Magni Clear Pool Cover Good Insolation Solution for Greenhouse?

[overdrive8]

Hello everyone, I have a 1933 Lord and Burn greenhouse. Over the years I've tried various solutions for insolating it in the winter including bubble insulation on the inside ceiling and 16 mill vinyl on the side glass. I've heard that some people use a product called Magni Clear Pool insulation on the ceiling. I found this site:

http://www.poolsupplies.com/Product_...6milClear.html

It looks like a promising solution. Has anyone here had any experience using this method or have any advice?

[Gin]

Hi ,I used mine last winter it really did make a diffrence in the heat bill . I bought grommets that clip on the cover , my greenhouse has some solid wood sections above the glass to use for screw eyes . If yours is all glass no wood then might have to anchor the tie downs into the spikes driven in the ground that are used for mobile homes. We took it off this spring and replaced it with aluminet shade cloth . Hope this helps . Gin

[overdrive8]

Yes this was very helpful. I had been wondering if the grommets would hold or pull out. I don't have any wood to secure to. Mine has a galvinized iron frame. Where do you get the spikes for mobile homes? I'll look on line. I've used cork screw like anchor for dogs to secure tie lines to the ground for the shade cloth, but the air goes through the shade cloth so they don't blow off. It seems like it is more of a problem with plastic. I have gutters that I could clamp the cover onto, but then the gutters wouldn't be in use. Another problem that makes everything that much harder is that the roof has three sides, two of which are triangles. The rectangular shadecloths lay on top, but not totally flat. The pool cover will probably be less flat even. I am tempted to try anyway because the bubble insulation is very hard to put up inside and needs to be replaced this year. I've used spring tension curtain rods between the ribs to secure it, but it falls down eventually. Also it is not totally air tight. The corners that are triangular, I adhered with 3M spray adhesive from Charlies Greenhouse. These sections fall down fastest.
Thanks for your info.
Mary

[Kris]

Hello Mary,

I have used the bubble wrap method both on my own greenhouse and at our main grow facility. I have to say we all where impressed by the difference it made on the loss of heat through the green house. We noticed as we placed the panels up on the walls and roof that the areas with the bubble wrap was warmer. One thing to keep in mind when adding this style of insulation to the greenhouse is:

When adding bubble wrap or the alike; add it to the inside of the greenhouse with the bubbles facing the out side of the green house.

Try to make sure that all the areas are well sealed; if the air can circulate from one side of the bubble wrap to the other you are not achieving any great insulation values.

For what you where talking about are you thinking of tarp-ing the green house in the pool insulation? If so make sure there is no air exchange from the out side to the area between the tarp and the greenhouse. If there is at night you will get very minimal insulation value puls an added build up of moisture. Which in will defeat the purpose of the tarp. This is why it is recommended to work on the inside of the greenhouse and add the insulation there.


Hope this helps

Kristofer

[overdrive8]

Hi Kris,
Sounds like I should stick to the bubble insulation inside. How do you get it you stay on the ceiling? I'm always looking for a better way. I've been using tension curtain rods between the 2 feet rib of the greenhouse. There are sections where the glass is triangular. I uses 3M spray adhesive there but it eventually begins to fall down. Any suggestions? Thanks
Mary

[Gin]

Hi Kris the Magni clear is all one piece and heavier than bubble wrap , it picks up heat during the day and traps it in the greenhouse .

Mary I know it comes in diffrent sizes maybe smaller pieces of it would work with the roof angle ? Can you post a picture of your greenhouse on the gallery ? I think the dog tie outs would work , some of the farm and home supply stores have the other anchors or FarmTek on line . Gin

[MDK]

We just installed the Magni Clear pool cover on the greenhouse today for the first time. I can't wait to see if it helps with heating costs this winter.
Marie

[Gin]

We had 5 inches of snow , a few days back the snow is still on the roof , that says the greenhuse is not leaking warm air thru . the roof . My solar blanket is on the roof ouside, bubbles out . Over the glass side walls on the outside are sheets of clear plastic to make an air space .The grommets do not rip out , in my wind area . The edges of the solar blanket are fairly heavy . Gin

[MDK]

uh-oh...yours is bubble side UP GIN? I was told to install it bubble side down. I wonder which way is right.
Marie

[Gin]

OOPs, mine is down , husband put it on the roof i did not look . Gin