September 25, 2015

Convert Your Garage into an Eco-Friendly Greenhouse

Convert Your Garage into an Eco-Friendly Greenhouse

Have you ever taken a good look at your garage and thought it would make a terrific organic food space?

Whether you’ve considered this idea or not, here’s the good news: in the space of a few weeks, you can turn an underutilized area into a thriving greenhouse!

Constructing your own greenhouse in an existing garage will save you a good sum of money and it’s not that difficult to do. Follow these steps and you’ll be creating an unlimited supply of fresh herbs, greens, onions and tomatoes all year long.

Size is Key

Due to its size, a converted garage is a perfect choice for a greenhouse. You’ll want room for the plants to grow to their full size, at the same time leaving you plenty of room to navigate through your crops come harvest time. You’ll also want space to store your supplies and tools.

Let the Sun In

Determine the south side of your garage, as that is the wall you’ll either remove or reconfigure to let in the most sun. The north and east walls get less solar gain, so if they’re in good shape, leave them mostly intact.

You can then use a reflective material on the garage interior to bounce sunlight coming in from the south. This also reduces money spent on plastic glazing and it cuts down on wind intrusion.

If you’re installing windows instead of completely removing the wall, use recycled ones to keep your build eco‑friendly.

The Build

If you live in an area that gets a lot of snow, it’s likely your roof’s pitch was built to accommodate that. If not, consider whether you want to make an adjustment to the pitch when you’re reconfiguring the roof.

Use a product like clear polycarbonate corrugated roofing panels for all or part of the garage roof. They’re extremely strong, let in 90% of ambient sunlight and are easy to install. Vents and fans should be framed into the walls. Don’t be afraid to ask for help!

The Gear

Most garages have running electricity and many have running water or easy access to it; you’ll need both. In the winter, your greenhouse will run a nice 20 degrees, but in the spring that temperature can rise into the mid or high 30s, too warm for most plantings. Installing vents and fans will keep the interior of your greenhouse at an ideal temperature all year long.

If you live in an area with intense summer sun, like in an area in a higher elevation, you may want a misting system. If water does not currently run into your garage, you can either install piping or build a water collection system using recycled materials.

You’re now on your way to green‑thumbing it all year long in your garage greenhouse. Happy growing!

Don’t Forget Updating Your Garage Door

If you’re looking to give your garage new life as something else, chances are good you’ve considered a new garage door. When it comes to greenhouses, perhaps you’d want to install a door with insulation or windows to let in the light.

At Baker Door Company, we can help your garage conversion. We provide doors from Garaga, one of the most trusted names in the industry, and we can help you find the door that best suits your needs, and answer any questions.

Take a look at the variety of residential doors that we have available, or even build your own online, and set up your new greenhouse properly with an ideal garage door.

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