The structure of the old pergola was still sturdy, even though the plants had long since given up the ghost. The owner, a horticulturist, had ample space and a comfortable budget, which is why he decided to build a huge greenhouse measuring 11 x 4m.

Shopping list

• 7 lengths of timber, unsanded and treated with CCA (chromated copper arsenate), measuring 3 300 x 114 x 38mm – CCA prevents insects or micro-organisms from infesting the wood, causing rot
• 5 lengths of timber, unsanded and treated with CCA, measuring 2 400 x 114 x 38mm
• 33 lengths of pine measuring 2 100 x 76 x 25mm and treated with CCA
• 75mm wire nails
• toothed clout nails
• 2 x 5-litre tins of wood stain (the colour we used was mahogany)
• varnish for the exterior
• 22m 40% shade netting (3m wide)
• nylon rope
• panel nails
• 14 lengths of capping, 3 600 x 44 x 10mm, treated with TBTO (tributyl stannous oxide, which also prevents rot)
• 9 pine picket-fence panels (about 1 800 x 900mm)
• 1 pine picket-fence gate (900 x 900mm)

Equipment

• tape measure and pencil
• spirit level
• hammer
• electric sander or sandpaper
• old guttering, or pieces of rubber or plastic
• paintbrush
• thick darning needle

Words and images: Home magazine