metal greenhouse with very little glass

[markt]

Hi, I see similar issues have been raised, but basically i don't want to leap in on ebay and repent at leisure.

I have a biggish metal-framed greenhouse at the bottom of the garden which was inherited with the property and which hardly has any glass in it as it appears it has blown out over the years, judging by the shards of broken stuff in its vicinity if nothing else.

I intend to revive the greenhouse and it seems buying a load of polycarb sheets is the way to go. I notice a firm in Germany advertising it on ebay and saw this on your forum Greenhouse Glazing, 4mm Twinwall Polycarbonate but i reckon at that rate it would cost me about £200 or so to fill in the gaps.. in that case should I buy a new greenhouse of the peg, as it were? If not, how do I ensure these polycarb sheets stay there in the winter (clips, I assume, but how complicated are they and do presumably they do not come cheap either)?

Are there any other pitfalls I need to be aware of? Sorry for the naivety of some of these questions but I'm new to all this. Many thanks. Mark T

[markt]

14x Polycarbonate sheets Greenhouse Glass Replacement, Thickness 4mm | eBay


this seems like decent value? are they any problems with this that i have not anticipated?

[Guest]

I intend to revive the greenhouse and it seems buying a load of polycarb sheets is the way to go. I notice a firm in Germany advertising it on ebay and saw this on your forum Greenhouse Glazing, 4mm Twinwall Polycarbonate but i reckon at that rate it would cost me about £200 or so to fill in the gaps..

If you go to the drop down menu it is £69 for 15 sheets. I recently bought from this company and it was quick, easy, no issues although it obviously is more than your ebay find. I can't think of any issues you would have with the product but it is the first time I have used it.

In regards to clips you get wire w clips/glazing clips to hold the sheets in and for linking sheets z clips/ overlapping clips. They are not a vast amount around a fiver per 100. I got a mixed pack off amazon.

I think it is Bigmally who has shared the tip but if you do have a major issue with wind you can use cut down bamboo canes to help keep the sheets in as well.

[Potstubsdustbins]

When I glazed my GH with polycarbonate I used a good quality silicon plastic/metal adhesive and touch wood have had no problems in five years.

[daviddevantnhisspiritwife]

Wilko sell Z and W clips cheaply. A couple of little spots of silicone sealant on each W clip helps to stop them popping out as well.

W clips aren't too difficult to use, just mind your fingers and use long nose pliers to apply.

wilko.com - greenhouse clips (£1.50 for 25) So not quite as cheap as above).

[Jay22]

OH works with polycarbonate, gave him the sizes and asked him to estimate how much...£40 to £50 so seems like it's a fair price!

[daviddevantnhisspiritwife]

Tempted to re do both of mine in PC given the 5yr old whirling dervish I have here. I guess you could do whole sections in single pieces?

[markt]

thanks for your help, guys. I'm going to be busy, by the look of it.

Will keep you posted. mark

[BertieFox]

Polycarbonate doesn't let as much light through as glass, and it also has a limited 'life'. It is also far more expensive than glass. On the other hand, glass gets broken far more easily and polycarbonate is warmer. However, I rather suspect you may regret going down the polycarbonate route.

[Eva B]

Greenhouses that have polycarbonate wall are apparently better for your plants too(well so I've been told)! The people in the gardening centre told me when I was buying mine and it's working well so far.

[Eva B]

Hope this helps.

My mother had the same problem actually a few months ago and had the same dilemma. We ordered hers online. After so much research I never want to hear the word poly-carbonate sheet again Good luck!

[markt]

strut for the greenhouse

I've been fitting the polycarb to the old greenhouse frame today today and so far so good,

one problem is that one of the 120cm aluminium-type struts is missing. lord knows why and i'm thinking it's not going to be easy to find another. any ideas, folks?

another thing that crossed my mind was that the rubber linings were for the most part rotten so i've put polycarb on to aluminium pretty much but i guess that's not going to help keep things above freezing in the winter.

is there a place does these bespoke spares? failing that, any other suggestions.

thanks in advance

[Sarico]

You could just use silicone wich will seal it and make sure that stY there in strong wind.

[Mushaville]

So glad to see this thread, I just picked up a mini greenhouse/cold frame type thing for free off Facebook but it needs half Lf the panels replacing - tempted to fit it all out with polycarbonate - it's not standard panel sizes though - is it a case of measuring in and letting a company know what I need?