Vitavia Sirius assembly guide
Vitavia Sirius
Sizes 13000
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 the side frames
2 Build the plain gables
3 Build the door gable
4 Join the greenhouse frames
5 Build and hang both doors
6 Fit the roof vents
7 Fit the glass
8 Fit down pipes and covers
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 an exactly square, level foundation for the T-shaped base.
| 13000 | |
|---|---|
| A | 3808 mm |
| B | 3808 mm |
Watch out
Check the base is square and level before you continue. Glass will not fit a frame that is out of square.
Mark the main rectangle, 3808 mm by 2564 mm; centre the 2564 mm-wide front section, projecting 1244 mm. Inset it 622 mm from each end; level the base and match the main rectangle's diagonals.
Follow drawing 0A for your stone or concrete foundation dimensions. Make the foundation at least 70 mm wide beneath the base, and extend it below frost level.
Make a hole at each point marked A if you use the supplied anchor legs. Leave these holes open until the greenhouse is assembled, then fill them with concrete.
Build the steel base
Assemble the supplied zinc-coated steel base with bolts 3001 and nuts 3002.
You need
Installer tip
Use anchor legs 9101, 9107 and 9140, as Vitavia recommends.
Watch out
Only on very windy, exposed sites, drill through both the greenhouse bottom profile and steel base. Bolt them together with nuts and bolts.
Join rails 9121 with plate 9103, using 4 bolts 3001, 4 nuts 3002 and 4 washers 9004. Fit anchor leg 9107 at this joint.
Join rails 9116 and 9121 at each outside corner with corner bracket 9106 and anchor leg 9101, as shown.
Join rails 9139 and 9138 at each inside corner with corner bracket 9106 and anchor leg 9140, as shown.
Bend the anchor leg ends so they hold firmly in concrete. Put the assembled steel base on your prepared foundation.
Build the side frames
Build one long frame and the front section's left-hand and right-hand short frames flat, with every bolt loose.
You need
Installer tip
We recommend a blanket or lawn beneath the parts to protect the finish. Leave every nut loose so the frames can flex when you join them in step 4.
Watch out
Insert every extra bolt now. You cannot add them once the bar ends are closed.
Loosely fit corner plate 1092 where eave bar 2029 meets cross brace 2033. These bolts also connect the gable ends in step 4.
Insert one extra bolt into each outer glazing bar 2055 for cross brace 2033, as shown.
Bolt the bottom of each glazing bar 2055 to sill bar 2024.
Join the lower end of cross brace 2033 and glazing bar 2055 to sill bar 2024 with connector plate 2092.
Insert an extra bolt into each glazing bar 2055 for corner brace 2056. This brace runs between eave bar 2029 and the glazing bar.
Insert the bolt into sill bar 2024's channel at the foot of glazing bar 2055. Follow the arrow in the outside view.
Loosely fit corner plate 1092 where eave bar 2507 meets brace 2049.
Join the lower end of brace 2049 and glazing bar 2055 to sill bar 2505 with connector plate 2092.
Place plastic corner 2520 on top of inside corner bar 2500. Slide the end of eave bar 2508 into it, as the arrows show.
Bolt the bottom of inside corner bar 2500 to sill bar 2506.
Insert an extra bolt into glazing bar 2055 for corner brace 2056. This brace runs between eave bar 2507 or 2508 and the glazing bar.
Bolt eave bar 2507 to plastic corner 2520 on inside corner bar 2500, using bolts 3001 and nuts 3002.
Build the plain gables
Build two identical plain gable ends flat on the ground, with every bolt loose.
You need
Installer tip
We recommend working upwards from the bottom. Slide each extra bolt into its channel before you fit the bar above.
Watch out
Insert the extra bolts now. Without them, you must take the gable apart to fit the cross braces in step 4.
Join upright 2101 and both cross braces 2033 to sill bar 2522 at the bottom centre, using connector plate 2093.
Bolt cross brace 2035 across upright 2101. Insert two extra bolts into each vertical bar 2041 and 2042 for the cross braces, but only one into upright 2101.
Join roof bar 2040, cross brace 2035 and cross brace 2033 with corner plate 1043 at the top corner. Use roof bar 2039 on the other side.
Bolt corner bar 2036 to sill bar 2522 at each bottom corner.
Join roof bars 2039 and 2040 to the top of upright 2100 with apex plate 2091.
Bolt cross brace 2033 across vertical bar 2042.
Join uprights 2100 and 2101 to horizontal bar 2048 with two bolts.
Join horizontal bar 2048 to vertical bar 2041 beneath roof bar 2039, as shown in the outside view.
Build the door gable
Build the front section's double-door gable flat on the ground, with every bolt loose.
You need
Installer tip
Check both door runner bars 1047 against the drawing. Each carries one of the two sliding doors.
Watch out
If parts will not line up, check for upside-down or back-to-front bars before you force anything.
Join brace 2075 and the vertical bar to sill bar 2522 with connector plate 2092.
Join roof bar 2039, bar 2096 and brace 2075 with corner plate 1043, with door runner bar 1047 above. Use roof bar 2040 at the other top corner.
Bolt bars 2096 and 2089 to vertical bar 2041. Insert two extra bolts into each vertical bar 2041 and 2042, as on the plain gables.
Join roof bars 2039 and 2040 to the top of upright 2100 with apex plate 2091.
Position door runner bar 1047 along horizontal bar 2048, below upright 2100.
Join upright 2100 and bar 2094 with apex plate 2091, as shown.
Bolt bar 2094 to horizontal bar 2048, with door runner bar 1047 below.
Join horizontal bar 2048 and door runner bar 1047, as shown.
Bolt brace 2075 where it crosses bar 2089.
Connect part 5002 with nut 3002 and bolt 3001, as shown.
Join part 5002 to door runner bar 1047 at vertical bar 2041 and horizontal bar 2048. Connect parts 5001 and 5002 with a nut and bolt.
Loosely connect each door runner bar 1047 to horizontal bar 2048 from outside. Use two nuts 3002 and bolts 3001.
Join the greenhouse frames
Work with another person to join the frames on the steel base, following drawing 4A, then 4B.
You need
Installer tip
Count the circled extra bolts on every roof bar before you fit any end protector.
Watch out
Leave everything loose until the greenhouse is on its base and square. You cannot adjust the frame once the glass is fitted.
Bolt both short side frames 1B to the door gable at the top corners. Fit door runner support 2043 to door runner bar 1047 with washer 6060.
Bolt short frames to the door gable, and the long frame to both plain gables, at the bottom corners. Stand the frames on the steel base; secure loosely with clips 9002.
Loosely connect corner plates 1092 above the eaves, as shown in the outside view. Position door runner support 2043 at this corner.
Fit ridge 2511 between plain gables, then ridge 2512 between the door gable and 2511. At each gable peak, secure the ridge with corner plates 1092 beside apex plate 2091.
Position corner plate 1092 under the ridge bar at the gable end, as shown in the outside view.
Fix door runner support 2043 to the gable end with bolt 1005 and spacer 1010.
Connect sill bars 2503 and 2504 and braces 2510 between the assembled sections. Secure them to the steel base with clips 9002.
Connect eave bars 2501 and 2502 at plastic corner 2520 on inside corner bar 2500. Sit bar 2509 on plastic corner 2520; bolt loosely through only the bottom holes.
Slide inside corner bar 2509 onto the join between ridge bars 2511 and 2512.
Join ridge bar 2512 to ridge bar 2511 with angles 2519.
Bolt the lower end of each roof glazing bar 2055 at the eaves. Connect corner brace 2056 and cross brace 2033 here too, as shown.
Bolt each roof glazing bar 2055 to the ridge bars at its top. Insert extra bolts as you go, using the circled quantity shown on each bar.
Fit the remaining roof bars between inside corner bar 2509 and the ridge bars. Bolt roof bars 2513 and 2514 and cross brace 2517 at the foot of 2509, as shown.
Bolt roof bars 2515 and 2516 and roof braces 3057 to inside corner bar 2509.
Connect roof braces 3057 to roof glazing bars 2055.
Connect cross braces 2033 at the gable peak, as shown.
Bolt cross braces 2517 and 2518 across roof glazing bars 2055, as shown.
Connect cross brace 2033 to roof glazing bar 2055 beside eave bar 2029, as shown in the outside view.
Adjust the greenhouse until it is completely square. Only then tighten all bolts, without overtightening.
Press end protectors 1018 onto the open profile ends.
Build and hang both doors
Build and hang the right-hand door first, then the left-hand door.
You need
Installer tip
If a door binds or jumps, the frame is almost certainly not square; check before forcing it. Hang the left-hand door like the right-hand door, then adjust both together until they slide freely.
Watch out
Never stand an assembled door on gliders 1014; this damages them. The inside side bars are handed: 2098 goes on the right-hand door and 2099 on the left-hand door.
Push a door glider 1014 onto each end of door bar 1060. Screw outside side bar 2058 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 3001 and nut 3002. Screw inside side bar 2098 on with screws 1003.
Fix both door rollers 1015 to door bar 1062 with bolt 1004, washer 1009 and nut 1007.
Slide brush seal 2021 into outside side bar 2058.
Slide bolt 1500 into the bottom of the brush seal 2021 channel. Secure it with nut 1515 to stop the seal sliding out.
Connect door fixer parts 1111, 1112 and 1113 as the circles show on the main door drawing. Fit parts 2005 and 2006 on inside side bar 2098, as shown.
Loosen door runner supports 2043 before you hang the door.
Lift the door and slide door rollers 1015 into door runner bar 1047.
Check that door gliders 1014 also run on the bottom track, sill bar 2522.
Push a door glider 1014 onto each end of door bar 1060. Screw outside side bar 2058 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 3001 and nut 3002. Screw inside side bar 2099 on with screws 1003.
Fix both door rollers 1015 to door bar 1062 with bolt 1004, washer 1009 and nut 1007.
Slide brush seal 2021 into outside side bar 2058.
Slide bolt 1500 into the bottom of the brush seal 2021 channel. Secure it with nut 1515 to stop the seal sliding out.
Connect door fixer parts 1111, 1112 and 1113 as the circles show on the main door drawing.
Lift the door and slide door rollers 1015 into door runner bar 1047.
Check that door gliders 1014 also run on the bottom track, sill bar 2522.
Join runner bars 1047 with bolt 7399 and nut 3002, as circled. Fit a nut and bolt at both runner ends as stops; adjust both doors until they slide freely.
Fit the roof vents
Build four roof vents, each with one R7 pane measuring 600 x 544 mm.
You need
Installer tip
Fit window sill 1063, the slam bar, flat edge up, with its grooved lip down towards the pane below. Recheck its position 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 bottom bar 1066's bolts into the prepared holes, then slide the glass into side bars 1065's tracks. Fit bottom bar 1066; check the vent is completely square before you tighten.
Hook the vent into the ridge bar from one end.
Hook vent top bar 1064 over ridge bar 2511 or 2512, as shown in the outside view.
Slide the vent along to your chosen position. Push plastic cap 1019 onto the end of window opener 1067.
Fix window sill 1063 to the extra bolts in the roof bars. Screw both window fixers 2016 onto window sill 1063 with screws 1006.
Screw window opener 1067 to vent bottom bar 1066 with screws 1006.
Fit the glass
Fit the glass with glazing lists 6601 to 6607, starting on the roof.
You need
Installer tip
We recommend soaking the whole glazing seal reel in hot soapy water first. This softens the seal so it presses on more easily.
Watch out
Never force a pane; you can crack it. If it will not seat, correct the frame's squareness first.
Press glazing seal 1020 onto the aluminium profiles and cut it to length. Fit all seals before you put any glass in.
Start on the roof and put each pane in place. Cut each glazing list to its pane's length, then push it into position at the side to secure the glass.
Glaze the sides and doors the same way, cutting each glazing list to match its pane. Follow the glazing plan for pane and glazing list positions.
Glass for your greenhouse
| Pane | Size (mm) | 13000 |
|---|---|---|
| D1 | 610 x 610 | 4 |
| D2 | 610 x 540 | 2 |
| R1 | 610 x 1522 | 6 |
| R2 | 610/590 x 1522/1497 | 2 |
| R3 | 610 x 1483/737.5 | 4 |
| R4 | 592 x 723 | 4 |
| R5 | 610/590 x 982/957 | 2 |
| R6 | 610 x 982 | 2 |
| R7 | 600 x 544 | 4 |
| S1 | 610 x 1506 | 8 |
| S2 | 598 x 1506 | 4 |
| S3 | 610 x 1958/1531 | 6 |
| S4 | 610 x 1958 | 4 |
| S5 | 610 x 430/3 | 6 |
| Total | 58 |
Pane numbers match the glazing layout in the drawing above.
Fit down pipes and covers
Fit the down pipes, close the open eave ends and cover the visible nuts inside.
You need
Push down pipe connector 1408 into one end of eave bar 2029.
Push down pipe 1413 onto connector 1408. Put clamp 1403 round the bottom of the pipe, as shown.
Close clamp 1403 with screw 1006.
Screw down pipe clamp 2521 to inside corner bar 2500 through the prepared hole, using screw 1003. Push down pipe 1413 into clamp 2521.
Push down pipe 1413 onto plastic corner 2520.
Push an eave end 1404 into each open end of eave bars 2029, 2501, 2502, 2507 and 2508.
Push a plastic cap 6070 onto every visible nut 3002 inside the greenhouse.
Finish and look after it
Finish
- Keep the greenhouse anchored at all times.
- Fill the anchor leg holes with concrete.
- Fix the steel base to the foundation with screws and wall plugs. These are not supplied.
- Seal the edges with 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 all doors and 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 glass fixing clips.
- Keep the upper and lower door tracks clean so grit does not build up.
- Add the greenhouse to your home insurance. Check local building rules about where you can put it.
Drawings reproduced from the Vitavia assembly instructions (Vitavia manual 040.01.1301 (Sirius)). Greenhouse Stores, greenhousestores.co.uk.