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#1
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Greenhouses & filmsy polycarbonate sheeting
Back in February I bought my wife two 9' x 12' "Lakeland" greenhouses
as a retirement present. Due to various issues including levelling the site etc it's only in the last month we've assembled one of them (the other is still in bits), and within two weeks we lost seven of the polycarbonate sheets in what I think were only light winds. I have no faith whatsoever in the rest not blowing away soon. The sheeting is 4mm polycarbonate twin wall that slides into channels, and the wind makes it bow so much that it comes out of the channel. Once out they are almost impossible to re-fit without major dismantling. It was a seller on ebay (swiftbuys234) who reportedly died five weeks ago so no redress there. OK our fault for not putting them up sooner, but I believe that the basic design is flawed. Has anyone else had this problem, or perhaps has a solution less radical than scrapping them and starting again? AWEM |
#2
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Greenhouses & filmsy polycarbonate sheeting
"Andrew Mawson" wrote in message ... Back in February I bought my wife two 9' x 12' "Lakeland" greenhouses as a retirement present. Due to various issues including levelling the site etc it's only in the last month we've assembled one of them (the other is still in bits), and within two weeks we lost seven of the polycarbonate sheets in what I think were only light winds. I have no faith whatsoever in the rest not blowing away soon. The sheeting is 4mm polycarbonate twin wall that slides into channels, and the wind makes it bow so much that it comes out of the channel. Once out they are almost impossible to re-fit without major dismantling. It was a seller on ebay (swiftbuys234) who reportedly died five weeks ago so no redress there. OK our fault for not putting them up sooner, but I believe that the basic design is flawed. Has anyone else had this problem, or perhaps has a solution less radical than scrapping them and starting again? AWEM I would use extra glazing clips and clear silicon sealant. Keith |
#3
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Greenhouses & filmsy polycarbonate sheeting
The message
from "Andrew Mawson" contains these words: Back in February I bought my wife two 9' x 12' "Lakeland" greenhouses as a retirement present. Due to various issues including levelling the site etc it's only in the last month we've assembled one of them (the other is still in bits), and within two weeks we lost seven of the polycarbonate sheets in what I think were only light winds. I have no faith whatsoever in the rest not blowing away soon. The sheeting is 4mm polycarbonate twin wall that slides into channels, and the wind makes it bow so much that it comes out of the channel. Once out they are almost impossible to re-fit without major dismantling. It was a seller on ebay (swiftbuys234) who reportedly died five weeks ago so no redress there. OK our fault for not putting them up sooner, but I believe that the basic design is flawed. Has anyone else had this problem, or perhaps has a solution less radical than scrapping them and starting again? Haven't bought that, and my Twinwall bits will be securely fixed to wood, but if you flex the frame enough to get the sheets back in, or fiddle them in some other way, drill one side of the channels and the Twinwall underneath (or on top, depending which way you want to do it), with a small bit - say, an eighth to a sixteenth of an inch, and screw in plated self-tapping screws. -- Rusty Direct reply to: horrid dot squeak snailything zetnet point co period uk Separator in search of a sig |
#4
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Greenhouses & filmsy polycarbonate sheeting
Andrew Mawson wrote:
Back in February I bought my wife two 9' x 12' "Lakeland" greenhouses as a retirement present. Due to various issues including levelling the site etc it's only in the last month we've assembled one of them (the other is still in bits), and within two weeks we lost seven of the polycarbonate sheets in what I think were only light winds. I have no faith whatsoever in the rest not blowing away soon. The sheeting is 4mm polycarbonate twin wall that slides into channels, and the wind makes it bow so much that it comes out of the channel. Once out they are almost impossible to re-fit without major dismantling. It was a seller on ebay (swiftbuys234) who reportedly died five weeks ago so no redress there. OK our fault for not putting them up sooner, but I believe that the basic design is flawed. Has anyone else had this problem, or perhaps has a solution less radical than scrapping them and starting again? AWEM What is the base? Is it absolutely level? Is the greenhouse securely bolted down? Any other brand name, as I can't find any trace of Lakeland Greenhouses in Google. -- Pete C London UK |
#5
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Greenhouses & filmsy polycarbonate sheeting
"Pete C" wrote in message ... Andrew Mawson wrote: Back in February I bought my wife two 9' x 12' "Lakeland" greenhouses as a retirement present. Due to various issues including levelling the site etc it's only in the last month we've assembled one of them (the other is still in bits), and within two weeks we lost seven of the polycarbonate sheets in what I think were only light winds. I have no faith whatsoever in the rest not blowing away soon. The sheeting is 4mm polycarbonate twin wall that slides into channels, and the wind makes it bow so much that it comes out of the channel. Once out they are almost impossible to re-fit without major dismantling. It was a seller on ebay (swiftbuys234) who reportedly died five weeks ago so no redress there. OK our fault for not putting them up sooner, but I believe that the basic design is flawed. Has anyone else had this problem, or perhaps has a solution less radical than scrapping them and starting again? AWEM What is the base? Is it absolutely level? Is the greenhouse securely bolted down? Any other brand name, as I can't find any trace of Lakeland Greenhouses in Google. -- Pete C London UK Base is concrete, and dead nuts flat! There is no provision for clipping The groove depth is too shallow to pierce the sheeting and retain strength The sellers son initially told me Lakeland were in Scarborough, then Cleatormoor in Cumbria, neither check out. (Obviously a China made item) I suspect that silicone will peel off in the wet and wind as the overlap is so small ....argh ! AWEM |
#6
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Greenhouses & filmsy polycarbonate sheeting
The message
from "Andrew Mawson" contains these words: Base is concrete, and dead nuts flat! Fixed down to it, or screwed to faith and hope? There is no provision for clipping Clipping what to what? The groove depth is too shallow to pierce the sheeting and retain strength You might be able to gaffer-tape the edges of the Twinwall and force it into the channel - it doesn't sound as if it will just slip in. The sellers son initially told me Lakeland were in Scarborough, then Cleatormoor in Cumbria, neither check out. Lakeland is a national chain of (usually) good quality but overexpensive items. (Obviously a China made item) I suspect that silicone will peel off in the wet and wind as the overlap is so small Probably, unless you can find one which is a powerful adhesive as well. ....argh ! You might improve matters by putting the greenhouses end-to-end when you get round to erecting the other one. Sounds like lack of rigidity and overstrong winds is the problem. If you can arrange it, try metal strip or angle-iron diagonal braces on three sides. Well, two sides and an end. -- Rusty Direct reply to: horrid dot squeak snailything zetnet point co period uk Separator in search of a sig |
#7
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Greenhouses & filmsy polycarbonate sheeting
Rusty_Hinge wrote:
The message from "Andrew Mawson" contains these words: Base is concrete, and dead nuts flat! Fixed down to it, or screwed to faith and hope? There is no provision for clipping Clipping what to what? The groove depth is too shallow to pierce the sheeting and retain strength You might be able to gaffer-tape the edges of the Twinwall and force it into the channel - it doesn't sound as if it will just slip in. The sellers son initially told me Lakeland were in Scarborough, then Cleatormoor in Cumbria, neither check out. Lakeland is a national chain of (usually) good quality but overexpensive items. snippy Mmm, yes, kitchen items! As Rusty says, some bracing seems to be required. Any chance of a pic Andrew? -- Pete C London UK |
#8
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Greenhouses & filmsy polycarbonate sheeting
"Rusty_Hinge" wrote in message . uk... Sounds like lack of rigidity and overstrong winds is the problem. If you can arrange it, try metal strip or angle-iron diagonal braces on three sides. Well, two sides and an end. These should have been built in to the original design. If not - no wonder it is a shambles ! Regards Pete www.thecanalshop.com |
#9
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Greenhouses & filmsy polycarbonate sheeting
"Rusty_Hinge" wrote in message . uk... The message from "Andrew Mawson" contains these words: Base is concrete, and dead nuts flat! Fixed down to it, or screwed to faith and hope? There is no provision for clipping Clipping what to what? The groove depth is too shallow to pierce the sheeting and retain strength You might be able to gaffer-tape the edges of the Twinwall and force it into the channel - it doesn't sound as if it will just slip in. The sellers son initially told me Lakeland were in Scarborough, then Cleatormoor in Cumbria, neither check out. Lakeland is a national chain of (usually) good quality but overexpensive items. (Obviously a China made item) I suspect that silicone will peel off in the wet and wind as the overlap is so small Probably, unless you can find one which is a powerful adhesive as well. ....argh ! You might improve matters by putting the greenhouses end-to-end when you get round to erecting the other one. Sounds like lack of rigidity and overstrong winds is the problem. If you can arrange it, try metal strip or angle-iron diagonal braces on three sides. Well, two sides and an end. -- Rusty Direct reply to: horrid dot squeak snailything zetnet point co period uk Separator in search of a sig The roof pieces slide upwards into channels, the wall pieces slide downwards into channels (so no clips involved), then an extruded gutter section slides on preventing them coming out (or in again!) the same way. Only problem is that the gutter is a very strong force fit and doesn't come off realistically. The whole structure is remarkably rigid - actually quite well cross braced. Long term it will be bolted down, but currently is held down with about twenty flag stones overlapping the base - it is very solid. The panels are too large (mainly 45" x 27") for the depth of channel (only about 4mm) and the twin wall ribs are in line with the long sides, so the long edges of the twinwall easily squash leaving no strength as the large panel flexes. Were I to replace the twinwall with solid polycarbonate it would probably be ok but it's about £86 for an 8' x 4' sheet of 4 mm and it'll take 12 sheets to do both greenhouses - oddly the 'dead' seller (swiftbuys234) still has many listings including twinwall on ebay. AWEM |
#10
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Greenhouses & filmsy polycarbonate sheeting
The message
from "Andrew Mawson" contains these words: The roof pieces slide upwards into channels, the wall pieces slide downwards into channels (so no clips involved), then an extruded gutter section slides on preventing them coming out (or in again!) the same way. Only problem is that the gutter is a very strong force fit and doesn't come off realistically. The whole structure is remarkably rigid - actually quite well cross braced. Long term it will be bolted down, but currently is held down with about twenty flag stones overlapping the base - it is very solid. The panels are too large (mainly 45" x 27") for the depth of channel (only about 4mm) and the twin wall ribs are in line with the long sides, so the long edges of the twinwall easily squash leaving no strength as the large panel flexes. Were I to replace the twinwall with solid polycarbonate it would probably be ok but it's about £86 for an 8' x 4' sheet of 4 mm and it'll take 12 sheets to do both greenhouses - oddly the 'dead' seller (swiftbuys234) still has many listings including twinwall on ebay. Inform ebay that the vendor is allegedly dead. Sounds as if he needs his wings clipped... -- Rusty Direct reply to: horrid dot squeak snailything zetnet point co period uk Separator in search of a sig |
#11
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#12
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Greenhouses & filmsy polycarbonate sheeting
"Andrew Mawson" wrote Back in February I bought my wife two 9' x 12' "Lakeland" greenhouses as a retirement present. Due to various issues including levelling the site etc it's only in the last month we've assembled one of them (the other is still in bits), and within two weeks we lost seven of the polycarbonate sheets in what I think were only light winds. I have no faith whatsoever in the rest not blowing away soon. The sheeting is 4mm polycarbonate twin wall that slides into channels, and the wind makes it bow so much that it comes out of the channel. Once out they are almost impossible to re-fit without major dismantling. It was a seller on ebay (swiftbuys234) who reportedly died five weeks ago so no redress there. OK our fault for not putting them up sooner, but I believe that the basic design is flawed. Has anyone else had this problem, or perhaps has a solution less radical than scrapping them and starting again? Once you have the sheets back in the channels then I would glue (silicone type) onto the sheets something rigid like ally angle so they can't flex again. Or for belt and braces you could drill and bolt similar both sides of the sheets (but I'd still glue as well). -- Regards Bob Hobden |
#13
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Greenhouses & filmsy polycarbonate sheeting
The message
from "Andrew Mawson" contains these words: The sheeting is 4mm polycarbonate twin wall that slides into channels, and the wind makes it bow so much that it comes out of the channel. I've worked with twinwall of that size and I understand the problem. The manufacturers recommend a minimum channel depth (or width) of 18mm to prevent the collapse of the edges and it doesn't sound as though you have that much. The frame may have been originally designed for glass. I would first reinforce the long edges of the sheets, ideally with something rigid but filling with silicone should be enough to prevent collapse and give the channel something to grip. Then I would also do as others have suggested and fix additional cross-pieces inside the frame to which you can fix the twinwall itself. Clear silicone has pretty good adhesive qualities, especially if you roughen surfaces a little before applying it, but a mechanical fixing would probably be a good idea as well. HTH |
#14
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Greenhouses & filmsy polycarbonate sheeting
In article ,
says... "Pete C" wrote in message ... Andrew Mawson wrote: I suspect that silicone will peel off in the wet and wind as the I doubt it, Silicon is great stuff, if after a storm I have a sheet of broken greenhouse glass I stick it back with the stuff just along the broken edge and these repairs will last 20 years or more and often prevent the sheet rebreaking in the next high wind. However I have heard of this problem happening and the owner claimed to have stopped it by fitting rigid cross braces on every sheet (stuck on with silicon) these apparently prevent the flexing -- Charlie Pridham, Gardening in Cornwall www.roselandhouse.co.uk Holders of national collections of Clematis viticella cultivars and Lapageria rosea |
#15
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Greenhouses & filmsy polycarbonate sheeting
"Charlie Pridham" wrote "Pete C" wrote ... Andrew Mawson wrote: I suspect that silicone will peel off in the wet and wind as the I doubt it, Silicon is great stuff, if after a storm I have a sheet of broken greenhouse glass I stick it back with the stuff just along the broken edge and these repairs will last 20 years or more and often prevent the sheet rebreaking in the next high wind. However I have heard of this problem happening and the owner claimed to have stopped it by fitting rigid cross braces on every sheet (stuck on with silicon) these apparently prevent the flexing All fish tanks are stuck together with silicone glue these days without any support or bracing of any kind, just glass and glue, and they last a very long time despite the constant pressure from the water trying to push it all apart. The only thing is, it must all be bone dry before gluing. -- Regards Bob Hobden |
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