Comments on: My Greenhouse Plastic Gets Destroyed http://www.albertahomegardening.com/my-greenhouse-plastic-gets-destroyed/ The Documented Experiments of an Alberta Gardener Thu, 09 Feb 2012 20:22:24 +0000 hourly 1 By: Otterkins2 http://www.albertahomegardening.com/my-greenhouse-plastic-gets-destroyed/comment-page-1/#comment-7286 Otterkins2 Mon, 23 Nov 2009 23:44:58 +0000 http://www.albertahomegardening.com/?p=45#comment-7286 Dave, if you're looking for Coreplast plastic, try Cadillac Plastics here in Edmonton. It's available in many colours, but either white or clear is probably best. My guess is though that it would not only be more expensive, but more difficult to work with as it's a fairly rigid material. Think cardboard...but made from plastic. You could however attach Coreplast with Bulldog adhesive or something similar resulting in a tighter seal with no stress points to tear from. It could also be lapped (like shingles) reducing the possibility of leaks. What would justify the cost is that Coreplast would likely last far longer than woven sheet poly. I'm anxious to see your project refined as I'm drafting plans up now using your ideas. Dave, if you’re looking for Coreplast plastic, try Cadillac Plastics here in Edmonton. It’s available in many colours, but either white or clear is probably best. My guess is though that it would not only be more expensive, but more difficult to work with as it’s a fairly rigid material. Think cardboard…but made from plastic. You could however attach Coreplast with Bulldog adhesive or something similar resulting in a tighter seal with no stress points to tear from. It could also be lapped (like shingles) reducing the possibility of leaks. What would justify the cost is that Coreplast would likely last far longer than woven sheet poly. I’m anxious to see your project refined as I’m drafting plans up now using your ideas.

]]> By: Dave http://www.albertahomegardening.com/my-greenhouse-plastic-gets-destroyed/comment-page-1/#comment-1344 Dave Wed, 26 Nov 2008 16:11:56 +0000 http://www.albertahomegardening.com/?p=45#comment-1344 Those are some great ideas, Steve. I'm sure wrapping the poly around the batten would increase it's durability significantly. I'll make sure I do that on my next poly application. Those are some great ideas, Steve. I’m sure wrapping the poly around the batten would increase it’s durability significantly. I’ll make sure I do that on my next poly application.

]]> By: Steve http://www.albertahomegardening.com/my-greenhouse-plastic-gets-destroyed/comment-page-1/#comment-1343 Steve Tue, 25 Nov 2008 20:01:14 +0000 http://www.albertahomegardening.com/?p=45#comment-1343 I notice you have not covered the end's of the greenhouse. We are commercial growers and have much larger structures that withstand winds in excess of 120km/hr. It is vital to have all sides covered otherwise the wind gets underneath and is basically using the greenhouse as a massive sail (picture how big a yacht sail is compared to your greenhouse). We usually cover the end/sidewalls first before doing the roofing. Batten fix works ok but you must wrap the poly around the batten prior to attachment. Alternately can you attach the batten under the edge or over the side so that rather than the force being on the nail through the batten it is on the edge of the wooden support? I notice you have not covered the end’s of the greenhouse. We are commercial growers and have much larger structures that withstand winds in excess of 120km/hr. It is vital to have all sides covered otherwise the wind gets underneath and is basically using the greenhouse as a massive sail (picture how big a yacht sail is compared to your greenhouse). We usually cover the end/sidewalls first before doing the roofing. Batten fix works ok but you must wrap the poly around the batten prior to attachment. Alternately can you attach the batten under the edge or over the side so that rather than the force being on the nail through the batten it is on the edge of the wooden support?

]]> By: Dave http://www.albertahomegardening.com/my-greenhouse-plastic-gets-destroyed/comment-page-1/#comment-842 Dave Mon, 15 Sep 2008 14:41:52 +0000 http://www.albertahomegardening.com/?p=45#comment-842 Thanks Joshua - I hadn't heard of those poly latches with springs. I'll look into it for sure. Thanks Joshua – I hadn’t heard of those poly latches with springs. I’ll look into it for sure.

]]> By: Joshua http://www.albertahomegardening.com/my-greenhouse-plastic-gets-destroyed/comment-page-1/#comment-840 Joshua Mon, 15 Sep 2008 02:46:22 +0000 http://www.albertahomegardening.com/?p=45#comment-840 Hey Dave, going woven over regular poly is always the right idea. The other addition you need to seriously consider before covering again is using aluminum poly latches with springs. It distributes the force of the pull better and prevents ripping. It'll add extra costs, but the right way to go if you're willing to pay the 500 for woven. farmtek.com can help you out. Hey Dave, going woven over regular poly is always the right idea. The other addition you need to seriously consider before covering again is using aluminum poly latches with springs. It distributes the force of the pull better and prevents ripping. It’ll add extra costs, but the right way to go if you’re willing to pay the 500 for woven. farmtek.com can help you out.

]]> By: Dave http://www.albertahomegardening.com/my-greenhouse-plastic-gets-destroyed/comment-page-1/#comment-357 Dave Wed, 04 Jun 2008 13:07:26 +0000 http://www.albertahomegardening.com/?p=45#comment-357 I am familiar with Northern Green House. If I do replace my plastic, it will be from them. My brother has an Aframe greenhouse very similar to mine and he had it covered with their plastic. I've only seen it on day one this spring when he put it up, so I'm not sure how it's holding up. But guessing from the thickness and strength of the woven poly, I would think all is well. I am familiar with Northern Green House. If I do replace my plastic, it will be from them. My brother has an Aframe greenhouse very similar to mine and he had it covered with their plastic. I’ve only seen it on day one this spring when he put it up, so I’m not sure how it’s holding up. But guessing from the thickness and strength of the woven poly, I would think all is well.

]]> By: Dave http://www.albertahomegardening.com/my-greenhouse-plastic-gets-destroyed/comment-page-1/#comment-349 Dave Wed, 04 Jun 2008 05:50:30 +0000 http://www.albertahomegardening.com/?p=45#comment-349 Hi Dave, Sorry to read able the covering of your hoop green house. I'm considering builting a similiar model and covering it with woven plastic from the Northern Green House. Based on the published price list the covering should cost around $300. Here's a link to thier website. http://www.northerngreenhouse.com Dave Hi Dave,
Sorry to read able the covering of your hoop green house. I’m considering builting a similiar model and covering it with woven plastic from the Northern Green House. Based on the published price list the covering should cost around $300. Here’s a link to thier website.
http://www.northerngreenhouse.com
Dave

]]> By: Dave http://www.albertahomegardening.com/my-greenhouse-plastic-gets-destroyed/comment-page-1/#comment-345 Dave Tue, 03 Jun 2008 04:38:40 +0000 http://www.albertahomegardening.com/?p=45#comment-345 My original thoughts were that I only wanted to fasten the plastic at the edges so that I could easily tighten the plastic as it sagged over time, but I guess I won't be needing to do that, now will I... My original thoughts were that I only wanted to fasten the plastic at the edges so that I could easily tighten the plastic as it sagged over time, but I guess I won’t be needing to do that, now will I…

]]> By: Mike http://www.albertahomegardening.com/my-greenhouse-plastic-gets-destroyed/comment-page-1/#comment-344 Mike Tue, 03 Jun 2008 03:58:51 +0000 http://www.albertahomegardening.com/?p=45#comment-344 Yeah, i tried without the batten also. No worky....lol have you considered moving the cross members of your framing to be between your rafter pieces? This would give you another contact point for the plastic/batten/staple and thus dissipate the wind forces better. Mike Yeah, i tried without the batten also. No worky….lol

have you considered moving the cross members of your framing to be between your rafter pieces? This would give you another contact point for the plastic/batten/staple and thus dissipate the wind forces better.

Mike

]]> By: Dave http://www.albertahomegardening.com/my-greenhouse-plastic-gets-destroyed/comment-page-1/#comment-343 Dave Tue, 03 Jun 2008 01:18:41 +0000 http://www.albertahomegardening.com/?p=45#comment-343 On an earlier greenhouse I have tried staples, though without the batten - those pulled through. But I suppose if the staples were heavy duty enough to go through both the batten and the plastic, that may work. I think part of the issue is the sheer size of the surface area - with so much for the wind to push on, it really pulls on the plastic. Hmmmm, now you've got me curious. I'm tempted to give that a try. My plastic is pretty torn up, but perhaps I could patch a few pieces together large enough to do a test run on away. I'll let you know what I find out... On an earlier greenhouse I have tried staples, though without the batten – those pulled through. But I suppose if the staples were heavy duty enough to go through both the batten and the plastic, that may work.

I think part of the issue is the sheer size of the surface area – with so much for the wind to push on, it really pulls on the plastic.

Hmmmm, now you’ve got me curious. I’m tempted to give that a try. My plastic is pretty torn up, but perhaps I could patch a few pieces together large enough to do a test run on away. I’ll let you know what I find out…

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