- Ensure the greenhouse install area is 2 feet from the closest hedge/fence/wall - this is important as you will need access to clean the glass from time to time, you may also need to replace the odd pane of broken glass from time to time.
- Ensure the concrete is level - this is a little trickier with a trench style foundation, but it can be achieved with some care
- The concrete in the trench should be 4 inches deep as a minimum
- Ensure the footprint of the trench is large enough!
Green houses are often sold as 6 x 8 as a nominal dimension - in reality these will often measure 6 feet and 4 inches wide and 8 feet and 4 inches long (models vary) your concrete plinth needs to be this size to just set the frame onto it. To securely hold the greenhouse frame, and bolt the greenhouse down, the trench style foundation should be 8 inches/200mm wide, with the frame centred on it.
Example - a Vitavia greenhouse measuring 6'4" wide will need a trench that is 8 inches of concrete running to 7 feet wide, a frame with length of 8'4" will need an 8 inch wide trench running 9 feet in length to accommodate the frame and allow for concrete bolts to be used - ensure you understand the dimensions you will need before setting up for your concrete pour - we can advise you if you need help with this.
This trench was dug into the ground and levelled - because the garden was sloped the trench looks like it is further down on one side compared to the other - in fact the concrete is level all the way around and the offset is due to the slope in the garden
The customer had plans to remove some of the higher ground after the green house was finished
