Permanent Greenhouses | Old Virginia Woodworking

Permanent Greenhouses

It is our goal to build beautiful structures. A greenhouse should be pleasing to the eye, as well as functional and convienient for growing. Beauty in appearance and usefulness is key to an enjoyable greenhouse gardening experience. We want each greenhouse we design to appear at home in its surrounding environment. When designing your structure we will take into account the look of any existing buildings you have on your property, help you select the best location, and consider your heating and ventilation needs. Any permanent greenhouse or other decorative building we build will add beauty and value to your property, not look out of place, or mismatched. For more information on our materials and construction please click on the tabs above, or call or email us for more information.

 

Tour Our Model Greenhouse (Mendota, Virginia)

Our model greenhouse in Mendota Virginia is open for tours call us at 276-466-4587 for an appointment for your walk-through. We will be happy to discuss the details of our greenhouse and the possibilities for yours. Click here for directions.

 

Greenhouse Construction

We can manage the construction of your greenhouse starting with working out a design that suits your particular needs for function and aesthetics. And we will carry it all the way through to completion down to the last finishing detail. Don Schanzenbach has 30 years experience in the building trade and has managed everything from small renovations to commercial construction. He understands the building trades and materials, and will work hard to complete your project on schedule and within budget. We want you to be completely satisfied with the result. Our model greenhouse, seen below, shows the attention to detail and quality construction that we provide in every project. This model greenhouse may be toured by appointment. Call us to set an appointment at a time that is convienient for you. You will find directions to our model greenhouse here.

 

This  permanent greenhouse has a sturdy construction and many fine details. The basic structure consists of a reclaimed railroad timber foundation, a well-drained floor of a layer of gravel topped with a layer of recycled block dust, a frame and trusses of painted 2 x 6s and 2 x 4s, and the permanent plastic panels for the roof and walls. The ceiling is vaulted to create a spacious look with the exposed trusses. The trusses were built with added strength to allow for the possiblity of hanging planters from them if desired. The frame is built mostly of standard pine, but could be designed utilizing hardwoods if desired. The result would be spectacular. The floor is tightly packed block dust and could have a decorative brick floor added over it later.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Many exceptional details have been incorporated into the design of this permanent greenhouse that you will not find in a standard greenhouse kit or portable greenhouse. The windows and doors are handmade and designed to accentuate the shape and style of the structure as a whole. The windows have a uniquely designed latching system incorporating some of the white oak hardwood used in the doors and planters. The doors are what everyone comments on first, and they are stunning. The angle of the top of the doors matches the pitch of the roof. The doors themselves are constructed of the same white oak as the planters, and the door handles are made from an African hardwood. These handmade doors are one of the key focal points of this building.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The planters or grow boxes are constructed entirely of white oak. White oak is one of the most naturally rot-resistant hardwoods available. They are also lined with a rubber liner to keep the wet soil from touching the wood, so your damp garden soil will never cause them to rot. These planters are carefully crafted by hand to be beautiful, sturdy, rot-resistant, well-drained, and suitable for organic growing. They are certainly an asset to the greenhouse, but the structure could be designed with any type of raised bed or for in-ground growing.

 

We have also carefully considered heating and ventilation options. A detailed discussion of this topic would absorb more space than we have here. However, any greenhouse owner will tell you that consideration must be made before building begins. Ventilation especially requires careful planning. Any enclosure like this with clear panels will heat up very quickly on a sunny day. With no ventilation this garden house will heat to 110° in very little time on an 85° day. Proper fan sizing and controls are important and we can manage that for you. Window sizing and location are critical, and there are multiple heating options. All of these things will be considered in any of our greenhouse designs.

One of our permanent greenhouses will be a solid investment, increasing your property value and your peace of mind, knowing you can grow your family's vegetables in a protected and beautiful environment. There is room enough in ours to grow a large quantity of vegetables and there is extra space for seating so we can use the space for entertaining as well.

 

Design Services

We offer full design and build services. You won't need to find an architect to draw up your plans and then search for a reliable contractor to complete the project. We can take your project from start to finish. We want you to be completely satisfied with the entire process, and promise to treat you in an honest and trustworthy manner. Don Schanzenbach has over 30 years of experience in residential and commercial construction and remodeling. He has a  Class A builder's license for the state of Virginia, and has designed and built about fourty residential additions along with many other projects. He is happy to meet with you to discuss the possiblities for your desired project. He will help you solidify a plan for your building that will suit your needs and be personalized to your taste. Your initial consultation is free.

A walk-through of the greenhouse is happily available by appointment. There is no obligation to purchase anything, and no pressure, we are always happy to meet other garden lovers. Contact us to set up a time for a walk-through or consultation.

Environmentally Responsible

Whenever possible we use recycled, reclaimed, and locally sourced materials. In our greenhouse we used reclaimed railroad timbers for the foundation and recycled block dust  left over from the concrete block making process, for a well-drained floor. We also used locally grown and harvested white oak for the grow boxes. Many of the hardwoods we use we are able to purchase locally and dry in our solar kiln.

We also aim to build permanent greenhouse structures that will last for many years, with little replacement of materials, so as to create less waste as well as less cost in the future for the owner. Our greenhouse is constructed with permanant plastic panels for the walls and roof that have many times the strength of glass panels and will not need to be replaced every couple of years as plastic hoop houses would. This means less waste and fewer repairs.

Our grow boxes are suitable for organic growing, as they are built from untreated hardwoods and lined with rubber for rot resistance. No treated lumber will be in contact with the soil in the planters, and you will not have to worry about any kind of run-off contaminating your plants or soil since they will be in raised beds.

We are currently working to construct a water saving system to catch the run-off from the greenhouse roof to use for watering the plants inside. It is our desire to create a well-designed, sustainable, environmentally responsible, growing environment for your gardening.

Local Partners

We like to recommend local businesses that we believe you will find to be knowledgable and helpful to you as you begin your adventure into greenhouse growing.

 

Indoor Farms

28365 Hawthorne Dr.
Meadowview, VA 24361

276-944-3665

Specialize in herb and vegetable seedlings, bedding plants, perennials, and seasonal potted flowers. They also are a good source for your mulch and soil needs. These folks are friendly and knowledgable and are happy to assist you in your selections.

 

Meadowview Farmer's Guild

PO Box 601
Meadowview, VA 24361

276-944-5140

www.meadowviewfarmersguild.com/Store.html

The Meadowview Farmer's Guild is a wonderful resource for local growers and they have a store and restaurant on Meadowview Square in downtown Meadowview that showcases local handmade goods and locally grown produce.