Greenhouse floor: what options are available?
4 solutions for preparing your soil
Your greenhouse can be installed in different ways depending on the nature of your soil, your personal constraints or your budget.
You must prepare the foundations of your greenhouse in all cases for an installation carried out by our teams.
Here are the four solutions and their characteristics:
1. Concrete pads with anchors
If the ground is sufficiently solid (soil that is not loose and not prone to subsidence), it is possible to create anchoring with concrete pads, made by digging 8 holes and filling them with quick-setting cement. The greenhouse is fixed using aluminum strips attached to the greenhouse base.
For installation, follow the assembly instructions. The greenhouse structure must be assembled and levelled properly, then you need to dig 8 holes about 30 wide x 30 long x 40 deep, position the brackets, fill with quick-setting cement and pour in water. Allow for three 25kg bags (around 60€) and the tools needed for digging. You must also provide central reinforcement at the vertical structure , see https://wiki.myfood.eu/docs/terrassement.
If you have chosen a Myfood installation, this operation will be carried out by your installer. The cement bags will then be invoiced to you directly.
Economical and easy to set up
Not compatible with the "Wood floor" module, lower insulation
Allow for geotextile and gravel
2. Concrete ring beam
For optimal durability without using too much concrete, the concrete ring beam option is a good compromise. However, you must provide central reinforcement at the vertical structure , see https://wiki.myfood.eu/docs/terrassement. You must also provide the electrical connection and the optional water supply (see plan).
Allow a budget of about 1500 to 3000 € for a ring beam built by a professional. Formwork will need to be built. The greenhouse will be fixed using 6 fixing brackets, drilling and fastening with an M6 stainless steel lag screw. If you have chosen a Myfood installation, this lag-screw fixing operation will be carried out by your installer.
Good balance between cost and durability
Make sure you follow the plan dimensions exactly
Allow for geotextile and gravel
3. Concrete slab
The strongest and most durable solution over time is of course a 12-15cm thick concrete slab. For plans and implementation, see https://wiki.myfood.eu/docs/terrassement. You must also provide the electrical connection and the optional water supply (see plan).
Make sure the concrete quality is good to avoid water ingress and plan ahead for the addition of water collectors, which must also rest on the concrete slab.
Allow a budget of about 3000 to 8000 € for professional installation. Formwork will need to be built. The greenhouse will be fixed using 6 fixing brackets, drilling and fastening with an M6 stainless steel lag screw. If you have chosen a Myfood installation, this lag-screw fixing operation will be carried out by your installer.
Best long-term durability
Cannot be moved and the cost can vary greatly depending on the contractor
4. Platform on foundation screws
Our favourite solution and the one recommended by Myfood for the planet is the wooden platform on foundation screws. The platform is made up of a robust wooden structure and is installed on 12 galvanized 1000 cm foundation screws, which are driven into the ground with a specific machine. With this option, there is no need to add concrete or cement into the ground. This foundation can therefore be dismantled and moved easily, which is not the case with a slab.
If you select this solution, you must include the "wood floor module for foundation screws".
Allow a total budget of about 4600 € for the screws and the platform + 2380 € for the floor. This budget includes materials, standard transport and installation (indicative amount, to be specified according to the region, access constraints and the specific constraints of the installation site). Frame cladding and greenhouse access ramp not included.
A prior assessment is required to validate the feasibility of the installation (ground type, presence of rock in the soil) via a ground survey, installation of stakes and pre-drilling of the ground. Instructions available on request (assessment to be carried out by you).
Environmentally friendly, durable and installed by Myfood
Greenhouse raised by 30cm, provide a step stool or an access ramp
5. Other possible option
Quality stone and paving