I was just wondering. Has anyone ever modified an instant car port to be a green house? Maybe I'm not thinking about it properly but they are fairly inexpensive for their size and it would seem with some fairly minimal modification could be converted to a greenhouse. What do you all think about that?

I bought one of those shelterlogic 12x20 that I ended up only using for one season. I kept it though because I thought the same thing... using it to make a greenhouse some day. The only thing I would do would be to add more bracing to tighten up the frame as I found it swayed back and forth too much on a windy day.

Tyler

A few years back I bought one it was 8x8 and grey (think was 150 bucks) I cut some holes and tuck taped (waaay better than duct tape) some greenhouse poly for windows, it was ok. Not great. A heavy rain would knock in the windows. I'm sure it could have been done better, but once you get cutting there's no going back lol This spring I found a 10x10 greenhouse on Amazon.com. It's called King Canopy, basically a glorified car port, greenhouse style. It was 175 bucks(in March) Seems much stronger than most greenhouses around that price point, and you don't have to worry about modifying the car port ones.

Is this the one?

http://www.kingcanopy.com/content/greenhouse.asp

This may be just what I'm looking for.

How does it handle wind?

How did you anchor it?

If you want to pay 400 00 i have recommendation. I bought two greenhouse's that 12 x24 x 10 high. I have them up for two years now. Built very well. They are hoop houses but very good materials. 400.00 dollers a peice shipped

Tyler: That is great feedback. Thank you for the reply.

Kricket:  Thank you. That's good information.  I looked up "Tuck Tape". I had never heard of that before.

Richie: Is this something you built? Or is it  a manufactured product?

Thank you all.

Manufactured Product. You have to build it when it,comes in. Takes about four hours and two people. Not bad to build. I will get the bame of company. I bought it from ebay. They sale on ebay and online

Blackfoot. Can't say none way or the other, but love the whole thinking outside the box" thing.

FYI, this is a greenhouse:

 

It provides solar heating, and has windows and doors that can be opened and closed to moderate temps.

Keep thinking out side the box.

Maybe post a pix of the "Car port" that you are thinking about converting.

Jon I did see that van in the "basics" page. Ha ha, I like it.! Sometimes it's easier to think outside the box when you come from outside the box:)

I think you might be talking about one like this?

http://www.sportsmansguide.com/product/index/shelterlogic-10-x-20-portable-garage-canopy-carport-white-cover?a=332977

Yes Frank. That is what I am asking about. Thank you. I mean if you already had one of these then it would be obviously something you would want to try. But what I was trying to ask is if it would be a better approach buying one new and modifying it, as opposed to buying a pre-fab greenhouse. I  don't know. Sometimes what starts out cheap ends up expensive. Sometimes not. Just thinking.

Richie. I would be interested to see what it looks like. Is there a way you could take a picture or two of yours? How does it hold up to the wind? Have you had to do anything to fortify it? Thank you.

My motto is..."if you can believe it...you can achieve it!"  Just do it!!!!

I'd say go for it!  Tyler, I have that Shelter Logic 12x20 GH.  You have to add more earth anchors and tie it down well or it will sway in the wind.  Others on-line commented exactly what you said.  The tie-down system works, you just have to secure it tighter.  On mine, I bought an extra set of tie downs and earth anchors.  I placed one on the end of every post arm that touched the ground.  Mine does not move in the wind.  But I know it will if not secured to the ground well.  Mine is tied down using 12 additional earth anchors.  The anchors are 2 feet long.  Try screwing 12 - 2 foot long earth anchors in the ground by hand in clay!  You can't!  I predrilled my holes with a small gas powered post hole digger with a 2" - 3' long bit.  Had all 12 holes done in 15 mins!

The car port would work out fine but the GH is much cheaper in the long run.