Alternative Greenhouse Coverings

[@SimpleTek]

Love to hearr your thoughts!!!!

[@overthenever4262]

✌️☘️love this channel ☘️✌️ Thanks so much 🥀 informative. I'll watch every two days fersure! 🌴🇮🇪Cheers🏴‍☠️🌴

[@SimpleTek]

@@overthenever4262 Thank you for the kind words!!!!

[@jeffreydustin5303]

How about a Chinese Greenhouse frame within a frame using Maker Pipe and EMT (electrical metal conduit) with bracing. Leave 36 inches for a greenhouse film exterior. Bond the plastic to the polycarbonate sheets where possible. Using black water barrels for the heat sink because moving earth is expensive. Keep the inner greenhouse just above your head for lower volume of air to heat. I'm 5' 6" so a 6' 6'' greenhouse would suit me fine. You could even build a Walipini but digging down and maybe putting floor insulation or electric heating cables.

[@SimpleTek]

@@jeffreydustin5303 interesting idea!

[@leeames9063]

You know that there videos of making greenhouses out of plastic bottles. Some even using saran wrap to help hold the bottles together. Green plastic bottles would make a great shaded roof for here in North Texas. How about using plastic bottles as a means to separate two layers of poly? Would that help with improving the installation (R) value while keeping cost down using the dual layer poly system without using a blower?

[@Plantdog]

Two to three episodes a week would be awesome

[@SimpleTek]

I’ll try

[@TyWooly42]

I'd be perfectly happy with 1 video per week. 2 would be icing on the cake. (Thanks for posting so many ideas. I REALLY like 'em.)

[@SimpleTek]

Glad you like them!

[@robertroberts5218]

Great ideas on green house alternate coverings. The corregated poly is the best. Metal building supply companirs have really lobg pieces and very thick for use in warehouse skylighting. It will flex. If assymbolibg on a chineese or high tunnel greenhouse do it on a warn/hot day and it will conform to the arc. You just have to plan rib spacing acording to sheet width or install perlins flush to top of rib. The shrink wrap was a fabulous suggestion. Anyone near a marina can find it easy. The supplier is already shopping to your area. Just plan ahead to time your purchase with the marina and add on to their order for winterizing at the end of summer.

[@SimpleTek]

great ideas

[@franciscosilver6644]

I've just found your channel and getting useful ideas and confidence to improve in my small urban food garden. I live in a suburban area, been growing food for several decades but 6 years ago I decided to get it to the next level and have been adding more systems for increasing production, permaculture techniques most of them. Everything is adapted to my medium incomes and my age. Everything's going well, slow but healthy and sustentable. I'm looking forward to watch more of your videos and learn some more. Thank you for your concern, effort and time. Best regards from Mexico.

[@SimpleTek]

Thank you for the kind words. Cheers from Manitoba Canada

[@Free_Falastin2024]

Hi. I would be happy with one great video per month or one per week. Thanks for all the information you've collected in your videos. I keep coming back to your channel everytime I want to rebuild my greenhouse. I'm in Toronto, btw.

[@SimpleTek]

@@Free_Falastin2024 thank you for the kind words. I’ll get back to it soon

[@aceshigh235]

Used home windows. Makes a fabulous greenhouse walls.

[@SimpleTek]

if you can find them, glass is best

[@aceshigh235]

@@SimpleTek Craigslist, offer up et cetera they are common

[@jamessorensen7277]

I’m here for the video marathon! I vote for once a week. See you tomorrow!👍

[@SimpleTek]

Thank you for the input!!!!!!!

[@tomkelly8827]

I go to the local door and window place and I get all of their old sliding glass doors. I cut open the double paned glass and get twice the coverage and get rid of the condensation issue that was often present between the panes. That glass is tempered and so it does not break, it is amazing what it can go through! I bend up aluminum to hang the glass like shingles on the roof. The single panes are half the weight of the double panes of course and the snow load is no problem here in Ontario. Door and window installers have heaps and heaps of free glass. check out your local installers to see if you can dumpster dive their used windows and sliding glass doors

[@SimpleTek]

glass is best!

[@jorgehernandez4702]

Thanks for your work! I appreciate the information as well as the approach by covering several options [even those that may seem improbable]. I am in the early planning stage of building a gardenshed/greenhouse. I recently moved from Boston to TX and the greenhouse will be used to grow a few tropical plants and tropical bonsais. The challenge is [in addition to dealing with seasons] to maintain high humidity without ruining the shed within a year. Your videos have been addressing some of my concerns as well as validating some of my ideas as suitable solutions. Keep up th good quality work!!!

[@SimpleTek]

Thank you !

[@davidwillson3004]

I really like your input it gives me so many ideas on ways to solve problems that I will experience in the future

[@SimpleTek]

Thank you for the kind words!

[@wadalhassan1]

Two a week sounds reasonable Don’t burn your self Keep the good work 👍🏼

[@SimpleTek]

Thank you for the input. I'm putting out as many as I can, I realized I can do a lot more in the winter than summer cause I own an RV resort and I'm just soo busy in the summer

[@lemondealc]

I'd be happy to send you a kit to build one of my geodesic domes. I'm still looking for people to work with to improve the design and covering. We could make a series of videos about the build and the process. Just a thought. Keep up the good work!

[@garysmith789]

I enjoy the content. Learning a lot

[@SimpleTek]

Thank you too much for the comment

[@navalapolin94]

I saw couple of your videos, thanks, we always learn from others. For quality purpose I should do one and no me than twice a week videos, so that will give you a time to plan and gather information to support your ideas.

[@julienvailles2986]

Good work man, I like the video being divided in section and you are good to articulate your ideas and I've learned a good bit on this one. Thx

[@SimpleTek]

Thank you for the kind words

[@shadeedmuhammad8107]

Peace and blessing. You have a great channel do to it blessing people so wish you blessing in your life. I would say go for quality. As long as the quality is there why not post as many videos you want. Besides the number of videos you do is your passion. I don't think I have the right to tell you what to do with your passion. I ALSO like how you keep the videos between 10 to 20mins. It insures the quality of a videos. I pray this finds you the help that you may need. P..s. I would listen to you everyday!

[@SimpleTek]

Thank you sooo much for the kind words!

[@Foxkitten86]

Toss ‘em out as and when it fits in your life. We’re pleased to see them WHENEVER.

[@SimpleTek]

Lol

[@2200chuck]

I live your channel. Schedule - I think twice a week would be fine. Once on Tuesday and once on Friday. That gives you the weekend off and also gives space in between for "breaking news" types of videos. I've already made some changes based on your episodes. Keep it going - I love it.

[@SimpleTek]

Thanks for the tips and the kind words! Cheers from Manitoba

[@jpc1147]

you need to look into solar pool covers it's UV resistant and looks like bubble wrap, I would use them on the inside, it also helps with saving heat and is cheap.

[@SimpleTek]

Good idea

[@cherienugent9587]

I lost my poly panels during hurricane winds. I'm in south Texas. I have a shade cloth cover made for my 10 x 12 metal frame greenhouse. To replace the panels is expensive. I'm looking for something clear and waterproof that I can attach some how to the metal roof frame.

[@SimpleTek]

Greenhouse plastic?

[@dylano7242]

I'm in the Colorado mountains and am thinking makimg green house out of pallet wood and the corrugated clear panels. and for winter have terrocatta pots with candles for heat.

[@SimpleTek]

Very possible

[@bbdoll1234]

Great videos

[@SimpleTek]

Thank you

[@douggibson9084]

Some great ideas

[@SimpleTek]

Thank you!

[@zerooo2911]

Awesome video!

[@suzannebazeghi5698]

thanks for the sharing its very usfull for bigginner

[@SimpleTek]

My pleasure 😊

[@keepingitrealinteresting]

Nice video. Im about to build a hoop house over my swimming pool on a budget. Im in Cape Town South Africa. Can you suggest something? Wud appreciate a bit of input.... Regards Shiyaam PS im using PVC Pipe

[@SimpleTek]

Need more info!!! Lol what are you looking to do

[@my1princessmary1]

Thanks for all the tips. Can you also give us an idea how much the cost of each material? Just a thought. Thank you and all the best on you channel

[@SimpleTek]

Pandemic changed everything

[@jeffsanderson2737]

I was wondering what is the best team in the blue tin the clear 10 or the black clear tin

[@SimpleTek]

I honestly don’t know

[@mlissgay5054]

Thank you Aloha

[@SimpleTek]

Cheers from Manitoba!!!

[@stephenfeist8131]

I like the garden hints but would enjoy homestead knowledge hints

[@SimpleTek]

I think that’s a good topic to cover, I’ll see if I can make some videos on that. Thank you.

[@HolyKadesh]

Very good thanks

[@SimpleTek]

Thank you

[@VitaliiThe]

What you think about polyurethane membrane filled with noble gas?

[@SimpleTek]

that works but greenhouses in high winds often bend and that can let the gas out

[@VitaliiThe]

@@SimpleTek Check this kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y3SUiJeGrsuIqbs One layer of such membrane hard to cut with the knife. They said they made certification and their membrane infilled with noble gas are comparable to few packet window (you should check another videos for quotes)

[@johnassal5838]

One point I'd raise is the size of the dead air space. A lot of numbers get tossed around from an inch to four inches or more yet from what I've heard anything over an inch and possibly over a half inch is enough space for a convection cycle to get going making it easier for colder air to drop to the bottom. To that end I'd suggest keeping any air gap under an inch and stretching a clear plastic sheet across at the center. I'm only guessing but each separated layer may be good for another 1 R of insulation even if the sheet dividing them itself contributes next to nothing. I suppose you could rig a panel made of clear membrane on balsa frames and spacers and potentially get an R of 5 or more from several such layers.

[@SimpleTek]

bigger air gaps usually have better insulation ratings, not smaller

[@lydiahubbell6278]

i wonder is 303 marine protectant will extend life of saran wrap

[@SimpleTek]

@@lydiahubbell6278 good question

[@willie2689]

Thank you for your efforts, can you make a video about what different colors netting make and UV protection you get for eights colors on the ground and on plants leafs. My temperature normal Winter 6 C - 18 C and Summer 15 C - 42 C

[@SimpleTek]

Great suggestion!

[@justgivemethetruth]

Are you sure about the separation of the air gap between layers. I would think it is more complicated than that, which might be true within a certain range of certain cases but if the air gap is really large it allows the air to circulate, right? meaning that a point hot or point cold spot instead of just transmitting slowly by conduction is transmitting also by convection affecting more of the air in the pocket.

[@SimpleTek]

good point

[@Ddkrew1]

Great video thx!

[@SimpleTek]

Glad you liked it!

[@klosiemorris9896]

Thanks for the video l wanna ask you a questions give polyplate good quality ganja buds better than outdoor for smoke and is a polyplate that block out 99% bad uv good for Cannabis plants

[@SimpleTek]

than you for the comment!

[@great-garden-watch]

Hi i ordered a clear polycarbonate dome. I was thinking of putting a slightly smaller clear pvc dome inside. Will that create insulation similar to an air filled double wall poly tunnel? Like 3 foot diameter difference between the outside polycarbonate dome and the inside polyethylene dome. Opinions very much appreciated

[@SimpleTek]

Yes but there are cheap easier ways

[@great-garden-watch]

@@SimpleTek thank you. I considered other ways such as making a tent myself inside the dome. I do want it to be easily removed in the hot weather and also look nice because it will be a place to hang out and have some holiday meals etc

[@douglink3834]

Any idea of a matrix regarding coverings: Cost, durability, light transmission efficiency, easy to work with, availability. You touch on some great thoughts to begin learning experience, some of us cant make the connection because of lack of experience in construction. We dig dirt better than build structures.

[@SimpleTek]

I have another video on that - there's a link to it at the end of this video

[@douglink3834]

Thanks for your patience. Great explanations. I live 43 North. If you had your choice, would you use double PE sheeting, single PE sheet with insulation, or double PE with a blanket insulation. Insulation above both, or in-between? What if you dug out a couple of feet below grade? Pricing FOB China seems unbelievable.

[@shdwbnndbyyt]

I think the best covering is transparent aluminum.... oxide... also known as corundum, or colorless sapphire/ruby

[@SimpleTek]

That sounds like an amazing covering material - and sounds VERY expensive too!!!!

[@steveandsherilyn7543]

I don’t see anybody using acrylic. It’s stronger than polycarbonate, resists uv better, will last longer before it starts to lose it clarity, and it’s cheaper, but nobody seems to use it, any idea why?

[@SimpleTek]

@@steveandsherilyn7543 price?

[@overthenever4262]

✌️☘️ grow on ☘️✌️

[@SimpleTek]

;)

[@dhvlpretty1910]

I've used a clear shower curtain liner before

[@SimpleTek]

Interesting!

[@dhvlpretty1910]

@@SimpleTek good heat source even used for indoor seedlings

[@SimpleTek]

@@dhvlpretty1910 I like it! Smart idea

[@dhvlpretty1910]

@@SimpleTek thank you

[@growingfuturesfarmgardenpa5540]

I find your videos very helpful I just subscribe on my garden channel I normally watch you on my other channel I don't think every day would work but 2 or three days out a week would be great. second thought if you are going to show us your garden and do gardening greenhouse stuff every day would work

[@SimpleTek]

I was working on my greenhouse floor all day today- posting the floor video tomorrow!

[@8Jory]

There's also the bubble wrap type of greenhouse covering. There was a UK company I saw advertising it a while ago. I can't for the life of me remember what their name was...

[@8Jory]

Solawrap! Just went searching and found out bigelow brook farm did a video covering a greenhouse in it, going to watch that now.

[@SimpleTek]

post link

[@8Jory]

@@SimpleTek solawrapfilms . com Not sure if KZbin blocks external links, hence the spaces.

[@8Jory]

@@SimpleTek kzbin.info/www/bejne/gonMi4Wgd5Jrjq8 That is the bigelow brook farm video if that's the link you were after instead of the website.

[@SimpleTek]

@@8Jory I know his stuff well. great channel

[@cherienugent9587]

Any ideas are greatly appreciated. Thank you

[@resilientfarmsanddesignstu1702]

As to the air gap between a clear panel and a polycarbonate sheet, the problem that I see with that is convective transfer of heat. Double pane polycarbonate has baffles to create small isolated cells of air within the sheets. The stagnant air is what provides the insulation that prevents the transmission of heat. Without the baffles between the sheets, the thickness of the air gap will allow convection and thus transfer heat out of the greenhouse.

[@SimpleTek]

Sounds good but I’ve seen it done in many large greenhouses though…

[@resilientfarmsanddesignstu1702]

@@SimpleTek It may work then. The proof is out there!

[@enriquegarciacota3914]

I appreciate your content. l think you need to work in improving your audio quality in order to get to the next level. lt doesn't necessarily means getting a super expensive microphone. A cheap one plus some sound dampening in the room can make a world of difference.

[@SimpleTek]

Working on it, Thank you!

[@drylanterns7967]

I can't wait until you have the resources to demonstrate hands on in your videos.

[@SimpleTek]

I've built some already - there's videos on it in my archives

[@robertroberts5218]

I would suggest fewer per week. 2 or maybe 3 to give you time to produce higher quality content...smoother cut and transition, scripting to help reduce stutters and odd pauses. I like your channel. I appreciate your effort to learn and griw your skills all for my benifit. Thank you.

[@SimpleTek]

Thanks for the tips!

[@gardensandmore1614]

What happened to this video? There is almost no sounds.

[@SimpleTek]

odd

[@matias86532]

1 or 2ish a week is good

[@SimpleTek]

Thank u

[@slaplapdog]

Something Im looking into is window screen coated with clear substances. This is like a modern version of the grease paper window. I saw one instructible that used silicone caulking, thinned with mineral spirits painted onto window screen creating a clear and durable outdoor curtain. Vinyl flooring adhesive over screening is something I want to try, as it is affordable and readily available. In vertical applications, a screen coated with clear wax in the fall could be cleaned off with a steamer or heat gun come spring, allowing ventilation to occur , but keeping out insects. A separate idea is polyethylene foam sheeting, like that which is used to ship fragile goods. It transmits light, even though its not transparent and it will have a R rating that is is better than 6mil greenhouse poly.

[@SimpleTek]

ohhh cool!!!!!!

[@Foxkitten86]

You’re soing a fine job. Be calm.

[@SimpleTek]

Thank you

[@carmenmariacortesmarin2664]

I like twice a week. But whatever you feel comfortable doing, is what you should do.

[@SimpleTek]

Thank you for the input!

[@gregflaming31]

There are multiple places to get information, and if your goal is to just place information out in the world, there will always be people that stumble across you and learn one thing and then move on. If you want to have a longer-term impact on their life, they need to connect with you, not just the information. There are going to be days where the topic is not for them, but they will stay because they have a relationship with you. So, if you want to be a teacher with a few students, put out more informationally focused, well scripted videos. If you want to be a voice within the greenhouse growing community, be a person going about your life and taking us along for the ride. You can teach us along the way. It just depends on what you are comfortable doing and what kind of presence you want have. As for schedule. If it is education, the timing is irrelevant. Put out high quality content when it is ready. If it is about growing a channel and having a voice, three times a week is likely a good target. People will come to see what their friend is doing this time.

[@SimpleTek]

Thank you for the great insight! I do build and post videos of many of the topics I discuss, and I also do straight informational videos. Thank you for taking the time to watch some of my content!!!!

[@mikewinn1484]

Do you have a greenhouse?

[@SimpleTek]

Yes, there’s videos of it on the channel

[@jwhite4343]

the polycarbonate panels from the big box store did not survive the first hail storm in 2024

[@SimpleTek]

Sorry to hear

[@yamaha550xz]

Do the amount of videos that you want to do and enjoy,,, if you do too many you will become bored and it will be a chore to churn them out...??????

[@SimpleTek]

Thank you for the input

[@lemondealc]

This is good advice.

[@sunc1122]

For the greenhouse covering and insulation system, we have developed two alternative products, one is the multi-layer honeycomb variable volume insulation material and the large cavity PC board material, which are relatively perfect solutions to the insulation and permeability of various greenhouse The problem of light insulation. The large-cavity PC board solves the problem of moss in the ash and water. The thermal resistance is about 30-50% higher than that of the same type of PC board in the market. The service life is 15-20 years, and there is basically no attenuation. The multi-layer honeycomb variable-volume heat insulation material uses the multi-layer honeycomb structure of inflating and discharging air, which perfectly solves the contradiction between the storage volume and the performance, and the shading rate is only 5%. Both products have been authorized by national intellectual property organizations and are expected to be mass-produced by the end of 2021 and 2022.

[@SimpleTek]

I'd love to test them out!!!!!

[@johnrogan9420]

Strange!

[@SimpleTek]

Ok

[@judya.shroads8245]

I said before, that I can't hear you. I still can't. I would love to watch your video's, but....

[@SimpleTek]

New ones are much better

[@offgridwanabe]

Don't do too many and fall into the repetitive boring video. Also reduce the overlay of you speaking by 50% if you have interesting background that is relevant to the subject.

[@SimpleTek]

Thank you for the input! I really appreciate it.