GrowerNode™ is the name for our greenhouse and garden environmental sensing and control system. It is an internet based system for sensing and control of greenhouse, field and garden operations. The 'Islander' is our small prototype greenhouse design used as a demonstration project for IoT (Internet of Things).

In Part 5, we showed details of the main girder construction and floor modules, Part 6 will cover the details of the framing for the 'glass' walls made with bubble-wrap.

We scrambled to build the rain tent when the weather suddenly turned, so the pictures are a little harder to take. The entire building is made out of spruce, which deforms and twists if it gets wet, so it is important to protect it from rain before it gets a coat of sealant, whether stain or paint. Safely protected by our impromptu tent structure, the framing has started in earnest.

We used spruce for this unit as it is lightweight, and we got a good price on timber that had been destroyed by the pine beetle infestation, so it has an eco friendly aspect to it. The trees would just rot if they were left in the forest, and the bluish stain left by the infestation actually adds a little character to the wood. Our actual production units will likely be made with fir as it is much stronger and far less subject to deformation with moisture.

One other important aspect of this construction method that you really can't see in these pictures is the modular system that we have developed. The floor, walls and roof are all made with easy to handle modules that can be easily assembled with screws or nails. We prefer screws as they are stronger and can be taken apart easily, if you want to change something (there isn't actually a single nail in this entire project).

Before we started on the framing, we did one final check on the floor alignment - it looks good! When the project is finished, we will use the beam level adjusters to put a slight cant on the building for the purpose of drainage for spills and floor washing, etc. Then we'll put blocks on the top of the piers to lock it in place.

GrowerNode™ Greenhouse Construction Index (The Islander):

Part 1: Greenhouse Construction: Introduction

Part 2: Greenhouse Construction: Site Prep & Footings Forms

Part 3: Greenhouse Construction: Foundation Concrete Footing Pour

Part 4: Greenhouse Construction: Foundation Pier Column Setup

Part 5: Greenhouse Construction: Bubble Wrap Insulation re Floor Joist Modules

Part 6: Greenhouse Construction: Framing the Structure for Bubble Wrap vs Glass Walls (you are here)

Part 7: Greenhouse Construction: Roof Module Installation

Part 8: Phase 1 Completed, Ready for Finishing Stain & Bubble Wrap Skin