Would you brave a Minnesota winter living in a tent?
Instructables DIY-er Henge decided he would.
This DIY-er wanted to start saving to buy his own plot of land. In making this choice, one of the last places he wanted to see so much of his hard-earned money go to was toward rent. So, he hatched a plan.
He'd always loved modern backpacking tents — the kind that use floor-to-ceiling rainflys as cover. Using this love as inspiration, along with help from a few friends, this DIY-er built himself a portable greenhouse tent to live in, indefinitely.
Since living in this structure, this DIY-er has witnessed the tent withstand 70 mph winds. He's also experienced the greenhouse keep internal temperatures as high as 45 °F, even when external temperatures were running as low as 10 °F.
Additionally, this DIY-er started collecting his own rainwater to accommodate the fact that this portable tent doesn't have any internal plumbing.
Scroll through below to see what greenhouse tent living looks like!
When Minnesota-based Instructables DIY-er Henge needed a temporary solution to living rent-free, he decided to think outside the normal housing box.
This DIY-er was saving to buy himself a plot of land and, to do so efficiently, needed a cheap place to live in the meantime.
Deciding he wanted a solution that was all at once durable, low-cost, and mobile if need be, he chose to build and live in a greenhouse tent… in Minnesota.
Have you ever been to Minnesota?
During Minnesota winters, temperatures are nothing short of frigid.
However, this DIY-er was very clever. His greenhouse style covering inspired solar gain — trapping the heat from the sun and keeping the inside of his tent upward of 30 degrees warmer than the outdoors.
The greenhouse effect also created enough heat to limit the amount of snow pileup, which came in handy living in this snowy part of the country.
He modeled the tent's frame much like that of a modern backpacking tent.
Using an 18 gauge chainlink fence top rail, a steel cable, and maple logs, he built a strong and durable exoskeleton, onto which he laid the greenhouse covering.
During summer months, he took off the greenhouse covering, replacing it instead with a heavy-duty, opaque tarp.
He designed the floor in much the same way as one would construct a permanent home's flooring structure — though, keeping this one mobile.
He rested the raised wooden platform on concrete discs, made by pouring concrete into ice cream pails.
Currently, he's living on family land in this greenhouse tent.
However, he designed the structure to be mobile so that he would be able to take it with him, if and when he chose to relocate.
Initially, this DIY-er did not include a window as part of the structural design.
However, after braving a full winter without being able to see the outdoors from indoors, he decided to add one.
While greenhouse living may not boast too many amenities, this DIY-er has fashioned himself a rainwater collection system.
This rainwater catcher significantly reduced the amount of time he had to spend hauling water to his place.
Additionally, he wired the tent with an outlet, powering a light switch.
He also installed a stove, a much-needed tool to brave those cold, Minnesota nights.
He ran the stove through a high-temperature rubber pipe hole and a thimble attached to the structure's frame.
This DIY-er adhered the thimble to the greenhouse fabric using tar-tape.
As an added safety precaution, he made sure both the carpeting and greenhouse plastic on the tent were fire-retardant.
Faced with a unique challenge, this DIY-er built himself an exceptionally clever greenhouse tent that continues keeping him well on his way toward saving to buy land.
What do you think of this greenhouse tent? Would you ever live in a tent like this? Let us know in the comments.
Please SHARE this amazing project with other DIY-ers and wilderness lovers in your community!
