A project the size of our reclaimed window greenhouse can sometimes seem daunting. There are certain steps that are more daunting than others. Putting on our roof was one of those steps. I am not overly fond of heights so my husband was kind enough to take that position. In the first video of the Greenhouse Build series we showed you how we made the foundation. The second one showed how to do the framing.
In this third segment of our reclaimed window greenhouse build, we show the roofing of the shed and the greenhouse portion.
Shed Roofing
We started by roofing the shed at the back. We used 15/32″ sheeting to cover just this back portion. Next, we then covered it with tar paper.
The lower portion of the shed we were able to shingle using a ladder. We did as far up as we (my husband) could reach and then we attached a wood block for stabilizing on. Now was the tricky part. This roof is very steep and tall. So, my husband got out his climbing harness and ropes and got to work. The roofing isn’t that hard to put on if you took out the precariousness of the perch. We just offset and overlapped the shingles. We will wait to cut the edge until we get our siding and trim on.
The next step is to place fascia boards on the end of the 2×4 trusses. This gives it a more finished look and protects the ends from the elements. We also have small corrugated boards that will block the wind from getting into the greenhouse. They go on the horizontal boards above the walls.
Creating the Ridge Caps of the Reclaimed Window Greenhouse
Our store didn’t carry the clear corrugated ridge caps so we decided to make our own. This not only saved time but ended up being much more cost-effective. We bought 2 extra sheets of clear corrugated plastic roofing and cut it into 13-inch sections. In retrospect, we would do 18 inches to allow for the curve if we did it again. We then created a stop block with a ledge. We made it half the length of the plastic and the ledge kept it in place when we were pressing down. Then, we placed a bit of the corrugated wood at the edge to help maintain the corrugated shape. We placed a clamp on it to hold it down at the curve. (You could just use a board.) We like having 2 people for this because I could move the heat gun back and forth in the middle at the same time my husband was supplying equal pressure with a pipe to the far edge. It does take a number of passes to get the plastic pliable enough to bend. Then we just bent it down to the angle that we needed.
Reclaimed Window Greenhouse Roofing
We had to do some last-minute painting before we put our roof on since it would be pretty hard to avoid the roofing otherwise. Then we installed the roofing using self-drilling roofing screws. We would do a section with the long sheets on each side and then add the ridge caps as we went. The panel that was right next to the shed roof was the hardest to put on because it had to be cut down the length and go under the shingles. Looking back, it probably would have been best to do the shingles last.
The next step is the windows. (Watch for our next post.)
For helpful videos, check out our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCClHdEfsiSI8nmUbUoa6lKQ
To see how to make a root cellar, follow this link: https://wisdompreserved.life/root-cellar-part-one-excavation/
