Design your own greenhouse!

[veggiechicken]

I have to replace a couple of panes of glass in the roof of an aluminium greenhouse and I am convinced that there must be an alternative and better way to glaze a GH.
The problems are:-
1. Handling glass is dangerous, especially when working off a ladder resting against a structure made of glass
2. Strong thumbs and fingers needed to fit the metal D or wire clips that hold the glass in place
3. Gaps between the glass and the frame become homes to moss and debris which may lead to cracking - also harbours pests.

What I would like :-
1. to be able to reglaze without a ladder
2. easier fixings
3. no gaps between glass and frame.

Possible solutions:-
A. one pane of "glass" per panel, not two (but may need to be lighter in weight than standard or toughened glass - ? polycarbonate or similar)
B. to be able to slide the panels up into position from the ground - ?up a groove/channel
C. eliminate gaps with a ? capping bar that would fit over the roof frame struts and press down on the glass - again able to be slid up the struts after the glass is in position.

Ideally, these would be modifications to existing GHs and not need a new GH.

How would you redesign a GH?

[SarzWix]

You could switch to single panels of polycarb for the roof. You would be able to slide them in from below, but you'd still have to clip them in, at least initially. Once they're in. you could fill in all the spaces with clear silicone sealant which would solve the debris/pests/moss problems?

[veggiechicken]

I've been wondering about that too, Sarz. Is polycarb thicker than glass?

[SarzWix]

Depends how expensive it is I was looking at polycarb replacement panels somewhere a couple of weeks ago, but can I remember where Was an online greenhouse supplier if that's any use whatsoever?!

[chris]

My GH is toughened glass, VC - and each section of it has 1 panel of glass - they're larger, so no overlapping etc. I still get some moss in the corners, but I guess sealing it with silicone would help prevent that.

[VirginVegGrower]

Where's the moss getting in it? Under shady corners. Do you need some pruning/pollarding doing? Why don't you hire a man in, then you can stand and watch him on the ladder, Diet Coke in hand

[HeyWayne]

I'd be grateful for one I could stand up in.

[VirginVegGrower]

I'd be grateful for one I could stand up in.

Two? One on top of the other! Actually this is not funny as I smacked my head on the small shelves that sit at eaves level. The middle is quite tall though. Maybe you could fix VC's glass and spare her the stepladders?!

[veggiechicken]

Thanks to all contributors
This is not really about repairing my GH - more about designing one that doesn't have the same weaknesses. I'm sure that there must be better ways to assemble GHs than sticking with more or less the same design for decades. Yes, there have been tweaks but basically we still have a meccano-like structure that holds pieces of "glass" that are held in place with a couple of bits of bent metal. It is so inherently frail and dangerous, yet we continue to live with them in most of our gardens/plots.
Amongst all the thinkers, movers and shakers on here we must be able to come up with a new type of greenhouse. Then, who knows, one of the companies who trawl this site looking for bright ideas may let us test some prototypes

[HeyWayne]

Thanks to all contributors
This is not really about repairing my GH - more about designing one that doesn't have the same weaknesses. I'm sure that there must be better ways to assemble GHs than sticking with more or less the same design for decades. Yes, there have been tweaks but basically we still have a meccano-like structure that holds pieces of "glass" that are held in place with a couple of bits of bent metal. It is so inherently frail and dangerous, yet we continue to live with them in most of our gardens/plots.
Amongst all the thinkers, movers and shakers on here we must be able to come up with a new type of greenhouse. Then, who knows, one of the companies who trawl this site looking for bright ideas may let us test some prototypes

There was a great one made of recycled pop bottles I saw...

[HeyWayne]

Two? One on top of the other! Actually this is not funny as I smacked my head on the small shelves that sit at eaves level. The middle is quite tall though. Maybe you could fix VC's glass and spare her the stepladders?!

South Wales is a nice part of the world...

[HeyWayne]

Back on topic - I guess the shape is pretty much as efficient as it can be. Squared to maximise usable space - straight walls to allow accessibility, shelving and of course upward growing space for the plants. Slanted roofs to maximise sunlight, and drainage. Thin frames to optimise light.

The biggest "flaws" seem to be with the glazing.

The glazing itself needs to be removable I guess as it would be impractical and potentially hazardous with snow and frost etc.

My polycarbonate mini greenhouse has strips of plastic that "click" into place along the entire length of the glazing panels, rather than the clips I'm assuming most glass "proper" greenhouses have.

Is there a reason that polycarbonate isn't used instead of glass?

[VirginVegGrower]

How about getting a polytunnel instead and then you don't have to worry about designing greenhouses.

[HeyWayne]

How about getting a polytunnel instead and then you don't have to worry about designing greenhouses.

I have to admit - that was my first thought.

[veggiechicken]

Why would I want a polytunnel when I have 3 greenhouses? I know nothing about Polys but they seem to me to be even more degradable than a GH. How long do the covers last? Can one person replace them? Can the covers be recycled? My GH with the broken glass is over 30 years old and this is the first time its needed new glass. I rest my cloche, m'lud