Hi Ed, I posted on another thread that I'm currently helping a family member move, so I have even fewer working brain cells than normal (uh oh!) for the next week or so.

But to do a quick post: I don't know of anyone who has fitted the HF frame with glass wall panels, but it seems to me (?) they should be able to sit in the side wall openings like the polycarbonate panels, and could possibly be secured with the Harbor Freight spring clips. I'm not sure if that would be secure enough fastening in itself or not (I haven't ever worked with glass. ) Possibly, if you used generous numbers of clips? The poly panels in the HF frame are only secured with clips on the sides, not at the top and the bottom of the panels. I'm guessing the the frames of the HF greenhouses are not as strongly built as those intended to be used with glass panels; the 4mm polycarbonate panels are extremely lightweight, so don't need the support that glass does. The HF aluminum seems pretty soft to us, compared with aluminum bar stock purchased locally. (Just a heads up.)

I'm a big advocate of installing the poly panels with a screw or two in the middle of the panel, right into the aluminum frame, in addition to the supplied spring clips, but I know you can't do that with the glass panels.

In the other thread you posted: "It would be more insulative behind the rocket stove and leave me with panels in case of damage or deterioration."

I could be misunderstanding, but I think a single sheet of glass has a lower insulative value (greater heat loss potential) than even the rather stingy 4mm thickness of the Harbor Freight polycarbonate...according to this website's heat calculator: http://www.littlegreenhouse.com/heat-calc.shtml

I do understand the desire, though, to save polycarbonate panels, to use for future replacement needs, as well as being able to use the materials you have on hand for your previously planned project. (Sure sorry your previous plan fell through!)

Hopefully someone with experience in installing glass panels can provide some better input for you...I'm not much help in that department!

Also, watch out for the problem that Randee faced in the other thread about Joining Two HFGHs. Beware the two different versions of the HF 10x12 greenhouse kits still being distributed by HF. They have two different model numbers, and the panel sizes are a bit different too, so you may want to shop the two models carefully to determine which one is a better fit for your existing glass panels, should you decide to try using glass on the north wall.

You do know that glass is not as good at retaining heat as the polycarbonate panels. You will lose heat through the glass

Yes, I know. I put it wrong. If I use glass, I don't have to worry about the rocket stove melting the poly. It will be easier and less critical to insulate well.

Running and gunning...thanks, I like that description! Sounds so much more valiant than trying to fit a 1500 sq foot house into a 500 sq foot apartment, lol!

Thanks for the clarification...your concerns about the heat behind the rocket stove makes the glass seem like a worthwhile consideration. Being chronically frugal scroungers and repurposers ourselves, we salute your intentions to explore ways to use the glass. I talked it over with the masculine half of the mudhouse team, today...and my DH expressed some of the same concerns I had, about how well the (fairly soft and flexible) HF aluminum frame might work with an inflexible material like glass. Maybe, though, in a limited location...? Just not sure, since we've never tried it.

I hope you can hang in there, Ed, and make your greenhouse happen! I never knew anyone with a greenhouse before we built ours, and wasn't sure why I wanted to tackle it...but I've never regretted taking the plunge. I love my collection of "kids" (succulent plants that have lived in my little greenhouse for over ten years now) and they've added interest to my life...and a bit of self confidence, too, as we learned by doing. The internet is such an awesome way to reach out to folks with similar interests and questions, and pick their brains.

The HF greenhouses have their weaknesses (like the deteriorating HF panels, in my strong sun) but they're still a really cost effective way to give greenhousing a try, without taking out a second mortgage. If you're a person who enjoys a learning experience along the way (sounds like you are) you'll probably have fun solving the challenges. Please do keep us posted!

The big weakness of the hf greenhouse is the thin gauge of the framing. It's fine for a couple of years, then the effects of the wind start to to take hold. I think you'd be better off putting exterior grade lumber inside and securing the aluminum to an interior skeleton.

Of course, if you're going to do that, why not just frame a shed and put greenhouse panels on it?

Hello waynedanielson. Respectfully, I have a small quibble with one part of your post:

It's fine for a couple of years, then the effects of the wind start to to take hold.

Our 10x12 Harbor Freight greenhouse has been up for 11 years, and shows no problems due to wind, although we did make some minor modifications for strength, (as gleaned from other posters here, and outlined in my blog) and secured the panels with one or two screws in addition to the HF clips. With these changes, the framework (and I do agree it's lightweight!) has been able to withstand our serious winds for slightly over a decade now.
Building our 10x12 Harbor Freight greenhouse

However, I agree about the concerns of combining the lightweight aluminum (somewhat flexible) frame and the non-flexible material of glass. I think your suggestion to strengthen it with interior lumber would be a good solution, in areas where edfoster tries to incorporate glass.

After a few modifications, my problem hasn't been the wind, it's been the darned (made in China) HF panels, because they deteriorate eventually due to sun exposure. The wind concern can be defeated with a little engineering...in our experience...but (in my opinion) the inadequate UV protection on the panels is the biggest downfall, and one reason the price of these kits is so low.

I've decided to put two of the 10 x 12's together, with the rmh on the north side. I'll use plywood panels on all the north faces, saving the hf panels for repair work. I'll use the glass in a new chickencoop, for cold frames, soil sterilization and maybe frame in one for a "window" someplace on the north side so I can glance out at the chickens as the north wall will also be the south wall of the runs.

I've also decided on a framed re inforcement structure on the interior so I can use the cross beams to hang plants and solar water heaters. Will tie it to the HF structure with tposts and clamps, maybe lol. After I look at the pieces, that might change.

Mudhouse, like I've said, I've read your blog over and over. Will print it out as we begin the construct next month. I've also looked at all the youtube info that matches your approach. Thanks so much for making me feel this is the correct path. I've waited 30 yrs on a greenhouse, and now I'm just gonna do it using some money I've inherited from my mother. Thanks again for the info and support.

Sounds like you're on the way, Ed. Jack Cumber's current thread on joining two HFGHs is adding some really good info to the forum, and I'm glad he's posting here recently.

I like the idea of having a window in the wall to glance out at chickens! I have a good friend who built a wonderful chicken coop (more like a chicken palace) a few years ago, for pure fun, and it's been a treat to watch. She has some fabulous chickens!

I've seen pictures of HFGHs with a wooden interior structure...sometimes for snow load reasons, and other times to support heavy plants. I've seen folks hang orchids from the HFGH rafters without many modifications, but adding much weight up there always worried me! I like the idea of an interior structure better, and it could be built into wooden benches (which can also be anchored to the aluminum HFGH frame) for even more stability.

Nice to know you can find such a good use for an inheritance. I'll bet after you get it built you're able to think about the gift from your mother, and know she'd be happy for you. DH and I bought our current house from my mother, after my Dad passed, and it's a nice thing to have family ties to spaces you enjoy. I wish Dad could see my little greenhouse in his back yard now, but I know he'd approve. He had many interests, and approved of following passions, just for the joy of it, and for the love of learning along the way.

I couldn't tell from the discussion, but I hope you are not planning to try to re-size the glass panels. Tempered glass can't be cut and will shatter if you try.