I have been working by myself for most of this, and things take longer without a helper (ie., The Husband). I'm fortunate that he works from home and is available to lend a hand when necessary, but I have to make the most efficient use of his away-from-the-desk moments.
The vertical trim pieces that the windows are attached to are a good example of an element that is easier with two people. I sand the pieces, and mark and drill the screw holes. After I do this for a few pieces, I call The Husband out and we team up to install them. I'm on the inside lining up the piece, and he's outside holding it and driving two screws to hold it in place. Then, he goes back to work and I drive the rest of the screws.
The windows themselves can be installed as a one-person job with the aid of a well-placed quick clamp or two.
A bit of molding, some caulk and wood filler and paint, and this greenhouse is going to look fabulous ... but that won't happen till spring.
The photo above is a good view of some of the various salvaged materials that are going into this project. These windows are from a house in Northern Virginia ... some of the glazing is a bit wonky, but there's not a thing wrong with the frames or glass. The piece between the windows is a scrap of 5/4 decking board. The vertical trim board on the left is a pressure-treated 1x6 that I used to hold pots on my nursery bench ... the piece on the right is new, because I ran out of my salvaged 1x6s.
Ventilation is essential in a greenhouse. There has to be a way to vent the building to keep temperatures under control. In winter, I use an automatic venting system on a thermostat, with intake vents that open and an exhaust fan in the eaves of the west wall. In summer, this system isn't adequate to counteract the summer heat and more intense sunshine ... so I needed something more.
Plastic greenhouses can have sides that roll up for ventilation. I'm accomplishing pretty much the same thing with hinges so I can open the second row of windows.
I hung my stained glass back up as soon as I could, to keep it out of the construction.
I would be so disappointed in myself if I let anything happen to it.
Isn't that a wonderful view!
I have to make another run to Lowes this morning. (two 12-foot pressure-treated 2x4s on this trip) I have been there every day this week to get supplies. This is what tends to happen on a project where I'm almost designing it as I go. I'm thankful that the store is only 6 miles away.
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