When I first put up my scrapwood-framed greenhouse, I tacked regular 6 mil plastic sheeting to it using lath and staples. That was early this spring. By August, the sheeting had grown brittle and ripped, so this fall, when I needed the greenhouse, it was useless. I explored the economics and ease of application of a great many glazing options, and finally decided on corrugated fiberglass. Went to Lowe's and bought those wavy strips to put the fiberglass on. They were pieced together, but the joints looked strong, so I bought them. I was working in the rain and soon noticed that they had used water-soluble glue! Can you believe it? On to plan #3.

I chose 6 mil ripstop woven poly greenhouse film with a 4-year warranty. I looked for ways to attach it to wood framing, but wasn't satisfied with what I could find, so I got to thinking. I ended up getting those track strips that you attach plastic to the outside of windows with if you don't have storm windows. Using the strips, I can easily replace the film when it eventually does wear out. We put it on last night, and it looks strong and tight. The track strips seemed to tighten the material as we snapped them together (with a hammer). I think it's going to last quite well, it looks better than fiberglass, and it was less expensive than fiberglass, even with the track strips. So after a lot of thought about the many options, it looks like I have an economical and workable solution. I'm jazzed!

-- Laura Jensen (lauraj@seedlaw.com), December 04, 2000

Answers

Sounds good. Put a patio table in it and you have a work table/breakfast nook.

-- Jay Blair (jayblair678@yahoo.com), December 04, 2000.

I don't remember where you live Laura. Let us know if this holds up to high wind and/or heavy snow load. Tornados don't count -- they take down everything! ;-)

-- Joy Froelich (dragnfly@chorus.net), December 04, 2000.

Where did that wonderful poly greenhouse film come from ?

Lowe's ?

Thanks

jd

-- jd (jw_hsv@yahoo.com), December 04, 2000.

I bought the film at Charley's Greenhouse Supply, available online, 6 feet wide for $1.50 per linear foot. The track I bought at Lowe's, $2.96 for each 5-foot strip. Holds like crazy, but you can release it with your bare hands.

-- Laura Jensen (lauraj@seedlaw.com), December 04, 2000.

We put up a small greenhouse and the covering was a plastic product that looked like cardboard. It has a 7 year warrenty and provides better insulation due to the air gaps. One season so far but I like it.

-- Nick (wildheart@ekyol.com), December 04, 2000.

Good ole country creativity! Way to go Laura!!!...Kirk

-- Kirk Davis (kirkay@yahoo.com), December 04, 2000.

Charley's Greenhouses has LOTS of goodies!

-- Julie Froelich (firefly1@nnex.net), December 05, 2000.

Nick, what is the name of the panel stuff and where did you get it? was it expensive? John

-- John in S IN (jsmengel@hotmail.com), December 06, 2000.

This sounds GOOD to me. What is the e-mail address for Charley's Greenhouse Supply? Thanks.

-- Lela R. Picking (stllwtrs55@aol.com), December 10, 2000.

John-we got the corrugated plastic panels from Farm Wholesale Greenhouses.They have a website,www.farmwholesale.com.They'll send you a free sample.This stuff is tough.UV degradation protection is built in,a problem that our extension agent warned us about,for plastics,fiberglass.

The panels themselves were not expensive,and they provide far better insulative value,including summer.We did not use shade cloth,and we are in E.KY our temp's didn't go above 90's in the greenhouse,with the door open of course. A friend fried his plants in the same time period,in a plastic sheet greenhouse.

You do lose a little light transmission,but our transplants looked good,so I don't think it will be a problem.

I showed the material to our extension agent and he said he thought it was the best deal.He has a hort background.So far so good, but take care on the seams,to keep out H2O. Nick needs to tighten one up.

If you are handy we have the instruction sheets for the steellined PVC half a hoop house. That was the salty part,esp. the shipping.

-- sharon wt (wildflower@ekyol.com), December 10, 2000.