Harbor Freight Greenhouse Construction

[troutsqueezer]

The panels will deteriorate but it takes a number of years before they become completely unusable. They get little holes in them that really do no harm. In 12 years or so, if they are too deteriorated for your use, you can buy another greenhouse just like it and just use the panels for less money than you can buy all the panel pieces new.

My 6 x 8' version was built over ten years ago and the panels are still fine; a little yellower than they were, a few pinholes in one side in a couple of places and some dirt up in the bottoms of the sides but it looks like they have another ten years to go.

 

[dragoneggs]

The panels will deteriorate but it takes a number of years before they become completely unusable. They get little holes in them that really do no harm. In 12 years or so, if they are too deteriorated for your use, you can buy another greenhouse just like it and just use the panels for less money than you can buy all the panel pieces new.

My 6 x 8' version was built over ten years ago and the panels are still fine; a little yellower than they were, a few pinholes in one side in a couple of places and some dirt up in the bottoms of the sides but it looks like they have another ten years to go.

Well that is encouraging! I am hoping with the extra effort I went through to foil tape the open cell edges, I will improve their life and appearance. I did not pinhole the bottoms as I figured the seal would never be perfect or permanent anyway.

 

[doxford jim]

The Bayliss vent thingy's are pretty good. I have them in my greenhouse (the one that just collapsed under the weight of heavy snow).
The rods that go through the cylinder ends need to be kept clean as the action of wax is all that moves them. I cleaned the rods up using a green scotch bright dish cleaning pad. It worked well and I was able to keep the greenhouse reasonably well ventilated. Cleaning the rods is about the only maintenance required and maybe a little vaseline on the rod to lubricate.
Anyway, I was happy with their performance as I suspect mine are around 30 years old and still worked up until two weeks ago.

 

[Tractor Seabee]

Did you secure the panels with screws or caulking?

Screws with neoprene washers. I have had bad results with silicon sealing this type assembly. A little movement and the bond breaks. Silicon works best when squished between two surfaces that have a non-moving mechanical bond. Silicon on the surface does nothing except peel away. I never use it for cosmetic treatment for that reason.

Ron

 

[dragoneggs]

Installed two of the four Univent auto vent openers I purchased for the HF roof vents. I read the reviews on the HF auto openers and it appears they are hit and miss as to their reliability. The Univents were half again as much but people seem to have good luck with them. Beautiful sunny day today and the temp was 116degF inside the greenhouse during the install. Pistons worked great and opened rather quickly after install but now I have another reinforcement project as the force of the piston torqued the flimsy frame. It did bend back into shape this evening upon closing but I need to stiffen the lateral frame at the bottom of the vent opening.

 

[troutsqueezer]

Living in Washington where if you don't like the weather just wait ten minutes, I can see the usefulness of automatic vents. Here in CA, I open them in March and close them in November.

 

[hunterridgefarm]

I like the greenhouse and the extra step you are taking. What is the length and width of the panels? I have a 14x14 Turner Greenhouse that has the poly. I would like to replace the poly and would buy one like you have just to get the panels if they would fit.

I am looking for a larger greenhouse but may buy an extension for the one I have.

 

[dragoneggs]

Living in Washington where if you don't like the weather just wait ten minutes, I can see the usefulness of automatic vents. Here in CA, I open them in March and close them in November.

Here it cools off considerably in the evening/night for much of the year.

 

[dragoneggs]

I like the greenhouse and the extra step you are taking. What is the length and width of the panels? I have a 14x14 Turner Greenhouse that has the poly. I would like to replace the poly and would buy one like you have just to get the panels if they would fit.

I am looking for a larger greenhouse but may buy an extension for the one I have.

Panels are thin! About 1/8in or maybe 5/32in. Most of the full panels (sides) are 23.5in wide by 76in long. Some of the panels (roof and back wall) are a little shorter at 23.5in wide and 75in and 72in long, respectively. Not sure how best to buy sheet poly but you might want something a little thicker.

 

[doxford jim]

I have wondered about using the corrugated fibre glass panels for roofing. They are fairly clear and would be pretty strong compared top flat panels. Next time I go into HD I will make a point of checking them out for price. I figured these could be used for a greenhouse and probably be much stronger and reasonably priced with framing etc.