Harbor Freight 10 X 12 Greenhouse Kit (Complete Build and Modifications)
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- Опубліковано 22 бер 2019
- I have been wanting a greenhouse for quite some time, so I had to make it happen when I saw someone post a a brand new harbor freight 10 x 12 greenhouse kit on Facebook marketplace for over half off the original price. Luckily the kit was brand new in the box so I had all of the the directions to be able to use for the build. The project was not as labor intensive as I was expecting, but definitely more time intensive than I was thinking in the beginning. In the video I explain how I built the kit from the ground up and hopefully if anything this can serve as a blueprint to other who are researching how to build this or may be stuck on a particular part of the process. As others have noted the base kit is definitely not the sturdiest greenhouse on the market, but for the price you are able to add some cheap reinforcements that can enable this greenhouse to stand tall for many years to come.
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I purchased one also. Had a concrete slab poured, used treated lumber for a base and it has been functioning well for 10+ years. Hail storm damaged some panels and was able to buy replacements through Harbor Freight. Has been a long term success for my garden.
Glad to hear it help up nicely!
Post pictures and send me a link 😍I want to build one but I'm trying to get all the recommendations before we commit
Just a consideration--there are some places where you cannot pour a 10'x12' concrete slab without a permit. Kind of adds to the cost. If you're required to do it and you don't, you may have issues with non-conforming, unpermitted structures when you go to sell your house or the local officials find out you've done it.
I'm not able to find replacement polycarb panels on Harbor Freight. How/where did you locate them?
I built 2 of these joined together, long wall facing due south. However, in an open area with no windbreaks. In 2 weeks, a wind storm took the walls and roof off of the steel base. The steel components failed, the aluminum was fine. No extra panel clips, but did add 2 or 4 screws per panel into the cross supports. Not even a shingle out of place on any other building on the property. The wall column to base support is a weak point, and not easy to beef up. Must have a windbreak.
As a handyman I would just recommend not tightening any hardware until all the peices are put together. Once it is all together then you tighten everything down. Leaving the hardware loose gives you the ability to wiggle everything together since no build ever fits together perfectly.
I have two of these and also live in a hurricane prone coastal area of North Carolina and love them. My original one was less than $450.00 on sale from Harbor Freight and is going into it's 11th year. I did some modifications as well, 4x6 treated in ground based secured with 4' rebar given into the ground and attached to the wood base with strapping. I put the doors in a partially opened position to place a 34" storm door in a 1x4 frame. (got the door for $12 from Habitat home store) I also took 1/2" metal conduit and ran from side to side at the top plate for more sturdiness. This greenhouse has survived 4 hurricanes with very little to no damage. The last thing I did was to put two vents in the side walls at the front and a 14" covered exhaust fan in the back wall near the peak. My second one is it it's 2nd year and was given to me by someone who just didn't like it. It's funny how people either love the HF greenhouses or hate them. PBG, great video by the way!
It was great to actually see a regular person show the how to, thanks!
For those living in colder climates where you get snow over the winter, I'd suggest you cover at least the roof area with a big sheet of plastic over the winter. The plexi panels on these greenhouses just rest in place in their track. The panels cannot hold a lot of weight. A sheet of plastic over the entire greenhouse will distribute the weight of snow away from the roof panels. Plastic will also keep heat in over colder months. You can start your seasons earlier & continue them later into the fall/winter.
That is a great idea :)
it would be nice to have a cheap disposable clear tarp for the top because otherwise it needs to be washed every year, but I don't know what would be worse, the abrasion from washing the top or the friction from a clear tarp that gets replaced every year
I use 4x8' sheets of foam insulation (either 1/4" or 1/2") over the top and all sides to insulate mybplants. Dropped to 9°, 5" of snow and no power for 5 days when snowmageddon hit in Feb. 2022.
Love the brick floor. Well done!
Thank you so much!
You did a great job on your video and narration. Greenhouse was great too. Thank you.
I'm so jealous, I want one so bad. You did a great job thanks for sharing.
Freaking love the brick! I have had an 8x6 (raised on footers) for over a year now and am convinced... It's time to upgrade to the larger greenhouse...
You might want to add gutters or place bricks around the dripline of your roof so that the heavy rains do not undermine the very shallow foundation laid down.
Hi Gabe, here is a trick that might be helpful, I was putting in patio blocks in back of my house, instead of the "proper" procedure of excavating the ground level then spreading sand I used a rototiller to loosen up the dirt, leveled it out with a rake, watered it down until it was a soupy mud, leveled it again with a rake, then let it dry. I wound up with a nice flat solid surface to work with, it's not perfectly flat but good enough to work with and a lot less labor.
Excellent video
A tree just fell on my 5 year old greenhouse, and my new one just arrived.
You have many great ideas i will use.
I used a heavy duty clear tarp over my old one in our Michigan winter, and it worked out perfectly 😊
Looks like you did everything right. Thanks for sharing.
You need to silicone each and every poly panel if you want it to survive heavy winds. Also, I had the smaller model and built it up on 4x4s. Was very happy with it with those modifications.
What do you mean silicone each panel? Silicone caulk? Thanks!
Awesome video great ideas for modifying/enhancing the greenhouse!
This was a GREAT video Gabriel! Well done on the greenhouse! It looks fantastic! You did an amazing job of it! Looks brill! Thanks for sharing the experience! SO inspiring! Happy gardening!
Thank you so much Christine!
Thank you.
'Love Harbor Freight--
This just might be the 'cat's meow' for my little oasis in my back yard.
I'm a new subscriber.
Great to meet you!
You can start with 6X8, The 10X12 is quite a large greenhouse. The panels are .4 millimeters, better quality greenhouses are .6 Millimeters. I mean you have to like gardening or starting plants. I do. Good luck with your hunting, Rambo, no sound.
Awesome job! Looking forward to seeing how you did the rest of it :)
Hoping to do some updates soon!
great job, just about to put up a Americana 12 x 12 and this was very helpful.
Looks good! Thanks for the tips
Thanks for the great tip on the tape!!!
Nice build. I had given up on greenhouses and went to an indoor grow room 7x42. I could never get in the hang of growing in a greenhouse. It was always too cold or too hot. But the sun is free, so I am thinking that maybe I might want to try again. thanks for the video
My daughter Bridgette sent me this post and I’m already subscribed and binging on the videos. Only wish you lived closer to me in Greensboro NC. I bought my greenhouse over 3 months ago and I’m still waiting to get help installing it. With the pandemic, it’s hard to get help. I bought a new fence and Lowes said it will be a 5 week lead time to get it installed. They called this week and said it’s now 12 weeks, so they dropped off all the materials on my grass and I have to wait 12 weeks. Hmmmm
We finally got ours installed! Was horrible as far as instructions and assembly 😂
Got it done thought and that’s what counts. Thanks for sharing your project. Helped us with ours by giving us ideas
How do you like it?
We just purchased one and the instructions are HORRIBLE!!!! I thought some furniture suppliers did a poor job, but these instructions take it to a new level of useless. If anyone is considering this kit, think long and hard about purchasing a greenhouse from another source.
Great modifications! Thanks for sharing.
Thank you so much! :)
@@PlantBasedGabriel just found your video, is it still up, how did it go for the longevity with the modifications?
It's so pretty!
I am so glad to hear that! The curb appeal aspect was definitely something I have been thinking about with it.
Great video man
Very good video. 👍 was looking for this. I have same one coming.
Awesome. Thanks, man.
You're going to need to pin or glue the panels in if you live in tropical storm and hurricane areas. I put mind up around 2012 here in NC and the frame is still standing but I've replaced panels for years. Side panels need to be secured the most. If these blow out in a windstorm you can count on the roof panels blowing off if the wind gets under it.
A helpful hint: use the original panels to make a stencil for roof and upper roof front and back.
Great video, this info will help.me put mine up soon. Thanks!👍
So glad you enjoyed it!
I hope it works out for you. Had those clips on that thin polycarbonate panes also. One gale ended my illusion to have a GH, panes flew all over the place and damaged cars of neighbours. Taping the top of the panes will reduce moist in the channels and buildup of dirt inside, but it will not protect against discoloration and ageing by UV. I'm now working on a more sturdy, passive solar GH. Best wishes, greetings from Holland.
Greetings! Yes, I know many who had their greenhouse end up in multiple neighbors yards! I ended up screwing in all panels in various spots to ensure they stay close to the green house :)
I haven't personally done one yet but one tip I've seen while looking into it is to silicone each panel end . Top, bottom,sides to seal and prevent water staining the panel. I've used these panels enough to know that's a good idea. Just to make sure, I mean before they're installed to seal between the layers
Is it okay not to remove the protective film/plastic of the panel?
cool video really liked it.
I put up one of these in north Florida a number of years ago. I've been through some tropical storm force winds with no problem but a tornado got me. The house withstood it pretty well but the panels were sent up to 100 yards away. I've modified how they are mounted by using vinyl strips where the wire things used to go. I also bought some electrical conduit (1") and using self tapping screws I attached the pipes to the top of the wall where it meets the roof. Really simple and worked wonders for rigidity. Flatten the end of the pipe with a hammer and attach it with the screw. Really works well and doesn't cost an arm and a leg. The pipe is galvanized so it should last a long time. I use the pipes to hang plant baskets on and to drop line onto my grow beds to train tomato and cucumbers up.
To anyone else thinking about doing this.... It's more expensive perhaps but placing 4X4 treated posts on the ground and mounting the house to them is a whole lot easier than working on leveling the dirt and it keeps the house out of the wet ground. I actually used 4 by 6 posts and I am very happy with it.
Sorry to hear about the tornado, glad is stood up to the hurricanes though.
You should do a commercial for the company. Did you take photos?
@@nancyfahey7518 I wanted to post a picture here but Utube doesn't have a way to do that. :( I did post a pic over on Gabriel's Facebook page if your curious to see what my greenhouse withstood.
Don't be silly. It's a 10 x 12 greenhouse.
@BrdMan Fether IF what your writing were true there wouldn't be a dog house in Florida. Nor a pump house, outhouse or tool shed.
Thanks for video. Did the tape & screws work for keeping it water tight & the discoloration? Also does the vents on top have screens ? Thanks
We have a plan to make green house and this video gives some ideas about it
Awesome. I want a greenhouse
Very Cool like the tape idea and 4x4 . I'm also going to put EMT 2 long 2 wide on the top by were the roof starting. Question has the tape helped have you had to replace any? Any issues with the green house ? Anything wish you would have done?
So how has this held up for you? has it had to withstand and real wind storms or very heavy rains? Im just concerned that here in CT it may see some pretty heavy snows..i'm wondering if those light thin panels would hold up to a foot or more of snow. thanks for this Video!
Where in Virginia? My hubby put mine up about March 2019 also. We are in Northern Virginia and this of course is our first winter also. I currently researching the best way to heat we are using a small space heater at the moment we will be sealing it. We also got straw bales to place around and use some other passive heat.
How rainproof are the roof panels? Do they have any kind of seals? Are the poly panels UV stabilized?
GOOD WORK😃👍
Please let us know where the video is that talks about the brick flooring and other modifcations. Thank you.
I bought one just like it and so did my neighbor. Both of them blew down with the first little win. Mine was so twisted up and bent I couldn't salvage it. My neighbor could salvage his. And he had to reinforce it with heavier aluminum and 2x4 lumber. They are made of the lightest aluminum you can find. The sliding doors never did work right. Save your money and build one out of lumber!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Absolutely correct. Just took one down that couldn't stand up to 15mph winds. DO NOT PURCHASE FOR WINDY AREA!
You have to anchor them to the ground and add extra support. Yes they are a little flimsy but will a little more support they can last for years
Your Correct Cousin Gibson ! I thought that as soon as the guy said the word " Sticks" ☺️
I definitely wouldn’t put one up under a tree😂
thanks -great job
Curious if taping the panels worked. Or if it just trapped moisture in and didn't let it air or dry out.
Have you noticed any extra wear or stress by screwing the base to the 4x4s? Was wondering if thermal expansion was something I should worry about
Do you have a video of building the shelves in your greenhouse? We've bought the greenhouse and plan to build it soon.
Hey Gabriel now that you have had your green house for some time how has it weathered in all aspects?
Great job thanks
Thank you!
My first thought, is how come you didn't pit the base plates on treated wooden bearers??
What's the differnt between this oastic windows and the other ones which one are better the clear or this cermaric type
Do you have a link with a cut list and instructions for this build. I bought this same greenhouse and am looking forward to doing this same thing. Love your video!
So how did yours hold up in the wind? because I chased pieces of mine and had to pick it up out of the neighbors pasture. Winds were only about 35 which is typical in the spring. We reinforced it, but the panels still blew out and after 3 days of wind it was pretty much a pile of twisted metal and missing plastic. I was soo disappointed.
Getting ready to put one together. Since the base plate is steel I'm worried about rust. I'm planning on replacing the base plate with pressure treated 4x4.
I DID BUILD BUILD ONE ,HAD TO PUT 12x18 BLACK MESH TARP ,HELD DOWN BY CLOTHS LINE CABLE AND MOLLY EYE HOOKS TO KEEP IT TOGETHER AND COOL.
What size are th wood block and how many screw's and position you put screw in at the booth 2 screws and top 2?
Cool greenhouse. How many times did you go ahead though
Have had my HF green for 5 or 6 years and had to replace the roof polycarb panels this month. After being exposed to the sun for so many years the top layer of poly-carbonate had yellowed and rotted away to the point you can run your finger down it and break away the top layer. The bottom layer is still holding up but the panels are weaker with just one layer. Poly-carbonate panels seem to come in 24" with but the HF panels are only 23" wide so had to cut an inch off each one.
I have never had any issues with panels coming off because I sealed each one in with clear silicone calk. Keeps them in place and makes it air tight to save on heating cost in the winter. I also added 1" steel electrical conduit going across the middle in 2 places it add stability and give me a place for handing plants..
Lee Smithfield it is possible that you installed your panels with the wrong way facing out. Typically only one side is UV stabilized. It's marked on the shipping film on each polycarbonate sheet which side faces out toward the sun. The wrong side out will UV degrade after a few years, as you may have experienced. I am speaking in general terms about this building material, no experience with a HF kit.
This is an absolute nightmare. Really thankful for your video. The instructions and how this is engineered are horrible. I definitely need to do my homework if I ever do something like this again. This video has saved me multiple times and I'm only about halfway through.
It is almost as if they tried to make the instructions useless. I feel like I would have been better off designing my own greenhouse. My blood pressure would be lower!
@@vincentsutter1071 Terrible directions. I'm almost done and can't figure out the roof windows
I just started to frame this greenhouse and having trouble bolting the top rail on the door side, I watched the video but not sure of the assembly. Do you have a closeup of the top rail bolt system.
My whole roof is gone on mine! 40" of snow in a week MN, I was too lazy/busy in fall, to frame it up. It's a cool greenhouse for that reason, it's TALL! Now it's a greenhouse windbreak only! :) only paid 250$ for it. Call Harbor Freight, replacement panels are cheaper than you think!
Thats good to know!
$250 for the one in the video?
@@cultleader6977 they are $1000 now. So far it doesn't look like it is worth the price.
I basically made a patio using pressure treated 4x4 and brick and then fasten the steel base to it using 3" timber tie screws. I reslly like the odea of using the posts for the shelves.... im going to pull up the bricks on the corners and incorporate that into mine!!! But im going to take mine all the way up to the top of the sides to also protect the structure agaist torsion from high wind.. Instead of HVAC tape i used silicone to seal up the peaks and panels...
Has it stood up to the wind?
Thank you for the tips. We were in our local harbor freight store a few weeks ago and looked at something similar to what you have, it might have been smaller tho.
@Shelly Pfluger ,
Harbor Freight does have two sizes of these greenhouses.
Glad it helped!
Really nice job. If I may... you may find the concrete doesn't hold anything only on two sides. It does much better around all four sides. Instead of packing the clay/dirt around the outside, use stone. It will help with drainage. That will be an issue from what I've seen in other greenhouses. There are other videos about how to straighten these things when it comes to wind... something about the roof IIRC.
Great ideas!
How is it holding up now over a year? DO you use it often?
Thank you Sir.
Can you take this apart in the winter? I live on a ridge in Wisconsin and the wind is awful. THANKS
How sturdy is the frame? Is it strong enough to hold a shelf.?
Well that's all cool and everything but what is it cost you could tell us that
I have a question about the doors!? We have been building our greenhouse all weekend… we are struggling with the doors we have them together but the bottom of the door just free hangs an flaps !? It has rollers under there. Something just seems off. Do you have any tips ? Or know what we did wrong. We have the same greenhouse as you.
How long have you had this up now and how has it held up?
Where is the video for how u did the greenhouse floor?
Does this take more than one person to build? Or can it be done at one?
How has your greenhouse held up over the last four years? I bought the 6x8 a few weeks ago and I'm putting it together over the next weekend or two. Thanks for your video.😁
How has your greenhouse hold up? I live in Northwest Florida strong winds and wondering what you think
Good job...............
Looks good. I think I would have put down treated 2x12's for the base and mounted the aluminum frame on top of it to keep the metal out of the dirt. Like the 4x4's in the corner.
bigwheelsturning thats what we are planning on doing. We get 60 mph straight line winds in East TN. But we moved here from Eastern VA, so i know the area this guy is from
Good Review!!! This structure is INTERNALLY WEAK in the way there is ABSOLUTELY NO CROSS BRACING from eaves to eaves internally!!! This is immediately apparent in Harborfreight's image as you can see the walls bowing out at the sides towards the top!!! My mods would be the following: Green treated baseplate to set the metal on, internal bracing with EMT pipe from wall to wall on the interior, also bracing from the eaves to ground on the exterior at an angle, sort of like "flying buttresses"....that pretty much sums up my take on absolutely necessary structural mods!!! CHEERS!!!
I just got a Hf 10x22 installed. But can't figure out how to open ad close the top windows. Can you tell me how ?
😢not 10x22
I ment. To say10x12.
The tape is a nice tip! Did it survive the winter? Wind storms? Snow? Thunderstorm? There are a ton of reviews showing the frame is made of old soda cans and that snow or wind destroyed the thing in short order.
Hello, hope all is well during these harsh times. Is there anyway you could send me exact specs for the greenhouse? Looking to plexiglass and seal one of these and need to get the panels ordered precut. It'd be a huge help and greatly appreciated! Thanks and have a great day!
Can anyone tell me what is the width of the doorway? I want to be sure that I can get my cart in and out.
❤❤Wow I love it. 🎉
I'm your new subscriber.
I just came across your channel. I'm looking for a greenhouse like this, but wow it's so hot in Thailand. 🎉😂❤
Have done the modification video yet?
How do you keep animals out of the compost pile?
This looks HIGH RISK for windy snowy hail-prone areas!
suggestion:
Find a vinyl window or door shop that lets u reuse their discarded thermal windows (and/or patio doors) may take time to collect them...or buy from used bldg material stores etc...or run free ads 4 some...then build a simple frame to fit ur stock of glass frames and doors.
...shed-styled roof with single plane radical pitch facing maximum sun exposure.
Lay a sand-plus-tile type floor made of repurposed bricks etc. to last for decades. May want to cover pitched roof plane with bubble wrap in hail prone areas.
use aluminum frame as base to avoid
rust/rot issues...😁 🍀Cheers!
I would be worried about the base rails rusting out quickly. Being in contact with the soil, and water running down the side walls would add to the rusting. Would it be any better to pour a concrete foundation, or use brick that is a couple inches above the dirt? I wonder why you must dig down? I would think it's better to be above grade a few inches.
How has the greenhouse held up in wind?
How well has this green house held up over the last 4 years?
Can I get an update on the greenhouse? I'm considering purchasing one. Thanks for posting.
Awesome job. How strong a wind can it withstand?
We have had some pretty strong winds during hurricane season that it withstood.
Thanks for the video. Looked at the reviews at Harbor Freight and they weren't good. Sounds like you addressed.
So glad that you found it helpful!
Very cool. Thanks.
Curious as to how its doing now. Oct. 19
It has help up great!
I can't seem to find the video where you do modifications and the flooring for this greenhouse. I just recently bought this greenhouse from Harbor Freight and I am having difficulty figuring out how to do the flooring/foundation. Did you post the video and I'm just not seeing it? Help please! 🤣
How has your greenhouse held up this year? Has it moved any from the wind? I bought one last yr and havnt set it up yet. I was worried i would have to have a footer to bolt it to
It has held up great through the summer .
I had one of those . It’s going to get blown apart when the first good windstorm hits your area. These are flimsy at best . Will need reinforcement to stand up to weather .
Great Advice , thank you . Waiting for mine to be delivered. Anything you would do differently? How's it going now?
If I could only get my credit card to process… any tips on that 😂