i am building a greenhouse!

[orchids3]

Jason is that the aluminum material commonly that most pool enclosuere are built out of here in Florida ?- Mine is built from that. Wish I had scrounge it but bought mine new. What I did scrounge is the covering material. Solar heating companies are or have replaced the glass panels in solar hot water heaters. Its leaded glass and comes in sizes from 2 x 4 ft to 4 X 12 ft. and I got it free - enough to do the sides and ends of a 20 X 40 greenhouse. You need to plan your structure ahead of time. I used corogated lexan for the roof. The glass was just too heavy - 150 to 200 lbs a sheet for the 12 ft long 1/4 inch stuff. It might be worth looking into. The glass would have been discarded if I hadnt used it. Its tempered glass like auto windshields. The one problem is you cant cut it - so you have to use in the size you get.

[gixrj18]

Originally Posted by orchids3

Jason is that the aluminum material commonly that most pool enclosuere are built out of here in Florida ?- Mine is built from that.

Yep, that's the stuff, and it's all recycled. A little more work, but about a third of the cost of new. A coat of paint and a little Bondo....and it looks like new again! I think I got "tennis elbow" splining all that shadecloth in.

[gixrj18]

Originally Posted by orchids3

Jason is that the aluminum material commonly that most pool enclosuere are built out of here in Florida ?- Mine is built from that. Wish I had scrounge it but bought mine new. What I did scrounge is the covering material. Solar heating companies are or have replaced the glass panels in solar hot water heaters. Its leaded glass and comes in sizes from 2 x 4 ft to 4 X 12 ft. and I got it free - enough to do the sides and ends of a 20 X 40 greenhouse. You need to plan your structure ahead of time. I used corogated lexan for the roof. The glass was just too heavy - 150 to 200 lbs a sheet for the 12 ft long 1/4 inch stuff. It might be worth looking into. The glass would have been discarded if I hadnt used it. Its tempered glass like auto windshields. The one problem is you cant cut it - so you have to use in the size you get.

I've got six mil plastic on the outside, then all but two panels have shadecloth on the inside. It's all pulled so tight that it looks like glass. It's at a little pitch, so it drains well...no pooling. I'm sure I'll have to change the plastic in a couple of years, maybe I'll look into other options then. If I used anything, it would probably be polycarbonate panel....but thanks!

[dounoharm]

building my greenhouse was the joy of my life....but ITS TOO SMALL! be sure to build one that is expandable!

[bonsai1504]

There is about another 3 feet of concrete on the back where we can expand if need be.
Also, there are only two sizes of greenhouse. Small and way too small.

[orchids3]

Yes I used 6 mil at first too -but went for the glass when I found pieces that fit. I think you will get two years out of it if you used the UV stable green house stuff. It its not green house quality it may only last a year.

[Leisurely]

A greenhouse that I once owned was made of flexed galvenized pipe covered with something called poly vinyl. The bottom four feet was corrugated fiberglass panels. I don't remember the millage of the vinyl because it has been quite a while ago. Anyhow it was doubled with a small fan that filled the space between the two layers with air. Good insulator. It was in good condition when I sold the house so I know that it lasted at least eight years. If you buy the vinyl made especially for greenhouse use it is very long lasting.

[gixrj18]

Originally Posted by Leisurely

A greenhouse that I once owned was made of flexed galvenized pipe covered with something called poly vinyl. The bottom four feet was corrugated fiberglass panels. I don't remember the millage of the vinyl because it has been quite a while ago. Anyhow it was doubled with a small fan that filled the space between the two layers with air. Good insulator. It was in good condition when I sold the house so I know that it lasted at least eight years. If you buy the vinyl made especially for greenhouse use it is very long lasting.

Is it water-tight, or does it permeate through?

[Leisurely]

The poly vinyl is what the commercial growers use. It is just another type of vinyl and it is waterproof.

[gixrj18]

Originally Posted by Leisurely

The poly vinyl is what the commercial growers use. It is just another type of vinyl and it is waterproof.

Thanks Jerry, I'll look into it.