Greenhouses and other structures with the use of polycarbonate is now popular among gardeners and private home owners. Polycarbonate is relatively new inexpensive material, which has a lot of advantages, which is why the greenhouse is made of polycarbonate with their hands for many is the best choice. To build it yourself it is possible to serve just, and grow crops in it – a pleasure. Today, many tend to grow vegetables for fear of GMO, and any fairly advanced host country site always proud of his harvest and is happy to be working in the greenhouse.
The contents
Why polycarbonate?
If you compare the polycarbonate with other plastics, it is inexpensive, and looks very attractive and modern. That is, in addition to functionality, the greenhouse will also aesthetically attractive object on the plot.
Polycarbonate — a modern material, and most advanced materials he has aesthetic appeal. Such a greenhouse, in addition to the direct purpose, and it will look good on the site
The material has good ability to scatter light, a high degree of thermal insulation. Resistance to wind and snow loads, impact resistance, resistance to ultraviolet radiation – also a lot of pros polycarbonate.
Homemade greenhouse made of polycarbonate conveniently build, getting ready arch kits. Before you begin construction, consider the size of the future greenhouse based on the size of the elements made of polycarbonate, based on these parameters will need to equip a simple Foundation and basement.
The most common size of polycarbonate sheet 2,1/6 m. bending of the leaves makes an arch with a radius of about 2 m, the height of the greenhouse will be the same, and the width will be approximately 4 meters. To create a model of the greenhouse enough 3 sheets, its length will be on average 6 m. On request it is possible to slightly reduce the size of the greenhouse, or increased by adding another leaf. And if you want to increase the height of the structure, the base can be raised on the plinth. Most convenient for greenhouses width is 2.5 m. This size allows you to put in two beds and you give them a pretty spacious passage, where it is possible to transport the cart.
Important! Polycarbonate – transparent material to keep the inside of the structure the flow of light and direct it to the patch, not allowing it to dissipate, it would be appropriate to use to cover the walls of special structure with reflective properties.
In the construction of greenhouses made of polycarbonate sheets advise to choose form, where flat areas alternate with arched, as on flat sites the effect of reflection of sunlight is minimized, glare will be less and the light will give its heat to the plants, not to dissipate, which is typical of the arched structure. With proper combination of curved and flat elements of the greenhouse you can achieve the effect when the absorption coefficient of light and heat will be very close to optimal.
Features manufacturer greenhouses:
- the space inside should be arranged in an optimal way;
- polycarbonate sheets need to use it is advisable that the amount of waste was minimal;
- the Foundation and basement are constructed based on the selected dimensions;
- the climate in the greenhouse is humid and warm, on this basis, you need to choose the material for the frame is the most convenient galvanized profile, when choosing wood it should be pre – treated with special solutions of copper sulphate, antiseptics.
Tools and materials required for the work:
- polycarbonate (thickness 4-6 mm);
- materials for the frame (steel pipe, wood or galvanized profile is optional);
- jigsaw, screwdriver, drill (4 mm) screws for polycarbonate (for metal frame – with a drill down).
What Foundation is best suited?
Greenhouse should be located on flat, well-lighted place. Best location in length – from East to West. Variants of arrangement of the Foundation there are several.
Is that the place for the greenhouse is only on a bumpy surface — in this case you can use additional bars or other material for leveling of the soil, then add more dirt, tamping until the surface becomes smooth
If you want a wooden Foundation for a greenhouse made of polycarbonate, whose service life is five years, a vertical support should just be submerged in soil, you can attach them to the steel corners are driven into the ground. Is used beam size 100/100 mm, it is mounted on the perimeter of the greenhouse. But such a Foundation, even if the handle wood preservatives, will not last long.
To create a more practical Foundation used kerbstones, blocks of foam or aerated concrete, brick. If the soil in the designated greenhouse area is loose, the clutch is made around the perimeter. If dense, can be limited to individual columns, which are set at the level.
The most expensive but the most durable is the monolithic reinforced concrete Foundation, made around the perimeter of the greenhouse. To install it, you need to dig a trench, install reinforcement cage, and concreting to do. The design will allow you to avoid repairs will be sustainable, issues such as distortions, just not there.
The types of frame structures
Consider three of the most convenient options of frame greenhouses under polycarbonate.
Option #1 — arch framework for a greenhouse
This option looks most attractive and is used by vacationers more often. It is convenient because in the winter the snow on the roof will not be delayed, the bearing elements are free from overload, the load on the Foundation will also be reduced. When selecting a standard sheet length of 6 meters, the width of the greenhouse will be 3.8 m, height – 2 m.
Ventilation for the greenhouse is necessary, therefore, in addition to doors, it is desirable to make the window. This greenhouse three vents — two side and one top
The scheme of construction of the greenhouse with an arched frame. For covering you can use a rolled film two layers or sheets of polycarbonate, which is a more practical option
Option #2 — frame in the form of a house
This design with a gable roof and vertical walls. If you choose this option the frame for the greenhouse from cellular polycarbonate, the greenhouse can do any size, but you’ll need more material.
Such a greenhouse with a frame in the form of a house passes the light and heat, the hatches on the roof perform the function of ventilation — all the conditions for good growth of seedlings and vegetables
The choice of materials to create a frame
Wood is a popular material for the construction of inexpensive greenhouses. But its major drawback – the fragility and need for constant repair. The tree is not often used to create polycarbonate greenhouses.
This lean-to greenhouse — ideal for small area, you can build one even if you have a plot of 6 acres, placing it in a convenient corner
Frame welded steel pipes — galvanized square pipe size mm. 20/20/2 When correctly installed, this frame will last a long time. When selecting arch forms for bending the pipes will need special machine, you must also be able to work with a welding machine. Today, we can bend tubes to order and in special organizations.
Omegoobraznoy galvanized profile is a very good option, pretty easy to install, and the design is durable and lightweight. But the profile for the arch to bend and do a lot of bolt holes.
Example: building a greenhouse Foundation from pipes
Done by means of ropes and pegs layout. Then, using a garden drill, make along the length of four holes (depth 1.2 m), and a couple of holes to install door – on the distance of its width. Asbestos cement pipes are cut into pieces (length 1.3 m), in an upright position are installed in holes in the ground. The cracks fill with sand, tamp well.
The bars are cut into pieces one and a half meter long. One end of each piece should be astrogate ax to its diameter equal to the diameter of the pipe. Impregnated protective structure columns vertically installed in the pipe, make a frame of boards, which will fasten the posts at the bottom.
Truss frame vystragivaetsja for the roof to be more durable, it should be covered with a protective impregnation. For binding posts at the base of the greenhouse nailed lower harness – tape, galvanised iron, width 25 cm cutting, you can use metal shears. Tape shall be 5 cm overlap one another.
Now you can start the covering of walls of polycarbonate. Drill sheets holes with a sharp knife cut the sheets based on the size of the roof, fasten them with screws to the rafters
The metal strip will need for the roof, but their width will be 15 cm for horse. Strips are bent at an angle of 120 degrees with a mallet, place between the leaves a small gap considering thermal expansion, the gaps can be closed with tape to protect the insulation.
The next step is the stitching of the polycarbonate walls, openings for doors we leave open. Greenhouse with straight walls for insulation over time, you can sheathe a layer of polycarbonate.
The drawing gives an idea of how to build sustainable practical greenhouse with intermediate pillars and a gable roof
Boards made for the door, dissolve in half with a saw, making doors and to fasten him for a loop. The door frame is placed on the polycarbonate sheet, according to its size make cutting material with a knife and fasten to the door leaf. The doors are ready, they can hang, set and handle constipation, if plan. Greenhouse polycarbonate constructed, the ground around it needs to go straight and get to the internal arrangement.
Some important tips for construction:
- if you use non-galvanized profile paint it to prevent rust;
- in the greenhouse must be well ventilated, therefore, in addition to the front door, not stopping to make the window on the opposite side of the building;
- the minimum width of the greenhouse at a comfortable operation – 2.5 m (space for foot passage and two beds 0.8 m);
- for greenhouse lighting is convenient to use energy saving light bulbs that give white light;
- if you plan to use heating, suitable heating, water heating, «stove» or heat source, depending on the circumstances.
To create such a greenhouse will not need much time and high cost of materials. But it will serve you long and will be a great help in the garden, the farm, and fresh produce grown on their own, or seedlings for garden decoration, will delight and uplift.
Video common mistakes in the construction of greenhouses
