DIY: Victorian Greenhouse and Conservatory Projects

Choose Plan

• 1

  Measure the potential building site and become familiar with building codes in your neighborhood. These two factors have a significant impact on the project you select and construct. Determine how tall your project can be and how much square footage it will enclose. Assess your carpentry skills.

• 2

  Choose the building materials you'll use for your project. Victorian greenhouses and conservatories can be framed from rot-resistant wood, aluminum, PVC pipe, or traditional cast iron. Glazing, the clear portion that admits light, can be traditional glass or a modern synthetic such as acrylic sheets or polyethylene film.

• 3

  Measure and cut the framing materials using a measuring tape, indelible marker and saw, if the frame is wood or PVC. Metal frames are usually best purchased ready-made. Erect the frame using screws and nails as fasteners with a screwdriver and hammer.

• 4

  Measure and cut the glazing material into pieces that fit the frame. A special cutter must be used with glass. A saw cuts acrylic easily. If using polyethylene film, a heavy pair of sharp scissors makes short work cutting it to size.

• 5

  Attach the glazing material to the frame. Glazier's points and glass putty are required if using glass panes. Screws work better than nails when installing acrylic. Heavy-duty tape that can withstand outdoor conditions makes a good seal when using polyethylene sheets.