More and more people who like to grow crops with their own hands are turning to greenhouses. The greenhouse allows you to get the long-awaited product in a shorter time interval.

However, when choosing material for a polycarbonate greenhouse, a number of questions and problems arise, which take quite a lot of time.

The components that you should pay attention to when choosing a greenhouse are the base, and the material used in the greenhouse itself directly determines the durability and convenience of the installed structure.

Video on how to choose a polycarbonate greenhouse:

New technologies make it possible to install greenhouses without a foundation - a foundation. The frame stakes are installed directly into the ground, then the arcs are secured in the required places using self-tapping screws.

Various materials are used in the installation and manufacture of greenhouses, but greenhouses made of cellular polycarbonate have come out on top due to their best characteristics. But they have their drawbacks, which, if ignored, can cause additional costs.

Which polycarbonate to choose for a greenhouse

Polycarbonate is a type of plastic that has two layers, inside of which there are honeycomb-shaped cavities. The longitudinal arrangement allows for air circulation.

Polycarbonate panels are lightweight and have an aesthetic appearance. They have high strength and provide maximum light transmission.

Despite its high strength, in case of inconvenient location of the land plot (open draft, snow drifts), the greenhouse should be installed on the base of the foundation and supported with supports.

Conventionally, the material for the frame is divided into two categories:

1. galvanized profile,
2. profiled pipe.

The structure is made of galvanized frame and is resistant to corrosion. Includes a variety of parts that require mandatory joining during the assembly process.

If the galvanized profile is of poor quality, the structure will not last long, and the owner will spend a lot of time assembling it.

A frame using a profiled pipe is susceptible to corrosion. However, the design includes a couple of elements that have maximum strength and require several hours to assemble.

Polycarbonate greenhouse structures

The greenhouse itself can have two types:

• arched,
• gable.

The classic rectangular gable version provides effective access to light in all weather conditions.

The arched version of the greenhouse ensures structural strength, maximum thermal conductivity and precipitation does not linger on the roof. However, during assembly, each connection point should be secured as much as possible, then the greenhouse will last for many years.

What to pay attention to when installing polycarbonate

Installing a polycarbonate greenhouse requires taking into account the basic rules that allow you to get the most effective result.

1. When choosing a design, preference should be given to arch parts with small pitches and made from solid casting. The presence of a large number of elements will allow you to withstand the maximum load.
2. When choosing metal for the frame, you need to focus on the thickness of the material. A high-quality frame provides maximum thickness, which will ensure the stability and strength of the greenhouse.
3. Polycarbonate material with a thickness of at least 4 mm and a density of 0.7 or higher can guarantee the quality of protection. Maximum protection of vegetation will be provided by a two-layer coating of more than 6 mm.
4. Vegetables and flowers require the presence of transparent material. Darker shades are suitable for growing crops that require gentle solar conditions.
5. The seal is one of the important parts of the design, ensuring complete sealing of the joint area. Its presence is mandatory.

To purchase a high-quality greenhouse, you should pay attention to the composition of the elements included in the assembly of the structure. The absence of any details serves as a signal that you are purchasing a fake.

In the spring, information on how to choose a greenhouse becomes especially relevant among lovers of garden beds and homemade aromatic tomatoes and cucumbers. – the main assistants in the difficult struggle for the harvest.

Criteria for choosing polycarbonate for a greenhouse

When installing a greenhouse yourself, a wide range of polycarbonate opens up to you, the choice of which will determine the service life of the greenhouse, ease of use, and ease of installation. The main determining factor is the thickness of the sheet. Sheets of 4 mm are the most economical option, which is suitable for greenhouses in the spring and summer. When installing such sheets, frequent placement of supporting arches is necessary, which is only relevant in small greenhouses.

Polycarbonate with a thickness of 8-10 mm is used to create a winter greenhouse. A material of this thickness has low thermal conductivity and good strength, thereby making it possible to increase the spans between supports, providing the structure with light.

Polycarbonate with a thickness of 16 to 20 mm has maximum heat conservation. When choosing this material for a greenhouse, it is worth remembering that it has a fairly large number of honeycombs, as a result of which the sheet does not transmit sunlight so well. For this reason, such thick materials are effective for conservatories or greenhouses.

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The greenhouse frame is the basis for durability

Greenhouses based on galvanized steel are manufactured in the form of an M-shaped, V-shaped and U-shaped profile. No less popular is the fourth option, represented by a profiled galvanized square pipe of 30x30 mm, which is the most reliable and durable option, designed for a large snow load. But along with reliability, this type of frame has a high cost.

Using a frame made of profiled steel will help you save significantly.

When deciding, you should pay attention to the thickness of the metal, on which the service life of the future building depends. Profiled frames are lightweight, quickly assembled and easily transported. However, they are more suitable for areas with little snow load.

If the choice is based on economical design, preference should be given to greenhouses made of PVC frames. The material and structure of the PVC profile have a low thermal conductivity coefficient, which eliminates the appearance of cold bridges. The lightness of such a frame is both an advantage and a disadvantage of the greenhouse. The positive side is the ability to move the assembled greenhouse around the site in case of soil depletion. Negative side: with a strong gust of wind and the absence of strong fasteners, the greenhouse can be easily torn from its place.

In most cases, wooden frames are made independently, but some manufacturers, in an effort to occupy this segment, offer structures made of arched plywood and frames made of bars. The tree looks aesthetically pleasing, breathes, absorbs solar heat during the day and releases it at night, forming an optimal greenhouse microclimate. The main enemy of such a frame is humidity, present in all greenhouses, which provokes rotting of untreated wood. It is worth choosing a polycarbonate greenhouse based on a wooden frame if it is to be used in dry areas.

Aluminum is a material with excellent anti-corrosion properties. The frames are lightweight and require thorough fastening. The aluminum base for the greenhouse has high thermal conductivity, as a result of which the greenhouses will cool down much faster at night.

One of the important parameters of the frame is the thickness of the metal wall and the cross-section of the profile pipe. In order for the greenhouse to meet the snow loads of the central regions of Russia, it is necessary to ensure a metal thickness of at least 0.5 mm.

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Main mistakes when choosing a polycarbonate greenhouse

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When to choose and install a greenhouse?

Most often it is carried out in early spring or late autumn. During installation, special attention must be paid to the air temperature; it should not be below zero. This rule is determined by the fact that bending plastic at low temperatures is not recommended; in addition, the thermal difference will increase. In summer, when the temperature rises, the plastic will expand, which will negatively affect the attachment points and the expanded holes will require additional sealing. The most optimal temperature for installing a greenhouse is 10-12°C.

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Subtleties of fastening the greenhouse to the base

Having figured out how to choose a polycarbonate greenhouse, do not forget about such a criterion as the base. The modern market offers various designs that are effective when installed both on the ground and on a foundation.

For fastening to the foundation, greenhouses are used with arcs that end in nickels or special plates, with the help of which they are attached to the foundation using anchor bolts. The choice of greenhouses installed on the ground is significantly wider. Most of them end with a pin that is dug in, or an inverted T-shaped element that is immersed in the ground 15 cm, thereby ensuring long service life and reliability of the structure.

No less popular are universal bases that can be installed on the foundation and on the ground, depending on the fastening element used. Such a base has a rigid frame (a frame made of a profile pipe with a cross-section of 40x20 runs along the base of the greenhouse); hinges are welded onto this frame, with the help of which the greenhouse is attached. If we are talking about ground installation, then piles are inserted into the loops, immersing them by 80% of their own length. Experts do not recommend driving the pile to the end, since during further operation the depleted pipe may “come out” of the loop, violating the integrity of the fixation. For foundation installation, anchor bolts are inserted into the hinges.

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Compact and all-welded greenhouses

The frame of a compact greenhouse can be transported in the trunk of a car. Structurally, it is a system of pipe elements and small strips that are assembled together directly on site. One-piece structures require factory welding. From the point of view of transportation, collapsible frames are more practical and convenient, but other parameters show the undeniable advantage of all-welded greenhouses.

Firstly, installation takes less time, and secondly, solid structures contain fewer joints, which can become a place for backlashes to appear, leading to a decrease in the strength of the frame.

If reliability, long service life and structural strength are at the forefront of your choice, preference should be given to a greenhouse made from a one-piece bent pipe with all-welded gables.

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Choosing polycarbonate

When choosing polycarbonate, you need to pay attention not only to the thickness of the sheet and its color, but also to a number of other markings and characteristics. So, you should not purchase material for a greenhouse marked “Eco” or “Economy”. This kind of designation indicates that secondary recycled polycarbonate was used in production, which, when added to the primary polymer, significantly reduces the strength and general explicit parameters of the sheets.

The second point that requires attention is the weight factor. In Russia there is no uniform standard for determining the weight of 1 m² of plastic. You can often encounter a situation where 4 mm thick polycarbonate sheets differ radically in their properties. For this reason, it is not recommended to use sheet material less than 4 mm thick to create a greenhouse.

Not least among the criteria for choosing polycarbonate for a greenhouse is the UV protection of sheets. Sheets marked “For indoor use” cannot be used for greenhouses; they do not have a protective layer and are destroyed in a short time under the influence of sunlight.

A number of methods are used for protection, among the most common are hydroextrusion and varnishing. The most effective method is varnishing, which involves coating the sheet with a protective layer, ensuring the transparency and density of the polymer. Sheets that have been protected en masse are the least effective and therefore have a low cost.

Vegetables from your own garden - what could be tastier and more natural? That is why polycarbonate greenhouses have been a hit among summer residents in recent years. As practice shows, the quality of the components of greenhouses can be completely different, and the money invested in the purchase may not live up to expectations.

How to choose the right polycarbonate greenhouse from the colossal number of options on the market?

We decided to ask one of the largest suppliers of greenhouses and cellular polycarbonate in our country, the M8 Correct House company, about the secrets developed over the years of working with these products. Who, if not a company with 25 years of experience in the Belarusian market, knows more about them. Our expert was the deputy. Director of the company "M8 Correct House" Artem Selikhanov. So, let's find out the expert's opinion.

- Are greenhouses made of cellular polycarbonate as reliable as their sellers say?

Selling greenhouses since 2010, we have heard from clients about their unsuccessful experiences more than once: about greenhouses that sagged after a snowy winter, and about frames that rusted and broke in one season. These were mainly greenhouses from little-known manufacturers, purchased on the market. Therefore, not all greenhouses are so reliable.

By 2016, we had developed a formula for an ideal greenhouse that will last not one or two seasons, but decades. These are greenhouses under our own brand “M-Agro”. But the choice, of course, is yours.

- What points should you pay attention to when choosing a greenhouse frame for polycarbonate?

1. Frame strength

If you decide, give preference to a square pipe with a cross-section of at least 20 x 20 mm, and preferably 20 x 40 mm. The metal must be galvanized on both sides. Don't trust unscrupulous sellers who claim that this is not important. Polymer powder and primed coatings have nothing to do with galvanizing - rust will not take long to appear and will eat through the metal in a season or two. Such coatings play more of an aesthetic role than a practical one, and are not able to withstand the greenhouse climate that is aggressive to metal.

2. Number of transverse frame fastenings

We've sorted out the pipe cross-section and metal protection, but don't forget the laws of physics. The stability of the polycarbonate greenhouse frame is influenced by the number of transverse fasteners, which add rigidity to the structure. Accordingly, the more frequent the transverse fastening step, the stronger the frame. Most often on the market there are polycarbonate greenhouses with a pitch of 1 and 0.67 meters, which is the best option for our climate.

3. Length of the greenhouse - how not to miscalculate Of course, it is profitable for the seller to sell you a longer greenhouse, but there is no need for this. If you plan to grow vegetables for yourself and your family, we recommend considering a greenhouse 4 or 6 meters long. As practice has shown, this size of greenhouse is sufficient to harvest crops and plant for the winter.

But if you are an avid agronomist and spend all your free time in the garden, you can increase the length of the M-Agro greenhouse to any size that is a multiple of two meters. Add an additional 2-meter extension to the standard set of the M-Agro greenhouse of 4 meters and increase the greenhouse to a length that you consider sufficient.

4. Easy to assemble

The fewer details the better. Of course, if you are interested in modeling and design, you can try to build a greenhouse to scale. But if you do not have a lot of time and plan to install a greenhouse in 1.5 - 2 hours, choose a welded greenhouse frame made of M-Agro polycarbonate. All you have to do is secure the arcs and cover them with cellular polycarbonate. Due to the streamlined arched shape, the frame easily resists the wind, and in winter the snow rolls off the rounded surface like clockwork.

Cellular polycarbonate - why it replaced popular glass and cheap film. Now all greenhouses are covered only with it. Tell us, what is the secret of such popularity?

At the dawn of the appearance of polycarbonate in 1992, our company was the first to bring it to Belarus. And we can say with certainty that this is truly an ideal material for greenhouses. It is stronger than glass, but is not inferior to it in terms of light transmission, withstands snow loads and wind attacks, does not support combustion, is resistant to UV radiation and lasts more than 10 years. But the most important quality of cellular polycarbonate is its ability to retain heat thanks to air voids. It is thanks to the combination of all these qualities that cellular polycarbonate has replaced glass and films in greenhouses.

What advice can you give to gardeners on choosing cellular polycarbonate for a greenhouse? What can extend its service life?

1. Choose the right thickness, density and UV layer of polycarbonate

The most important points to pay attention to are the thickness, density and UV protection of polycarbonate. See in more detail what affects the quality of polycarbonate in the video on our YouTube channel.

How to choose polycarbonate for a greenhouse.

By the way, for the last three years we have been selling Belarusian cellular polycarbonate SOTEK and M-Multi, which has already become a household name among agronomists and gardeners in our country. This polycarbonate is produced on modern Italian OMIPA equipment from raw materials from the world leader Sabic. It is no worse than its foreign analogues - it creates a good climate for planting and tolerates our winters well.

2. Tapes, seals and profiles significantly increase the service life of polycarbonate

In order for the greenhouse to serve for more than 10 years, we recommend purchasing a fully equipped greenhouse. Sealing tape, seals and profiles are mandatory elements of a greenhouse for long-term use.

Often, sellers do not talk about the need for these elements in order to reduce the cost of the greenhouse, but when a polycarbonate sheet is mounted on a greenhouse, its lower part, with open cells, ends up near the ground. And if the ends are not closed, earth and insects will quickly penetrate inside the material and damage it irrevocably. If you have encountered cellular transparent polycarbonate that looked like a dirty gray stain, then this is precisely due to improper installation. Buy a fully equipped greenhouse, and it will serve you faithfully for many years.

And, of course, if you want your greenhouse to become a source of pride, contact a reliable company that has been operating on the market for many years, has all the documents from the manufacturer, and if a warranty case occurs, you can easily resolve all issues.

“M8 Correct House” has a large selection of greenhouses - from cheap to professional, with increased requirements for quality and durability. We have been working in the Belarusian market for more than 25 years and, as an exclusive representative of factories, we offer greenhouses and polycarbonate at manufacturer prices. In all our sales offices in Minsk, Brest, Vitebsk, Gomel, Grodno or Mogilev, you can always buy a greenhouse at a competitive price, with or without delivery, in or complete, with any thickness and density of polycarbonate.

Reading time: 6 minutes

The article talks about the criteria by which you need to choose a polycarbonate greenhouse. The quality characteristics of materials are considered, how to choose the right size, and what the cost of a greenhouse consists of.

With the onset of spring, the passion of gardeners awakens with renewed vigor. The inexplicable call of nature forces them to experiment again and again with planting various plants and dream of record harvests. Despite the variable climate of the middle zone, many are trying to grow heat-loving crops, creating various protective shelters for them.

The times when greenhouses were built from improvised materials are a thing of the past. They have been replaced by reliable structures that can withstand harsh weather conditions and prolong the life of the capricious plant. Those who have not yet managed to acquire such a structure, along with the search for planting material, begin to think about how to choose a polycarbonate greenhouse so that it meets the requirements. Due to the great diversity, it is quite difficult to resolve this issue.

Design features of a polycarbonate greenhouse

A durable polycarbonate greenhouse is a structure of a certain design, the main function of which is to protect plants from aggressive environmental influences. The greenhouse is based on a galvanized frame made of steel pipe with a square cross-section.

The strength of the entire structure depends on the thickness of the metal elements, so a high-quality polycarbonate greenhouse must meet the requirements of state standard R54257-2010. When giving preference to a lightweight galvanized profile or steel pipe, you need to correctly assess the possible load that will be placed on the greenhouse in winter.

Galvanized sheet profile

Greenhouses made of polycarbonate based on bent galvanized profiles are lightweight and have a lower price. To enhance the strength of the lightweight frame, such structures use a large number of connecting elements, which leads to the formation of multiple joints. In addition, the places where the floors are attached also need to be strengthened.

Provided that the thickness of the metal structure is 0.5-0.9 mm, such a greenhouse may not withstand heavy snow cover, so such models must be installed in regions where the likelihood of precipitation is minimal.

Square profile

Structures made of steel profiles with a square cross-section have the highest quality characteristics. The welded frame can withstand loads of up to 500 kg and perfectly resists mechanical stress. The only drawback of this material is its susceptibility to corrosion, so before choosing a polycarbonate greenhouse, you need to carefully study the frame material.

Elements made from galvanized pipes are the most durable, but have a relatively high cost. In addition, some greenhouse models have additional corrosion protection, namely double galvanization (internal and external).

What you need to know when choosing a frame

Before giving preference to one or another greenhouse model, you need to have a good idea of ​​why and under what conditions the greenhouse will be used. In pursuit of a low price, there is a possibility that the seller will offer a thin-walled profile, which is not always able to survive the winter of the middle zone.

From this follows the conclusion, in order not to pay twice, it is better to give preference to a steel structure, despite the fact that its cost will be much higher. In addition, this tactic will help avoid the possibility of purchasing a low-quality product from an unscrupulous seller who attracts buyers with a low price for the product.

However, the climate characteristics of different regions dictate their own conditions. In places where there is practically no snow falling in winter, it would not be advisable to overpay for a reinforced profile. In this case, a lightweight design is quite suitable. The only advice is that when choosing such a greenhouse, you need to carefully study the thickness of the metal. It is preferable that it be at least 1.2 mm. Usually, a conscientious seller provides cross-sectional samples of structural elements that can be measured during a visual inspection.

In order to correctly assess the quality of the proposed material, you need to pay attention to the following:

• The metal thickness must be at least 1.2 mm;
• It is desirable that the greenhouse arcs be solid;
• If the base is assembled from several elements, you need to check the reliability of fastening at the joints of the parts;
• The most reliable is a profile with a rectangular cross-section, having dimensions of 20X40 mm;
• The presence of galvanization will significantly extend the service life of the structure.

Based on such indicators, the buyer has every chance to choose a polycarbonate greenhouse that will correspond to its cost.

Characteristics of polycarbonate coating

Polycarbonate for a greenhouse consists of two layers of plastic, fastened together by stiffening ribs. Due to the daytime heating of the air located in the “plastic honeycombs”, a thermos effect is observed in the greenhouse in the evening and night hours. Polycarbonate is a fairly impact-resistant coating that has a high coefficient of light transmittance.

Structural features

In terms of their characteristics and purpose, the inner and outer layers differ from each other. The outdoor side of the material is covered with a protective ultraviolet film, which protects the plastic from destruction.

If you mix up the sides during assembly, the service life of the polycarbonate will be reduced significantly, but the plants will not be harmed. In addition, you can accidentally purchase low-quality material on which such protection will simply be absent. As a result, when heated in the sun, such a coating will emit harmful fumes. Therefore, when purchasing a greenhouse, you should pay attention to the company logo printed on the polycarbonate film. The cost of polycarbonate should not be too low.

An important characteristic is the thickness of cellular polycarbonate. To cover greenhouses, material no thinner than 4 mm should be used. If the seller states that the thickness of the coating is, for example, 3.8 mm, then this indicator will indicate low quality, and accordingly the service life of the greenhouse will be limited.

When determining the quality of cellular polycarbonate, you must first pay attention to the following points:

• The polycarbonate sheet must be covered on both sides with a protective film;
• The manufacturer’s logo must be present on the outside of the material;
• The thickness of the air space between the top and bottom layers must correspond to the declared size;
• The seller must have quality certificates for the goods.

If you are not lazy and check all the above parameters, then there is hope that you will purchase a truly high-quality sample.

How to choose the right size

Before you start choosing a greenhouse, you need to decide what size it should be. This indicator depends on several factors:

• Height and number of plants to be grown;
• Geometric features of the garden plot;
• Special wishes of the gardener.

If vertical cultivation of tall crops is planned in a greenhouse, then special attention must be paid to the height of the structure. In the case when the greenhouse is used for growing greens (lettuce, onions, radishes), it makes sense to choose structures with a wide base.

Quite often, the area where the greenhouse is supposed to be installed has strictly limited dimensions and various irregularities. In this regard, before purchasing a greenhouse, you need to carefully measure the ground, taking into account the opening parts of the structure. When choosing a location for a greenhouse, you also need to consider lighting. The ideal location is considered to be from east to west. In this case, the north wind will blow into the side surface, which will protect the plants from through ventilation.

Beginning gardeners are recommended to purchase small greenhouses. Perhaps, in the process of gardening, the summer resident will need to purchase a larger greenhouse, or, conversely, the desire to experiment will disappear due to difficulties with maintenance.

If we analyze consumer demand for polycarbonate greenhouses, we can draw some conclusions regarding the selection of the optimal greenhouse size:

• The height must be at least two meters. This indicator will allow work to be carried out at full scale. Greenhouses with a height of 2.5 m are considered the most popular.
• If the shape of the structure has a rectangular structure of the side walls, then the height of such a surface should be at least 1.5 m.
• The width of the base also plays a big role. With indicators of 2.5 m, you can arrange two ridges one meter wide and a half-meter passage.
• In terms of length, four-meter greenhouses are considered the most popular.

The size of the polycarbonate greenhouse is selected individually. Choosing a greenhouse that will satisfy all customer requirements is not at all difficult. Moreover, for this, manufacturers have provided a wide range of parameters. In addition, many companies are ready to make custom designs.

How is the cost of a greenhouse formed?

The price of a polycarbonate greenhouse may depend on many indicators. First of all, you need to take into account that the appearance on the market of a seller whose cost of greenhouses is greatly underestimated compared to analogues serves as a signal that the product may be of poor quality.

On the other hand, reducing the cost of the model can be achieved by eliminating unnecessary structural elements. For example, someone may not need an automatic ventilation mechanism.

Thus, by making a choice in accordance with individual needs and budgetary capabilities, you can find a completely affordable greenhouse option that will provide your family with vegetables in the summer and allow you to stock up for the winter.

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