There are endless entrance options for your high tunnel, hoop house, or greenhouse. To choose a door best for you means you will need to choose a door that balances your budget and your needs. Often times, those needs include being able to drive equipment into the high tunnel or wanting to use the door as a way of ventilating the structure. This requires a large entrance. For those of us wanting high tunnel doors that are larger than 10 ft. wide it can be very costly unless we get creative. In this post, we go through the step by step process for how you can use greenhouse plastic, roll-up hardware, and round steel tubing to make a door that can open nearly your entire end-wall.
We are going to go through all of the material and steps required to create your very own large end-wall opening.
Building your own greenhouse door can be a fun and rewarding DIY project. With some basic carpentry skills and tools you can create a customized door that fits your greenhouse perfectly. In this article I’ll walk you through the entire process of building a greenhouse door from scratch.
Why Build Your Own Greenhouse Door?
Constructing a customized greenhouse door has several advantages over buying a premade one
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You can create a door that fits your greenhouse dimensions exactly. Prefab doors often have limited size options.
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It allows you to match the door design and materials to your greenhouse aesthetic.
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Building it yourself costs a fraction of purchasing a finished door.
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You’ll gain valuable DIY skills and the satisfaction of creating something with your own hands.
So if you want a greenhouse door that’s tailored, budget-friendly, and unique, making your own is the way to go. With some simple tools and materials, a bit of know-how, and a weekend of work, you can do it!
Planning Your Greenhouse Door Project
The first step is deciding on the size, style, and materials for your door.
Consider the following:
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What are the dimensions of the doorway? Measure carefully to ensure your door will fit.
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Do you want a standard size door or a custom height and width?
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What materials would work best? Wood and aluminum are common choices.
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Will the door be a single pane or include windows/panels?
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What types of hinges and hardware do you want to use?
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How can you match the door to your greenhouse design?
Once you’ve answered these questions, you can gather the necessary tools and materials.
Tools and Materials
Here are the basic tools and materials you’ll need:
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Power tools: circular saw, drill, etc.
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Handsaws or chop saw
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Wood for the frame: 2x4s, lumber, plywood
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Door panels: glass, acrylic, wood
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Hinges, latch, door handles
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Weatherproof wood glue
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Sealant/caulk
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Paint or wood stain (optional)
For my latest door, I used repurposed French doors with grid windows for the panels. I like using reclaimed materials when possible. The frame is simple 2×4 pine lumber.
Building the Door Frame
With your design plan and materials ready, it’s time to start building. Follow these steps:
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Cut the lumber for the top, bottom, and side door frame pieces to size according to your measurements.
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Cut out the panel sections in the top and bottom frame pieces where the door panels will go.
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Attach the side frames to the top and bottom frame with wood screws. Use a carpenter’s square to ensure the frame is square.
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Install any fixed door panels like glass or wood into the frame. Secure them with panel clips or adhesive.
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Add weatherstripping around the panels to seal any gaps.
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Attach hinges to one side of the frame. I prefer sturdy strap hinges for greenhouses.
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Seal all wood surfaces with primer/sealer to protect from weathering.
At this point, you should have a sturdy door frame ready to hang!
Hanging and Finishing the Door
Now it’s time to hang and finish the door:
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Before mounting the door permanently, do a dry run hanging to test the fit and operation.
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Make any necessary adjustments for smooth opening and closing.
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Seal hinge holes and around the perimeter with caulk to prevent air and water infiltration.
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Install the door latches, pulls, and any other hardware.
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Consider adding weatherseals around the perimeter to reduce air gaps. Adhesive foam seals work well.
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Finally, protect and beautify the wood with exterior primer, paint, or stain. Multiple coats are best for weather-resistance.
And that’s it – you now have a fully functional custom greenhouse door! Just sit back and admire your handiwork.
Tips for Success
Here are a few tips to ensure your DIY greenhouse door turns out great:
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Use only weather-resistant materials like treated lumber, galvanized hardware, and exterior-grade sealants.
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Carefully measure your door opening and build your frame precisely to size.
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Take time to hang the door properly so it operates smoothly.
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Seal, prime, and paint all wood to protect it from moisture damage.
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Consider adding screens, vents, or pet doors to customize and increase functionality.
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Build an overhang above the door if possible, to protect the door and hardware from rain.
With good planning, patience, and proper construction techniques, you can build a greenhouse door that will serve you well for years to come. The ability to create something unique and useful for your garden is very rewarding.
Finished DIY High Tunnel Door
Once your anti-billow tubing has been installed, and you have trimmed your excess plastic covering your roll-up door is now complete. The above picture shows a completed DIY high tunnel door after it has been completed.
Overview of Parts Required
The picture below provides a good snap shot of what your economy roll-up end-wall entrance will look like, and the different parts and components that are required to build your end-wall entrance.
We show the door in its various stages from start to finish further down in this post, but here is a run down of the materials needed to create a large end-wall roll-up door. The list below assumes you already have end-wall framing:
Now that we have covered the main building components for this type of door, lets go through the process of planning and executing the installation of the door.
The BEST GREENHOUSE DOOR (DIY) Build
FAQ
Do greenhouse doors swing in or out?
Doors can be hinged on the right or left, and swing in or out; we recommend the greenhouse door swing in to avoid being caught by a wind gust, causing damage.
What kind of door for a greenhouse?
Dutch Doors for Your Greenhouse
This door is horizontally divided, allowing the top half to open while the bottom half stays closed. This charming design provides excellent ventilation and security, combining practicality with quaint appeal.
How to build an internal door?
- Step 1: Understanding the Anatomy of a Door. …
- Step 2: Preparing Your Space and Measuring. …
- Step 3: Selecting Materials. …
- Step 4: Building Rails, Stiles and Panels. …
- Step 5: Door Joinery. …
- Step 6: Doorknobs and Hinges. …
- Step 7: Sanding and Painting/staining.
Is it cheaper to build a greenhouse or buy one?
The decision to build or buy a pre-made greenhouse is not straightforward, as there are many factors to consider. However, when speaking strictly about costs, buying a pre-made or ready-to-assemble greenhouse kit is less expensive.