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The construction of a greenhouse with polycarbonate sheathing is not a matter of several hours, but it is quite doable. The construction is serious, so you have to spend a little time on the drawings. The dimensions of all elements indicated in the diagram will help speed up the process of manufacturing the structure. So, now we will consider how to build a polycarbonate greenhouse on our own, and what nuances should be taken into account.
Determine the dimensions of the frame
Before proceeding to develop drawings of a greenhouse or greenhouse, it is necessary to determine the dimensions of the structure. In turn, several important nuances affect the calculation:
- It is immediately important to determine the place where the polycarbonate structure will be installed. First, it is important to measure the size of the free space on the site. It depends on whether the greenhouse or greenhouse of the desired dimensions will fit.
- On the site, the contours of the future foundation are drawn. Its shape and dimensions will accurately outline the parameters of the building being built.
- The quantity and size of building material plays an important role in determining the dimensions of a greenhouse or greenhouse. Everything is clear with the availability of material, because it is impossible to build, for example, a 3×6 greenhouse if there is only enough profile or polycarbonate for a 3×4 greenhouse. Regarding the size of the material, consider an example on polycarbonate. Sheets are produced in standard dimensions of 2,05×3,05 m. It is advisable to use them sparingly so that there is less waste. Greenhouse frames 3×6, 3×4 or 3×8 are optimally suited for polycarbonate.
Having dealt with all the nuances, we directly proceed to determine the size of the greenhouse or greenhouse.
Most gardeners have a general opinion that it is better to install collapsible greenhouses of small sizes from ordinary film. Polycarbonate is best used on stationary large greenhouses, of course, within reasonable limits. A good owner is unlikely to have an empty place in such a greenhouse. The most popular size of a polycarbonate structure is considered to be 3 by 6. If desired, the length is increased to 8 m or reduced to 4 m. As a result, the optimal dimensions of the greenhouse are 3×4, 3×6 and 3×8 m. And as already noted, with any length of the frame, the optimal width remains in within three meters.
When calculating the dimensions of a greenhouse or greenhouse, the following considerations are used:
- The width of the structure is the most important indicator. The convenience of caring for plants will depend on this. The more space, the less likely it is to damage the bed or hook the racks during work. The width of a greenhouse or a stationary polycarbonate greenhouse is determined based on the fact that: the minimum door width is 60 cm, the optimal width of racks or beds is 1 m and the passage width is 60 cm. So it turns out that for comfortable maintenance of a stationary polycarbonate greenhouse, it is advisable to stop at a minimum width of 2,4 m.
If we take into account that a person of an obese physique or a wheelchair will drive into the greenhouse, then the passage must be expanded to 1,2 m. That is why the standard width of 3 m of a polycarbonate greenhouse or greenhouse has been adopted.
- There are no restrictions on the length of a polycarbonate greenhouse. It all depends on the number of pallets installed inside for growing seedlings or the size of the beds. Let’s say there are standard pallets sized 28×53 cm. We need to decide how they will be installed inside the greenhouse: along or across. From here, a value that is a multiple of 28 or 53 is taken, multiplied by the number of pallets in one row, and the maximum length of the greenhouse is determined. However, it is important to remember the standard sizes of polycarbonate sheets. It will be possible to use the material with maximum benefit with minimal waste on greenhouses with a length of 4,6 and 8 m. Too long greenhouses and greenhouses are disadvantageous in terms of maintaining an optimal microclimate. With the onset of cold weather, the cost of heating the internal space will increase.
- The height of the building depends on the type of shelter chosen. If this is a small greenhouse for one narrow bed, then the height can be made about 1 m. Then you will have to provide an opening top for access to the plants. In large greenhouses measuring 3×4, 3×6 and 3×8 m, it will be inconvenient to walk with a low ceiling. According to existing standards, the height of a stationary structure reaches 1,8 m. If you make a polycarbonate structure with your own hands, then it is better to stop at a height of 2 m. This can result in a run-up of 10-20 cm, depending on the shape of the chosen roof.
Having decided on the dimensions of the future polycarbonate structure, they begin to draw up drawings.
The video shows a mini-course on observing the size of the greenhouse:
Making an accurate drawing
Drawing up drawings begins with approximate sketches of how the future greenhouse will look like. The roof can be made semicircular, gable or shed. If large greenhouse sizes are taken, then an arched roof is considered the best option. It is easier to cover it, since the polycarbonate bends well, and there is little precipitation on the semicircular surface.
In an arched polycarbonate structure, the ends are the same. Do not make drawings of both sides. It is enough to sketch a sketch of one end with an indication of the dimensions. The same is done with the side view scheme, because these sides are similarly the same.
The scheme of the ends and the top view of the polycarbonate greenhouse, the photos of which are presented below, indicate the dimensions of the arched structure 3×8 m in size.
The following photo shows how to make a drawing of polycarbonate greenhouse doors and vents. It is important to indicate on the diagram all the attachment points, welding points and the use of hardware.
If desired, a plastic door can be bought ready-made. It is already equipped with hinges and a handle, which will simplify the process of making a greenhouse or greenhouse with your own hands from polycarbonate.
We equip the foundation for a greenhouse or greenhouse
Polycarbonate is a lightweight material, and so that a large greenhouse or greenhouse is not moved by the wind, the structure is fixed to the base. Guided by the dimensions and shape of the future polycarbonate structure, it is necessary to make drawings of the foundation.
When everything is ready, you can start marking the site. First, the area is cleared of debris and vegetation. Further, the made drawings of the foundation are transferred to the ground. Marking is best done with stakes, between which the cords are pulled.
Under a greenhouse or a stationary greenhouse made of polycarbonate, the following types of foundations are equipped:
- If it is planned to install a small stationary polycarbonate greenhouse, then a point foundation is enough for such a design. It represents anchor points only in those places where the greenhouse frame racks will be installed. You can make supports from a log, asbestos pipe, concrete blocks. To do this, it is enough to dig the supports into the ground to a depth below the freezing level of the soil.
- Under a collapsible greenhouse or a polycarbonate greenhouse with your own hands, you can make a foundation from a bar. First, a trench 200 mm wide is dug around the perimeter of the frame. The bottom and sides are covered with roofing material to prevent wood decay. The beam is treated with a protective impregnation, after which it is laid in a trench. At the end of the season, if necessary, the greenhouse and foundation are quickly dismantled for winter storage under cover.
- A block foundation is being built under a stationary greenhouse or a large greenhouse. First, they dig a trench 250 mm wide along the dimensions of the frame. Depth is determined by the level of soil freezing. For different regions, this figure is different, but not less than 800 mm. The bottom of the trench is covered with gravel 100 mm thick. Hollow blocks begin to be laid out on top of the pillow, connecting them with cement mortar. The installation of the greenhouse frame on the foundation is carried out two days after the mortar has solidified.
- The tape type of foundation is similarly suitable for do-it-yourself stationary greenhouses or greenhouses made of polycarbonate, and it does not matter what material the frame is made of. For the construction of the foundation, they dig a trench the same as for the block foundation. The bottom is covered with gravel and sand 150 mm thick. The sides of the trench are covered with roofing material, and formwork is knocked down from the boards on the surface of the earth. The height of the sides must be at least 200 mm. Inside the trench, a reinforcing frame is laid from the rods, after which everything is poured with concrete mortar. The installation of the greenhouse frame or greenhouse begins no earlier than 20 days later. The concrete must be completely dry.
When the foundation is ready, you can begin to manufacture the frame of the greenhouse.
Assembly and installation of the frame of the greenhouse or greenhouse
Now we will look at how to install an arched frame of a greenhouse or greenhouse designed for polycarbonate cladding. It should be noted that wooden bars cannot be bent in a semicircle. When making an arched frame yourself, it is better to use a metal pipe or profile.
Let’s say there are ready-made arcs available, and you can start assembling the greenhouse frame:
- Alternatively, a polycarbonate greenhouse can be installed on a beam, previously fixed to the foundation with anchor bolts. But before doing this, the base is covered with a strip of roofing material for waterproofing wood. A frame is assembled from a beam with a section of 120×50 mm along the perimeter of the foundation. It is important to level the structure here. Anchor bolts have a pitch of 500–600 mm.
- Mounting the frame on the beam is performed using a metal corner. It is placed one on each opposite side, where the rack from the profile will be installed. At the same time, installation points are marked on the beam, and measured so that they are on the same level. This time, they measure not the horizontal, but the verticality of the corners.
- The assembly of the greenhouse frame itself begins with the end walls. On the front wall, a roof arc with a spacer is bolted to the door frame, and then end posts are attached. Similarly, the rear end wall is assembled, but without a door.
- The finished end walls are placed on the foundation, bolted to the metal corner. To prevent the sections from falling, they are temporarily propped up with props. Between themselves, the end walls are fastened with intermediate struts. When everything is ready, install all the other intermediate arcs. Each arch with uprights is attached to a metal corner on a beam.
- All nodes of the frame of the greenhouse are connected using special clamps – crabs. They firmly cover 3 or 4 profiles, forming a T-joint and a cross. At the same time, two elements of the crab are firmly bolted together.
- When all the arcs are installed, they are reinforced with longitudinal struts. The final assembly of the greenhouse frame is the hauling of all bolted connections.
The frame of the greenhouse is ready, you can proceed to the sheathing with polycarbonate.
The video shows the installation instructions for the greenhouse:
Polycarbonate mount
I start the sheathing of the greenhouse frame from the ends. Polycarbonate is leaned against the wall and, without cutting, is fixed to the frame. A firmly fixed sheet is now more convenient to cut with an electric jigsaw. First, a semicircle is cut along the contour of the arch. Further, fragments of a window leaf and doors are cut out in polycarbonate.
When both ends are sewn up, polycarbonate sheets cover the top and sides of the frame. The sheets are placed across, carefully bending on a semicircular arch. The joints are connected with a special docking profile. Polycarbonate is screwed to the frame elements with hardware with sealing washers. In this case, pre-drilling of holes is performed.
There is another way to attach polycarbonate to the frame of the greenhouse using tie-down bands. In this case, drilling holes is not necessary. On top of the polycarbonate throughout the body of the greenhouse or greenhouse, metal tapes are decomposed, after which they are tightened with tension screws.
When the frame of the greenhouse is completely sheathed, the protective film is removed from the polycarbonate. This must be done immediately, otherwise it will boil in the sun.
The video shows the process of fixing polycarbonate:
On this, the polycarbonate greenhouse is ready, it remains to install the doors, the window and proceed to the internal arrangement of the beds.