My Gothic Arch Greenhouse
During the lockdowns I designed and built my own Gothic arch greenhouse. I have been a woodworker my whole life, but I had never steam bent wood. So I researched all of the best methods for bending a long beam and I happened upon a YouTube video of a master boat builder that uses a plastic bag and steam method. I bought a roll of industrial plastic that is used to make individual bags in a factory, and I was able to cut them to the length of each stick of cedar and then use a bag sealer to cut and seal the bag on both ends and then I bought an industrial steamer for clothing and I was able to cut a hole in the bag. Insert the nozzle from the steamer and duct tape it into place and then I was able to steam the cedar and I built a form out of plywood and 2 x 4 studs two bend the arch against using a system of clamps. Unfortunately, it was such an involved process that I did not think to photograph or film it.
It took me about two weeks to build from start to finish the arch. Bending took the majority of the time it took about one day to bend it and allow it to dry and I bent eight sticks of cedar. I was able to buy greenhouse plastic on the Internet and I was able to buy it to the size of my greenhouse. I also bought blackout plastic for the winter time because I had grow lights on the inside of my greenhouse and I didn't want to attract attention to my plants during the winter time.
In 2021 I asked my ex-wife for a divorce and later that year she asked me to move the greenhouse, so I completely took it apart and gave it to a friend and set it up for them on winter solstice in the rain. I'm not mad at her for having me move it, we divorced amicably, and she is my landlord now. We were married for 21 years and we both just had grown into a really good friendship, but it was complicated because of life. I really don't wanna get into too much of my personal life on here because I wanna be able to save stories for when I meet new friends and hopefully when I meet a lady that is interested in being my person.
🎨 Design: cedar Gothic arch greenhouse
🌿 Garden design: apothecary for my herbs
Building a Gothic arch greenhouse from cedar wood is both a rewarding and challenging project, especially when using steam bending techniques I had never tried before. I found that preparing the wood carefully was essential to avoid cracking. Using an industrial steamer with sealed plastic bags created a perfect steam chamber for each cedar stick, making it flexible enough to form the arch shape. One tip I learned is to keep the steamed wood moist until you clamp it into the form, which helps maintain its bend without splitting. The plywood and 2x4 stud frame I built served as a sturdy mold for shaping the arches uniformly. Clamping securely and allowing the wood to dry thoroughly overnight was critical to keeping the shape permanent. For covering the greenhouse, I found that ordering custom-sized greenhouse plastic online saves time and fits my unique structure perfectly. In winter, switching to blackout plastic helped me control light exposure for my plants, especially when supplemented by indoor grow lights. This setup doubled as an apothecary garden space for her growing herbs, creating a warm and inviting gardening environment year-round. Though assembling and disassembling the greenhouse during major life changes was unexpected, the experience taught me adaptability and the joy of creating sustainable garden structures from scratch. For woodworkers or gardeners wanting to create something unique, steam bending cedar offers a beautiful, natural aesthetic combined with strong architectural form. I highly recommend investing the time to learn proper steaming and clamping techniques, as they make all the difference in the outcome. If you consider building your own Gothic arch greenhouse, take time to watch tutorials from master craftsmen and experiment on small wood pieces first. With patience and practice, you’ll achieve lasting results and enjoy a greenhouse that’s both functional and an artistic expression of your woodworking skills.
