Pop up greenhouse

Discussion in 'Greenhouse Growing' started by Snowbaby, May 30, 2017.

  1. Fat Controller

    Fat Controller 'Cuddly' Scottish Admin! Staff Member

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    If you have a decent glazing specialist nearby, they would be your best bet. I am going to be really stuck if I lose a pane now, as my local glaziers retired and shut up shop.
     
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    • martin-f

      martin-f Plant Hardiness Zone 8b

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      • clanless

        clanless Total Gardener

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        The problem is - polycarbonate is very flexible - so if it's windy, it can pop out of the greenhouse frame (I suppose flexible also means relatively 'safe' when compared to horticultural glass panels). I followed some advice from this forum and silicon sealed the polycarbonate panels into the frame - this stops the panels coming out and stops them rattling in windy conditions.

        My greenhouse is manufactured by 'Lacewing' - I purchased it from 'Primrose' - it was their cheapest model as I couldn't afford to purchase a high end version.
         
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        • ricky101

          ricky101 Total Gardener

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          Had some nearby neigbours kids put their football though my standard greenhouse glass, so as I was growing orchids at that time, decided to replace the glass with 10mm twinwall polycarbonate sheets, as thats what a lot of other orchid growers recommended.
          As I needed immediate replacement I used Wickes 700mm sheets which are easy enough to cut down to 610mm, though you may get cheaper if you shop around

          The 10mm just fits in to the alum channel and the original fitting clips still work, but I also ran a bead of clear silicone around all the edges.

          I'm probably in a more exposed area than you, but after 5-6 years they have all stayed in place, and it feels a lot stronger/ safer to be in when the winds blowing than when you have glass.

          The other benefits are the obvious insulation the 10mm twin wall gives, which means I can easily keep the greenhouse frost free with only the minimal use of an electric heater.
           
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          • martin-f

            martin-f Plant Hardiness Zone 8b

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            Thank you Rick I will also have a look at that option:)
             
          • JWK

            JWK Gardener Staff Member

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            Maybe replace the more vulnerable areas such as the lower glass with acrylic sheets: I've used this stuff from Wickes:
            Wickes Durable Acrylic Sheet 90cmx1.8m | Wickes.co.uk

            You need to buy the cutting/scoring tool if you are going to cut yourself, otherwise I see you can buy it cut to size online (never used that service myself). I have a few in my greenhouse, mostly where I've broken the glass and it's been much easier/cheaper to replace with acrylic. It is more flexible than glass and being lightweight I've had one particular pane blow out a couple of times. Mine is in a very windy hillside position, but now I've siliconed it in it's been good for a couple of years.
             
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