Storm proofing a polycarbonate greenhouse

[@markwiygul6356]

If the polycarbonate panels are already "flexed" at a slight arc, it seems to me they would be stronger, and unable to flex in and out. The Romans discovered that arcs are stronger than flats

[@HomeGrownVeg]

Hello Mark. The polycarbonate sheets in this design of green house are captivated along their edges in channels. When the sheet flexes in a strong wind it can 'flip out' of the channel and its 'Good night Caligula'.

[@lyndaturner6686]

I had a similar problem, when I first go my polycarbonate green house my husband laid some heavy four by four posts and bolted the greenhouse to that, however the first storm blew a sheet out of the roof into the field next to our garden, must have given the sheep a fright. So we siliconed all the sheets in place and they’ve stayed put for four years. We live in North Cornwall so we get a lot of wind. The sheets are easy to remove when they need replacing, we just clean of the old silicone off the frame and silicone in the new sheet. Hope all our polycarbonate greenhouses survive this winter.

[@HomeGrownVeg]

Hello Linda. I cant understand why 'siliconing' all the sheets in, isn't standard advice given by the manufacturer. Would save a lot of heartache. Jim.

[@nowirehangers2815]

I will be doing this now!

[@vanessaoconnor5000]

You’re giving me pause for thought. I appreciate your content very much.

[@HomeGrownVeg]

Hello Vanessa. There are a few comments across my channel videos on Polycarbonate greenhouses that support Polycarbonate's but there are lots that have had 'experience's' with them. I like to look at other peoples videos from a few years back then drop them a comment asking would they recommend a Polycarbonate. Jim.

[@CeeGilesy]

I got myself one of these polycarbonate greenhouses and what I did to stop the sheets from blowing out of the channels was, I used strong Gaffer tape on the inside along the length of the metal frame, half on the frame and half on the poly. This stops the poly from bending and jumping out of the channels when the wind is blowing. Just make sure the surfaces are dry before applying the tape.

[@MrBjh1966]

Hi Jim, I retrofitted mine the same way as yours OMG how strong it's became. Polycarbonate sheets no play in them, I didn't use cellotape, I used white duck tape great on temperature and cold without loss off stickiness, so thank you Jim brill idea.

[@HomeGrownVeg]

Its a war zone out there. We fight on. Jim.

[@kimbieandi]

I used duct tape and in the winter it doesn't stick when it's outside

[@lavernabouzspain]

HI there my friend! thank you for showing those of us in heavy windy areas what we need to do to save our greenhouse panels before the storm hits. Your video is very informative and helpful. I might not have this type of strap here in zone 9a USA, but I did purchase plumber's strap tape with the holes. I'm going to get this work started before the next windstorm blows through. Thanks again!

[@southsidecarly7427]

Wow! What a storm! Almost looked like some pieces were going to take flight. Great grounding idea! I’m glad your greenhouse survived and you didn’t get hurt. Thanks for sharing the video

[@dianeladico1769]

Leaving your ground anchors in place is a genius idea. They sell all manner of systems from poured concrete footings and bolts to big rebar stakes and tie-outs but your solution is effective and basically free since you'd do it for the tomatoes anyway. The beauty of your system is each anchor only has to bear part of the load. In this case the whole is greater than the sum of the parts. Same logic as why a braided cable is stronger than a solid one of the same diameter. And as this reduces the flexing of the frame it allows for less flexing of the panels which, if I'm thinking correctly, will put less pressure on your cellophane tape allowing it to hold even longer. I bet this video will help anyone with a polycarbonate greenhouse from suffering an expensive loss, with a cost-effective fix.

[@HomeGrownVeg]

The night I nearly lost the roof, it had become detached from the side wall along its length. The fixing bolt holding the roof to the sides are in slots rather than holes. The flexing of the frame and the vibration of the sheets slackened the nuts and bolts. The wind then lifted the roof and the bolts slid out of the slots. Let me tell you Diane it was touch and go as to holding the thing together. Trying to realign slots and tightening bolts if it has to be done, is best done in daylight on a calm dry day. I had to do it at night in rain in the grip of a storm. Ever since then I have been mindful of destructive nature can be and try to avoid it happening again. It would be easy for any new gardener to underestimate the forces of nature and overestimate the strength of their greenhouse. I had to share this so that others might benefit from my near disaster. Jim.

[@yuksanng8864]

Sorry to ask you because my heating is not that good ,did you use cement on the base to anchor? I was worried about the cement will be toxic to our health.where did you get those white stripes from and what you called them. My greenhouse is already fixed I don't think I can get the nut and bolt in the holes, what size nuts and bolts you used. It looked good.

[@nowirehangers2815]

Just dismantled one from a friends place and have to put it back together. Hopefully I can reinforce as I go. Get plenty of winds down here and scared to lose it now. This should help a lot so thank you!

[@HomeGrownVeg]

I tried to include all the tips that would have helped me is someone had only given them to me before I started the build. Good luck with it. Jim.

[@kimbieandi]

Ugh, I can't imagine having to take it apart and put it back up again!

[@raedgaj3878]

A good old UK storm eh, but not very friendly to polycarbonate greenhouses, as you know Jim. I lost a couple of glass panes in the last storm up here in Northumberland, so glad to see your polythene panes survived. As for the auto vent openers, I take mine off in winter & run a zip tie through the holes to secure the vents. I'm not going to use them in winter. I also paved the area for my greenhouse so I could screw it down for security.

[@HomeGrownVeg]

The greenhouse I got was flimsy no question about that and I had to 'beef it up' just to keep it in one piece. It should have come with a public health warning. Jim.

[@kimbieandi]

@@HomeGrownVeg haha

[@micktepolt6276]

Jim i love the tomatoes , that's a good idea on the polycarbonate greenhouse , you never know what kind of storm is going to hit ., i can smell those Tomatoes from here😋 ... so you all have some fun today , and thanks Jim

[@apple1washington130]

Thanks a lot ! You’re very smart ! Very practicable and cost effective !

[@samuelchamberlain2584]

Right from the get go we had to use lots of self tapping screws to hold the 4mm pc sheets , we have since replaced about 1/3 of the panels for 10mm as the outer pc degraded . After this experience I would recommend someone either buys a glass (safety) greenhouse or makes there own with timber and 10mm pc . Out of the box they're not fit for purpose.

[@HomeGrownVeg]

I think I've had 3 years out of this one so far. I thought I was going to lose it in a storm a day or two after I built it but the extra stiffening seams to have done the trick. I've had a glass greenhouse many years ago and wanted to try polycarbonate. With hindsight, big mistake.

[@jessesoding4421]

Nice fix bloke, valuable advice as I’m about to build mine cheers!

[@HomeGrownVeg]

Good luck Jesse. Jim.

[@dahutful]

Really nice. I’ve followed your travails with that greenhouse. If need be some buckets of water or cinder blocks can take the place of some of those soil bags. I did that with the chicken coop once to anchor it

[@christinebrooks6364]

Hi Jim, very scary listening to a that howling wind & rattling in your greenhouse too. Very good idea with your bamboo sticks beimg held by your compost filled bags! Thanks for sharing and take care 🙂

[@HomeGrownVeg]

As I type this, the tail end of Storm Ian is battering us in the UK. Thinking about the folks in Florida US who took the full force. Jim.

[@junielaine4211]

Great info and we do have the same greenhouse.

[@emilytaylor3653]

Genius idea

[@leewozzashomeveggiegarden]

hopefully it will be a bit calmer this year

[@Geneva742]

I thought that my greenhouse was going to be secure, but the neighbours trampoline blew over the garden wall and completely demolished it.

[@kimbieandi]

We just put ours up this past weekend. It took my husband and me all weekend. We still have to level it out more. I'm going to get the bambo and weigh it down like you did. What diameter bamboo did you use? Also, how did you attach the bamboo to the channels? It's hard to see in the video, kind of dark. Looks like some kind of black strap or something. Update: I just saw the other video you posted Hold your polycarbonate greenhouse down now Don't wait until a storm tries to lift it off the ground - which shows these in close up

[@HomeGrownVeg]

I used the standard aluminum fixing bolts and I had some metal strap that had holes in it. The bamboos are just standard 6 foot bamboos. If it looks flimsy it probably is. If you can add strength and it looks stronger it will be. Its now you, your husband and the greenhouse against the elements. Best of luck. Jim.

[@kimbieandi]

@@HomeGrownVeg haha, thanks! I'm going to get 7 foot length and they are 3/4 in diameter. There are 8' ones that are 1 in diameter, but then I'd have to cut them.

[@C...G...]

excellent! 👍

[@marktoldgardengnome4110]

We have a hurricane headed our way Fri-Sat. Right now, it's supposed to just miss us. No rain, just high winds. But Nova Scotia/New Brunswick are a direct hit. Supposed to be bad. We wish them the best. Our nightmare here in Maine are Nor' Easters. High winds and FEET of snow.

[@michaellindley9309]

I have have a polycarbonate greenhouse that storm totally trashed my greenhouse 5 roof panels disappeared the wall with the door was ripped off and the whole greenhouse is twisted I’m never having polycarbonate again

[@HomeGrownVeg]

Over the last week or so we've had strong winds from the North. Mines still in one piece but I've had to do a lot of strengthening and fixing. I've recently replaced all the roof panels, the sun had badly damaged them. It's a greenhouse that can't withstand the Sun!!!! Sorry to hear about your catastrophe. If its any consolation, your not alone. I expect other gardeners are going through the same nightmare. Jim.

[@independence_1947]

I noticed that some of the plants you have cut. Are they tomato plants stem? Any reason why you have cut them is it to retain the same plant for the next year?

[@HomeGrownVeg]

It was an experiment to see if the roots would 'overwinter' and grow again the following year. They all died.

[@HomeGrownVeg]

This greenhouse took on a life of its own: kzbin.info/aero/PLrdJ3rKwLaer4SU3gVuKE_jf_abuhmE2K

[@HomeGrownVeg]

Ten things you need to know about Polycarbonate greenhouses: kzbin.info/www/bejne/pIjXimqEgtCHeKc

[@MariaSanchez-zf9cs]

greenhouse envy

[@briankane6547]

There'll be a lot of young 'uns won't have a clue about "Heath Robinson" Marra.