhouse is the material you will use for the frame. One option is to use PVC pipe, which is relatively inexpensive and easy to work with. If you’re looking for something a bit more sturdy, you can opt for metal pipes or even wooden beams. The important thing is to make sure that the material you choose is strong enough to support the weight of the greenhouse.

Another way to save money on your greenhouse is to use recycled materials whenever possible. For example, instead of buying new windows, you can look for used ones at salvage yards or online classifieds. You can also use old doors or even tarps to create walls or roofs. The key is to be creative and resourceful!

Finally, one of the most important tips for building a cheap greenhouse is to plan ahead. By doing your research and planning out your project, you can avoid making costly mistakes that will eat into your budget. There are plenty of resources available online and in gardening books that can help you plan the perfect greenhouse for your needs.

With these tips in mind, you should be well on your way to building a cheap DIY greenhouse that will save you money in the long run!

What are the Cheapest Ways to Build a Greenhouse?

1. One of the cheapest ways to build a greenhouse is to use recycled materials. You can find plenty of used materials at your local recycling center or even on the side of the road. With a little creativity, you can turn these materials into a functional and attractive greenhouse.

2. Another cheap way to build a greenhouse is to use a kit. There are many different types of greenhouse kits available, and you can usually find them for a reasonable price. If you have some basic carpentry skills, you should be able to put one together yourself.

3. You can also build a greenhouse from scratch using plans that are readily available online or in books. This option will usually be the cheapest, but it will also require the most time and effort.

4. If you don’t want to build your own greenhouse, you can always buy a pre-made one that requires assembly. While this option will be more expensive than building your own, it is still much cheaper than buying a preassembled greenhouse from a store.

5. There are also many used greenhouses available for purchase. You can usually find these for a fraction of the cost of a new greenhouse.

6. If you live in an area with a lot of sun, you may want to consider building a solar greenhouse. These greenhouses use the power of the sun to heat the air inside, and they can be surprisingly affordable to build.

7. Another option for those who don’t live in a sunny area is to build a greenhouse using grow lights. These greenhouses rely on artificial light to provide heat and growth for plants.

8. If you don’t have a lot of space, you may want to consider building a greenhouse that attaches to your house. These greenhouses are typically smaller than freestanding ones, but they can still provide plenty of space for your plants.

9. If you have a lot of land, you may want to consider building a greenhouse that is not attached to your house. These greenhouses are typically larger and more expensive, but they offer the most space and flexibility.

10. If you are on a tight budget, you may want to consider building a greenhouse out of PVC pipe. This option is not the prettiest, but it is one of the cheapest and most durable ways to build a greenhouse.

11. Finally, if you are really looking to save money, you may want to consider building a greenhouse out of plastic sheeting. This is the cheapest way to build a greenhouse, but it also has the fewest features.

13 Homemade Greenhouse Ideas

1. PVC Pipe Greenhouse

Our DIY PVC Pipe Greenhouse

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This is a simple greenhouse that can be made with just a few PVC pipes and some plastic sheeting. It’s ideal for small gardens or patios and can be built in just a few hours. There are numerous ideas out there for PVC pipe greenhouses to fit your needs.

2. Mini Greenhouse

How to Build a PVC Cold Frame | Miniature PVC Greenhouse Frame

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This is a small greenhouse that can be used to start seeds or grow plants in a limited space. It’s made from a simple wooden frame, or PVC pipe and plastic sheeting, and can be easily moved around your yard or garden. This idea could help start your garden in the colder months, improve a plant that is being affected by the elements during the season, or help extend your garden when frost hits.

3. Hoop Greenhouse

This type of greenhouse is easy to build and can be adapted to fit any size yard or garden. It’s made from a series of metal or PVC hoops covered with plastic sheeting, and can be used to grow vegetables, flowers, or herbs.

Depending on the size of the hoop greenhouse you’re looking for you can custom built the hoops to accommodate your needs. Once inside the hoop greenhouse you can build directly on the ground, on raised garden beds, or create shelves and have individual plants.

4. Cold Frame Greenhouse

How to Build a Cold Frame | This Old House

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This type of greenhouse is perfect for starting seeds in the early spring or late fall and can also extend your gardening season once frost hits. It also helps plants survive outside during winter months. It’s made from a simple wooden frame, or upcycled material and plastic sheeting, and can be placed on your deck or patio or directly over plants in your yard or garden.

5. Portable Greenhouse

This is a small greenhouse that can be moved around your yard or garden. It can be made from PVC pipes or any material that can create a frame with and plastic sheeting for a covering. Keep in mind that it needs to be on the smaller size and weight to be portable. This also means that it can be moved to help certain sections of the garden that might need more protection from the elements. Once the section that it was covering starts to flourish, the portable greenhouse can be moved to another section of the garden that needs attention or stored for later use.

6. Walk-In Greenhouse

This is a large greenhouse that can be used to grow vegetables, flowers, or herbs. It’s made from a wooden or metal frame and plastic sheeting and has enough space for you to walk inside.

7. Greenhouse Shed

Greenhouse from an old Shed. Using what you got around the Homestead.

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This is a shed that has been converted into a greenhouse. There are numerous ways to do so, but if the structure of the shed is sound you could look at adjusting the top of the shed or the top and the sides of the shed to allow light through and transform your shed into a functioning greenhouse.

8. Geodesic Dome Greenhouse

Building A Geo Dome

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Geodesic Dome greenhouse has a dome-like shape for maximum sun exposure. It has a better airflow and maintains temperature better than a tradition greenhouse, making them energy efficient. And they can tend to cost less to build than a traditional greenhouse too.

It’s basically a bunch of tringles put together to form star shapes and then when it all comes together it forms a dome greenhouse. This will take a little more planning and time to create. Although, they do make premade kits you can purchase. You can also find a lot of tutorials online like this one.

9. A-Frame Greenhouse

This is the typical greenhouse you tend to see. It can be built in numerous sizes. It has a sloped roof that allows snow to slide off. Most people find these to be sturdy, cost effective, and attractive looking greenhouses; hence why they are used so frequently.

10. Greenhouse Sunroom

I Turned My 3 Season Sunroom Into A Winter Greenhouse I WOLF OF THE WILD

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This is a sunroom that has been converted into a greenhouse. If you find that you’re not using your sunroom much, this could be a great place to turn into a greenhouse. Might need to add some more windows, but it a project you can tackle, or you can seek the help from a professional.

11. Greenhouse Patio

This is a patio that has been converted into a greenhouse. You can make your own greenhouse to fit on your patio. You can do it from scratch or find a kit. It’s also a great place to start your plants until they are ready for the garden. Then you could take the greenhouse down if you’re no longer using it or wait till next spring to use again.

12. Greenhouse Gazebo

Upcycling an old Gazebo frame into a Greenhouse on the Mann Ranch Homestead!

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This is a gazebo that has been converted into a greenhouse. It’s really the perfect greenhouse conversion because it doesn’t have walls, yet it has support beams. This way you can easily attach plastic sheeting to the beams. The roof may require some more work though.

13. Greenhouse Garage

This is a garage that has been converted into a greenhouse. Depending on your garage you may be able to have enough sunlight to make this design work.

Is it Cheaper to Build or Buy a Greenhouse

Building your own greenhouse can be a cheaper option than buying one, depending on the size and type of greenhouse you need. You will also need to factor in the cost of materials and labor. If you are handy with tools and have some experience in construction, you can build a basic greenhouse for around $300. However, if you want a more complex or customized greenhouse, the cost can be much higher. Buying a greenhouse can cost anywhere from $1,000 to $10,000 depending on the size and features.

There are several factors to consider when deciding whether to build or buy a greenhouse. The most important factor is the climate where you live. If you live in an area that has a lot of cold winters, it is important to buy a greenhouse that is well insulated and equipped with heating. If you live in a warmer climate, a less expensive greenhouse may be adequate. Another important factor to consider is the amount of sunlight your garden receives. A greenhouse that gets full sun all day will need less insulation and heating than a greenhouse that gets partial sun.