(800) 853-2651
SHOP NOW

OT....Greenhouse thoughts

R

RickieBlue

Member
I would like to make a greenhouse similar to the picture. What thickness plastic would you recommend? Some people use 4 mil and some people use 6 mil. I was thinking of using 2 thicknesses of 4 mil and putting a small fan on the inside layer blowing air between the 2 layers to try and accomplish a thermal barrier of sorts. Any thoughts or recommendations appreciated!!
15201.jpg
 
BIL and sister made one almost exactly as pictured.He used treated plywood for the ends.If I'm not mistaken he used 2x6 treated on the bottom. I was skeptical of the 3/4 pvc pipe at first but has held up great for three years.I can't tell you what mil plastic he used but I know he has changed it more than once.
 
Are you really trying to keep it sealed up and warm with heater etc? Then yes the double poly works well. We put 4 mil inside and 6mil outside - UV protected - it will make a differance.

The fan intake will need a restritor or you will need an opening to release some presure. A1/4 hp squirl cage will do our 30' X 100' no problem.

Now the reality is that in the last 5 years I have been only running one sheet of poly and not using heat they way I was, too expensive and we are not growing the flowers in Feb any more.

The most important thing with a greenhouse is being able to move the air inside and or exchange it with an exhaust fan and roll up walls.

You are creating a great environment to grow plants, but also bugs and pathogens...
 
I have had a set up like that set up for years now. I use PVC and 3 foot long rebar to hold it in place and if I want plastic I just cover it and use dirt at the bottom to hold it down. In the summer I have some fence wire over the frame so as to have my climbing beans or pole beans brow up and over that way you can walk under and pick the beans
 
Dont know how cold its gets where you are at. Here in Michigan with the wind and cold, I think the PVC might give out after one winter with cracks.

I have found a few frames on craigslist for really reasonable prices, but they are a little bigger than what you are looking for.

I'm interested to see how it lasts if you do make one.

Rick
 
I have yet to have any problem like that with mine and have had it set up for years. I took pictures of it back in Feb of 2007 and it had been set up for over a year at that time. But yes I am in Missouri so may not hold up as well up there
 
Growers Supply should have all the components you will need.

If you expect any snow, especially heavy wet snow, you will want to add trusses to the arches or plan on removing the plastic for the winter. I know more than one friend that lost a greenhouse to snow this winter.

Good luck.
 
I am working on the idea of building a green house this spring. I am going to consider using cover build by Northern Greenhouse Sales. I think it is the same as Bob's Tough Plastic.
I prefer the fiber reinforced plastic. My neighbor has it on his and is into his 8th year of use. I built a small farm green house for my wife several years ago with the 4 mil plastic over 16 foot cattle pannels bent into a loop. Cannot get more than 3 years of use out of the plastic. We even use 2" nylon straps with tarp straps at the bottom each side and the wind whips the plastic. Then it tears and you are done.
 
I made one like that about 17 years ago. Constant maintenance on the pvc joints. I made a jig out of plywood to bend 3/4 inch conduit into an arc. As far as the film you will want to look at something that is uv protected or you will be replacing it in a year or two. I found a brand Tufflite it has been on and out in the weather for 12 years and it just ripped apart this winter. I think if you want to go with a double layer I would consider this film. Also to elminate a blower to keep your barrier, maybe go with two sets of arches (one larger that the other). Set the inner arches stretch you film and then your outer. We have a 28 by 100 foot green house that we use for sales but our started house is only 12 by 20 with a smaller hut inside of that which we use for seed starting. We only need to heat the hut, by the time we transplant we might have to run a space heating only on the coldest nights.
 
something else that would be doable and alot sturdier.

<a href="http://tinypic.com?ref=352g5jp" target="_blank">
352g5jp.jpg" border="0" alt="Image and video hosting by TinyPic
</a>
 
did one that way, and my son as well...had problems with sagging plastic in wind or rain, and saw a better way in a Farm Show magazine: use the wire hog panels arched up and tied together, rather than the pvc- it provides more consistent support for the plastic and prevents rain, wind issues. Since we went this route we've had no issues.
 
I made a smaller version and can vouch for the wind / snow issues. PVC is just to unstable, and mine was just a small hoop house. I wouldn't and didn't try a bigger version. I switch to 3/4 EMT and changed the bracing. This sucker survived 60 mph winds this past year.

I used a single layer of 4mil and expect three years out of it. An insulation layer would be nice but for quick and cheap I am considering, after the first, overlay the bows with PCV and put on a second layer. But as I understand it either the bottom of the inner has to be open or a blower like you said to allow for air circulation and hold them apart.
c3713.jpg
 
Everyone has some good ideas and thoughts.............I still would like to use 2 layers and put a small fan through the inner layer and see if I can create a thermal barrier like a double pane window. It won't take much of a fan..I was thinking of using a tower cooling fan for a computer, which is 5 volts. I could use a 6 volt battery I have laying around if I don't run electric to the location..I even have a solar panel I could use to keep the battery topped off. I will probably only make the greenhouse no longer than 15 feet so the plastic area will be 460 square feet or less, and if one fan won't create a decent barrier then 2 should work for sure! Thanks everyone for your input!!!
 
OkieRob,

Is this your greenhouse?
Is your covering the polycarbon twinwall or just film?
I thought about that awhile back but could not find any place that would just sell the frame.
 
Rickie,
I don't think either of your ideas will work, since there is limited airflow and you won't have it sealed off enough to insulate anything. Just my opinion.

Actually, if you had a bubble wrap non reflective green house you would be in business.
 
jose has the answer. i've used cattle panels to do just as he describes on some temporary hog shelters, except i used tarp.
 
(quoted from post at 05:43:16 03/02/13) Rickie,
I don't think either of your ideas will work, since there is limited airflow and you won't have it sealed off enough to insulate anything. Just my opinion.

Actually, if you had a bubble wrap non reflective green house you would be in business.
Click to expand...

Looks to me he brought the shed with the panels,,, installed one sheet down the middle and the rest on the sides... 8)
 
(quoted from post at 22:00:02 03/01/13)
(quoted from post at 05:43:16 03/02/13) Rickie,
I don't think either of your ideas will work, since there is limited airflow and you won't have it sealed off enough to insulate anything. Just my opinion.

Actually, if you had a bubble wrap non reflective green house you would be in business.
Click to expand...

Looks to me he brought the shed with the panels,,, installed one sheet down the middle and the rest on the sides... 8)
Click to expand...

With a muffin fan?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

H
in floor heat?? without floor insulation
Replies
15
Views
936
showcrop
showcrop
cpratt
Feature/Recurring threads
2
Replies
23
Views
737
cpratt
cpratt
F
O/T Really neat new technology
Replies
6
Views
534
jimg.allentown
J
S
1951 JD A (parade tractor only) engine oil change questi
Replies
7
Views
2K
NoDakInMN
N
S
Re-Roofing 30x40 Shed
Replies
18
Views
2K
caterpillar guy
C
Tractor Parts Tractor Manuals

We sell tractor parts! We have the parts you need to repair your tractor - the right parts. Our low prices and years of research make us your best choice when you need parts. Shop Online Today.

Copyright © 1997-2024 Yesterday's Tractor Co.

All Rights Reserved. Reproduction of any part of this website, including design and content, without written permission is strictly prohibited. Trade Marks and Trade Names contained and used in this Website are those of others, and are used in this Website in a descriptive sense to refer to the products of others. Use of this Web site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement and Privacy Policy TRADEMARK DISCLAIMER: Tradenames and Trademarks referred to within Yesterday's Tractor Co. products and within the Yesterday's Tractor Co. websites are the property of their respective trademark holders. None of these trademark holders are affiliated with Yesterday's Tractor Co., our products, or our website nor are we sponsored by them. John Deere and its logos are the registered trademarks of the John Deere Corporation. Agco, Agco Allis, White, Massey Ferguson and their logos are the registered trademarks of AGCO Corporation. Case, Case-IH, Farmall, International Harvester, New Holland and their logos are registered trademarks of CNH Global N.V.

Yesterday's Tractors - Antique Tractor Headquarters
Website Accessibility Policy

Back
Top