Hello all, I was just looking for some advice on the idea of plastic greenhouse panels. I feel like I'm replacing the glass in my greenhouse all-too often and it's starting to become a bit of 'Trigger's Broom'. Either through accident or blustery weather the panels get cracked or broken almost every year, and I'm starting to think about tidying things up before the winter really sets in.

There's a lot of talk about using plastic, does anyone on here have any success stories to share?

On 19/09/2012 10:19, Tom Summerlin wrote:
Hello all, I was just looking for some advice on the idea of plastic
greenhouse panels. I feel like I'm replacing the glass in my greenhouse
all-too often and it's starting to become a bit of 'Trigger's Broom'.
Either through accident or blustery weather the panels get cracked or
broken almost every year, and I'm starting to think about tidying things
up before the winter really sets in.

Short answer is glass is cheapest and maintains more structural
rigidity. If you are heating it then twinwall polycarbonate is better
for the roof since you get the benefit of insulation and much bigger
pieces can be used.

There's a lot of talk about using plastic, does anyone on here have any
success stories to share?

See the other Greenhouse panels thread for tips on quick storm repairs.

--
Regards,
Martin Brown

On 19/09/2012 10:19, Tom Summerlin wrote:
Hello all, I was just looking for some advice on the idea of plastic
greenhouse panels. I feel like I'm replacing the glass in my greenhouse
all-too often and it's starting to become a bit of 'Trigger's Broom'.
Either through accident or blustery weather the panels get cracked or
broken almost every year, and I'm starting to think about tidying things
up before the winter really sets in.

There's a lot of talk about using plastic, does anyone on here have any
success stories to share?

Why not use toughened glass panels?

--

Jeff

Thanks all!

I think I'm set on polycarbonate because of the advantage of low price over toughened glass, though twin wall polycarbonate is a consideration because of the insulation aspect.

I'm considering twin wall for the roof and clear polycarbonate sheeting for the sides and door, using bubble wrap or something for additional insulation. What do you think?

"Tom Summerlin" wrote in message
...

'Jeff Layman[_2_ Wrote:
;969126']On 19/09/2012 10:19, Tom Summerlin wrote:-
Hello all, I was just looking for some advice on the idea of plastic
greenhouse panels. I feel like I'm replacing the glass in my
greenhouse
all-too often and it's starting to become a bit of 'Trigger's Broom'.
Either through accident or blustery weather the panels get cracked or
broken almost every year, and I'm starting to think about tidying
things
up before the winter really sets in.

There's a lot of talk about using plastic, does anyone on here have
any
success stories to share?-

Why not use toughened glass panels?

--

Jeff

Thanks all!

I think I'm set on polycarbonate because of the advantage of low price
over toughened glass, though twin wall polycarbonate is a consideration
because of the insulation aspect.

I'm considering twin wall for the roof and clear polycarbonate sheeting
for the sides and door, using bubble wrap or something for additional
insulation. What do you think?

--
Tom Summerlin

UV stabilized bubble wrap is not as cheap as ordinary sorts so it may turn
out to be a similar out lay over as little as two seasons I would go for
twin wall sides and not do the bubble wrap, my small greenhouse are all
bubble wrapped and its not quick or easy to do and if there are already
plants in the greenhouse life gets even trickier!


--
Charlie, Gardening in Cornwall
Holders of National Collections of Clematis viticella
and Lapageria rosea cvs
http://www.roselandhouse.co.uk

Thanks for the bubble wrap tips. I've heard using twin wall for the roof and the northside wall of the greenhouse is a good idea as this wall doesn't get any direct sunlight.

I've found somewhere reasonable that can deliver all my panels cut to size, including the twin wall polycarbonate for the roof so I'll let you all know how I get on!