New Green House question

[jonnygreenthumb]

Would a gravel floor be better in a green house that's 8'x12' or would a floor of 2x4's be better. I'm thinking the gravel for higher humidity levels. Any input or other ideas in building this would help such as ventilation, covers and heating. It will be in an area that receives full sunlight until 2-3:00, then it will have "bright" shade for lack of a better term.

[justatypn]

I am by far NOT an expert on greenhouses, my thoughts ... I would think the gravel would be better than 2x4's. There have been quiet a few greenhouses in which I have come in contact with and gravel was used. Think about it, gravel will out last wood by far, cleaning a greenhouse is a regimen either yearly or bi-yearly whatever it may be, but when water comes in contact with wood, either treated or raw it will have a tendency to become slippery from algae and the maintanence would be by far more frequent.

If you are placing a greenhouse where grass previously grew/grows gravel will have a less tendency to produce seedlings and weeds as with wood depending on the distance between the timbers, yes you could place landscaping fabric down to prevent weeds, but have not seen one that works 100%, plastic could be used but you will get standing water, yes you could place slits in the plastic but the light will allow weeds/seedlings to grown, not so fool proof in my eyes.

If expense is an issue, than it's a given that 2x4's would be the winner here. Gravel will be expensive and to prevent weeds/grass from creeping you need at least 2" to 3" pebbles; 2"=7 square feet, 3"=4 square feet, 75 lbs per bag, 3 inches deep, personally river rock would be my choice (river rock weighs 2,800 LBS. per cubic yard - 1.4 tons per yard, 1 Cubic Yard Covers 108 square feet 3" deep.)
.

Hopefully Ray, Marleneann, littlefrog just to name a few will give us their impute and could shed some living-experience light for a better choice of words on this topic...yep i have become a chatter box...sorry...just my 2 cents worth, got change for a nickle.

[Ross]

OK... as also a NOT expert, I'll offer a different opinion (not to differ from Cheryl)

Keep in mind rodents. Gravel doesn't stop them. Concrete floor can be dis-infectent where gravel cannot.

By 2x4, I presume you mean treated boards with something on top? Then you need to keep in mind warp. Not all material is equal quality. And not all material will last forever (except gravel).

If it were my greenhouse, I'd opt for concrete slabs for the bench runs and the heater area (yep we need those!) and gravel in the walkways.

Hope this opinion helps.

[justatypn]

Makes a lot of sense concrete slab under tables and gravel, would not be as pricie and making the form yourself would add a personal touch. You could at that point consider lava rock, gives it color (comes in a variety of colors) and most attractive, just my female point of view ...

The clean-up would be basically the same, solid surface for your tables ... sounds workable.

[jonnygreenthumb]

Originally Posted by rsfrid

If it were my greenhouse, I'd opt for concrete slabs for the bench runs and the heater area (yep we need those!) and gravel in the walkways.

Hope this opinion helps.

A heater whats this heater thing you speak of?
Thanks, I was thinking gravel but I didn't think about the wood getting slippery

[Wendy]

I've never had anything to do with having a greenhouse...it's on my wish list so very badly...but if i were to ever get one I think i would also go for the concrete slabs and gravel. Much easier to care for and looks great.

[Ross]

Originally Posted by jonnygreenthumb

A heater whats this heater thing you speak of?

A heater is something we yankees have to contend with. I get to say this because I am the only one of my family living in the North (everyone else is in Florida - go figure)

Seriously, I would worry about things like long term care of the walk surfaces - if you plan on having this GH for any length of time.

[Ross]

Originally Posted by Pippin

I'd go for concrete slabs/roman paving. Easy to desinfect, easy to clean (powerwash).

Good idea! I did something similar for a storage shed and used 8x12x1 precast concrete "pavers" over compacted sand. Very inexpensive, I can sweep it out, and it behaves much like cast-place concrete. So I'll change my original recommendation to the following: do the entire floor as Pippin suggests with pavers over compacted sand or soil (depending on how yours drains). Then you can change the bench arrangement in the future if you care to.

[Pippin]

I'd go for concrete slabs/roman paving. Easy to desinfect, easy to clean (powerwash).