Greenhouse INSULATION That WORKS!

[@sarahschlegel2049]

When I was in vo-tech (career center) horticulture class in high school, eons ago lol, I did a lot of research on greenhouses and the actual materials used for the windows. There was one company that was way before their time with corrugated clear panels that acted like bubble wrap insulation. It was pricy, but not was much as the glass. I really wish I would have run with my dream greenhouse back then. Hindsight is 20\20 though. One day that greenhouse will be mine. Until then keep on watching you for tips and tricks even though you are in a different time zone. I'm in Pennsylvania USA

[@Grow_Up_Man55]

Yeah me too on that score - I wish I'd have opted for a polycarbonate construction - although it wasn't an option with this particular manufacturer. The downside of course is that polycarb is very prone to algae inside which is impossible to remove without replacing the panels. I've decided to bubble-wrap the outside of the greenhouse too - the construction really lends itself to the use of bulldog clips so watch this space...

[@EdsOrchids]

I have the same bubble wrap as you Geoff. It's showing some algae and muck on it but it has been up for 13years and is still OK. I also have polycarbonate between the glass and bubble wrap with a 10mm gap between the layers.. The vulnerable part of these types of greenhouse is the aluminium construction from where the cold gets in. Good video Geoff, take care and keep warm if possible, Ed.

[@Grow_Up_Man55]

Can't complain at 13 years Ed! I really wish I'd have gone for a polycarbonate greenhouse in the first place although it wasn't an option with Rhino. Your extra poly sheeting is a great idea. I've decided to bubble-wrap the outside this year too - the construction lends itself to bulldog clips so I'm hoping it'll be an easy job. Watch this space...

[@patriciasorchids3999]

I think good insulation is one of the easiest ways to save on heating costs. I did replace the bubble wrap on the south and east side with 5mm double wall polycarbonate. I did not notice any change in heating costs last winter but it lets more light in and diffuses the light so the sun is not so harsh in summer. Probably my single biggest expense after my greenhouse but it should last 10 - 15 years.

[@Grow_Up_Man55]

Yeah it does seem to be the only option when all's said and done. I still love the idea of using polycarb, but my DIY skills aren't up to such a task! I've decided I'm going to bubble-wrap the outside too - as the greenhouse structure really lends itself using bull-dog clips for shading, so I don't see why it won't work for bubble-wrap too. I'll report how it goes...

[@patriciasorchids3999]

@@Grow_Up_Man55 My DIY skills are non existent. Like my floor insulation, it is just the right width to fit between the aluminium frame with just the minimum amount of cutting. Then I just cover the aluminium with strips of bubble wrap for added insulation.

[@davidkoczor6410]

I have never seen so vibrant colors! Your greenhouse is so beautiful. Thanks for showing it, and for the tips too! ☮️🕉️

[@Grow_Up_Man55]

Thanks so much! 😊

[@jaybudd1617]

I have always wanted a greenhouse but never purchased one,yet. But currently the bubble wrap would help with all the air pockets it has. Over here in my part of the US we have been having warmer than normal temperatures,and all my plants are still outside. I had to bring them into the three seasons porch for a couple days then set them back out. I know very,very soon they will need to be brought indoors until next spring.

[@Grow_Up_Man55]

Any reason why you've never bought one Jay?

[@JH-fv1gq]

Bubble wrapped with added foil backed insulation added to the side facing the sun to reflect the light back onto the plants. Foam strips added to the aluminium uprights. Might help a bit by reducing the chilly metal ?

[@Grow_Up_Man55]

Great suggestions! Too late for me now without taking all the benches and plants out but good for someone starting out. I might give the foam thing a try though, for sure! I think I've got some in the garage, if I can find it amongst all the junk!🤣

[@kevinjamesparr552]

I built a 10fot x 7 foot timber greenhouse . My windows on solar vent openers I remove piston tube first frost and cover the window inside with bubble wrap

[@Grow_Up_Man55]

Same here!

[@hossenfeffer8383]

Not sure if anyone has mentioned this, but what about a zipper in the greenhouse skin for your entry point, rather than a door. I am going to try this as a newbie greenhouse builder in a Montreal winter this year. In my experience, living here for 45 years+, we will have some -40C days end-January, so that’s the threshold I have to meet. My greenhouse this year will be a half dome with two layers of polyethylene, an additional layer of bubble wrap on the inside, and air forced in between the two plastic layers. With radiation lamps on a black-painted heat sink of black-painted water jugs, and a simple but hardy electric greenhouse heater with a fan. Wish me luck!

[@Grow_Up_Man55]

Wow! That's some cold temps to get it through!🥶 To be honest my current thinking on this is that certainly in the UK, there is nothing available to the non-professional greenhouse grower that will improve insulation significantly. I think the way to go would be to buy an insulated 'office' building, and forget all about light from outside - just buy sufficient quality grow-lights. Your setup sounds much better, especially with the air in between - as the air is the best insulator of all (of course - it would need an air-tight seal, which is easier said than done). I'd love to hear how you get on further down the line. The very best of luck!

[@kenoguy10]

Subscribed so I could give this important info to you and others. Bubble wrap certainly helps as a barrier to heat loss by acting as a thermal bridge by blocking direct contact transfer of heat. What you also need, especially for at night are reflective curtains to block loss of radiant heat. (high percentage reflectivity mylar sheet... comes on rolls) An example of the effect of radiant heat loss is like some Arabian desert that gets very hot in the daytime but then gets downright cold at night because the heat just radiated away back out to space, but will be less cool if there are clouds which tend to block some of that heat from just radiating away... Clouds as an insulator.... Gee! who would have thought of that? Anyway, reflective curtains could be made to just drape overhead and across walls like an interior tent in the evening, Then just take them down when the sun will be shining and roll them up for storage until you need them again. It should be worth the effort. Also, the reflective "tent" also would help with efficiency of grow lights if your are using them as well. People that actually actively use fuel or electric heat would spend less on greenhouse heating by keeping more of that investment inside their greenhouses at night instead of just letting it escape all night out into space. BTW, if you want to double the bubble insulation, it would be better that you put it inside the greenhouse instead of outside exposed to the elements. Let the outer cover (glass, polycarbonate sheet or greenhouse poly) do its job as protective weather barrier layer and the bubble wrap as an insulator... I don't think bubblewrap is intended to be used as an outer cover. That is just my 2 cents

[@Grow_Up_Man55]

Funny you should say this - as the video you watched is an older one. My most recent ones on insulation show me installing foil bubble-wrap insulation, for many of the reasons you've outlined. (The exterior bubble-wrap was just a bit of an experiment - a failed one at that!). Here's the new set-up: kzbin.info/www/bejne/r2aseq2imdJ6rqs

[@mikedenisstevenson]

I don't think you will save any electicity by using oil filled radiators. The oil acts to smooth out the output, but the energy used to get 1KW heat is the same either way.

[@Grow_Up_Man55]

I agree and won't be buying any. 😀

[@IzzyM999]

I was thinking about how to insulate a greenhouse as per your plea. I also have a Rhino greenhouse. Not checked yet to see but if the frame is responsive to magnets but it should be possible to build magnetic frames on to the outside, much like they sell magnetic kits for secondary glazing windows in the home. For “glazing” they don’t use glass but something like polycarbonate plastic sheets cut to size. Not sure of the overall cost but just the ability to put magnetic strips round fitted panels that could be be attached and unattached as required seems theoretically a simple idea.

[@Grow_Up_Man55]

That's a great idea, Isabel, and one that I've actually looked into in the past. Another guy I know has actually done it! But it just seemed to be too heavy on the DIY skills for me to be honest - and of course the panels would need to be a really good fit for it to work well. So in the end I dismissed it. I imagine someone with more DIY skills than me could make it work though.

[@IzzyM999]

@@Grow_Up_Man55 Just checked and no the frame is not magnetic. There is magnetic tape that can be bought and stuck on to the frame so all you’d need is squares of some hard plastic cut exactly to size with the edges covered with magnetic tape all the way round. The only diy is the measuring of the panels. Rain really shouldn’t get in if everything is trimmed to fit but I’d worry about the hardiness of magnetic tape designed for indoor use. Not the magnetised side, but the sticky side. If it worked though, that would be one very warm and insulated greenhouse which would need very little heating. With the price of energy going through the roof it might be worth looking into before prices spiral out of control.

[@mikedenisstevenson]

Have you thought about an undercarpet heating cable? Doesn't use much powere, and saves a large amount of air heating

[@Grow_Up_Man55]

That's a great idea! But after a little bit of research, it's quite expensive juts for 1 square meter, and of course I'd need to take the floor up. I think it's definitely an option for someone starting off with their new greenhouse though.

[@mikedenisstevenson]

@@Grow_Up_Man55 I'm just about to build a new greenhouse, and I'm definately going to. put it. in. Great series of videos, perfect. for a.beginner orchid grower. in the Lake. District like me. Thanks

[@Grow_Up_Man55]

@@mikedenisstevenson Glad you're finding them useful, Mike. We're practically neighbours then - we love the Lakes and get up there whenever we can. Where abouts are you?

[@mikedenisstevenson]

@@Grow_Up_Man55 I live on the. west coast, near. a small town called. Millom ( on. Sellafield's doorstep) Really looking forward to kitting out the new one.. Retired now, so indulging in a new interest, but the available room in the chilli. pepper/tomato greenhouse is full at waist height, which I need. Hence the new. one, particularly. after seeing what you have acheived ( green tinge there)

[@Grow_Up_Man55]

@@mikedenisstevenson Fab! I hope it goes well for you.

[@CROWOLF87]

You could wrap the entire greenhouse with a Layer of Plastic for Winter... Or there is White and Blacl plastic.. you could wrap the North wall or even part/half pf the Roof. Like you mentioned to Stop and Leaks is Key amd creating thermal insulator.. Layers of Air.. to keep the Outside Temps from ever Contacting your Inner Temperature.. Dont lnow of Youve Heard of Earthship builds.. or there are Norther China aamd Siberian Greenhouses that have a Unique Brick Pattern to the bavl Wall and Sides.. The bricks are truned inward On a double Layered Wall The idea is to use thernal mass ad a Heat Sink from the Days Sun. They Make straw/plastic Quilts to Hold the days Heat In Overnight.. Its All About Efficiency. Nobody wants to Loose What they Payed For.. Heat or Otherwise

[@Grow_Up_Man55]

Thanks for the very helpful tips. To be honest this is an older video (in KZbin terms!) and I feel I've pretty much solved the insulation issue. I've certainly slashed a tonne of money from my electricity bills. This is how I did it: kzbin.info/www/bejne/mXTcd2mLYtB_fLc (The follow-up video giving the results is here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/r2aseq2imdJ6rqs)

[@truthseeker1364]

I just threw a bunch of leaves in a big construction bag that's supposed to hold tons of sand I can't believe the heat that this thing puts off after just a week of all my neighbors leaves and mine I'm thinking about a way of trying to harvest this heat I'm thinking about getting some 4-in corrugated perforated pipe and coil in it around and having the leaves inside connected to a fan to bring that in to my greenhouse. Also looking into thermal Air

[@Grow_Up_Man55]

That's great if you've got the DIY skills and are only looking to keep the frost off. In my situation I need something that's raise the temps to at least 12°C - and be consistent in not letting in drop. An excellent and innovative idea though - and no doubt will save people loads of cash!

[@Jack5822]

Good video, but it has me questioning if I can really insulate enough for winter. We would be lucky to have 8 to 10 in winter that reach above 0°C for a few hours. Otherwise we bounce around between -5° and -30°. I feel like we would have to spend too much heating for those weeks that stay at -30°.

[@Grow_Up_Man55]

Thanks Josh - the answer to that question is probably - no! Greenhouses just aren't designed for insulation. If I had my time again, I'd have bought a composite outbuilding instead, and insulated it myself properly, providing light with grow-lights.

[@launnie-outdoor-items]

I have seen another UK video and the guy was using composting heap contained in a wooden box to generate het in his hot house

[@Grow_Up_Man55]

Yeah I'm sure helps for some folks.

[@NatalieSayin]

Send them to Turkey. I will look after them for you. 😉 Our weather is fab.

[@sibelthecat5883]

@Natalie Sayin well I've just ordered grow lights and they won't do much good. I'm still trying to fing good ones at a reasonable price. Yep, Turkey has great climate, but it still depends on whereabouts u live though 🥰 I'd love to live in near the Mediterranean coast 🌄🌅 Happy plant growing 🍀☘️🌱🌵🌵💖💗💓

[@Grow_Up_Man55]

The plants can stay here - I'll come instead!🤣

[@NatalieSayin]

@@Grow_Up_Man55 🤣

[@jaimewilkes7854]

If you had to start again, do you think you'd choose the oil heaters? Needing to heat my tropical conservatory which currently isn't attached to central heating, and stuck between choosing to install a radiator, running a fan heater, or running an oil heater. Are your heaters set to maintain 12°C 24/7, or do you allow for any variation? Considering bubble wrapping the lower light windows of the conservatory to help with the higher energy prices, but not quite sure what the neighbours (or my partner!) will think seeing as it's on the front drive 😂

[@Grow_Up_Man55]

No I don't think I would - unless someone can show me some data to prove that oil radiators cost less to run over a certain period of time when compared to fan heaters. The fan heaters have certain advantages in that they're clean, small and tidy and don't take up any floor space. They heat up very quickly too - and can be controlled on a granular level. They also circulate the air which oil rads don't. For you in a conservatory you've already got the advantage of double-glazing and possibly an insulated roof - which will at least be polycarbonate. But if you can have a radiator installed that's on your central system, I guess that would be more efficient in the long run - although granular control of the temperature might be tricky. As you can see there is no real answer to this - just guesswork for the most part. My fan heaters kick in at a minimum at 12°C in the cooler side and 15°C in the intermediate side. But the temperatures can be different in different parts of the greenhouse - so on a really frosty night, some parts of it will drop below 12°C before the heater reaches them - just have to live with that, or consider increasing the set point even higher!

[@jaimewilkes7854]

@@Grow_Up_Man55 That's all really helpful to think about thanks! Think I'll do a bit more research on which heater to get for this year (I do like how the fan heater does air circulation too), and then work out if a potential radiator installation for the future would be worth the cost 👍 If energy prices get too high and we end up with a really cold winter, I guess we can start moving plants into the living room and truly be living in the jungle 😂

[@AlexBraunton]

Do you have any advice about a greenhouse in a slightly less than ideal location? It doesn't get much sun in the winter - perhaps a few hours. My worry is the greenhouse being colder inside than out. Luckily, I don't have tropical plants so I suppose my concern isn't too great. I don't have grow lights or heaters but is it worth me insulating still? I mostly have small bonsai trees, cuttings and experiments in the greenhouse. Mostly hardy plants but I'd prefer some frost protection.

[@Grow_Up_Man55]

Mine's certainly not in the ideal location - right underneath two 200+ year old sycamore trees and next to a garage. So precious little light as well as all the 'crap' from the trees dropping onto it. I think many people will be in the same boat unless you have acres of space in the garden to afford to choose the best location. You've got to take action to overcome these limitations, none of which are unsolvable - assuming, of course, you have the funds to solve them! If you're just wanting to keep the frost off then I would still suggest insulating - as any time the heater is on, it will be on permanently if the heat isn't being retained at all, and the cost will soon rack up. Imagine a 3kw heater on for 8 hours solid during just one single night and you'll soon see what I mean. But your costs won't be anything like mine. From what you're saying you want to grow, it doesn't sound like lighting will be a problem either as those plants will be in dormancy anyway. Grow lights are really for those plants in growth all year round. Good luck!

[@sweeneyTodd-de4by]

Hi what did you make the curtain out of, bubble wrap and fleece?

[@Grow_Up_Man55]

It's a magnetic close curtain from Amazon - then some horticultural fleece stapled to it.

[@cosmoscosmos2855]

Bonjour! Je possède une petite serre 6x8’. Au Québec, c’est du -30! Donc je l’utilise à partir de la mi-avril. J’ai un petit chauffage électrique qui part lorsque la température baisse à 10 degrés. Ça fonctionne assez bien pour mes semis. Mais je vais essayer votre idée du papier à bulles. Ça devrait aider à isoler un peu plus. Mais vous conserver votre papier à bulles pendant l’été? Quand il fait 40-45 degrés, je ne peux rien cultiver ! C’est donc une solution?? Autre question: qu’utilisez-vous comme led dans votre serre? Merci et bonne continuation! 😊

[@Grow_Up_Man55]

Wow, c'est vraiment froid ! Et oui le papier bulle est présent toute l'année. L’isolation empêche le transfert de chaleur, ce qui permet de garder la pièce plus fraîche pendant les mois d’été. Les lumières sont Mars Hydro TS1000 - leur offre économique. Depuis cette vidéo, j'ai encore amélioré mon isolation - ce qui fait pas mal d'effet cette année - vous pouvez la regarder ici : kzbin.info/www/bejne/r2aseq2imdJ6rqs

[@evansbuilding9711]

Have you ever thought about putting a thermal blanket over the greenhouse at night??

[@Grow_Up_Man55]

A great suggestion - thanks. The roof is way too high to be doing something like that - too high for me anyway, and I'm 6 foot 6. I am thinking of applying bubble-wrap to it though - if I can think of a way to get it up there...

[@evansbuilding9711]

@@Grow_Up_Man55 I have a 8ft tall greenhouse that’s bubble wrap inside and out. I’m thinking if I can put thermal blanket over it at night would reduce my electric bill.

[@Grow_Up_Man55]

@@evansbuilding9711 Anything's worth a try - although I'm not sure I'd want to be stuck doing that on a daily basis through the winter. Maybe someone with more DIY skills than I have could rig up some kind of automatic pulley system to pull it into place. I really wish someone would invent something... 🤣

[@paulwilliammonks1]

Does the uv protection of the bubble wrap effect the plants? Ie does it also stop the blue and red light off the sun aswell as the UV ?

[@Grow_Up_Man55]

It's a good question. Horticultural bubble-wrap is specifically designed for the purpose of lagging greenhouses. UV is mostly blocked, but plants don't really use UV anyway. The parts of the light spectrum that plants use are 'mostly' allowed through, but the intensity and levels are reduced. This can be a good thing as sunlight through glass can be very harmful for the plants inside - but compared to the light levels outside, it's much reduced, and therefore not optimal. As with many things greenhouse related, you're creating an artificial environment, which is always going to be sub-standard compared to their natural habitat. In summary, bubble-wrap does indeed reduce a portion of the usable light for the plants inside - but it also prevents them from dying through cold and frost!

[@paulwilliammonks1]

@@Grow_Up_Man55 thanks for the reply. Ive been using algae and cardboard to shade some plants as the tarpaulin blew away lol So the plants probably havent had full uv access anyway. Ive found similar stuff to yours on amazon so gunna give it a go for my first year with a greenhouse. Ps what are your thoughts on pollination in a greenhouse? Ive hand pollinated the tomato but the strawberry and pomegranate amd kiwi all need natural pollination but i only seem to get the odd few bluebottle flys that dont do the job. Are there any insects you can buy to populate the greenhouse for pollination?

[@Grow_Up_Man55]

Try this stuff - it's brilliant: elixirgardensupplies.co.uk/product/1-5m-wide-tri-laminated-25mm-bubble-greenhouse-insulation-uv-resistant/ I haven't tried any pollination so probably not the best person to ask.

[@wave9181]

Amazing...love that orchid on bark I think. How did you do it?

[@Grow_Up_Man55]

Thanks! Can you give me a timestamp of when you saw it? I have several orchids growing on bark.

[@wave9181]

@@Grow_Up_Man55 many thanks for replying! I think it is 3.33 on the left side I see 2 orchids on bark/wood. If possible please share how did u manage that. I got very inspired by your greenhouse. Never thought of doing this way and I live in London. Very help vid specially most vids I found were based in super hot places in the States!

[@Grow_Up_Man55]

@@wave9181 Thanks I appreciate that. So there I've got a phal (moth orchid) and a Bulbophyllum - one mounted on bark and one on cork. There really is no mystery to mounting - it's a simple as it looks (just more fiddly!). You simply attach some moss to the mount with twine (I use fishing line), then wrap the roots round and do the same thing with the twine. The downsides is that they need watering (I spray them) pretty much daily but the upsides are that you can ensure they dry out properly between waterings, something incredibly difficult to do in pots in the UK climate.

[@wave9181]

@@Grow_Up_Man55 wow just didn't register you tied up. So any bark will do? Sorry too many questions 😅

[@Grow_Up_Man55]

@@wave9181 Cork is a great choice as it retain some moisture and orchid roots seem to attach better. But I also use driftwood as it's easy to find near me - but it needs soaking for a few days to remove the salts.

[@matthewparker5597]

Would bubble wrap work on top of insulation boards. Not for a green house but I have a fish room which I need to keep the heat in as it’s costing a fortune. Trying to get ideas to save

[@Grow_Up_Man55]

Yes - anything that traps air will insulate well. Bubble wrap is likely to be the cheapest option.

[@cherylmart6338]

The uk is not an ideal place for nature to thrive.