DIY: PVC Greenhouse Plans

A polyvinyl chloride (PVC) pipe greenhouse plan is a quick, easy and inexpensive way for do-it-yourself gardeners to build a greenhouse in their yards. PVC greenhouses use materials that are commonly found in big-box home improvement stores. Best of all, a greenhouse of this sort can be assembled and erected over a few days, so you can be caring for seedlings and tender plants in a short period of time.

Before you purchase materials for your greenhouse, you will need a greenhouse plan. Several PVC greenhouse plans are available commercially, including traditional square structures and geodesic domes. Or you can design your own. Figure out the exact dimensions before purchasing your materials so that you can buy them in exact quantities.

The most common materials and tools used in a PVC greenhouse construction include PVC pipe, pipe elbows, construction plastic, PVC pipe glue, sand paper, a Sharpee marker, a hacksaw, a construction staple gun and construction staples. You may also wish to have acetone for a glue solvent and marker eraser.

Before assembling your greenhouse, measure the lengths of pipe and mark the lines for cutting them. Measure everything carefully before using the hacksaw to cut the pipe segments. The rule for construction is "measure twice, cut once." Fit the pipe into the pipe elbows by twisting them together and mark the edges around the PVC pipe. Then sand the inside of the elbows and the edges of the pipe with the sandpaper. Coat the insides with glue and glue the pipes to the elbows. Assemble your greenhouse in stages, letting the glue in certain segments dry completely before attaching additional segments. Once your frame is assembled, cover it with a construction plastic skin. Staple the skin in place with construction staples.