I have just bought myself a 6 x 8 Elite Craftsman greenhouse which,
after something of a struggle, I have now finished erecting.
There is no provision for locking the door or fixing a padlock, though I
believe Elite do sell such a thing.
What sort of security do amateur gardeners usually install in or on
their greenhouses?

Don

"Don" wrote in message
...
I have just bought myself a 6 x 8 Elite Craftsman greenhouse which,
after something of a struggle, I have now finished erecting.
There is no provision for locking the door or fixing a padlock, though I
believe Elite do sell such a thing.
What sort of security do amateur gardeners usually install in or on
their greenhouses?

Don

What's the point? Anyone who wanted to steal something could just smash a
pane of glass or two and grab what they wanted. Most gardeners leave their
greenhouse door open during the summer anyway, to stop it overheating. The
best thing is not to keep anything valuable in the greenhouse. If you must,
then get yourself a lockable cabinet or something to put inside it.

--
Martin & Anna Sykes
( Remove x's when replying )
http://www.users.globalnet.co.uk/~sykesm

On Tue, 2 Nov 2004 10:57:48 -0000, "Martin Sykes"
wrote:

"Don" wrote in message
.. .
I have just bought myself a 6 x 8 Elite Craftsman greenhouse which,
after something of a struggle, I have now finished erecting.
There is no provision for locking the door or fixing a padlock, though I
believe Elite do sell such a thing.
What sort of security do amateur gardeners usually install in or on
their greenhouses?

Don

What's the point? Anyone who wanted to steal something could just smash a
pane of glass or two and grab what they wanted. Most gardeners leave their
greenhouse door open during the summer anyway, to stop it overheating. The
best thing is not to keep anything valuable in the greenhouse. If you must,
then get yourself a lockable cabinet or something to put inside it.

I was thinking more on the lines of grandchildren or neighbours children
pinching my tomatoes etc than any smash & grab merchants. I think I'll
just ensure that I grow enough stuff for us all :-) Thank you.

Don

In article , Martin Sykes
writes
"Don" wrote in message
.. .
I have just bought myself a 6 x 8 Elite Craftsman greenhouse which,
after something of a struggle, I have now finished erecting.
There is no provision for locking the door or fixing a padlock, though I
believe Elite do sell such a thing.
What sort of security do amateur gardeners usually install in or on
their greenhouses?

Don

What's the point? Anyone who wanted to steal something could just smash a
pane of glass or two and grab what they wanted.

The noise of smashing glass might attract attention. Having to smash
glass rather than just walk in may well be enough to deter the casual
thief.

After all, if you follow that argument, why bother with window locks?
;-)


--
Kay
"Do not insult the crocodile until you have crossed the river"

In message , Kay
writes
In article , Martin Sykes
writes
"Don" wrote in message
. ..
I have just bought myself a 6 x 8 Elite Craftsman greenhouse which,
after something of a struggle, I have now finished erecting.
There is no provision for locking the door or fixing a padlock, though I
believe Elite do sell such a thing.
What sort of security do amateur gardeners usually install in or on
their greenhouses?

Don

What's the point? Anyone who wanted to steal something could just smash a
pane of glass or two and grab what they wanted.

The noise of smashing glass might attract attention. Having to smash
glass rather than just walk in may well be enough to deter the casual
thief.

If they really wanted to get in it's easy to remove the glass from most
greenhouses - it's only held in with a few clips.

After all, if you follow that argument, why bother with window locks?
;-)

Because house are worth getting into, most greenhouses aren't. Though
the plants in some would be the main thing - even from a sentimental POV
even if not worth a great deal
--
Chris French and Helen Johnson, Leeds
urg Suppliers and References FAQ:
http://www.familyfrench.co.uk/garden/urgfaq/index.html

In article , Chris French and Helen
Johnson writes
In message , Kay
writes

The noise of smashing glass might attract attention. Having to smash
glass rather than just walk in may well be enough to deter the casual
thief.

After all, if you follow that argument, why bother with window locks?
;-)

Because house are worth getting into, most greenhouses aren't.

That's actually supporting my argument! ;-)
We bother with window locks even though 'all a thief has to do is smash
a pane of glass' - in other words, we consider having to smash glass a
deterrent in a situation where there's something worth stealing the
other side, so there's no reason to feel it wouldn't be a deterrent in
the greenhouse situation (except, as you've pointed out, the more
careful thief can remove a few clips)

--
Kay
"Do not insult the crocodile until you have crossed the river"

"Kay" wrote in message
...

We bother with window locks even though 'all a thief has to do is smash
a pane of glass' - in other words, we consider having to smash glass a
deterrent in a situation where there's something worth stealing the
other side, so there's no reason to feel it wouldn't be a deterrent in
the greenhouse situation (except, as you've pointed out, the more
careful thief can remove a few clips)


3-point window locks on a modern window are worth it because if you've ever
had to break into a modern double-glazed house because you've lost your
keys, you'll know that it's a sledgehammer job to break one. Greenhouse
glass easily breaks from a carelessly kicked stone.

But I seriously think the best thing to do is to keep your tools somewhere
else. I suppose it's possible that someone would steal a plant but it's not
a common problem as far as I know. Any more than them digging them up from
the garden. Even expensive plants in the greenhouse wouldn't be much of a
draw assuming they could even identify them. I have yet to hear of a case of
a burglar leaving the TV/DVD/video/jewelry and taking the poinsettia instead
:-))

--
Martin & Anna Sykes
( Remove x's when replying )
http://www.users.globalnet.co.uk/~sykesm

snip
What sort of security do amateur gardeners usually install in or on
their greenhouses?

Don

I have never thought of putting any locks on my greenhouse.I am sure
that commercial growers do, they will be able to help you more

kate

On Tue, 02 Nov 2004 11:53:55 GMT, Kate Morgan
wrote:

snip
What sort of security do amateur gardeners usually install in or on
their greenhouses?

Don

I have never thought of putting any locks on my greenhouse.I am sure
that commercial growers do, they will be able to help you more

kate

Thanks, Kate, I've decided not to bother.

Don

"Don" wrote in message
...
I have just bought myself a 6 x 8 Elite Craftsman greenhouse which,
after something of a struggle, I have now finished erecting.
There is no provision for locking the door or fixing a padlock, though I
believe Elite do sell such a thing.
What sort of security do amateur gardeners usually install in or on
their greenhouses?

Don

Hi Don,

I don't have an Elite greenhouse, however, with my greenhouse I've drilled a
hole in the top aluminium runner, to the left of the door when shut (but
this depends on which way your door opens). I then feed the shackle of my
padlock through this and snap it shut, preventing the door from being
opened. I also squirt a little oil in the lock to prevent it sticking
(although you can now get weatherproof padlocks).

HTH

Cheers

Nick
http://www.ukgardening.co.uk

On Tue, 2 Nov 2004 13:19:47 -0000, "Nick Gray"
wrote:

Hi Don,

I don't have an Elite greenhouse, however, with my greenhouse I've drilled a
hole in the top aluminium runner, to the left of the door when shut (but
this depends on which way your door opens). I then feed the shackle of my
padlock through this and snap it shut, preventing the door from being
opened. I also squirt a little oil in the lock to prevent it sticking
(although you can now get weatherproof padlocks).

HTH

Cheers

Nick

Thanks, Nick, that sounds like just the thing for me. I'll look to see
if it will work on my greenhouse.

Perhaps you would give me your opinion on another matter on which I've
been posting to a DIY ng.
The erection instructions for my greenhouse say it should be anchored to
the ground by drilling through the steel flange on the base into the
concrete slabs on which it stands.
I can see that I will have trouble in getting the screws in as well as
drilling the holes. I've been provided with 10 x 2" wood screws & rawl
plugs to be placed three each side of the 8' x 6' base and two each end.
Since I can't budge the greenhouse with just the 3mm toughened glass in
the roof. I can't imagine the wind shifting it with the side glass
fitted as well. I'm wondering if there isn't a heck of a lot of overkill
here and how many gardeners do anchor their greenhouse down. My garden
is quite well sheltered by hedges and is on the leeward side of the
house..

Don. BTW great website, I'll be spending some time there

On Tue, 02 Nov 2004 17:51:55 +0000, Don
wrote:


Since I can't budge the greenhouse with just the 3mm toughened glass in
the roof. I can't imagine the wind shifting it with the side glass
fitted as well. I'm wondering if there isn't a heck of a lot of overkill
here and how many gardeners do anchor their greenhouse down. My garden
is quite well sheltered by hedges and is on the leeward side of the
house..

I've seen a 120ft x 60ft mobile greenhouse lifted off its runners and
dumped about 2ft to one side of where it was. That's a helluva lot of
glass, aluminium and steel. I have to say that was a fairly exposed
site on a night when anything not bolted down on the nursery got
airborne.

=================================================

Rod

Weed my email address to reply.
http://website.lineone.net/~rodcraddock/index.html

On Tue, 02 Nov 2004 18:19:53 +0000, Rod
wrote:

On Tue, 02 Nov 2004 17:51:55 +0000, Don
wrote:


Since I can't budge the greenhouse with just the 3mm toughened glass in
the roof. I can't imagine the wind shifting it with the side glass
fitted as well. I'm wondering if there isn't a heck of a lot of overkill
here and how many gardeners do anchor their greenhouse down. My garden
is quite well sheltered by hedges and is on the leeward side of the
house..

I've seen a 120ft x 60ft mobile greenhouse lifted off its runners and
dumped about 2ft to one side of where it was. That's a helluva lot of
glass, aluminium and steel. I have to say that was a fairly exposed
site on a night when anything not bolted down on the nursery got
airborne.

=============================================== ==

Rod

Weed my email address to reply.
http://website.lineone.net/~rodcraddock/index.html


Crikey! Say no more!!

Don.

Don wrote:
:: On Tue, 2 Nov 2004 13:19:47 -0000, "Nick Gray"
:: wrote:
::
::: Hi Don,
:::
::: I don't have an Elite greenhouse, however, with my greenhouse
::: I've drilled a hole in the top aluminium runner, to the left of
::: the door when shut (but this depends on which way your door
::: opens). I then feed the shackle of my padlock through this and
::: snap it shut, preventing the door from being opened. I also
::: squirt a little oil in the lock to prevent it sticking (although
::: you can now get weatherproof padlocks).
:::
::: HTH
:::
::: Cheers
:::
::: Nick
::
:: Thanks, Nick, that sounds like just the thing for me. I'll look to
:: see if it will work on my greenhouse.
::
:: Perhaps you would give me your opinion on another matter on which
:: I've been posting to a DIY ng.
:: The erection instructions for my greenhouse say it should be
:: anchored to the ground by drilling through the steel flange on the
:: base into the concrete slabs on which it stands.
:: I can see that I will have trouble in getting the screws in as
:: well as drilling the holes. I've been provided with 10 x 2" wood
:: screws & rawl plugs to be placed three each side of the 8' x 6'
:: base and two each end. Since I can't budge the greenhouse with
:: just the 3mm toughened glass in the roof. I can't imagine the wind
:: shifting it with the side glass fitted as well. I'm wondering if
:: there isn't a heck of a lot of overkill here and how many
:: gardeners do anchor their greenhouse down. My garden is quite well
:: sheltered by hedges and is on the leeward side of the house..

Don't underestimate the effect a severe gale can have on a greenhouse!

If you've not already glazed the lower parts it will be easier to get the
drill in and drill through the steel, change the bit to a masonry one and
drill into the concrete and get it screwed down...if you have already glazed
it, it could prove to be a bit of a headache, unless it's easy to just take
a few of the panes out to do the job?

In message , Phil L
writes
Don wrote:

:: Perhaps you would give me your opinion on another matter on which
:: I've been posting to a DIY ng.
:: The erection instructions for my greenhouse say it should be
:: anchored to the ground by drilling through the steel flange on the
:: base into the concrete slabs on which it stands.

That is very good advice and essential if the greenhouse is to survive
winter storms. Otherwise it will be shifted violently by gusty winds and
glass will break then strong wind can get into the structure it lifts
glass into the air and things get extremely dangerous.

:: I can see that I will have trouble in getting the screws in as
:: well as drilling the holes. I've been provided with 10 x 2" wood
:: screws & rawl plugs to be placed three each side of the 8' x 6'
:: base and two each end. Since I can't budge the greenhouse with
:: just the 3mm toughened glass in the roof. I can't imagine the wind
:: shifting it with the side glass fitted as well. I'm wondering if
:: there isn't a heck of a lot of overkill here and how many
:: gardeners do anchor their greenhouse down. My garden is quite well
:: sheltered by hedges and is on the leeward side of the house..

Don't underestimate the effect a severe gale can have on a greenhouse!

Even anchored down properly the thing is still vulnerable to aluminium
struts buckling if the wind speed gusts exceed 90mph.

It is also a bit worrying that you have a partially glazed greenhouse.
They are at their most fragile when part assembled. The structure relies
on the glass for part of its rigidity and can be a lot more easily
crippled by wind loading when partially assembled. Always work on a
still day.

If you've not already glazed the lower parts it will be easier to get the
drill in and drill through the steel, change the bit to a masonry one and
drill into the concrete and get it screwed down...if you have already glazed
it, it could prove to be a bit of a headache, unless it's easy to just take
a few of the panes out to do the job?

It is definitely worth anchoring down well. Otherwise it is only a
matter of time before a winter storm annihilates it.

Regards,
--
Martin Brown