Greenhouse and the wind

[johnjohn]

Apologies if this has been addressed elsewhere but with the wind now picking up what do you all do to prepare your greenhouse for a storm, if anything at all.

We have a Waltons 8x6 extra tall polycarbonate that we had panels blown out of last year despite sealing the panels in place, we are on a slab base and had doors and windows closed during the blows.

This year, when the wind has picked up I have left the doors and windows open and the whole thing seems more stable as the wind seems to blow through- not sure I have the confidence to do that in a storm though!-Visions of removing greenhouse from neighbors roof!

So, doors open, doors closed or wrap it all up in clingfilm..........

[rustylady]

Doors and windows open so the wind blows through. Is the frame bolted to the base?

[lottie dolly]

see thread STORM

[Bigmallly]

Doors and windows open so the wind blows through. Is the frame bolted to the base?

I'm of the opposite opinion RL, doors & windows closed, autovent cable tied closed, 3 x 2ft long canes wedged horizontally on each polycarb pane to stop them blowing out. It worked for me.......I believe it's the doors being open that contribute to the panels being blown out.

[veggiechicken]

I'm with the closed doors option too. The gusts blown in but have nowhere to go so the force goes against the back of the GH. My simple mind sees a gust of wind like a jet of water ....... an unstoppable force until it hits something.

[johnjohn]

Doors and windows open so the wind blows through. Is the frame bolted to the base?

Yes it is, the base is made from patio slabs, frame is bolted to the slabs

[johnjohn]

3 x 2ft long canes wedged horizontally on each polycarb pane to stop them blowing out. It worked for me.......I believe it's the doors being open that contribute to the panels being blown out.

I like the idea of the canes on the outside of the panels BM, that would work for the inner 2 panels on each side and the door. The outer 2 panels are flush at the corners so nothing to brace against unfortunately, maybe able to bodge it with duck tape?

[Bill HH]

I think having the doors open seems a good idea in a normal gale, ie: what goes in can come out. But in a severe gale more goes in the door than can come out of the windows. So i am a doors shut kinda guy.

[Bigmallly]

I like the idea of the canes on the outside of the panels BM, that would work for the inner 2 panels on each side and the door. The outer 2 panels are flush at the corners so nothing to brace against unfortunately, maybe able to bodge it with duck tape?

Sorry John, I don't know what you mean. I placed 3 canes (top, middle & bottom) on every panel including the roof panels.............you can just about make them out through the bubblewrap.

[maritimesbob]

I your shelf BigMallly, nice idea. I think however I would be frightened it would collapse my weedy frame if I tried that one.

I've just "wind proofed" my poly greenhouse (another thread on that!). I'm hoping it survives one more winter before it gets binned. Used plenty sealant, plenty clear duct tape and also used bits and bobs just to batten the flimsy panels a bit more.

I have quite a few succulents and palms which were from my time in Cornwall (we're going back next year), they have not been happy up here in Lancs. Next job, bubble wrap and the electric outlet in there. Poor things were more than happy growing outdoors all year round down there.

[johnjohn]

[QUOTE=Bigmallly;1177947]Sorry John, I don't know what you mean. I placed 3 canes (top, middle & bottom) on every panel including the roof panels.............you can just about make them out through the bubblewrap.

OK, don't know if this is going to work but I have tried to attach a pic of your greenhouse with some of my markings on- very badly drawn!



So the problem that I have is that at positions 1 and 2, on the left hand side there is nothing to jam a cane up to- it is flush, the frame doesn't bulge out like it does on the right. Same at the right hand side on positions 3 and 4. Again same on position 5 on the left- nothing to jam the cane against on the left side.

so the length of the greenhouse looks something like this:


I hope this works else I'm going to look like a right wally Taken me ages to do this!

[JWC]

I have the same type of polycarbonate greenhouse and suffered panels being blown out, put some internal diagonals framing in and have not lost a panel since in any weather that has been thrown at it in the past two years. Keep window and doors firmly shut.


Sent from my iPhone using Grow Your Own Forum

[Bill HH]

Its quite easy to drill polycarbonate so for a more permanent fix you could fit aluminium ange or wood diagonals and drill though the polcarb and secure it with self tappers.

[Two_Sheds]

You could save up for years & years and buy a windproof greenhouse: Keder or Rhino are two

windproof greenhouse | Keder Greenhouses

Greenhouses by Rhino - Greenhouses Direct

[Potstubsdustbins]

Thankfully we here in Notts missed the worst of it, did feel sorry for the poor bu99ers who caught the worst of it though.

Potty