my nc greenhouse was a very stout twinwall polycarbonate, rated for winds in excess of 70 mph...but I would not dare to put it up in Oklahoma! you just have to experience these winds to believe it!...it might well work in southern California, but not here, not even triple wall polycarbonate can be trusted in this environment....
I could build a greenhouse that would withstand a category 4 hurricane using triple or quadruple wall polycarbonate. I don't consider twinwall polycarbonate to be stout; I used 5/8" triple wall for Southern California.
Multiwall polycarbonate will withstand hail more than 1" in diameter without any visible damage. With hail more than about 1.25" in diameter, you will start to see some denting but not fracturing. True though that it isn't inexpensive, the 4 or 5 wall polycarbonate may cost around $6.00/ sq. ft.
Oh I have no doubt that it could be done but it's the cost factor. There are professional nurseries all around this area and they don't rebuild after every severe storm of course. I just don't think that it would be cost effective for no more than I need it for. I may be better served by thinking home made orchidariums. I have a fairly good sized garage and an extra bedroom so no worries of space, storms or excess heat or cold. Plus endless projects to keep me busy. Thank you for your advice.
by the time you get a small perfectly designed greenhouse to meet your own specifications and locale, you have spent the money on a large well designed one out of the box ...
save your money, stuff the windows and porches till you got 15k to spend and then be done with it for a few years.
I am considering a small greenhouse but I live in Oklahoma where the summer heat can be INTENSE. I'm not sure if it would be too much. Can anyone recommend a strategy?
---------- Post added at 05:22 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:05 PM ----------
Okay kinda answered my own question. Evaporative cooling system, but from what I saw the price seems prohibitive. Are there cost saving alternatives?
I live in Dallas. And i use a windowsill evap cooler for my 6 by 8 harbor frieght greenhouse. works pretty well and i got it for about 270 after shipping. the harbor frieght gh is on sale for 260 right now as well.