Howdy masscactus! You've posted correctly, but your post has landed at the end of an old thread, instead of starting a new one. I think people may not be finding your question here since this is a very old and long thread.

To start a fresh thread with your question, go back to the main page of the Greenhouse forum, and scroll down to the bottom of the page, to the box saying "Post a Message to the Forum." You can retype your message there, using the title you used to title your post above.

That way, your new thread and title will show up at the top of the list of threads, and will remain "stuck" there until someone posts a reply to you. This might bring some fresh eyes to your question. I hope so anyway! :-)
Sheri

Hi everybody. I originally posted this message to mudhouse's blog, not knowing how to post it here. But, now I do! So, if anyone gets this message twice, lo siento mucho. Anyway, here it is:
I have a question about possible corrosion on my new, unassembled HFGH 10x12. The gravel has arrived, the foundation timbers are in place, and I'm ready to build the greenhouse. But, before I begin, I wonder if someone can enlighten me on potential electrical contact corrosion where (mudhouse's) steel "L" brackets connect the EMT to the frame, where the hold-downs meet the steel base, and where the studs also meet the base. Should I somehow insulate these contact points, perhaps with rubber? Is there actually a problem at these spots?

Thanks so much.
masscactus - ready to build

Medontdo, that's very kind of you! Just remember you'll still need to go through every page of the fun manual (sorry about that, LOL.) My blog is really just a collection of the good info folks have posted here for over two years (see the start date of this thread by Gardenerwantabe back in Jan of 06!)

I tried to put a lot of their good solutions in one place, along with photos we took as we worked. There are quite a few places where the manual is terribly unclear (or wrong) and hopefully the info in this forum and my blog will help you get over the rough spots.

Keep us posted on your progress! :-)
Sheri

or go to mudhouse's site, LOL she has really good instructions!!! i read them, we are getting ours in like 14 days. i am so anxious!!! and rosepedal told me to go to her site. :')) she's very informative!!! LOL and the explanations are step by step. :'))

To all of you who are missing directions, or want them to view you can down load them off the HF website. Theres a green button labeled Download product manual under the Add to basket button. Its on this site.

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=93358

I have a question, What does everyone prefer to use for base material? I am planning on getting some pressure treated 4x4 timbers. Can someone explain to me how they connected the 4x4 together? Thanks Hugh

how much did it cost to have it delivered to your house?? out of curiosity?

Yes someone put two 10X12 together, it was me. And I love them. I can't seem to get pictures to the inter net.
But I would do it again

annazone5
Yes two 10x12 HFGH have been put together
Someone complained because their GH was just a little less than the advertised dimension but in most city's anything under 120 square feet do not require a permit.
The 10x12 HFGH is just a little short so it would be exempt and I'm sure that was planed.
If you put two of them together then you will need the blessing from your city.

Welcome Hugh! Congratulations on the new greenhouse. Let us know how it goes!
Sheri

I just picked me HFGH last night. Now I have to find time to put it together. Great forum! Hugh

corner post holes at the top. I have pictures on the site below.

Good luck

Troy

Here is a link that might be useful: Building our HFGH

I am finding all the posts to be most helpful! Has anyone put two of these together end-to-end? I am also planning to build a potting shed attached to the north end of them. We will be starting next weekend and I'll keep a journal. It kinda sounds like we will just be "wingin' it" but I thought I'd ask anyway! THANK-YOU!!!

Anna, from what I've read here, the frame of the 10x12 most definitely does need some additional support. (I got my little 6x8 before the larger one came out, so have no first-hand experience with the larger one.) Try doing a search on the 10x12; there are several threads in which various modifications have been outlined, even photographs. There's also one where the interior metal shelving (built by the owner) helps stabilize the structure.

My recollection is that several people have reported that with the modifications their 10x12 HFGH's have stood up well to wind, snow and ice and they are very happy with their greenhouses.

Best of luck to you!

I am so glad I found this posting (and this website too!) We are considering buying two of these GH's and I was trying to locate product specs to submit to township for building permit. HF is no help at all. All I asked for was the instruction manual that comes with it. (haha!) Now I know why they seem to be missing with the purchased ones! We are now prepared to design and build it ourselves thanks to all your comments! I think it will be well worth the savings on the panels alone! Does anyone have anything to say about how they hold up to wind/snow/ice? Do you suggest shoring up the lightweight aluminum construction or is that part fine?

Wow that is Great! And that was fast. I ordered mine Feb. 26th and I still haven't gotten it. You will have to take real good notes for me. I found some nice little glass louver windows I want to install 2 on each side. You can also get them with polycarbone instead of glass.

I received my 10X12 today and am so excited! I will post pictures of the construction process.

Thanks for the encourageing words Leigh. I guess I'll go back and reread and make notes of all the possibilities so I can try to have everything on hand. My husband is a contractor so maybe he'll have whatever we need to get it secure. I know it is a real good price because he said he couldn't build one that size for a price that low. He wasn't thrilled with me getting it but we both know he barely has time for anything and him getting one built would probably take a few weekends at the least. And I'm in a hurry for one now. We got some of the edges of Hurrican Rita here and I lost my other one. It was a little 6 x 10. I knew it wouldn't last too long anyway. It was more of a portable dome GH. I don't think it was made for year around but it served the purpose fot two years anyway.

I don't think it's a mistake to get it, just don't expect the assembly to go perfectly smoothly.

Mine came with instructions, by the way. They were in a red plastic bag taped to the outside of the box.

It's an incredible bargain. With patience, a little know-how and some extra parts, you'll have a heckuva greenhouse for the price.

You'd pay $3000 for something similar somewhere else. Look at it this way--$2400 will go a long way for plants to fill up your $599 greenhouse, don't you think?

Leigh

Leigh

I wish I would have found this site yesterday before I purchased the 10 x 12 HFGH. But it was onsale for $599.00 and I had already looked into purchasing the polycarbonate sheets and just getting my husband to build it in his spare time. It turned out to be almost cheaper to buy the GH than to buy the sheets alone. So I went for it. But now I am concerned. Do you think I should cancel this order or just bite the bullet and go ahead and order the instructions now and start making notes from your experiences.

After actually assembling the framework I can see that it is poorly designed. I still think when I'm done with it i will have a good greenhouse for not much money because I can buy enough material to make it right for less than a 100 dollars but it is aggravating to have to rebuild everything before I can use it.
If you hold a degree in mechanical engineering and have a shop to heliarc aluminum and time on your hands then this is a good deal If not look elsewhere for your GH.
I have not used my welder in months but it looks like it is going to pay owning it again.
Maybe it is not as bad as I think but I always believe that you can haul a small load on a big truck but you can't haul a big load on a small truck.

gardenerwantabe:

I notice a definate change in tone between your 13Feb posting and your 15Feb posting.

Can I extrapolate from this change that on the 13th, you still felt the GH was worth it, but then, once you really got down to assembling it, dealing with poor support, poor documentation, sub-standard materials that you've changed your mind?

In other words, on the 13th you said that you'd still buy another one as it's $1,000 less expensive and therefore worth the stress?

Or, after the 15th, are you now saying that it's not worth the cash savings?

Either way, I won't be considering this. "IF" we decide to make a change, I'd prefer our idea of demolishing the extention to the garage and building a greenhouse in that location as a permanent structure.

So, after all is said and done, it turns out to be exactly what I suspected. I mean, that size of GH for that price? It had to be either hot merchandise or just sub-standard materials.

That's what we get for buying crap from China. OH don't get me wrong, some stuff from China can be not bad at all, but I'm finding more and more that they are making junk and laughingly selling it throughout the world.

At this point, I'm pretty much going to stay away from stuff from China. I'd rather pay more and get something built to quality standards.

Gardenerwantabe,

How high is it at the side wall?

SH

Hey Dick;

That amazes me! The smaller houses went up like nothin' to it. Other than the modifications I made myself everything lined up perfectly. I hope this isn't a permanent production problem.

Dave
Milwaukee

So, again, while a company's advertising sound amazing, there still are problems.

A lack of an instruction sheet is a HUGE DEAL! HFGH obviously knows that they product they are selling doesn't have the instructions. Therefore, they should just prepare an envelope and using packing tape, just tape them to the boxes before shipping.

Ya must make the customer happy as WORD OF MOUTH makes a very big difference to business.

Made in China? I didn't know that this was. I guess I just assumed that it was made in the good 'ole US of A!

But, I guess that explains the price being so low.

gardenrwantable, garbonzo (and other with this unit)

Would you say that even with the problems, that it's worth it due to the price? Or do the problems out-weigh the good price?

Mine did not have any instructions either. I called HF and had them to fax it to me,
The instructions said that it should measure 15'71/2" from Conner to Conner and that was nearly 5 inches from what it actually measured.
Mine is typical china made holes don't line up have to grind and file on things to make them fit but that is the way it always is with this stuff built in CHINA.

I posted earlier that my greenhouse had a hinged door, but the front picture confused me. It has 2 sliding doors. It is also without a manual! I've been working out the brain teaser with success but now I find that a key part is wrong (a 9 is really an 8) - one of the 4 main roof arches. Oh well, I guess I wont finish this weekend after all :(

As to the dimensions, it fits on a 10x12 4x4 base (10x12 outer dimensions), with an inch or so gap around the edges. So it is somehwat less than 10x12, but not so much that it matters.

heya Blondboy...I can answer.

The panels are twinwall 2 skins with spacers in between...4 mil total thickness, and rigid.

There are two ways to add bolts to the frame for adding/hanging things. You can either get hex head bolts of the proper size and add them as you're building, or, as I did, buy some t-bolts for the Julianna line of greenhouses and those can be added after construction. They also have a line of pot hangers that work on the same principle as well as clips to add interior insulation.

Dave
Milwaukee

I just came upon this thread. WOW! good price for such a large GH.

I have a question for you Cindy, since you have one.

The polycarbonate sheeting that it has:

- are they single pane (just 1 thin panel each)

- if single, is the unit designed in a way that another panel can be added to provide a double-panel effect for better winter insulation?

- is the frame on the inside easy to put screws into to put things on the wall, i.e. hangers, benches, shelves, bubblewrap, etc?

Thanks in advance for any info.

My experience is that it is a great greenhouse and money well spent. It has been extremely sturdy and we have had no problems with some of the high winds we have had just recently. Also during the bad ice storm we had in December it held up like a champ. The ice just melted off the solar pool cover. It is not expensive to heat. I don't keep a lot of stuff in there in the summer so cooling it hasn't been an issue yet. This summer will be a little different but with a door on both ends and a vent on each side of the roof I think a fan to circulate will do the trick. My greenhouses are also under several large decidious trees so it has a light shade all summer.

I am only 5'2" so height was not an issue with me and we put a fence panel down in each of them as the floor. Much cheaper and the perfect size than buying decking and such. In the bigger one I will put raised beds with heat coils in them on the sides and back wall and then pavers and pea gravel in the center.

Cindy

I sure am getting the bug. I want to order but dont know which way to go. I already have orchids but want fresh good tasting veggies next winter. What concerns me most is the expense of heating it. My son mentioned putting mine behind his garage where it gets some protection from the winds. Then build a closed walk way between garage and the entrance door to greenhouse to help keep out wind and cold. He has quite a few old storm windows that was left here when he bought the place so sun could get in but no wind. I am not concerened with major wind cause we live in town and are surrounded with lots of big trees and homes. Not like the country.
Can anyone in my zone or close to my zone give me an idea how much it would cost to heat? I would think that the 10X12 would take at least twice as much as the small one.
Also..........what is the best way to heat it. Thanks

How about you Cindy and Tom....what are your experiences? anything you'd change/modify on your's in hindsight?

anyone else?

Dave
Milwaukee

I also don't understand the flat roof comment.
It's steeper than my greenhouse I built in AK.
It never had a snow problem. Especially when heated, it melted right off.

Tom

What I don't understand is why people feel they have to reply when all they have to say is something negative. No one is forcing anyone to have a HFGH of any size or to give input on the HFGH so if it's not your cup of tea then find or start a thread about what you like and keep your negativity to yourself.

Like Dave, I'm busting at the seams of my 2 small ones but I love every inch of it. When I get the bigger one I'm sure it won't take long before I have it gloriously full to the brim too. If it turns out half as wonderful as my fantasy's then it will be heaven to me.

Cindy

My own experiences erecting and using the greenhouse:

size.....I've found even using 2 that it's too small. But I'm growing in it year round and so it's packed with plants, mostly orchids.

Panels....double wall polycarb. They're only 4 mil panels but they seem to do the job. I've only insulated the roof of my house with bubble wrap and the northwall with Refletex . But the uninsulated panels are warm on the interior and cold on the exterior.

Structure.....aluminum framework. At first, as I was building the frame it seemed kind of rickety. But after attaching it to the foundation and adding the panels it's solid as a rock. I used extra clips and also 1 self tapping screw at the top and bottom of each panel that wouldn't be removed regularly, which I would reccommend to anyone. It's survived a VERY strong windstorm here this fall with no problems.

Foundation....2x12 pressure treated lumber. Expensive, but it added needed headroom and weight to the structure. I filled the floor with pea gravel which was a pain to move but has been good...no drainage problems here.

In a nutshell...if the new 10x12 is as nice as the smaller ones it'll be a great value.

Dave
Milwaukee

"That greenhouse will not withstand a snow load nor higher winds. I guess if you live in a protected area in a warm climate it would be fine..."

I don't get why there's such an anti HFGH attitude among some people. When I got my small one and mentioned that I planned to heat it in the winter, I got all sorts of negative responses. I heard that it would cost so much to heat that it wouldn't be worth it, that it would blow apart, etc.

Well, we've had a lot high winds since I put it up. There are shingles that have blown off houses by it, but my HFGH is still fine. Granted, it has been a mild winter (yet cold fall), but it appears to be costing only about $25 or maybe $30 a month to heat it.

I have eaten fresh tomatoes, cucumbers, radishes, tangerines and even pomegranates from plants growing in it. I have a lemon tree filled with blooms. I love the my little HFGH and have no doubt that those of you that are getting the large one will love it too.

Stuart

QUOTE That greenhouse will not withstand a snow load nor higher winds. I guess if you live in a protected area in a warm climate it would be fine. Up here in North Dakota it would last about a minute in a thunderstorm and maybe an hour or two in a snow storm. The smaller units are cute but this unit is 10' high and with such a flat roof is silly. If you are going to anchor it the aluminum will just twist.
Sorry just an observation save your money....there a lots a great greenhouse kits for just a few hundred dollars more.

That may be true where you live but here in gods country it will do just fine.
As to the flat roof comment that's BS

LOL

What Dave said........

nonsense

That greenhouse will not withstand a snow load nor higher winds. I guess if you live in a protected area in a warm climate it would be fine. Up here in North Dakota it would last about a minute in a thunderstorm and maybe an hour or two in a snow storm. The smaller units are cute but this unit is 10' high and with such a flat roof is silly. If you are going to anchor it the aluminum will just twist.
Sorry just an observation save your money....there a lots a great greenhouse kits for just a few hundred dollars more.

casadelgatos, I received a HF coupon in the mail today, it comes with the application to get their credit card so maybe you have been tearing these up without opening them.

Charlz

thanks for the response dave, much appreciated.
i'm sure i'll have plenty once this thing gets delivered.

sure hoping our weather holds out so i can get this thing up, now though i'm anxiously awaiting delivery :)

maryanne/earthly

No but I'm getting the bug really bad now. DH says he will only put it up in the spring or the fall. We put the first little one up in July and we both about melted. LOL

I showed my boss the Harbor Freight pic of it and even he said I should buy it and then sell plants to his wife. LOL

Cindy

OH.....the pressure, the pressure. It's OBVIUOSLY gonna happen..:) But maybe not this spring. Fall is a great time to do these types of things, don't you think? How about you?...Placed that order yet?

Dave
Milwaukee

Dave,

The greenhouse pics were great. The orchids were quite beautiful.

So have you made the decision yet???

Cindy