Let’s find out how to choose a high quality greenhouse for your garden. Many gardeners seek to build a greenhouse on their site. This design helps to grow your favorite vegetables, fruits, flowers and mushrooms. Today there is a wide variety of greenhouses. You can purchase greenhouse kit or build your own.
Polycarbonate shell
Greenhouses can be made of glass, polyethylene film, plastic. The most popular are cellular polycarbonate. It was invented in the late eighties of the last century. Initially, they wanted to use cellular polycarbonate to build the roofs of street cafes, public transport stops, billboards and banners. However, after studying all the properties of this material, we came to the conclusion that it is ideal for building good year-round greenhouses.
Cellular polycarbonate consists of two sheets of plastic, between which cells with dry air are located. The cells play the role of a kind of air cushion, which helps to maintain optimal temperature conditions inside the structure. Matte polycarbonate has high strength.
During many experiments, it was possible to prove that it can withstand significant mechanical loads. This advantage is of particular relevance in regions where a large amount of snow falls in the winter season. Polycarbonate is not deformed under the influence of snow masses. The material is able to transmit only short ultraviolet rays, which have a positive effect on plants.
They are essential for the process of photosynthesis. Cellular polycarbonate passes the maximum amount of natural heat into the structure, but does not release it into the environment. In the southern regions of our country, inside a polycarbonate greenhouse, you can not even install artificial heating. It is enough to place stones or a container of water around the periphery of the greenhouse.
During the day, they will absorb the natural heat of the sun, and at night they will begin to give it to the environment of the greenhouse. Matte polycarbonate is available in the form of sheets of various sizes. Despite its impressive size, the sheet is light in weight. It is easy to transport and operate. The service life of the material is several decades. It does not require special care conditions. It is enough to wipe it with soapy water as it gets dirty.
Tricks to extend the life of your greenhouse
If you want the greenhouse to serve you for a long time and have high yields, you need to follow some subtleties. First of all, they concern the choice of a site for the construction of a structure. The south side of the plot is best for you. It is desirable that outbuildings be located nearby, which can protect the structure from sudden gusts of wind. In order for the structure not to deform, it is necessary to build a high-quality foundation. You can use any materials that are on your site.
The concrete foundation is the most effective. As a material for the manufacture of the frame, it is better to use galvanized steel or aluminum. These metals are highly resistant to corrosion processes and have a long service life. In the upper sections of the structure, a sufficient number of vents and ventilation holes should be located. They will help maintain optimal humidity inside the polycarbonate greenhouse.
Greenhouse quality criteria
Thus, a high quality polycarbonate greenhouse should have high strength, attractive appearance and long service life.