Alton Evolution octagonal User manual

1
01/18

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Contents:
Introduction
Base Preparation
Overview
Base Assembly
Side Assembly
Door Installation
Fix to Aluminium Base
Board Installation
Roof Assembly
Louvre Assembly
Louvre Frame Assembly
Louvre Positions
Glazing (part 1)
Gutter Installation
Glazing (part 2)
Roof Cowl and Finial
Staging Installation
High Level Shelf Installation
Downpipe Installation
Fixing Down
Low Level Louvre (Optional)
Auto Louvre Installation (Optional)
Packing Lists
Section
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1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
Page
3
4
5
6
7-16
17
18
19-21
22-24
25-26
27-28
29-31
32-36
37-41
42-44
45
46-52
53-55
56
57
58
59-60
61-63

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Thank you for purchasing your new Alton greenhouse. We recommend you familiarise
yourself with the instructions and read all safety information before you commence assembly.
This instruction manual is also available online at www.greenhousepeople.co.uk in the
technical help section should you need to reprint it. Should you require any additional advice
you can always call us on 01782 385409.
Safety Warning
 Glass, aluminium and timber can potentially cause injury. Please ensure you wear protective
goggles, gloves, headgear and suitable footwear when assembling and glazing the building.
 Please remember that glass is fragile and should be handled with extreme care. Always clear
up and dispose of any breakages immediately.
 Do not assemble the greenhouse in high winds.
 DIY assembly - For safety reasons and ease of assembly, we recommend that this greenhouse
is assembled by a minimum of two people.
 Please clear all lying snow from the greenhouse roof as it can cause the roof to buckle or
collapse.
Site Preparation
 When selecting a site for your greenhouse, it is vital that you choose as flat and level an area
as possible.
 A concrete or slabbed base will provide the most solid foundation for your greenhouse. A
slabbed base would be our preferred choice as this helps with drainage.
 Avoid placing your greenhouse under trees or in other vulnerable locations.
 To minimise the risk of wind damage, try to select as sheltered a site as possible, e.g. beside a
hedgerow or garden fence.
Additional Considerations
 Please bear in mind that assembling your greenhouse can be time consuming. You may need
to spread the construction over two or more days. We recommend that you avoid leaving the
building partially glazed. If you ever have to leave your greenhouse half assembled and not
anchored down, weigh it down with slabs or bags of sand to stop the wind moving it.
 You will find it helpful to prepare a large, clean and clear area in which to work in. A garage
floor or flat lawn area is ideal.
 If you have arranged for someone to install your greenhouse for you, please check that all
components are included and are correct before your fitter comes on site. Most parts are
numbered and can be identified by a stamp or removable label. Alternatively, the
components can be identified by lengths detailed in the packing list in your main cardboard
box.
 Remember this is a natural timber product. Cedarwood can vary from white through shades
of pink to dark brown colours, this natural variation is a characteristic of cedar. The wood will
soak up some water to start with and some staining may occur. This will settle down over
time and the greenhouse will really blend with its surroundings. If you want to avoid this
and give your greenhouse a more permanent finish you could apply an oil or spirit based
product (it would be best to do this before glazing!).
Introduction

4
B
A
It is necessary to leave sufficient working room around your greenhouse when you're putting it up
and also to allow for the possible need to replace a piece of glass in the future. If possible try and
leave a space of 2ft/610mm around the greenhouse.
Locate the greenhouse where there is maximum amount of sunlight and avoid if possible any shade
from trees, fences or other buildings. Over-hanging branches can be a particular nuisance and should
be avoided.
Choose a site where the greenhouse is relatively easy to get to and convenient to bring water to and
possibly a supply of electricity.
Finally, and most importantly, choose a site where your Alton Greenhouse will look right so that it
will complement your garden.
Base Preparation
1
Slab Base Size (Recommended)
Note: The base should always be larger than your
building.
The measurements given in ‘A’ and ‘B’ should only
be used as a guide.
Greenhouse
Width
Greenhouse
Length A (mm) B (mm)
6’6” - 1989mm 6’6” - 1989mm 2400 2700
SOIL
50mm
5 : 1
3’ X 2’ Slab (2” thick)
(910mm X 610mm)
Recommended

5
Overview
2
25mm Pan Head
(Stainless Steel)
40mm Pan Head
(Stainless Steel)
80mm Countersunk
(Stainless Steel)
19mm Pan Head
(Stainless Steel)
25mm Countersunk
(Stainless Steel)
13mm Self Drilling
EV0329 EV0328 EV0330EV0331 EV0332 EV0333 EV0334
25mm Large Pan Head
(Stainless Steel)
35mm Countersunk
(Stainless Steel)
EV0338
EV0364EV0326
You should use the image on the front cover as a reference as to what
the greenhouse should look like as you go along.
If you are going to treat the greenhouse yourself then it would be best to do it before
you begin building the frame.
Set out your metal base on your prepared site, but don’t fix this down until the greenhouse
is complete. Follow the manual and build the sections as recommended.
When screwing through one piece of timber into another it is always recommended to pre-drill the
first piece. This will prevent the timber from splitting which could weaken the structure.
Glazing the structure is very simple but be very careful of the edges of the glass as the pane will
break into tiny pieces if you catch an edge on a hard surface such as concrete. You should also wear
suitable gloves when handling the glass (this also helps to keep it clean).
Option of glueing joints. This is not required for strength but you may do it if you wish. However
bear in mind if you ever intend to move or adapt the greenhouse in the future this would make it
very difficult. The best glue for this would be Poly Urethane Wood Adhesive. Take care when
applying this, you only need a very small amount as the glue expands to fill the joint. If you use too
much it may seep out of the joint and could be unsightly! Try a test piece before you start.
Read through the rest of this manual before starting, you are less likely to miss something
doing this and you will have a better understanding of how it all works.
50mm Countersunk
(Stainless Steel)
40mm Countersunk
(Stainless Steel)
To build you new greenhouse you will need the following tools:
Spirit Level Pozidrive No. 2 Screwdriver Bit
Pencil Cordless Screwdriver (2 would be ideal, 1 to drill and 1 to screw)
4mm Drill Bit Hammer
Hammer Drill Step ladders
7mm Masonry Bit
There are 9 types of screws used in the construction of the greenhouse. These are as follows:

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Base Assembly
3
EV1001M
EV1014M
Lay out your aluminium base sections as the diagram shows
leaving the gap for the door opening in the position you have
chosen for your door. The base brackets (EV1001M) attach to
the base sections using the M6 bolts supplied. The bolts slot
into the bolt channel in the aluminium base and fix through
the largest hole in the base bracket.
EV1014M
Diagram 1
Dia. 2
Diagram 2
Internal

7
Side Assembly
4
Start by attaching the cast
eaves brackets (EV1000M) to
four eaves rails (EV0953). First
of all drill pilot holes through
the eaves bracket into the end
of the eaves bar. Be careful not
to drill all the way through the
rail! Once the bracket is firmly
in position fix with the 40mm
screws.
Diagram 3
Diagram 5 Diagram 6
X 4
Diagram 4 Dia. 3
40mm Screw
Once you have attached all the cast eaves brackets you can fix two standard side glazing bars to the
eaves rail. Make sure the glazing bar is tight into the bracket (diagram 6), drill pilot holes and fix
using 50mm screws. Don’t over tighten these screws as it may make it difficult to glaze later in the
build.
50mmScrew
EV1000M
EV0953
EV0953
EV0953
EV1000M
EV0969
EV0969
EV0953
EV1000M
External
Internal
External

8
Side Assembly Standard
4
X 2
Diagram 7
Diagram 8
Dia. 8
With the side glazing bars
attached (diagram 7) you can now
insert the mid rail. Drill a pilot
hole through the side of the
glazing bar and fix with an 80mm
screw (diagram 8). Fix both ends
of the mid rail like this.
80mmScrew
Next slot the cill into place. This is
not fixed at this stage, it is secured
later in the build (diagram 9).
Assemble two identical frames
like this.
Diagram 9
Dia. 9
EV0950
EV0956
EV0969 EV0969
External
External

9
Side Assembly Right of Door
4
X 1
80mmScrew
EV0960
EV0969
EV0960
EV0968
EV0968
Dia. 11
Diagram 11
Diagram 10
Diagram 12 Diagram 13
Dia. 12 Dia. 13
Internal External
External
You now need to build the side
assemblies either side of the
door. First build the assembly
to the right of the door, take an
eaves bar with the cast eaves
brackets attached and fix a
standard side glazing bar in
the right hand eaves bracket.
Now take the glazing bar with a
wedge shape on the left side
(EV0968) and fix that to the left
hand eaves bracket (diagram
11). Again drill pilot holes and
fix using 50mm screws.
Remember not to over tighten
these screws.
With the side glazing bars
attached you can now insert
the mid rail. This is slightly
different to the other mid rail
as it is shaped to be positioned
next to the door (EV0960). Drill
a pilot hole through the side of
the glazing bars and fix with an
80mm screw (diagram 12 & 13).
As before just slot the cill
section (EV0950) into place
without any fixings (diagram 9).
80mmScrew

10
4
X 1
Side Assembly Left of Door
Now build the assembly to the
left of the door, take the last
eaves bar with the cast eaves
brackets attached and fix a
standard side glazing bar in
the left hand eaves bracket.
Now use the glazing bar with a
wedge shape on the right side
(EV0971) and fix that to the
right hand eaves bracket
(diagram 15). Again drill pilot
holes and fix using 50mm
screws. Remember not to over
tighten these screws as it may
make it difficult to glaze later in
the build.
Now insert the mid rail. This is
also shaped to go next to the
door (Diagram 17). Drill a pilot
hole through the side of the
glazing bars and fix with an
80mm screw (diagram 16 & 17).
Again, just slot the cill section
(EV0950) into place without
any fixings (diagram 9).
Diagram 14
Diagram 15
Dia. 15
Diagram 16 Diagram 17
Dia. 16 Dia. 17
EV0971
External
Internal
External
EV0959
EV0959
EV0971
EV0969
80mmScrew
80mmScrew

11
Side Assembly
4
Now you have four side frames assembled you can start
assembling the greenhouse sides on the aluminium base.
Start with the side assembly to the left of the door, position
this on the base and either ask a helper to hold it in place or
secure it to a step ladder.
With this in place you will then need to slot a cill section
(EV0950) in next to it ready for the next side frame.
Do NOT fix any frames or cills to the aluminium base, this is
done after the door installation on page 18.
EV0950
Diagram 18

12
Side Assembly
4
40mm Screw
EV0953
Diagram 19
Diagram 20
Dia. 20
Add one of the two standard frames next, you can then slot an
eaves rail (EV0953) into place. Remember to drill pilot holes
and then fix with 40mm screws (diagram 20).
External
EV0953

13
Side Assembly
4
Slot another cill section (EV0950) into place followed by the
next standard side frame. Now slot the next eaves rail
(EV0953) into place. Drill the pilot holes and then fix with
40mm screws (diagram 22).
EV0950
40mm Screw
EV0953
Diagram 22
Diagram 21
Dia. 22
External

14
Side Assembly
4
Slot the last cill section into place and position the final side
frame to the right of the door opening. With this in place you
can now fit the two remaining eaves rails. Drilling and fixing
them with 40mm screws.
Diagram 23

15
Side Assembly
4
Diagram 24
Dia. 25 Dia. 26
Diagram 26
Internal
1
2
3
4
5
Diagram 25 Internal
1
2
3
4
5
EV0999M
Now the mid rails can be fitted with 40mm Pan head screws,
note that the screw positions on the mid rail brackets (EV0999M)
are different in diagram 25 and 26. This is to leave space for the
staging brackets.
There is also an order to inserting the screws, follow the order on
the diagrams as it makes installing them a little easier. 1 and 2
go into a fixed mid rail that was part of a side frame, 3 and 4 go
into the loose mid rail and 5 always picks up the loose mid rail
through the tenon.
EV0999M
Dia. 25
Dia. 26

16
Side Assembly
4
Once you have fitted the brackets to one side, do the same on
the other side as a mirror image.
Diagram 28 Internal
1
2
3
4
5
EV0999M
Diagram 27
Dia. 28
Mirror Image
Dia. 28

17
Door Installation
Before you can install the door section you need to fit the door
handle. Slide the spindle through the lock to give you the
position of the handle on the door. Fix the handle with the 3.5 x
25mm countersunk screws supplied.
Diagram 29
Diagram 30
Diagram 31
Slot the door section into the
assembly, the internal
surfaces should be flush.
Once in position drill pilot
holes and fix with 50mm
screws (EV0333), suggested
locations shown by the arrows
in diagram 31.
Dia. 30
5
External

18
Fix to Aluminium Base
6
EV1001M
40mm Screw
40mm Screw
25mm Screw
40mm Screw
Internal
Door
Door Frame
Glazing Bar
25mm Screw25mm Screw
EV1001M
Glazing Bar
Diagram 32
Diagram 34
Diagram 33
With the door frame now fix to the assembly
you can now fix the aluminium base to the
greenhouse frame. Follow the examples in
diagrams 33 and 34, these show what size
screw should be used. On each base bracket,
its best to start by fixing the 40mm Pan head
screws (EV0332) followed by the 25mm Pan
head screws (EV0331). You may find you
need to loosen the nuts slightly to get the
best fit, remember to tighten them again
afterwards.
N.B. Only use 25mm Pan head screws for
screwing into the cill section (diagram 32).
Dia. 33 Dia. 34
Internal
25mm Screw
(EV0331)
Internal

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Board Installation
7
Diagram 35
If you have purchased the low level louvre you can either fit it
now or simply leave out the board where you want the louvre to
be positioned and fit it later.
To fit the boards slot the top edge into the mid rail (the top of
the board has the baton closest to the edge), then push the
bottom of the board in until it touches the frame. The board will
drop slightly and the bottom baton will rest on the cill.
Low Level Louvre? Page 58

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Board Installation
7
Diagram 38
Diagram 36
Diagram 37
Work your way around the building until all the boards are in
place. Once in position you can fix them with the cedar panel
capping (EV0979). This capping is used all around the building
apart from either side of the door, special capping is used here
(page 21). Fix the capping in place with 40mm Pan head
screws (diagram 37).
EV0979
EV0979
40mmScrew
Dia. 37
Section