Reinforced polycarbonate greenhouse: photo, reviews, assembly

2024 Author: Howard Calhoun | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 10:16

Polycarbonate greenhouse structures have replaced traditional film and glass structures. The new material provided a number of advantages, including a unique combination of light transmission and coating strength. Also, polycarbonate is characterized by mechanical compliance, which simplifies its processing and installation operations in general. A continuation of the concept of such structures was a reinforced greenhouse, the photo of which is presented below. In this case, emphasis is also placed on strengthening the frame base due to high-strength metal profiles.

Features of reinforced greenhouses

The reinforcing function is assigned to galvanized frames. Usually used U-shaped profile in different sizes. For example, the cross section is on average 20 x 30-40 mm. The length of the structure can reach 5 m, if we are talking about private farms. The material from which reinforced polycarbonate greenhouses are made is also important in terms of the basic design. Most often, steel is used, and manufacturers complete the most expensive assemblies with first-class metal. This solution guarantees a high degree of frame reliability.

At the same time, it is impossible to ensure resistance to wind and precipitationwithout the use of appropriate connecting fittings. This task in most cases is performed by steel inserts. Depending on the general parameters with which the reinforced greenhouse is designed, profiles of various shapes can be used. In addition to the U-shaped profile, for example, there are also pipes and square frames. However, they make the structure heavier and are suitable only if a full-fledged building foundation is laid. On the other hand, thick polycarbonate requires high load-bearing capacity, which is what closed profiles correspond to.

Assembly of reinforced greenhouse

Regardless of the characteristics of the profile elements, installation operations begin with the construction of the foundation. You can use tape or column technology - this choice will determine how the main load-bearing elements are introduced into the base of the greenhouse. This can be either a recess in concrete or fixing metal racks with fasteners. Already in the basic configuration, the reinforced greenhouse has a set of hardware for the implementation of the connection. The above-mentioned inserts may participate in the assembly, which increase the reliability of the fixation units. Manufacturers also provide technological grooves in the frames themselves.

By the way, the U-shaped profile in terms of installation is the most reliable, as it provides the most dense convergence of two elements. The user is only required to use a carpentry tool and screw the provided hardware into the appropriate niches. At this stage, the accuracy of calculations is especially important. Furtherfixation of polycarbonate sheets is provided. They cover the steel frame, being fixed through the same holes. In this case, it is especially important to correctly use the sealing pads, which will protect the high-strength plastic from damage at the junctions with metal frames.

Additional equipment

Basic kits usually include two vents and a pair of doors that provide entry from opposite sides. As a supplement, you can use engineering support in the form of ventilation, lighting and heating systems. Since the reinforced structure expands the possibilities of its operation in winter, it will be useful to provide it with a thermal heat accumulator. Thanks to such equipment, a reinforced greenhouse will provide plants with energy accumulated during the day. Further, the battery converts the accumulated potential into heat.

Positive feedback about reinforced greenhouses

Such structures can be attributed to full-fledged farm objects, but among their owners there are also many ordinary summer residents and gardeners. Most of them emphasize the reliability of the frame, thanks to which the plants are protected from precipitation and gusts of wind. The advantages of buildings include the possibility of increasing the area. This will require only a few simple manipulations with the dismantling and subsequent integration of additional components in the form of polycarbonate sheets and profiles. But these are not all the advantages that a reinforced greenhouse has. Reviews indicate that a solid frame allows you to safely use electrical equipment in the form of the same lighting and heating systems.

Negative reviews

While ordinary film greenhouses based on aluminum and wood can be installed directly into the ground, polycarbonate with metal frames requires an initial foundation. Users note the possibility of acquiring good-quality ready-made bases. But they significantly increase the overall cost of the object. Also, many point to the fact that the reinforced greenhouse is potentially susceptible to burning. Polycarbonate has this disadvantage. Here, another unpleasant feature of such structures is also noted. The fact is that the steel frame base can only be covered with polycarbonate. It is impractical to use glass in it due to its fragility, and the film does not require high bearing capacity anyway.

Conclusion

Installation operations, coupled with considerable cost, still limit the circle of fans of reinforced greenhouse construction. Nevertheless, for avid summer residents who have big plans for growing heat-loving crops, the presence of such an object on the site is a necessity. Properly mounted reinforced polycarbonate greenhouses allow you to grow crops all year round. In summer, polycarbonate provides all the advantages of traditional constructions, including light diffusion and ventilation. In winter, the regulation of the microclimate will be carried out by special equipment inin the form of thermal units and lighting and irrigation systems.