That may be good for a permanent house, but for a stand alone, seasonal cool
house, it is not efficient to have such heavy pipes. Believe it or not, the pvc
hold up better in the wind. The weight of the heavy metal frame would collapse
before a lightweight, pvc cool house would. Easier to store, as well.

If you are leaving it up and removing the film in spring, summer and fall
months, it may be worth the money, but then I would recommend a slab and
properly anchored hoops.

I've learned this by experience.

Victoria


On Thu, 25 Sep 2003 09:32:20 -0500, opined:

I would use at least 1" schedule 40 pipe, it does
not cost that much more.

I have always thought that the best way to build a small
INEXPENSIVE greenhouse would be to buy the 1 3/8"
chain link fence top rails & have them BENT into the
proper radius to make a semi-circle. At ~ $5 each for
a 10.5' section, it would be very cheap - and would last.

If anyone knows of a place in the Austin area that will bend
these rails, please advise. Once the shop is set-up, it should not
take but a few minutes to bend all sections to the same radius -
or whatever design you want. Once you have the ribs, all you
have to do is drill & bolt the horizontal & bracing, etc. With
this approach, the greenhouse is permanent - at least as permanent
as a commercial one.

Gene



"John T. Jarrett" wrote in message
...
Greenhouses...
http://www.westsidegardener.com/howto/hoophouse.html
http://www.floridagardener.com/green...ematerials.htm

I think after watching the little girl in the first one build her
daddy's, you could come up with something pretty quick.

hth,
John



"Bob" wrote in message
.. .
Anyone have instructions for assembly of a simple PCV coldframe?