Greenhouse Stability – Size of Wood to Use?
June 8th, 2010
I’m putting the plans together to build an attached greenhouse that will sit on the south side of my house. It will be a 12′ x 9′ x 10′ structure. I’m using another smaller plan that I saw someone use and modifying it a little bigger. It’s pretty basic. 2, 12′ wide by 10′ tall east and west walls and 1, 9′ wide 10′ tall south wall. The north end will be attached to the side of the house. The roof will rise will rise up an additional 4 foot.
My question is, do I need to use 2×4’s for all of the studs to ensure a firm structure? Smaller houses use smaller wood but I don’t want it to crumble down. 
Here is the smaller plan. http://www.buildeazy.com/greenhouse2.html
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The plans look to be using metric measurements. I would still think good quality 2×3 lumber would be plenty.
As a thought, have you considered using steel framing? this would seem to be a perfect application.
Use 2 x 4 for the walls, and you’ll need to use 2 x 10 for the roof, as you are spanning more than 9′9″
I would use 2×4’s for the walls and 2×6’s for the roof. max of 2′ on center with min of 2×4 inbetween every piece of glass on the roof. I am assuming the side pic framing will be repeated throughout the room every 16 or 24 on center minus the door.
When Glass in involved you can never be too safe. Use teco metal braces where ever possible. tempered glass should be used for the ceiling . with out plywood holding the room together the framing will be very unstable. do everything possible to add rigidity. or triangles.