Vitavia Apollo assembly guide
Vitavia Apollo
Sizes 6200, 7500
Pick your size at the top. Quantities and drawings change to match.
The build at a glance
0A Prepare the foundation
0B Build the steel base
1 Build both side frames
2 Build the back gable
3 Build the door gable
4 Join the frame together
5 Build and hang the door
6 Build the roof vents
7 Fit the glazing
Before you start
Six golden rules
- Build frames loose; tighten only when the whole greenhouse stands square on its base.
- Measure both diagonals; they must be equal.
- Never overtighten nuts 1002: maximum 3 Nm. Overtightening strips aluminium and cracks glass.
- Fit extra bolts when instructed; you cannot add them after bar ends are capped.
- Build with two people.
- Always anchor your greenhouse. An unanchored greenhouse can blow away.
Get ready
- Read the whole guide once before you start.
- Gather flat/PH2 screwdrivers, 10 mm socket spanner/wrench, 10 mm combination spanner, knife, tape measure, spirit level. Set cordless drill adjustable torque low.
- Wear gloves, safety glasses, sturdy shoes and a hat. Aluminium edges are sharp. Clear up broken glass straight away.
- Open one bundle at a time and keep opened bundles apart. Mixed bundles are the main cause of lost-part searches.
- Check every part against the parts check pages. Contact Greenhouse Stores before you begin if anything is missing.
- Read single-frame drawings as views from inside the greenhouse. Read double-frame drawings as views from outside.
- Choose a sunny spot with as much shelter from wind as possible.
Parts check
Open one bundle at a time. Tick each part as you find it. The number in green is how many your size should have.
Bars and profiles
Fixings and small parts
Prepare the foundation
Prepare a square, level foundation before you assemble the steel base.
| 6200 | 7500 | |
|---|---|---|
| A | 3176 + 70 mm | 3798 + 70 mm |
| B | 1942 mm | 1942 mm |
Watch out
Check the base before you continue. If it is not square and level, the frame will be wrong and the glass will not fit.
Check that the base is exactly square and level. Measure both diagonals as shown by X = X; they must match.
Only for your own stone or concrete foundation. Follow drawing 0A and page sizes A and B. The table gives each A length plus 70 mm. The section shows foundations at least 70 mm wide beneath the base. Extend below frost level.
If you use the anchor legs supplied with the steel base, make a hole at each point marked C on the drawing. Fill these holes with concrete after the greenhouse is fully assembled.
Only on a very windy, exposed site, drill through both the greenhouse bottom profile and the steel base. Bolt them together with nuts and bolts.
Build the steel base
Assemble the supplied zinc-coated steel base with bolts 1001 and nuts 1002.
You need
Installer tip
Use anchor legs 9001 and 9007, as Vitavia recommends.
Watch out
Measure the 634 mm door gap before you continue. Door runner bar 1334 fits across it in step 4.
Join each corner with corner bracket 9006 and fit anchor leg 9001 as shown. Use back rail 9014, your side rails (9020 or 9021), and front base lengths 9042 and 9043.
Bolt bracket 9046 to the end of base length 9042 at the door gap, as shown.
Join your side rails (9020 or 9021) with plate 9003 at the middle of each long side. Use 4 bolts 1001, 4 washers 9004 and 4 nuts 1002; fit anchor leg 9007 here.
Leave exactly 634 mm between the inside ends of front base lengths 9042 and 9043. Check the outside base sizes against C and D in your model's table.
Bend the anchor leg ends so they hold firmly in concrete, then place the finished base on your prepared foundation. Pour concrete only after the greenhouse is completely assembled.
Build both side frames
Build two identical side frames flat on the ground, with every bolt loose.
You need
Installer tip
Lay the parts on a blanket or lawn to protect the finish. Leave every nut loose so the frame can flex when you join it in step 4.
Watch out
Use 4 uprights 1032 per side on the 6200. Use 5 per side on the 7500.
Bolt the bottom of each upright 1032 to your sill bar (1325 or 1326).
Slide bolts into the bar's channel through its open end, then line them up with the holes. Insert them before you close off the bar end.
On the 6200, bolt the top of each upright 1032 to eave bar 1330.
Bolt the bottom of each upright 1032 to your sill bar (1325 or 1326).
Slide bolts into the bar's channel through its open end, then line them up with the holes. Insert them before you close off the bar end.
On the 7500, bolt the top of each upright 1032 to eave bar 1331. Connect corner brace 2056 between eave bar 1331 and each upright 1032, as shown.
Build the back gable
Build the back gable flat on the ground and leave the bolts loose.
You need
Installer tip
Work upwards from the bottom. Slide each extra bolt into its channel before you fit the bar above it.
Watch out
Insert the extra bolts for brace 1035 before the bar ends are capped. They are easy to miss.
Bolt upright 1041 and side brace 5549 to sill bar 5022 at the bottom.
Put one extra bolt into each upright 1041 and 1042 for brace 1035. Bolt brace 1035 across these uprights as shown.
At each top corner, corner plate 1043 joins these parts. Connect corner bar 1036, roof bar 1038, brace 1035 and side brace 5549.
At each bottom corner, bolt corner bar 1036 to sill bar 5022.
Bolt the top of upright 1042 to roof bar 1038.
Build the door gable
Build the front gable flat with loose bolts; leave the doorway clear between its separate bottom bars.
You need
Installer tip
Position door runner bar 1347 left or right to suit the direction you want the door to open. Decide now; changing it later means taking the gable apart.
Watch out
If parts will not line up, check for bars fitted upside down or back to front. Do not force them.
Bolt door post 1085 and side brace 5549 to bottom bar 1069 on the left. On the right, join door post 1086, the other side brace 5549 and bottom bar 1068.
At each top corner, join roof bar 1039, bar 1049 and side brace 5549 with corner plate 1043.
Bolt bar 1049 to door post 1085.
Bolt roof bar 1040 to horizontal bar 1048 and door post 1086.
Connect door runner bar 1347 to horizontal bar 1048. Fit two nuts and bolts loosely from the outside.
Fix clip 1013 with a bolt as shown to strengthen the frame. Make sure its edge overlaps and holds door post 1085 or 1086.
Join the frame together
Work with two people on the prepared steel base, and attach the frame loosely with clips 9002.
You need
Installer tip
Count the extra roof bar bolts on your drawing before you fit any end cap. The number depends on your greenhouse size and vent positions.
Watch out
Leave everything loose until the whole greenhouse is on its steel base and square. You cannot adjust the frame once the glass is fitted.
Bolt the side frames to the gable ends at the top corners, where corner bar 1036 and side braces 5549 meet.
Bolt the side frames to the gable ends at each bottom corner. Clip your sill bar (1325 or 1326), corner bar 1036 and bottom bar 1068 to the base with clip 9002 and bolt 1001.
Fit side brace 5549 at each corner between the eave bar and sill bar. At the bottom, attach the sill bar to the steel base with clip 9002, as shown.
Bolt your ridge bar (1053 or 1054) to the top of both gable ends. Follow the drawing at back gable roof bars 1037 and 1038.
On the 6200, bolt roof glazing bars 1055 to eave bar 1330.
Bolt roof glazing bars 1055 to the ridge bar; add an extra bolt to each for roof braces 1056. Fit the braces; add an extra bolt to 2 glazing bars 1055 at the vent positions.
Slide bolts 1001 into the channel of door runner bar 1334 and fit it across base lengths 9042 and 9043. Fit clip 9002 and bolt 1001 at the end as shown.
Adjust the greenhouse until it is completely square; check both corner-to-corner measurements match, as you did with the base. Only then tighten all bolts to a maximum of 3 Nm.
Fit door runner support 1057 to door runner bar 1347 with bolt 1001, washer 6060 and nut 1002.
Fix the other end of support 1057 to the gable with bolt 4201 and spacer 1310.
Press end caps 1017 and 1018 onto the open profile ends.
Bolt the side frames to the gable ends at the top corners, where corner bar 1036 and side braces 5549 meet.
Bolt the side frames to the gable ends at each bottom corner. Clip your sill bar (1325 or 1326), corner bar 1036 and bottom bar 1068 to the base with clip 9002 and bolt 1001.
Fit side brace 5549 at each corner between the eave bar and sill bar. At the bottom, attach the sill bar to the steel base with clip 9002, as shown.
Bolt your ridge bar (1053 or 1054) to the top of both gable ends. Follow the drawing at back gable roof bars 1037 and 1038.
On the 7500, bolt roof glazing bars 1055 to eave bar 1331. Insert an extra bolt at each bar's eave end, then connect corner braces 2056 fitted in step 1.
Bolt roof glazing bars 1055 to the ridge bar; add an extra bolt to each for roof braces 1056. Fit the braces; add an extra bolt to 2 glazing bars 1055 at the vent positions.
Slide bolts 1001 into the channel of door runner bar 1334 and fit it across base lengths 9042 and 9043. Fit clip 9002 and bolt 1001 at the end as shown.
Adjust the greenhouse until it is completely square; check both corner-to-corner measurements match, as you did with the base. Only then tighten all bolts to a maximum of 3 Nm.
Fit door runner support 1057 to door runner bar 1347 with bolt 1001, washer 6060 and nut 1002.
Fix the other end of support 1057 to the gable with bolt 4201 and spacer 1310.
Press end caps 1017 and 1018 onto the open profile ends.
Build and hang the door
Assemble the sliding door, then fit it into the upper and lower tracks.
You need
Installer tip
If the door binds or jumps the track, check that the frame is square before you force it. This is almost certainly the cause.
Watch out
Never stand the assembled door on gliders 1014. This damages them.
Push door glider 1014 onto each end of bottom door bar 1360. Screw side bars 1350 to bottom door bar 1360 with screws 1003.
Screw middle bars 1361 between side bars 1350 with screws 1003.
Bolt door bar 1362 to upper bar 1359 with bolt 1001 and nut 1002. Screw upper bar 1359 to side bars 1350 with screws 1003.
Fix the two door rollers 1015 to door bar 1362 with bolt 1304, washer 1009 and nut 1007.
Slide door seals 3021 into both side bars 1350. Cut the seals to length.
Slide bolt 1500 into the bottom of the door seal channel and fix it with nut 1515. This stops the seal sliding out.
Lift the door and slide rollers 1015 into door runner bar 1347.
Check that door gliders 1014 run in bottom door runner bar 1334. Fit a nut and bolt into the end of door runner bar 1347 as a stop; adjust until the door slides freely.
Build the roof vents
Build and fit both roof vents; the 6200 and 7500 each have 2.
You need
Installer tip
Fit vent sill 1063 flat edge up, with the grooved lip down towards the pane below. If that pane will not sit snugly, check the sill's position.
For glass up to 4 mm thick, join vent side bars 1065 and top bar 1064 as shown.
For glass 4 mm or thicker, join vent side bars 1065 and top bar 1064 as shown here instead.
Put the bolts for bottom bar 1066 into the prepared holes, then slide the glass into side bars 1065. Fit bottom bar 1066 and check the vent is square before you tighten the bolts.
Hook the vent into the ridge bar from one end of the greenhouse.
Hook vent top bar 1064 over your ridge bar (1053 or 1054), as shown.
Slide the vent along to your chosen position. Push plastic cap 1019 onto the end of window opener 1067.
Fix vent sill 1063 to the extra bolts you left in the roof glazing bars.
Screw window opener 1067 to vent bottom bar 1066 with screws 1006. Screw both window fixers 1016 onto vent sill 1063 with screws 1006.
Fit the glazing
Fit the rubber glazing seal first, then glaze the roof before the walls.
Polycarbonate sheets
This step and its pane table cover horticultural glass. Your polycarbonate sheets are different sizes and use different fixings. We recommend you glaze using the fitting instructions Vitavia packs with your polycarbonate sheets.
Your toughened glass
Your toughened glass comes as full panes, listed in the table below. Use the plan below for pane positions, not the drawing above. Join your gable glass with plastic H profiles where glass meets glass, replacing glass retaining clips 1012. Fit each H strip with its longest arm inside and uppermost.
| Pane | Size (mm) | 6200 | 7500 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 610 x 1210 | 15 | 17 |
| 2 | 610 x 1144 | 8 | 10 |
| 3 | 610 x 610 | 4 | 4 |
| 4 | 610 x 228 | 1 | 1 |
| 4a | 610 x 343 | 1 | 1 |
| 5 | 600 x 544 | 2 | 2 |
| 6 | 610 x 450 x 24 | 4 | 4 |
| 7 | 610 x 234 x 20 | 2 | 2 |
| 8 | 610 x 439 | 1 | 1 |
| Total panes | 38 | 42 | |
| Plastic H profiles | 6 | 6 |
You need
Installer tip
Soak the whole reel of glazing seal in hot soapy water first so it softens and presses on more easily. Glaze the roof before the walls so you avoid leaning over fitted side glass.
Watch out
Never force a pane that will not seat. Check and correct the frame's squareness first; forcing glass cracks it.
Press rubber glazing seal 1020 onto the aluminium profiles and cut it to length. Fit all the seal before you fit any glass.
Start the roof glazing at the eave. Fix the first pane with glazing spring clips 1011.
Overlap each next pane over the pane below it. Fit glass retaining clips 1012 between the panes to hold them.
Start the side glazing at the bottom and work upwards. If you chose polycarbonate sheets, follow the instructions packed with them.
Horticultural glass for your greenhouse
| Pane | Size (mm) | 6200 | 7500 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 610 x 610 | 42 | 48 |
| 2 | 610 x 544 | 8 | 10 |
| 3 | 610 x 467 | 1 | 1 |
| 4 | 610 x 343 | 1 | 1 |
| 5 | 600 x 544 | 2 | 2 |
| 6 | 610 x 464/38 | 4 | 4 |
| 7 | 610 x 20/234/20 | 2 | 2 |
| Total | 60 | 68 |
Pane numbers match the glazing layout in the drawing above.
Finish and look after it
Finish
- Fill the anchor leg holes with concrete.
- Fix the steel base to the foundation with screws and plugs, which are not supplied.
- If you wish, seal the edges with neutral silicone, which is not supplied.
- Stick the warning label inside the greenhouse.
- Stick the model label onto door bar 1362. You will need it to order spare parts.
- Keep this guide somewhere safe.
Looking after it
- Shut the door and all vents in high winds.
- Clear the roof or support it in heavy snow. Heat the greenhouse in winter.
- Wash the greenhouse occasionally with a mild detergent that does not attack aluminium or the glazing clips.
- Keep the upper and lower door tracks clean so grit does not build up.
- Add the greenhouse to your home insurance and check local building rules about where you can put it.
Drawings reproduced from the Vitavia assembly instructions (Vitavia manual 062.01.1703 (Apollo 6200, 7500)). Greenhouse Stores, greenhousestores.co.uk.