12x16 Greenhouse Plans Free - PDF Download | HowToSpecialist - How to Build, Step by Step DIY Plans (2024)

This step by step woodworking project is about 12×16 greenhouse plans. I had a few requests for a 12×16 easy to build greenhouse and you know I cannot refuse a good challenge. That is why I’ve decided to design this wooden greenhouse with a gable roof, that is both pretty and sturdy. The greenhouse has 6′ side wall and a maximum height of 9′. You can add lots of unique features to the greenhouse, such as automatic vents or doors, so you can control the climate. In addition, you can cover the greenhouse with glass, film or poly-carbonate sheets.

The location of the wood greenhouse should be set as to benefit from sunlight, most of the day. This aspect is essential for your future crops, as the plants need morning light to develop properly. Place the solar greenhouse far away from buildings or trees. If this is not possible, try to build it as to get the morning light from east. Before building the wood greenhouse, level the ground and excavate the soil if necessary.

If you want build a durable greenhouse, you should choose the materials with great care. Buy pressure treated lumber or cedar, making sure the studs and beams are perfectly straight. In addition, examine the studs and select the lumber without visible signs of damage. Use the right woodworking techniques, as to join the wood properly and a spirit level to plumb the walls before setting them into place. See all my Premium Plans HERE.

Made from this plan

12×16 Greenhouse Plans

Materials

• A – 2 pieces of 4×4 lumber – 144 long, 2 pieces – 192″ long BASE
• B – 10 pieces of 2×4 lumber – 16″ long STAKES
• C – 2 pieces of 2×4 lumber – 192″ long, 9 pieces – 72″ long, 4 pieces – 22 1/2″ long SIDE WALL
• D – 2 pieces of 2×4 lumber – 137″ long, 7 pieces – 72″ long BACK WALL
• E – 2 pieces of 2×4 lumber – 137″ long, 7 pieces – 72″ long FRONT WALL
• F – 2 pieces of 2×4 lumber – 192″ long, 9 pieces – 72″ long SIDE WALL
• G – 2 pieces of 2×4 lumber – 25 1/2″ long, 1 piece of 2×6 lumber – 192″ long RIDGE BEAM
• H – 18 pieces of 2×4 lumber – 77 3/4″ long, 2 pieces of 1×3 lumber – 192″ long RAFTERS
• I – 2 pieces of 2×4 lumber – 65″ long, 2 pieces – 36″ long, 1 piece – 29″ long DOOR
• J – 2 pieces of 2×2 lumber – 22 1/2″ long, 2 pieces – 19 1/2″ long 2xVENT

• 1 piece of 2×6 lumber – 16′
• 2 pieces of 4×4 lumber – 12′
• 2 pieces of 4×4 lumber – 16′
• 2 pieces of 1×3 lumber – 16′
• 4 pieces of 2×4 lumber – 16′
• 21 pieces of 2×4 lumber – 12′
• 18 pieces of 2×4 lumber – 8′
• 2 pieces of 2×2 lumber – 8′
• 500 pieces of 2 1/2″ screws
• 3 1/2″ screws
• film
• vent opener
• thermostat outlet
• hinges + latch (door)
• hinges for vents

Tools

• Safety gloves, glasses
• Miter saw, jigsaw
• Chalk line, tape measure,spirit level, carpentry pencil
• Drill machinery and drill bits

Time

• One Week

Related

• Small greenhouse plans
• Mini greenhouse plans

12×16 Gable Greenhouse Plans Free – PDF Download

The first step of the project is to build the base for the greenhouse. Therefore, all you need to do is use 4×4 pressure treated beams for the skids. Use a circular saw to make parallel cuts and then remove the excess with a chisel. Smooth the surface with sandpaper.

Select the location for the greenhouse, making sure it gets a lot of natural light so the plants will grow healthy. Level the surface and then lay the beams, as shown in the plans. Make sure the corners are square and then drill pilot holes, before inserting the 3 1/2″ screws.

Use 2x4s for the anchors. Cut one end of the stakes in V-shaped, so you can fit them to the ground easily. Then use 2 1/2″ screws to secure the stakes to the base of the greenhouse.

Next, you have to build the wall frame for the front of the greenhouse. As you can easily notice in the diagram, you need to frame the door opening. I went conservatively so I made it 3′ wide, but you can plans with the dimensions and make it suit your needs.

Lay the components on a level surface and then assemble the frame with 3 1/2″ screws. Drill pilot holes through the plates before inserting the screws to prevent the wood from splitting. Make sure the corners are square and align the edges flush.

Continue the project by assembling the back wall. You can add a door do this wall as well, if you want an easy access to the interior.

Next, we need to frame the side walls. As you can notice in the plans, I have added 2×4 supports for the vents. Drill pocket holes at both ends of the supports and then lock them to the studs with 2 1/2″ screws. You can adjust the size of the vents, as well as their location. I am no gardener, so I let that to you, if you have more experience.

Build the opposite side wall for the 12×16 wooden greenhouse.

After assembling the wall frames for the greenhouse, you need to assemble everything. Fit the wall frames to the skids and align the edges flush. Plumb the walls with a spirit level and then drill pilot holes through the bottom plates. Insert 3 1/2″ screws to lock the wall frames to the base. Next, lock the adjacent wall frames together with 2 1/2″ screws.

Use 2×4 lumber for the ridge beam supports and 2×6 lumber for the ridge beam. Drill pocket holes at both ends of the supports and then secure them to the middle of the front and back wall plates , using 2 1/2″ screws. Make sure the corners are square and align everything with attention. Fit the ridge beam and don’t worry, the structure will be way stiffer when adding the rafters.

Talking about the rafters, I want to show you how to cut them. Use a miter saw to make the angle cuts. But before making the cuts, you need to mark the lines on the 2×4 slats.

Fit the rafters to the top of the greenhouse and then place them every 24″ on center. Drill pilot holes and insert 3 1/2″ screws to lock the rafters into place tightly.

Fit the 1×3 slats to the end of the rafters, so you can protect the film when stretching it over the greenhouse.

Build the door from 2x4s, as shown in the plans. Drill pocket holes at both ends of the vertical supports and at both ends of the middle support. Make sure the corners are square and use 2 1/2″ screws to lock everything with attention.

Fit the door to the front of the greenhouse and lock it into place with hinges. Add a latch so you can close the door properly.

Use 2×2 lumber for the frames of the vents. Align the edges and make sure they are perfectly square. Drill pilot holes and insert 2 1/2″ screws to lock everything together tightly.

Fit the vents to the openings and lock them to the top supports with hinges. Install the automatic vent so you can control the climate inside the greenhouse with ease.

Last but not least, you need to attach the film to the exterior of the greenhouse. Use 1×2 trims, along the framing of the greenhouse, so you can lock the film into place tightly.

This is a super easy to build greenhouse, so you shouldn’t feel intimidated by the task. Just follow the instructions religiously and at the end you will have a brand new greenhouse in the backyard.

You could apply a few coats of treatment over the wooden framing, so they withstand the elements.

If you want to download the plans. just click on the GET PDF PLANS button bellow.

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