Demolishing a smoking shelter?

September 16, 2015 11:12 AM

This structure

Is taking up far too much room in our garden and has to go. How do I either get rid of it, or morph it into a greenhouse?

I want a greenhouse. I have a smoking shelter. I think the six poles are made of reinforced concrete. The roof tiles are concrete as well I believe. I want the whole thing gone, but it's very solid. How do I get there from here? I've tried contacting local demolition companies but the job is too small for them. However, it's probably too big for me (or is it?).

Another idea I had was to find a joiner who would take off the roof tiles and add greenhouse glass to the ceiling and walls. Which would be the best, cheapest, easiest option?

posted by hazyjane to Home & Garden (8 answers total)

Sledgehammer and a skip.
posted by DarlingBri at 11:14 AM on September 16, 2015

I would research DIY greenhouses online and compile images of what you think is most doable, and THEN find a small jobs contractor after you have figured out the basic plan. The smaller ones aren't going to have the imagination, so you have to break it down and give them specifics.
posted by TenaciousB at 11:16 AM on September 16, 2015 [1 favorite]

Best answer: Put the roof tiles on freecycle or craigslist in the free section as a "you deconstruct & haul" sort of thing. Then build your greenhouse around the poles.
posted by aniola at 11:21 AM on September 16, 2015 [4 favorites]

2nding taking it down and finding a good prefab greenhouse for the site (there are many). Keep the underlying pad and patch the post holes with some redimix, though - it will be a good foundation for the greenhouse or anything else you may want to build in that spot later.
posted by ryanshepard at 11:25 AM on September 16, 2015 [1 favorite]

I've heard that most prefab greenhouses leak and become generally un-great after a short time. Perhaps it's the plastic used, or the bad joinery, or that any transparent material on a roof is almost impossible to clean, or who knows.

I'd start by getting the roof tiles off, as aniola suggests (great idea; people will absolutely come get free stuff). Then see what you have left underneath.

Then, study greenhouses, see what kinds of construction are possible. I think most residential people are using prefab ones, but I've never asked about one and _not_ heard a litany of complaints. Maybe you can do better.

One source: architectural salvage windows.

Also: you might be able to find a clever handyman/carpenter who will help you. Good luck.
posted by amtho at 11:33 AM on September 16, 2015

I've heard that most prefab greenhouses leak and become generally un-great after a short time. Perhaps it's the plastic used, or the bad joinery, or that any transparent material on a roof is almost impossible to clean, or who knows.

All greenhouses require regular maintenance, but there are a number of good models out there that are cheaper and just as effective as something you'd pay to have a contractor build (and a substantially better place to start than building one yourself as a novice, though this can be a useful learning experience).

The key is to pay a little more and buy one from a vendor that supplies and has to answer to serious agri/horticulturalists (in the US, I'd recommend FarmTek - not sure what the UK equivalent is, but the English seem to take greenhouse gardening very, very seriously, so I assume there are several).
posted by ryanshepard at 11:38 AM on September 16, 2015 [1 favorite]

Best answer: The first thing to consider is sun. Which way is south in your picture? Do you have good sun in this spot, especially in the shoulder seasons? Do nearby structures or trees shade the area? I would only convert this into a greenhouse if it is a good spot for a greenhouse. Otherwise, you'd better off installing a new one elsewhere.

If you decide this is a good spot, remove the roof tiles (and any sheathing that is underneath them). Look at painting or otherwise protecting any unfinished wood that will be inside the greenhouse to protect it from moisture. You'll need to add some framing to support whatever type of material you use (double-wall polycarbonate is a good choice) and to allow for the installation of a door, openings for ventilation (you want one opposite the door or in the roof).
posted by ssg at 1:35 PM on September 16, 2015

If you just want it removed, try contacting small contractors. They will generally do small demo work like this that demo companies won't. The main advantage over doing it yourself (other than not sweating) is that they'll haul all of the debris off. (During your quote you should make sure that that's part of the price.)
posted by mayonnaises at 8:01 AM on September 17, 2015