On 27/10/2013 13:46, David Hill wrote:
Thought I'd post a copy of something I had this morning,

Close all the vents and doors. If you have auto-vents, then you may
wish to tie your vents shut with string or wire just for the storm (
remember to untie them afterwards so that the auto-vents can open) If
your door has a lock, lock it. If not, prop it shut with a brick or
similar to stop the wind blowing it open.

It is worth making some clips out of soft aluminium strip or heavy
galvanised wire to make sure autovents don't get sucked open by the
wind. Once wind can get into the structure it will spring panes of glass
out of the far side. The wind facing side is always most prone to damage
from flying debris.

If for any reason your greenhouse has a missing pane of glass, then it
is a good idea to block the hole for the duration of the storm so that
the wind can't get in the greenhouse - even something as simple as an
old blanket or towel with clothes pegs can stop the wind getting into
the greenhouse as a a temporary measure.

I am not at all convinced that a towel or anything else flexible will do
anything more than act as a sail and inflict more damage. The trick is
to have a prepared piece of hardboard or plastic cut to size with a
piece of wood on the inside to lock it into place. This is a quick
instant repair after a storm passes - don't even attempt greenhouse
repairs when the storm is at its height and glass is flying around!

http://www.nezumi.demon.co.uk/garden/gizmos/gizmos.htm

Strong winds are not uncommon where I live.

It is also vital that your greenhouse is anchored down to the floor or
base. If your greenhouse has only a few anchoring points or you are
worried about the soundness of the base itself then it may be a good
idea to weigh the greenhouse down to provide anchorage by placing paving
slabs or sandbags over one of the bottom flanges of the greenhouse cill.

Worth actually replacing the diagonal struts on the prevailing wind
facing side with a heavier guage. That is what ultimately did for mine -
although it was in a hurricane force with winds gusting to 100mph.

If your greenhouse happens to be in a half built state, then it is
also vital that it is weighed down by sandbags or slabs at the bottom if
you haven't had chance to anchor it down yet.

A half built one will almost certainly be destroyed. The modern frames
rely on the glass for structural rigidity.

I was quite impressed to get a reminded from our village hall insurance
company to nail everything down ahead of the storm. In fact so far is
much calmer here today than it has been all weekend (wind is 5mph).

--
Regards,
Martin Brown