Imagine my surprise when I opened up the greenhouse today and saw this whopping great hole in the greenhouse roof. I couldn’t believe my eyes! What in the heck could have done this?
I had no idea how it happened until I asked Kim. She mentioned that she heard a heck of a racket a few nights ago, that sounded like something very large had landed on the carport roof.
So I put two and two together, inspected the fur fragments around the hole, and figured that a big tabby must have jumped off the carport roof and landed straight through my greenhouse roof. It managed to get out again as there is a pot stand right underneath. Thankfully there were no seedlings on the stand.
This gaping hole will be nigh on impossible to fix because I built another shed in front of the access that is necessary to remove the gutter from the greenhouse and slide out the damaged panel. In fact, all of the roof panels are UV damaged, even though the manufacturer stated that it would last a lot longer than it has. Between the sun damage and hail damage, it has not held up as long as I would have liked.
I have all but given up on this greenhouse, because it is just too hot in summer even with shade over the greenhouse roof. And it is too cold in winter, because of all the gaps. I could replace the damaged panel with some wood, but I wouldn’t achieve an airtight seal. I am even thinking of moving the two VegTrug out of the greenhouse and stand them up against the decking. At least I will get better use out of them.
Considering that my greenhouse was built 4.5 years ago, I think I should have gotten better value for money for a $699 investment.
My advice to you all is not to purchase a greenhouse with polycarbonate panels. They simply do not last the distance, especially in our harsh climate. Good old glass would be your best bet.
You live and learn.
That is surprising, i would have thought they would last longer as well (like 10 plus). I have a friend who spent several thousand on a polycarbonate greenhouse. I sure hope it last longer than that or those veggies will be very expensive.
Yes Lynda, I was very surprised as well. I thought it would last much longer.
Maybe a recycled window greenhouse in the GoG future?
Maybe Jessie, maybe. Sounds like a good project.
Call the good people at ecoMaster and see if you can pick up (buy?) some of the plexiglass offcuts they have left over from their double glazed window projects (3mm acrylic) and you should be able to secure to the existing frame…..
Just a thought
Excellent suggestion Kellie. I will give them a call!
you could also repair/replace it with the flexible polycarb sheet sold in the larger hardware stores. It should last much longer than twin walled stuff you had on the roof.
Alternately, the clear or opal polycarb roof sheeting use on pergolas et. could be ok but you would need to be able to seal under the ridges (there are some solution to that). I have that on my pergola and a shed and it is still in very good condition after many years of use.
Cheers
Thanks Mick. I will try some of your suggestions. Will have to wait a while, as I am a bit time poor at the moment. Spring is taking over my life!
I would forget the ‘Laserlite’ sheeting too! I had 3 sheets of it on my veranda roof to let more light into the house windows – it lasted less than five years before it turned black in places and then buckled and leaked!
Regards
Jo – Midwest WA
Hi Jo, I agree. That stuff cannot handle the strong UV of our climate. Give it a few more years and it will go brittle.
Gav