I have built myself a greenhouse but struggling what material to use as panels? I have been deciding between polycarbonate and glass? Does anyone have any advice?

On Thursday, September 13, 2012 5:15:03 AM UTC-4, harry. yates wrote:
I have built myself a greenhouse but struggling what material to use as

panels? I have been deciding between polycarbonate and glass? Does

anyone have any advice?


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harry.yates

I used polycarbonate for mine. Installation is easier. The roof is 4 foot by 12 foot panels, which you couldn't do easily with glass. Installation is also safer, not having to worry about the possibility of glass breaking. And polycarbonate can take an occasional bump from tools or pots without breaking.

Paul

On 13/09/2012 09:59, harry.yates wrote:
I have built myself a greenhouse but struggling what material to use as
panels? I have been deciding between polycarbonate and glass? Does
anyone have any advice?

http://www.greenhouse-specialist.com/glazingoptions.htm

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Jeff

I think Polycarbonate could be the right option for me. What is a reasonable price for cut to size polycarbonate greenhouse panels? This is one site which is on my radar what do you think?

Clear Twin Wall Polycarbonate Sheet Cut To Size

this is my firsty post and am struggling to understand how i can post it correclty, as i keep getting extend message error website

harryyates.gardenbanana wrote:

I think Polycarbonate could be the right option for me. What is a
reasonable price for cut to size polycarbonate greenhouse panels? This
is one site which is on my radar what do you think?

I've no idea what it would cost to cut polycarbonate to size but I do
know that often cutting fees exceed the price of material. I would
suggest cutting it yourself, it's not very difficult. And
polycarbonate is easier to cut than plexiglass.
http://www.controlbooth.com/forums/s...carbonate.html

On Thu, 20 Sep 2012 13:00:29 +0000, eonProtocol wrote:

this is my firsty post and am struggling to understand how i can post it
correclty, as i keep getting extend message errorharry.yates;969169
Wrote:
I think Polycarbonate could be the right option for me. What is a
reasonable price for cut to size polycarbonate greenhouse panels? This
is one site which is on my radar what do you think?

Have you tried wood? i find it good value and easy to work with. Or buy
pone already built i.e polytunnel. these can be found at this
'hydroponics uk' (http://tinyurl.com/8bhctg8) website

I use the pan newsreader and just click "Follow Up to Newsgroup" and post
away.

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Travis in Shoreline Washington

I have used corrugated pvc sheets several times, to replace a wooden greenhouse roof originally made of glass firstly because it is possible to overlap the sheets and so no joints are exposed that can leak or cause rotting later. PVC is also very cheap and easy to lay. It is very easy to replace a roof of glass with a pvc roof , simply adding extra support purlins over the original wooden trusses ( i.e. the horizontal pieces across over the wooden ones sloping down the roof.).With care and using a floorboard for support it is possible to walk on the board over a pvc roof; this enables one to replace individual sheets and do maintenance such as adding extra screws.
Pvc roofing does deteriorate and become cloudy after about ten years; but it is so cheap and easy to renew that I think this is worth it.
It should be even easier to build a new greenhouse with pvc corrugated sheets than it is to convert one from glass to pvc. I definitely would not use glass .
The main disadvantage of pvc (and presumably for polycarbonate) is that if a very hot bonfire is lit nearby sometimes cinders drop onto the roof and burn small holes.These do produce drops inside but the effect is not serious. But with care this can be avoided, by keeping fires away .

PVC roof can even be extended over the edge of the walls, by about 12" , so as to protect the wooden sides from rain and rot.This has to be limited by the strength and direction of the prevailing wind. But can be used to good effect if the pvc sheets are anchored securely and supported well.If necessary a double layer of sheeting will help to strengthen this at the overlap edge.

I would say that I'm not as familiar with polycarbonate corrugated sheeting;it seems not be easily available either .I am trying to find out more about it especially whether polycarbonate is better for the quality of light for some greenhouse plants.It may go cloudy more slowly.
I don't find a problem with tomatoes,or sweet peppers or cucumbers which flourish. But my vine - Black Hamburgh- does not do well . Does anyone know more about the horticultural properties of polycarbonate compared to pvc , as well as glass ?