How to Build a Lath House

A lath house is usually an outdoor open structure with slat top and sides for the primary purpose of providing shade. In warmer sections of the country, such as Florida, Texas, and California, the lath house is an essential part of the greenhouse-growing operation. In such regions, for 9 months of the year- sometimes more-lath houses permit gardeners to grow many of the tender plants that northerners can grow only in the greenhouse.

In the North the lath house is equally valuable. It provides a summer work area, as a potting shed or sales room, and it is a fine place for growing specimen potted plants which may take too much greenhouse room.

There is no special design for a northern lath house; it is built to fit the space and the gardener’s requirements. A small one will take care of an overflow of large begonias and ferns and provide a shady spot for a few specimen plants of caladium and fuchsia. Situated between the greenhouse and the garage, our 10- by 12-foot lath house has an east opening. We ripped 2 by 4′s to make the open-squared roof of the structure. The walls are formed by the greenhouse on the south; our house on the west, and the garage on the north. Morning glory vines clambering over the front prevent strong sun rays from burning the plants.

Inside the lath house is a long table for potted gloxinias and caladiums. By midsummer the gloxinias have finished flowering and can be dried off for fall sales. Some of the caladiums will also be sold, others stored for landscaping our patio. In any case, although there are many ways and means you can use to build your lath house-and many different styles- you will find that the basic structure of the house begins with the corners and four roof stringers of 2 by 6′s. You can rip 2 by 4′s as we did for the top, sides, and ends. Also, you can use regular lath, or purchase specially designed shading material.

In the South and West, gardeners often extend the seasonal use of the lath house by placing plastic over it during the colder months of the year. Redwood is a favored lath house lumber because it blends with plantings and it is one of the most durable of all woods. Redwood needs no finish and little upkeep. The same companies that offer greenhouse construction information can help you with your lath house.

Tags: home greenhouse

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