Vitavia Saturn assembly guide
Vitavia Saturn
Sizes 5000, 6700, 8300, 9900, 11500
Pick your size at the top. Quantities and drawings change to match.
The build at a glance
0 Prepare the base
1 Build both side frames
2 Build the back gable
3 Build the door gable
4 Join and raise the frame
5R Fit the right-hand door
5L Fit the left-hand door
6 Build and fit roof vents
7A Fit glazing layout A
7B Fit glazing layout B
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 base
Start with an exactly square, level base.
| 5000 | 6700 | 8300 | 9900 | 11500 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A | 1922 mm | 2544 mm | 3166 mm | 3788 mm | 4410 mm |
| B | 2544 mm | 2544 mm | 2544 mm | 2544 mm | 2544 mm |
Installer tip
Use ground spikes or anchor legs on soil only. On concrete or paving, bolt the base down with suitable fixings; use one method, not both.
Watch out
An uneven or unsquare base leaves the frame uneven or unsquare, and the glass will not fit. Check both diagonals twice.
Make the base exactly square and level; measure both diagonals and check they match, as X = X shows. Choose the accessory zinc-coated steel base for the easiest option.
Only for your own stone or concrete foundation, use this page's A and B. Fix treated timber between foundation and aluminium frame: 18 mm minimum height, 32 mm maximum width; 50 mm bolts (not supplied). The foundation must extend below frost level.
On very windy, exposed sites, drill through the greenhouse bottom profile and the steel base. Bolt them together.
Build both side frames
Build two identical sides 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 during step 4.
Watch out
Uprights 1032 per side vary by size. The 5000 needs 2, 6700 needs 3, 8300 needs 4, 9900 needs 5 and 11500 needs 6. Fit every extra bolt before closing bar ends.
Loosely fit corner plate 5091 where your eave bar (5027, 5028, 5029, 5030 or 5031) meets brace (5049 or 5095). Leave these bolts loose for the gable connections in step 4.
On the 6700, 8300, 9900 and 11500, slide one extra bolt into each outside upright 1032. Leave it ready for cross brace 5095.
Bolt the bottom of each upright 1032 to your sill bar (5022, 2022, 2023, 2024 or 2025).
Join upright 1032 and your brace (5049 or 5095) to your sill bar with connector plate 2092, as shown.
On the 6700, join both cross braces 5095 and upright 1032 to sill bar 2022 with connector plate 2093.
Slide the bolts into the sill bar channel through its open end, in the arrow's direction. Insert them before you close the bar end.
Loosely fit corner plate 5091 where your eave bar (5027, 5028, 5029, 5030 or 5031) meets brace (5049 or 5095). Leave these bolts loose for the gable connections in step 4.
On the 6700, 8300, 9900 and 11500, slide one extra bolt into each outside upright 1032. Leave it ready for cross brace 5095.
Bolt the bottom of each upright 1032 to your sill bar (5022, 2022, 2023, 2024 or 2025).
Join upright 1032 and your brace (5049 or 5095) to your sill bar with connector plate 2092, as shown.
Slide the bolts into the sill bar channel through its open end, in the arrow's direction. Insert them before you close the bar end.
Build the back gable
Build the plain back gable flat on the ground, with all connections loose.
You need
Installer tip
Build from the bottom upwards. Slide each extra bolt into its channel before you fit the bar above it.
Watch out
Insert the extra bolts now. Without them, you must take the gable apart to fit the cross braces later.
At the bottom centre, join upright 5101 and both cross braces 5095 to sill bar 2022 with connector plate 2093.
Bolt horizontal bar 5039 across upright 5101. Insert two extra bolts into each vertical bar 5041 and 5042 for cross braces, and one into 5101.
At each side, use corner plate 5091 to join roof bar 5035, horizontal bar 5039, cross brace 5095 and corner bar 5034.
At each bottom corner, bolt corner bar 5034 to sill bar 2022.
At the peak, use plate 2091 to join roof bars 5035 and 5036 to the top of upright 2100.
Bolt cross brace 5095 across vertical bar 5042.
Join horizontal bar 2054 to vertical bar 5041 under roof bar 5035, as shown.
Join upright 2100 and vertical bar 5101 to horizontal bar 2054 with two bolts.
Build the door gable
Build the front door gable flat on the ground, with all connections loose.
You need
Installer tip
The Saturn has two sliding doors. Each door runner bar 5047 carries one door.
Watch out
If parts will not line up, check for bars fitted upside down or back to front. Do not force them.
At the bottom, join brace 5075 and vertical bar 5041 to bottom bar 2046 with connector plate 2092.
At each side, use corner plate 5091 to join roof bar 5035, bar 5096, brace 5075 and corner bar 5034.
Bolt bars 5096 and 2089 to vertical bar 5041. Insert two extra bolts into each vertical bar 5041 and 5042.
At the peak, use plate 2091 to join roof bars 5035 and 5036 to the top of upright 2100.
Bolt upright 2100 to horizontal bar 2048, with door runner bar 5047 below.
Join upright 2100 and bar 2094 with plate 2091, as shown.
Bolt bar 2094 to horizontal bar 2048, with door runner bar 5047 below.
Join horizontal bar 2048 and door runner bar 5047, as shown.
Bolt brace 5075 where it crosses bar 2089.
Connect part 5002 with bolt 1001 and nut 1002, as shown.
Join part 5002 to door runner bar 5047 at vertical bar 5041 and horizontal bar 2048. Connect parts 5001 and 5002 with a bolt.
Work from outside and loosely connect door runner bars 5047 to horizontal bar 2048. Use three nuts 1002 and bolts 1001.
Join and raise the frame
Work with another person to join the frames and stand the greenhouse up.
You need
Installer tip
Count the circled extra bolts on every roof bar before you fit any end cap. Quantities depend on greenhouse size and vent positions.
Watch out
Keep every connection loose until the greenhouse is square on its base, or you can bolt in a twist. You cannot adjust the frame after glazing.
Use corner plate 5091 to bolt your eave bar (5027, 5028, 5029, 5030 or 5031) to each gable. Make this connection where roof bar 5036 and bar 5097 meet.
Work from outside and bolt the side frame to the gable where your eave bar meets roof bar 5036.
Bolt each side frame to the gables where your sill bar (5022, 2022, 2023, 2024 or 2025) meets 5034 and 2046.
Fit your ridge bar (5050, 2050, 2051, 2052 or 2053). Fix it to each gable with corner plates 1092 beside plate 2091.
Fit corner plate 1092 under the ridge bar at each gable end, as shown.
Connect each door runner support 5043 to its runner bar 5047 with washer 6060. Fix each support to the gable with bolt 1005 and spacer 1010.
Bolt roof glazing bars 5055 to your eave bar above uprights 1032.
Bolt roof glazing bars 5055 to your ridge bar and insert extra bolts to match your chosen vent positions. Read circled bolt quantities from both ends of each bar in the drawing.
Work from outside and connect roof braces 2057 to roof glazing bars 5055.
Connect cross braces 5049 at the gable peak, as shown.
Bolt cross brace 5049 where it crosses roof glazing bar 5055 and your bar (5062, 5063, 5064, 5065 or 5066).
Connect your bar (5062, 5063, 5064, 5065 or 5066) to roof bar 5036, as shown.
Place the greenhouse on its prepared base, bolt it down loosely and adjust until both corner-to-corner diagonals match. Only then tighten all bolts, to a maximum of 3 Nm.
Press end caps 1017 onto the eave ends.
Fit the right-hand door
Build and hang the first of your two sliding doors.
You need
Installer tip
If the door binds or jumps the track, check the frame is square before you force it. An unsquare frame is almost certainly the cause.
Watch out
Never stand an assembled door on gliders 1014; this damages them. Use inside side bar 5098 for the right-hand door and 5099 for the left.
Push a door glider 1014 onto each end of bottom door bar 1060. Screw outside side bar 5058 to it with screws 1003.
Screw middle bars 1061 to the side bars with screws 1003.
Bolt door bar 1062 to upper bar 1059 with bolt 1001 and nut 1002. Screw inside side bar 5098 on with screws 1003.
Fix both door rollers 1015 to door bar 1062 with bolt 1004, washer 1009 and nut 1007.
Slide door seal 5021 into outside side bar 5058.
Slide bolt 1500 into the bottom of the door seal channel and secure it with nut 1515. This stops the seal sliding out.
Fit part 2005 with both parts 2006 to inside side bar 5098. Connect door fixer parts 1111, 1112 and 1113 as shown in the circled views.
Loosen door runner supports 5043 before you hang the door.
Work from outside, lift the door and slide rollers 1015 into door runner bar 5047.
Check from outside that door gliders 1014 also run in the bottom track of bar 2046.
Fit the left-hand door
Build and hang the second door, then adjust both doors together.
You need
Installer tip
Hang the left-hand door the same way as the right-hand door. Adjust both together until they slide freely.
Watch out
Never stand an assembled door on gliders 1014. This damages them.
Push a door glider 1014 onto each end of bottom door bar 1060. Screw outside side bar 5058 to it with screws 1003.
Screw middle bars 1061 to the side bars with screws 1003.
Bolt door bar 1062 to upper bar 1059 with bolt 1001 and nut 1002. Screw inside side bar 5099 on with screws 1003.
Fix both door rollers 1015 to door bar 1062 with bolt 1004, washer 1009 and nut 1007.
Slide door seal 5021 into outside side bar 5058.
Slide bolt 1500 into the bottom of the door seal channel and secure it with nut 1515. This stops the seal sliding out.
Work from outside, lift the door and slide rollers 1015 into door runner bar 5047.
Check from outside that door gliders 1014 also run in the bottom track of bar 2046.
Connect door fixer parts 1111, 1112 and 1113 as the door drawing shows. Insert bolt 2001 with nut 1002 into the join between door runner bars 5047. Fit a nut and bolt into both runner ends as door stops. Adjust both doors until they slide freely.
Build and fit roof vents
Fit one vent on the 5000, two on the 6700 and 8300, or four on the 9900 and 11500.
You need
Installer tip
Fit the slam bar, vent sill 1063, flat edge up, with its grooved lip down towards the pane below. Recheck it if that pane will not sit snugly.
For glass up to 4 mm thick, join vent side bars 1065 and top bar 1064 as shown here.
For glass 4 mm or thicker, join vent side bars 1065 and top bar 1064 as shown here instead.
Insert the bottom bar 1066 bolts into the prepared holes, then slide the glass into the side bar 1065 tracks. Fit bottom bar 1066 and check the vent is square before tightening.
Hook the vent into the ridge bar from one end of the greenhouse.
Hook vent top bar 1064 over your ridge bar (5050, 2050, 2051, 2052 or 2053).
Slide the vent to your chosen position. Push plastic cap 1019 onto the end of window opener 1067.
Fix vent sill 1063 to the extra bolts in the roof bars. Screw both window fixers 2016 onto vent sill 1063 with screws 1006.
Screw window opener 1067 to vent bottom bar 1066 with screws 1006.
Fit glazing layout A
Use only the layout matching your supplied glass; check your panes against the drawing's glass table.
You need
Installer tip
Soak the whole seal reel in hot soapy water so it softens and presses on more easily. Check the layout if a pane looks too big; it usually belongs elsewhere.
Watch out
Never force a pane; this cracks glass. If it will not seat, correct the unsquare frame first.
Press rubber glazing seal 1020 onto the aluminium profiles and cut it to length. Fit all seals before you insert any glass.
Start the roof at the eave with polycarbonate sheets 5090 over the curved section. Fix them with spring clips 1011, bend them over the curve and continue with clips 1011.
Overlap each next pane over the pane below. Secure the overlap with glass retaining clips 1012 between the panes.
Glaze the sides from the bottom upwards.
On both gables, fit part 5012 on pane 7 as shown. Bend it up to hold upper pane 5.
Fit glazing layout B
Use only the layout matching your supplied glass; check your panes against the drawing's glass table.
Your toughened glass
Your full toughened panes and Perspex roof panes K are tabulated below. Use the plan below for positions, not the drawing above. Join your gable glass and roof glass/Perspex with plastic H profiles, replacing glass retaining clips 1012. Vitavia advises you place spring clip 1011 directly over both H strip ends where roof glass meets Perspex.
| Pane | Size (mm) | 5000 | 6700 | 8300 | 9900 | 11500 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 610 x 1210 | 12 | 14 | 16 | 18 | 20 |
| 2 | 610 x 810 (curved) | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| 3 | 610 x 813 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| 4 | 610 x 1261 | 5 | 6 | 8 | 8 | 10 |
| 5 | 610 x 723 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 4 |
| 6 | 610 x 610 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 |
| 7 | 600 x 544 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 4 |
| K | 610 x 610 (Perspex) | 6 | 8 | 10 | 12 | 14 |
| 8 | 610 x 434 x 8 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Total panes | 41 | 48 | 54 | 62 | 68 | |
| Plastic H profiles | 12 | 14 | 16 | 18 | 20 |
You need
Installer tip
Soak the whole seal reel in hot soapy water so it softens and presses on more easily. Check the layout if a pane looks too big; it usually belongs elsewhere.
Watch out
Never force a pane; this cracks glass. If it will not seat, correct the unsquare frame first.
Press rubber glazing seal 1020 onto the aluminium profiles and cut it to length. Fit all seals before you insert any glass.
Start the roof at the eave with polycarbonate sheets 5090 over the curved section. Fix them with spring clips 1011, bend them over the curve and continue with clips 1011.
Overlap each next pane over the pane below. Secure the overlap with glass retaining clips 1012 between the panes.
Glaze the sides from the bottom upwards.
On both gables, fit part 5012 on pane 10 as shown. Bend it up to hold upper pane 11.
Glass for your greenhouse
| Pane | Size (mm) | 5000 | 6700 | 8300 | 9900 | 11500 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A 1 | 610 x 610 | 32 | 36 | 40 | 44 | 48 |
| A 2 | 610 x 549 | 5 | 6 | 8 | 8 | 10 |
| A 3 | 610 x 373 | 12 | 16 | 20 | 24 | 28 |
| A 4 | 600 x 544 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 4 |
| A 5 | 610 x 610 curve | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| A 6 | 610 x 8 / 434 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| A 7 | 610 x 229 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 |
| A 5090 | 610 x 610 x 1.6 | 6 | 8 | 10 | 12 | 14 |
| B 1 | 610 x 610 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 |
| B 4 | 600 x 544 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 4 |
| B 6 | 610 x 8 / 434 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| B 8 | 610 x 1280 | 5 | 6 | 8 | 8 | 10 |
| B 9 | 610 x 736 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 4 |
| B 10 | 610 x 1213 | 12 | 14 | 16 | 18 | 20 |
| B 11 | 610 x 168 / 833 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| B 12 | 610 x 833 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| B 13 | 610 x 753 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| B 5090 | 610 x 610 x 1.6 | 6 | 8 | 10 | 12 | 14 |
| Total | A: 70, B: 42 | A: 82, B: 49 | A: 94, B: 55 | A: 106, B: 63 | A: 118, B: 69 |
Pane numbers match the glazing layout in the drawing above.
Finish and look after it
Finish
- Anchor the greenhouse. This is essential because a greenhouse this size catches a lot of wind.
- Seal the edges with neutral silicone if you wish. Silicone is not supplied.
- Stick the warning label inside the greenhouse.
- Stick the model label onto door bar 1062. You will need it to order spare parts.
- Keep this guide somewhere safe.
Looking after it
- Shut both doors and all vents in high winds.
- Clear the roof or support it during 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 to prevent grit build-up.
- Add the greenhouse to your home insurance and check local building rules about its position.
Drawings reproduced from the Vitavia assembly instructions (Vitavia manual 006.01.1212 (Saturn, printed as Diana)). Greenhouse Stores, greenhousestores.co.uk.