Recommendations for choosing a foundation for different options for greenhouses, including those made of metal, glass, plastic film, window blocks. Detailed installation guide for lightweight structures. The foundation for a greenhouse is a built-in element, on the performance of which the durability and reliability of the structure being erected depends. The approval is relevant both for self-built structures and for purchased products. Any installation of a structure should begin with the equipment of the site, taking into account its features and specifics.
Basic information about the greenhouse foundation
A well-made foundation will ensure safety, reliability and stationarity for the entire structure. It is important to note that lightweight structures are often installed temporarily, which makes one think about the need for a foundation for a greenhouse.
The bases for small outbuildings provide:
- Guaranteed reduction in heat losses;
- Maintaining an optimal microclimate that has a positive effect on the growth of crops;
- Fixation of the greenhouse frame, which allows it to be preserved in case of strong winds, squalls, minor floods and other natural disasters;
- Protection of the internal space from temperature extremes, undesirable effects of fog;
- Isolation of plants and soil from external factors, including pests, rodents, microorganisms.
Varieties of foundations for greenhouses
Currently, greenhouse foundations of tape, columnar, slab and pile designs are especially popular. The use of each of them is carried out taking into account the peculiarities of the relief, soil of the site, climatic specifics and the scale of the project.
Greenhouse strip foundation
A significant number of buildings of various types are being erected on a strip foundation.
The following options for its implementation should be noted:
- In a shallow way, when it is laid on solid ground after removing the upper fertile layer, which allows it to be subsequently used as a grillage.
- Shallowly buried method, providing for the laying of a special lining to a depth of 70-80 cm, provided that there is no high groundwater in the appropriate place.
- In-depth execution, when placing the foundation at a depth of more than 30-40 cm from the level of freezing of the earth.
In the latter case, the depth of the trench can be up to 150 cm, while the corresponding indicator depends on the region. Often, the greenhouse foundation is performed in a ratio of 70 cm depth to 30 cm masonry height.
It is allowed to be made using the following materials:
- Prefabricated or purchased concrete blocks connected by means of reinforcement;
- Ordinary brick, cinder block;
- Cement composition and reinforcement parts;
- Rubble components, which are based on clay, crushed stone, stones and other components;
- Handy items, including glass containers, firewood, beams, construction waste, etc.
The organization of the foundation is carried out according to the rule of exceeding the height relative to the cross-sectional width of the corresponding object, taking into account the proportion of 2 to 1. It will be easy and quick to perform it with the help of an ordinary bar, provided that hard wood is used and treated with special protective components, including mastic, machine oil, antifungal compounds.
Greenhouse slab foundation
The organization of a slab base for a greenhouse is advisable when it comes to an area with some peculiarities in the composition of the soil, the occurrence of groundwater, and the content of sand. In this aspect, it is recommended to use an appropriate foundation, which can be of the following design:
- Floating, when the organization of the concrete site is carried out on the surface of the ground;
- With stiffening elements, which together with the concrete tape and the monolithic slab represent a single structure.
The specified type of foundation compares favorably with the strip foundation due to the absence of the need to close the perimeter. Its organization begins with the construction of a pit, the depth of which can reach 70 cm. The entire lower base is formed by a cushion of sand and crushed stone, then filled with geotextile protected by roofing felt, which guarantees the isolation of the fill from the harmful effects of an aggressive environment.
Depending on the purpose and type of foundation, the depth of its laying may differ. For example, for small lightweight structures, 10 cm is enough, while for stationary large objects, it is necessary to complete 20 cm or more. Concrete is considered the optimal pouring material.
You can also build a foundation for a greenhouse with your own hands from used car tires, which are pre-filled with sand or other bulk binders.
Column foundation for greenhouses
A simple, inexpensive and fast enough option for organizing a greenhouse foundation is the use of columnar technology. The corresponding elements are placed in the ground at a depth of 80 cm, at a distance of at least 150 cm from each other.
Popular materials for the construction of a columnar foundation are:
- Special T-shaped concrete pillars;
- Ordinary brick or rubble stone;
- Cinder block, tree hemp, natural stone;
- Cement mortar poured into asbestos-filled reinforced metal pipes.
A serious drawback of such a greenhouse foundation is the impossibility of high-quality insulation of the internal space, since eliminating heat leakage and penetration of cold through the lower gap will be problematic for subsequent operation. For this reason, it is necessary to additionally insulate the perimeter of the building using brick strapping, decorate it with a board and process it with protective components.
Greenhouse pile foundation
It is unrealistic to do without this technology on swampy terrain or uneven areas of land. The arrangement of such a foundation is carried out at a depth of more than 30 cm from the lower limit of soil freezing.
The following pile installation options are available today:
- Screw type, when special pillars are equipped with peculiar blades, whereby they are introduced into the ground in a circular motion;
- Driving, which uses the appropriate equipment and materials, including sleepers, fittings, channels, profiles, pipes, etc.
In the first case, it may additionally require the use of a drilling rig or other special equipment. The ideal case is when the piles are located relative to each other at a distance of up to 2 meters. At the end of the work, after the solution has dried, the upper heads are removed. The final stage is the filling of the grillage, which gives the structure integrity, strength and completeness. It is allowed to make it from timber beams, sleepers or by means of monolithic concrete technology.
It is difficult to unequivocally answer the question of which version of the greenhouse foundation is better for structures made of glass, film, polycarbonate and other materials. It all depends on the geodetic features of the terrain, the specifics of the soil, the planned dimensions of the structure, the materials used, climatic conditions and the physical data of the building. It is advisable to place capital structures on a strip base. This option is considered universal and practical in relation to other methods. Lightweight temporary structures are allowed to be placed on point columnar elements.
It is not difficult to figure out how to make a foundation for a greenhouse from piles, since the technology does not provide for the use of concrete and, as a result, becomes more interesting due to the insignificant loss of time in relation to other methods. It is necessary to understand that it is unrealistic to install the main elements on your own, without special equipment and devices. Each support must be placed strictly vertically, which may require the involvement of specialists. If the technology for installing piles is violated, it is recommended to stop work and repeat everything in a new place.
Foundation technology for lightweight greenhouses
It is recommended to start the construction of a strip foundation for a lightweight greenhouse by drawing up drawings, which indicate all the necessary dimensions, symbols, key elements, fasteners, installation sequence and other aspects. The geometry of such a base usually has a regular rectangular shape.
The main emphasis should be on the materials used, their total quantity, key stages of the event. The best option is the use of a standard project, which can later be adapted to specific conditions.
Greenhouse placement is important. It is necessary to take into account the specifics of the area. Installation on the south side, where the winds are relatively infrequent, is considered ideal.
Before construction, it is recommended to clear the area from waste, garbage, agricultural products. The proposed place of work should be fenced off with pegs, a stretched rope. It is important to check the geometry of the planned foundation, the correspondence of the diagonals. After the exploratory actions, the soft upper soil is removed.
The depth of the foundation should be at least 80 cm. If necessary, the bottom is leveled with rubble. The walls of the "pit" are made out with roofing material in two layers, while the laying of geotextiles is allowed. The top is backfilled with gravel, sandstone with a total layer depth of up to 400 mm, after which the formed cushion is compacted.
Two reinforcing belts are installed along the perimeter of the future foundation. In each of them, reinforcement is placed horizontally, with a cross-sectional diameter of up to 12 mm. Additionally, vertical bundling is provided with an interval of 400-600 mm. Special supports or stones with a height of no more than 5 cm are laid on the base. Then the lower horizontal rods are installed with an interval of 20 cm, smooth thin elements are laid perpendicularly, allowing to preserve the shape of the frame.
Corner fittings are bent into adjacent sections, with an overhang of at least 50 cm. Consistent work allows you to obtain significant reinforcement of the structure and increase its strength. Next, the reinforcement is driven in vertically, followed by its tying with steel wire. The upper tier is mounted in the same way as the lower tier.
Depending on the purpose of the foundation, its height, the appropriate distance between the belts is selected. For example, with 40 cm tape, it is preferable to select a gap within 30 cm, providing a 5 cm allowance per side. In a similar way, the width of the foundation is calculated.
After laying the metal structure in the trench, the formwork is installed. It is often made in the form of panels of wood, plywood, plastic panels and other composite materials. Preserving the correct geometry will allow from the inside to link the formwork by means of beams, from the outside - the installation of spacers that hold the walls after they are filled with mortar.
The filling of the tape with concrete must be carried out in a complex, at the same time, which will eliminate the formation of seams, cold bridges, porosity. It is recommended to adhere to the following tips for making the mortar: for 1 part of cement and 3 parts of sand, there are 5 parts of a fraction up to 40 mm in size and 5 parts of water. A thick consistency is considered ideal. Initially, it is necessary to add and mix all dry components, after which water is supplied.
The mortar poured into the formwork is subject to ramming and an operation to remove air. The appearance of bubbles will negatively affect the durability of the foundation. After completing all the operations of the structure, it is necessary to settle for a month, after which you can proceed to the next stages of construction.
At the end of the complete drying of the foundation, the formwork is dismantled, the surface is glued or coated with bitumen components in several layers and insulation is made with foam. The use of polyurethane foam spraying is allowed.
Roofing material is laid on top of the construction "pie" with overlapping adjacent layers up to 20 cm, sealing with adhesive tape and securing the material by heating with a blowtorch is ensured. At the end, the foundation is backfilled with soil around the entire perimeter, and a separate waterproofing is provided in its upper part.
Having figured out how to make a foundation for a greenhouse with your own hands, you can proceed to the stage of its installation. Until the solution is completely dry, it is advisable to install metal elements with anchor inserts in the center of the tape and in the corners, with an interval of 1 meter, to which the fixation of the main structure will subsequently be ensured. Otherwise, anchor bolts will need to be used, which is a more complex and costly process.
In the places where the greenhouse adjoins to the foundation, it is necessary to make high-quality sealing of joints by means of an elastic sealant. This will avoid the penetration of cold air, moisture, ice and other unwanted moments inside. The recommendation is especially relevant for those who plan to use the greenhouse throughout the year.
Important! Maintaining an optimal greenhouse microclimate, protecting plants from unwanted environmental influences is realized by raising the foundation within 30% of its total height. How to make a foundation for a greenhouse - watch the video:
It is important to understand that the durability and reliability of the entire structure as a whole depends on the quality of the construction of the foundation. Regardless of the budget of the event, the selected performers in each case, it is necessary to take into account the peculiarities of the area and the selected type of greenhouse.
