Polycarbonate greenhouses have long been successfully used by gardeners for growing vegetables and flowers. If you intend to use the greenhouse complex only in the warm season, you can do without constructing a foundation.
This installation will allow you to save significant funds on the construction of the foundation; the complex can be moved to another location. A greenhouse without a foundation can be installed independently. How to properly install a polycarbonate greenhouse on the ground with your own hands - answers in this article.
Foundation for a greenhouse: disadvantages
A polycarbonate greenhouse, built with your own hands, is a real home for cultivated plants, where they can develop, bringing rich harvests. The foundation is the support of the entire greenhouse; in hurricane winds, a structure without a foundation can easily overturn or suffer serious damage to the frame.
The absence of a foundation in a polycarbonate greenhouse can lead to large heat losses, so the structure can only be used in the warm season.
Greenhouse building without foundation base, will be subject to invasion by soil pests (moles, shrews, mice).
The construction of a polycarbonate greenhouse without a foundation does not guarantee complete protection of plantings from precipitation (dew and fog), which can lead to fungal infections.
Polycarbonate greenhouse without a foundation: how to properly install and secure the structure
Material for a modern greenhouse - polycarbonate
Have you decided to use a polycarbonate greenhouse only during the warm season? Considerable savings will be achieved:
- There is no need to build a foundation; you can install a greenhouse yourself without building a supporting foundation.
- In winter, transport costs for traveling to summer cottage in order to carry out timely removal of snow cover from polycarbonate sheets on the roof of the greenhouse complex.
- Savings are achieved on heating the greenhouse in winter.
Choosing a location for a portable greenhouse
For growing products in a polycarbonate greenhouse complex without erecting a stationary foundation great value has a choice of places for installing polycarbonate greenhouse structures with your own hands.
When choosing a site, you should be guided by the following criteria:
The soil on the site must be fertile. To determine the composition of the soil, you first need to dig a small pit (a depth of 70 cm is sufficient), which is easy to do with your own hands using a regular shovel.
Correct location - good harvest Having studied the soil taken out of the pit, it is worth making a conclusion about what soil composition is predominantly found on the site. If there is a lot of sand in the test soil, this is the most favorable ratio of soil composition for planting vegetables. Irrigation water does not linger in such soil, the excess of which freely flows through the sand cushion into the deeper layers of the soil.
If the soil consists predominantly of clay, or there is severe salinity, it is necessary to change the top layer of soil over the entire area of the site that is allocated for a polycarbonate greenhouse. To do this, they dig a pit with their own hands, equal to area greenhouse complex, the mainland soil is removed. A layer of coarse sand or fine gravel is placed at the bottom, on top of which fertile soil is poured, after which the greenhouse can be placed in the chosen location.
The second important condition when choosing a site for a polycarbonate greenhouse is good lighting. The area should be evenly illuminated throughout the daylight hours; tall, dense trees are not allowed above the greenhouse. fruit trees blocking sunlight. It is best to allocate a place for a polycarbonate greenhouse away from residential and outbuildings - the shadow from buildings can obscure the plants in a polycarbonate greenhouse at a certain position of the sun.
If the soil on the site is wet (if groundwater is close), it is necessary to arrange reliable drainage in order to avoid soaking the root system of the plant products being grown during rains.
Installation of a greenhouse on a selected site
When choosing a site that meets necessary requirements, you can proceed directly to installing polycarbonate greenhouse frame elements with your own hands.
Preparatory work
To begin with, the boundaries of the area on which the complex will be installed are marked on the site. To do this, it is convenient to use wooden pegs or scraps of reinforcement, which are dug in along the perimeter of the future complex. A construction cord, twine or fishing line is pulled along pegs installed in the ground. The surface of the area is leveled, removing bumps and filling in depressions. The surface should not contain differences or slopes of more than 0.05 m.
The outer side of the trench is lined with roofing felt, metal sheets, and flat slate - this is necessary to protect against perennial weeds.
The bottom of the trench is compacted; horizontality must be checked using special tools. When installing the frame, it is very important that it is not skewed.
Installation of frame elements
It is not difficult to install the complex with your own hands; the main thing is to follow the technology for assembling the structure from individual elements.
The assembly of the frame begins from the end walls. The frame of the entrance door and windows is attached to the exposed arches to ventilate the greenhouse complex.
The elements of the lower trim are connected to each other, attaching the legs. The frame of the greenhouse base is lowered into the prepared trench, and it is very important that the support belt rises above the ground by at least 10 cm. It is imperative to check the horizontality of the bottom frame. A layer of roofing material is laid along the perimeter of the supporting base and under the timber - this will protect the tree from premature rotting. Wooden beams should be treated with bitumen mastic to further insulate the structure from moisture. Watch the video on how to install a polycarbonate greenhouse with your own hands.
When assembled on timber, the profiles are secured to the bottom frame with special steel corners. The frame arcs are sequentially strengthened to the frame, after which you can begin installing the polycarbonate sheets. The sheets are mounted first from the end sides, first removing the door and window blocks.
The assembly of coating elements from polycarbonate sheets must be carried out in compliance with the bottom and top sides.
The sides of the sheet differ in the color of the protective film - on lower sides polycarbonate film is white (transparent), the outer side of the profile sheets has blue protection.
Bulky and inconvenient glass greenhouses are confidently being replaced by their polycarbonate counterparts. Due to their strength and lightness, they are in great demand among summer residents. But what attracts the user most is the quick installation, since the simplest installation of a polycarbonate greenhouse is carried out directly on the ground, without a foundation.
How to build a foundation for installing a practical greenhouse
First, the master needs to choose the type of future foundation. There are seasonal and permanent options for installing a polycarbonate greenhouse, using concrete, blocks, timber, or performing point and strip foundation.
Urgent installation of a polycarbonate greenhouse without a foundation, directly on the ground, allows you to save significant money and makes it possible to transfer the structure to right place plot. A simple wooden foundation can be dismantled at any time.
Is there a need to install a foundation?
At the beginning of work, each master has a question about how to properly install a polycarbonate greenhouse, about choosing a base and optimal materials for it. Let's say a master plans to assemble an arched greenhouse made of polycarbonate. It weighs 60-70 kg and will move in strong gusts of wind. In this case, you just need to make a foundation to secure the structure on it.
Among the positive qualities of a greenhouse on a sound basis we can confidently name:
- increased service life,
- availability of reliable protection from rainfall, spring floods, weeds and temperature changes,
- well-warmed soil,
- creation of a rigid structure, relevant for areas on marshy soils.
In a polycarbonate greenhouse standing on the ground, you cannot install high beds. The gardener will have to plant the plants later.
Under a polycarbonate greenhouse, you can make a strip foundation made of concrete mixture, bricks, sleepers, or in the form of a trench covered with gravel material. Or you can install the structure on metal piles screwed into concrete, crushed stone or directly into the ground.
If you have to move a temporary greenhouse to a new location, a point-type foundation is suitable for it. This base is made from scrap timber and connected to the greenhouse with steel corners.
So, in order for the structure to serve the owner for many years, he must install a polycarbonate greenhouse with his own hands on a strip-type base. On marshy soils good choice will become a block base. A timber foundation is short-lived, since the wood in the ground will certainly rot and will soon require replacement.
Where to place the greenhouse?
When deciding on a location for a greenhouse, you need to take into account important circumstances:
- lighting mode: the area should be exposed to sunlight all day,
- equipping the structure with a special soil heating system, which will allow the greenhouse to operate all year round,
- taking into account the directions of the “wind rose”.
To install a polycarbonate greenhouse with your own hands for winter use, you need to find a place where cold winds do not reach. If this condition is met, the cost of electrical heating can be significantly reduced.
Installation on a concrete foundation
When the master already knows how to install a polycarbonate greenhouse, he must determine its dimensions and select the right material for assembling the frame. A metal profile is used for construction, PVC pipes or wooden beam. These materials have different service life.
If a summer resident is still wondering what to install a polycarbonate greenhouse on, he can use the most reliable, time-tested building material – concrete – as the base. First you need to dig a pit, lay a gravel layer and fill it with sand. The formwork must be erected, retreating 0.2 m from the soil layer. Place the reinforcement on a sand layer, pour the solution into the finished box and start installing the frame the next day.
The greenhouse is held on a brick foundation by being secured to the hinges. A point base is also quite easy to install: dig a few holes, fill them with concrete and install the frame legs in them.
Installing a polycarbonate greenhouse on the ground
If the owner of the dacha still cannot decide where to install a polycarbonate greenhouse, experts give practical advice. It turns out that there is a good possibility of erecting a structure on a leveled plot of land, as in the photo. There is no need for compaction, which reduces soil fertility. According to the instructions, the summer greenhouse is placed directly on the prepared soil, without constructing a solid concrete foundation.
Installing a polycarbonate greenhouse with your own hands without a foundation has several undeniable advantages:
- significant savings in the family budget,
- simple installation technology,
- the ability to perform work without the assistance of assistants,
- mobility,
- possibility of easy and quick disassembly.
Installation on bare ground has both negative aspects: the greenhouse will lose up to 1/10 of the heat and create access for insects, rodents and weeds useful plants. It will not be possible to place two greenhouses on a small area, but a structure without a base can be moved from time to time to another place with better quality soil.
Timber base for a garden greenhouse
A timber support is used when a greenhouse is urgently needed to grow a new crop that needs a separate comfortable place. This option helps to significantly save on building materials and is usually used for installing seasonal greenhouses.
Among the significant advantages of a timber foundation, experienced users name:
- quick installation and dismantling for moving the greenhouse to another location,
- smooth edges of the timber, allowing you to create a geometrically correct greenhouse frame,
- environmental cleanliness and safety of the material,
- Creation favorable microclimate for planted plants, thanks to good breathability and heat retention,
- easy repairs in cases of rotting and damage by pests.
To increase the service life of the timber, you need to impregnate it with special antiseptics.
The final decision on what the polycarbonate greenhouse will be installed on, whether to make a foundation at all, and how to select the material for it will be up to the owner of the dacha. Of course, the greenhouse will survive without it, but the foundation will be able to solve the problem of weed growth and pest penetration. A professional talks about the need for a foundation for a greenhouse in this video:
Greenhouses made of polycarbonate have long replaced their glass counterparts. They are in demand among buyers due to their strength and lightness, and quick installation. After all, the installation of a polycarbonate greenhouse can be carried out not only on the foundation, but also on ordinary soil.
Source light-sovet.ru
Pros and cons of the material
Other advantages of polycarbonate: there is no need to remove the greenhouse for the winter; the endurance period of polycarbonate is more than 10 years. In addition, it perfectly withstands mechanical loads and can even be repaired. The material is flexible, does not break, and is resistant to temperature changes and fertilizers. Due to the multilayer nature of the material, it has increased thermal insulation.
Polycarbonate is one of the the best materials for the manufacture of greenhouses Source 2gis.ru
Polycarbonate also has disadvantages: it is expensive, requires forced ventilation, and has low light transmittance. However, in any case, a polycarbonate greenhouse will cost less than a glass structure. If the client decides to choose this particular greenhouse, then he needs to contact installation specialists.
Correct installation of a polycarbonate greenhouse
What you need to know and how to install a polycarbonate greenhouse:
- Typically the greenhouse is located on a flat and sunny area. If there is no such place, then the choice will have to be made in favor of illumination of the site in the first half of the day, and if the soil is sloping, a foundation is definitely needed.
- A cushion of gravel and sand is created, then fertile soil is laid on top. In this case, the installation of the greenhouse will be carried out correctly. The structure cannot be placed on clay.
- It checks how deep the groundwater goes. They must be at a depth of at least 1.3 meters, otherwise there will be constant water in the greenhouse during watering and rain. If groundwater is close, drainage ditches will be made.
- It is necessary to protect the greenhouse from drafts. For this purpose, the frame is placed tightly in relation to the ground or the structure is protected by buildings and trees. A sheet of metal profile will also help, the main thing is that it does not cast a shadow.
The place for the future greenhouse should be level and well lit Source profelement.com.ua
So, having figured out how to install a polycarbonate greenhouse, we begin the actual installation.
Foundation for a polycarbonate greenhouse: selection and installation
First of all, we choose the type of foundation. There are several options for installing a polycarbonate greenhouse:
- Spot.
- Tape.
- Timber.
- Blocky.
- Concrete.
Each of them can be used in in this case for a greenhouse, just one of the options turns out to be temporary, for one season, the other is permanent.
On our website you can find contacts of construction companies that offer metal structure installation services. You can communicate directly with representatives by visiting the “Low-Rise Country” exhibition of houses.
Source o-remonte.com To choose a foundation for a polycarbonate greenhouse, which one will be better in your case depends on many factors: the structure of the site, groundwater deposits, natural factors. That is why it is recommended to install a greenhouse temporarily for the first year, and then, choosing best option placement, just move it.
Design features and materials
If the greenhouse is to be moved around the site and its location is temporary, then you can choose a point foundation, which is made from the stumps of a wooden beam. The greenhouse and the foundation are connected by metal corners.
Source kakpostroit.su
The strip foundation is very simple to make and lasts for many years. Block is also a good option, especially for areas with marshy soil. The timber option is short-lived, since the wood in the soil quickly begins to rot and requires replacement. Which foundation to choose is up to the customer.
How to install a polycarbonate greenhouse on a concrete foundation
Let's consider one of the greenhouse options for concrete foundation. Concrete is the most durable material, therefore, if a place for a greenhouse is chosen, you can make a foundation for permanent use.
- A pit is created and a cushion of gravel and sand is made at a distance of 15 cm from the soil.
- The formwork is erected at a distance of 20 cm from top level soil.
- The reinforcement is laid on top of the sand.
- The solution is poured into the box.
- A day later, the frame is installed.
Source tr.decorexpro.com
When choosing a brick, the technology is almost the same; the greenhouse is attached using hinges. It is quite easy to install a point foundation. Holes are simply dug, filled with concrete, and the legs of the greenhouse are installed inside. However, this method is not very practical, so it is better to entrust the installation of the foundation and greenhouse to specialists who will do it efficiently and quickly.
What material to choose for the foundation and whether it is needed at all is up to the owner of the site to decide. Generally, a greenhouse won't go anywhere without one, but having a foundation can reduce the intrusion of insects and plants.
Construction of a greenhouse: preparatory work
Of course, before installation, some details are clarified and the ground is prepared. Most often, the sunniest place on the site is selected for the greenhouse. In addition, it should be located away from buildings and large trees so that they do not cast a shadow.
Do not forget that the greenhouse must be installed in a place where there are no drafts, or it must stand with its end facing the winds. For example, an east-west orientation might be a good location. After the location is chosen, the dimensions of the greenhouse are selected and installation is carried out.
Assembling a polycarbonate greenhouse
So, how to properly install a polycarbonate greenhouse on a site has been clarified earlier, so all that remains is to assemble the structure. Fasteners come complete with polycarbonate, so assembly begins from the side ends.
The order of work:
- Arches and spacers are attached to the door frame.
- The end posts are attached to spacers.
- Intermediate struts are fixed.
- The arches and racks are attached to the longitudinal struts.
- The finished end is attached to the foundation, and the second end is made according to its sample.
- The arcs are connected to the second end and secured to longitudinal struts.
- All arches are secured using longitudinal struts and checked with a gas wrench for the strength of the fasteners.
- The frame is covered with polycarbonate sheets. The protective layer is located on the outside. Channels for removing liquid must be located strictly vertically. The edges of the sheets are sealed with a special film.
- The diameter of the screws should be slightly smaller than the holes in the polycarbonate so that the sheet does not deform. In addition, special fittings for plastic are used.
- The edges of the polycarbonate sheet are sprinkled with earth in a layer of at least 5 cm.
Source agroinstryment.ru
Our specialists will carry out all the work quickly and efficiently, so by trusting them, you can get an excellent greenhouse of any size.
Installing a polycarbonate greenhouse on a foundation
After the frame is assembled, the frame parts are bolted together and the legs are attached to it. Those parts that will go underground are treated with bitumen. The assembled structure is moved to the foundation and secured with welded hinges. In addition, the base of the frame is tied to fix the object. Or the legs of the greenhouse are simply lowered into the concrete base of the finished foundation and secured additionally.
So, we have learned how to properly install a polycarbonate greenhouse, now you can plant it with seedlings.
Video description
You can learn more about how professionals install polycarbonate greenhouses from the video:
Typically, polycarbonate greenhouses are chosen in sizes 3x6 or 4x8. It all depends on the area of the plot and the desires of the owner. However, with large footage of the building, some difficulties may arise. Therefore, in some cases it is better to choose two small greenhouses to separate crops than to make one structure, but a large one.
Most often, gardeners think that installing a polycarbonate greenhouse without a foundation is also not the worst option; it is inexpensive, and ordinary holes in the soil with concrete, where the tails of the frame of the assembled greenhouse are placed, will do well as a support. However, it is better to secure the structure thoroughly, because the greenhouse can simply be stolen by being pulled out of the ground. That is why the creation of a foundation and installation of a greenhouse by specialists will not only make the greenhouse strong and warm, but will also prevent it from being stolen from the site.
Source sadov0d.ru
When installing on uneven soil, building a foundation is simply necessary, otherwise the structure will change shape over time and collapse.
Do not forget to locate the greenhouse away from bushes and trees, as large plants will take water and nutrients from the soil.
The time to install a polycarbonate greenhouse is early spring at above-zero temperatures, but late autumn, after harvesting, is better.
Source pobudova.in.ua
To prevent weeds from getting inside the greenhouse, you can dig a trench around the perimeter, which is laid with old slate or roofing felt.
Conclusion
Organizing ventilation in this case is an important task, so with a polycarbonate greenhouse you need to provide for this first. When organizing automatic system ventilation can be connected and watering of plants.
Installing a polycarbonate greenhouse with your own hands is not as difficult as it might seem. Of course, drawing up a project and drawings require at least some knowledge of geometry, and the construction process itself requires minimal skills in working with tools. But all this is in a volume not exceeding what the average gardener possesses.
We will give step by step instructions How to properly install a polycarbonate greenhouse yourself. It also contains videos with useful information.
Installing a polycarbonate greenhouse in a country house
Installation of greenhouses on a foundation, if they are very small and simple in design, can be done without full design. A hand drawing will be sufficient.
The design of any buildings on a garden plot, including carbonate greenhouses, always begins with drawing up a sketch. First of all, we draw the frame of the building. This can be done by hand, without using a ruler. We decide on the type of structure, its approximate parameters, building materials. As for the sizes, we first measure construction site– we find out the area and geometry of the base of the future greenhouse. Next we set the height of the roof, side walls, and basement.
How to install a polycarbonate greenhouse, video and photo instructions
Now the foundation. It would also be nice to make a sketch here, you can different types, as in the picture below. What to install a polycarbonate greenhouse on, options:
- block on a cement pad and
- reinforced tape,
- tape reinforced with a base.
- Reinforced strip + piles.
They are suitable for any type of greenhouses, wooden, metal profiles, polypropylene pipes, etc. The only thing is that thermoses are better built on a strip base.
How to install a polycarbonate greenhouse on a foundation: two base options
Then we start making drawings. Arched greenhouses consist of duplicate parts, so few projections of the building are required:
- Ends. If there are no differences in their design, then we make only one drawing.
- Side view. If both sides are the same, the drawing is one.
Scheme - drawing of a polycarbonate greenhouse
Next we move on to the drawings. entrance doors and ventilation transoms. We make everything that is the same in a single copy, marking the number of units. We immediately set all the dimensions, installation locations of hardware, welding points, if they will be used. We conditionally mark the nature of hardware and fastening units. The same applies to drawings of the entire greenhouse frame.
Drawings of doors, vents
You can simplify your task by ordering a ready-made design. A complete set for a polycarbonate greenhouse will be delivered to the site; assembly and installation, a video of which is presented below, will take very little time. Instructions and installation rules are always included along with the rest of the documentation.
How to install a greenhouse on a site: installing the foundation
First of all, we clear the ground of debris and stones. We check the surface for level and level out uneven areas. Now you can start marking. The most convenient way to do this is with a system of pegs. The lace is pulled over the crossbars, and it is attached to them with a free loop so that you can change the distance between the contours.
How to properly install a greenhouse on a site: the work site is marked with a double-circuit system of pegs
We begin to dig trenches for the foundation. Their walls should be strictly vertical, the depth along the entire length should be the same. We set the trench parameters according to the drawing. The most common sizes for greenhouses up to 10 m2:
- Depth – 50 cm.
- Width – 30 cm.
We install formwork along the edges. If the casting of the base is planned at the same time as the foundation, then we raise the panels above the edges of the trench to its height of + 15 cm. For a foundation without a base, we make the formwork 20 cm high. The structure is assembled from boards, chipboard, sheets of metal, or any other available material. We make sure to install a system of supports that will prevent the panels from moving apart under the weight of the concrete.
How to install a polycarbonate greenhouse, dig foundation trenches with your own hands or using special equipment
The foundation is cast using a cement-based solution with the addition of crushed stone and sand. The proportions are:
- Crushed stone – 6 parts.
- Sand - 3 parts.
- Cement (M400) – 1 part.
Pour enough mortar into the formwork to leave 10 cm to the edges. We cover the foundation with cellophane and leave it to harden for 36 hours, after which we begin further construction.
Please note:The given recipe is suitable for most greenhouses except industrial ones that have a lot of weight - their installation requires a more durable solution. To get it, we simply reduce the amount of crushed stone, take 5 parts instead of 6.
How to install a polycarbonate greenhouse: foundation before stripping
The next photo is a view of the foundation after stripping, ready for installation of the greenhouse. To make it more convenient to maintain plants, the beds should be high. Therefore, along the aisles we remove a 20 cm layer of soil - it can be placed in the space of the beds. As a result, the passages will become deeper, and you will hardly have to bend over to weed or loosen.
After stripping the formwork, we begin installing the polycarbonate greenhouse on the foundation
Installing a polycarbonate greenhouse with your own hands, video contains useful tips on choosing a location for the structure and its installation.
Installation of a polycarbonate greenhouse frame
Further installation of the polycarbonate greenhouse on the beam - strapping is done using anchor bolts (16 mm). Under the timber (120 x 50 mm) we must lay strips of roofing material, which will provide the necessary moisture insulation. We make the distance between the bolts 50-60 cm. We tighten it gradually, checking the building level. Where necessary, we place pieces of wood or metal. We tighten the hardware so that the harness does not “walk.”
How to install a greenhouse: installation of timber frames
Installation of the greenhouse on the beam is done using steel corners - one on opposite sides profile pipe. We first mark the timber so that the installation points on both sides are at the same level. Just as with the installation of the harness, fixing the arches should be accompanied by level measurements. Only this time we look not at horizontality, but at verticality of the elements.
How to properly install a polycarbonate greenhouse; frame profiles are attached to the timber with steel corners
Please note:For connection points of elements, it is most convenient to use crab clamps. They are T-shaped, three- and four-sided, and are tightened with screws. If you are installing an industrial greenhouse, then more solid fastenings will be needed. In this case, you can use through bolts or a welding machine.
Fastening with a crab clamp
Installation of polycarbonate
We begin installation of the coating from the ends from which the door and window frames. For convenience, we screw the rectangular sheets as is, without cutting out a semicircle according to the shape of the sides. We cut the already fixed material, bypassing the contours of the frame from the outside, and also cutting out a hole for the door and/or window. For such work, an ordinary hacksaw is used. We cover the removed transoms with polycarbonate and hang them in their original place.
Then we proceed to install the cellular polycarbonate on the rest of the frame. The sheets are laid crosswise, without overlap. The joints are formed with a connecting profile, which will ensure a tight connection of the coating. Special hardware for polycarbonate is used - thermal washers with a sealing gasket.
Installing polycarbonate on the end sides of the greenhouse
Sheets of covering material are attracted to each arch in several places. This is common practice, but there is an alternative installation method that avoids multiple holes in the sheets. Everything is very simple: take narrow, long strips of aluminum, and overlap the greenhouse over the polycarbonate with them. The required tightness is ensured by a screw, which can be tightened or loosened at your discretion. The principle of operation of such clamps is clear from the following photo.
How to properly install a polycarbonate greenhouse, a good idea for installing covering material
Please note:polycarbonate is sold with protective film on the surface. This protection is removed immediately before installing the material or immediately after. You cannot delay this, because under the influence of ultraviolet radiation the glue on which the film is held will set. It will become almost impossible to remove the latter.
Ready greenhouse
The installation of a polycarbonate greenhouse on the ground has been completed; the video contains instructions for working with thermal washers.
To install a polycarbonate greenhouse on your site on your own, you need to perform a number of sequential actions:
- Choose the right location and soil;
- Decide on the size, shape and material of the greenhouse frame;
- Decide for yourself to mount a ready-made kit or cut the frame elements and polycarbonate yourself;
- Prepare the foundation;
- Stock up on tools and fasteners;
- Carry out installation in accordance with the drawing.
The optimal way in terms of time and effort is to purchase a ready-made greenhouse kit and carry out the installation yourself. In this case, assembling the elements will not take much time. The owner will not have to spend hours purchasing and selecting materials, calculating fasteners, or cutting out polycarbonate.
The standard set includes frame materials, cellular polycarbonate in size, components, sealants and assembly diagram. The price of the finished kit depends on the type of polycarbonate, frame and parameters: length, width and height. The next step is to choose a location for installing the greenhouse.
How to install?
If you choose the wrong area where to place the greenhouse, problems will arise with germination, unsuitable temperature and humidity for plants. All together this will lead to high labor costs and a small harvest.
It is estimated that losses due to improper placement amount to 30–35 percent of the potential harvest each year!
The greenhouse should be installed correctly with its ends facing from east to west; in this case, the sun, moving throughout the day, evenly illuminates all plantings. In the morning, the air will gradually warm up and by the evening enough heat will accumulate in the greenhouse so that the plants do not freeze at night and during morning frosts.
What to consider when choosing a site on a site
Rule 1. It is better to assemble a greenhouse, especially a gable or arched type, with your own hands, away from fences, trees, and buildings. It is impossible for their shadow to block the sun for planting in a greenhouse. Sunlight is the main important factor for the location of greenhouses. Buildings, trees and shrubs interfere with the melting of snow in the spring, and the soil does not warm up for a long time.
If it is not possible to position it so that the sun illuminates the greenhouse all day, then it is important that it enters it from morning to noon. At this time, the dawn cold accumulates and the plants greatly need warmth.
If the sun visits the greenhouse only in the afternoon, then enough heat will not accumulate in it, but it is necessary to heat the plants at night. In addition, if the sun's rays “hit” sharply at noon on unprepared plants, then leaf burns are possible.
Rule 2. The greenhouse is installed on the leeward side from east to west. In this case, maximum natural light is achieved. The wide wall of the greenhouse is located on the south side. – this is additional heating and extended growing season. In the hot summer heat they are shaded with light canopies over polycarbonate.
Rule 3... In case of heavy rains or snow, water should flow freely from the greenhouse and not stagnate, because the root system of cucumber and tomato plants does not like waterlogging.
It is recommended to first examine the site to see what kind of soil is under the soil layer. . Clay will not allow water to escape, and it will begin to stagnate in the greenhouse. It is necessary that there is sand under the soil layer. If there is no suitable plot of land on the territory, then in the intended place for the greenhouse, remove the soil layer according to the size of the greenhouse and dig a pit. Then gravel is poured into the pit and a sand cushion is created. After this, you can return the fertile land back and assemble the greenhouse with your own hands.
Rule 4. Check the groundwater level. . If the entire area is like this, then they think about a general drainage and drainage system, and for a local damp place, they organize drainage directly under the greenhouse made of cellular polycarbonate. Thanks to this, it does not erode or rot.
Rule 5. Be sure to study the terrain of the area and the points where snow accumulates over the winter. It is important that in winter the greenhouse is not covered with a large layer of snow; the roof may not be able to withstand the weight.
When is the best time to place it?
- Installation can be carried out on any fine day, whether it is a ready-made structure or assembled entirely with your own hands;
- It’s easy to purchase a greenhouse in the fall at a discount, and installation will cost 10%;
- If you installed a greenhouse in the fall, then early in the spring, quickly ripening cultivated vegetables, for example, radishes, are planted;
- When purchasing frame metal pipes or polycarbonate in the spring, you risk paying a higher price because the construction season starts and prices for materials rise.
Foundation preparation
Whether they make the greenhouse themselves or purchase a ready-made kit does not matter; the base, in any case, is made motionless and level.
The base is made of timber, brick, a single concrete slab, building blocks, placed on piles or laid out with tape around the perimeter. Which material to choose depends on site conditions, topography, soil and the design load of the greenhouse structure. .
The most affordable is a foundation made of wooden beams. It is easy to install on your own, and if necessary, the greenhouse on a beam can be easily moved to another location. The side needed is 10 cm; when installing, the block is buried in the dug trenches by about 5 cm.
The weak side of a wooden foundation is that it is susceptible to rotting; the timber must be impregnated with deep waterproofing or wrapped in sheet flexible protection.
The timber is laid according to the markings that were previously marked on the ground. . The timber is cut to the size of the greenhouse and laid along the twine, while the level is carefully adjusted and leveled using a construction tool - a spirit level or a level. It is important to maintain right angles and check the equality of diagonal dimensions. The bars are fastened together with metal brackets. The wooden foundation remains vulnerable to the penetration of rodents, shrews, and groundwater.
A strip foundation will last ten years longer than a wooden one. Moreover, he will protect root system plants from rodents and dangerous frosts. But ribbon view cannot be moved to another location and requires much more time to construct.
Mark the location of the future greenhouse using stakes and stretched cords. If the ground is dense, then along the marking it is necessary to dig a shallow trench of approximately 400–500 mm. Sand and fine gravel are poured onto the bottom to a height of about 200 mm. . After preparing the formwork, concrete mortar is poured inside layer by layer. Later, the greenhouse structure is installed in it. –2 layers brickwork. In this case, anchor bolts are installed in concrete that has not yet hardened.
The foundation is made of concrete blocks using the same principle. Instead of filling with liquid cement mortar FBS blocks are installed; sizes 200*400*200 mm are suitable for greenhouses. The blocks are laid in a column, the rows are laid with heat and waterproofing. A greenhouse structure is mounted on top of the blocks.
Even on highly unstable, watery soils, it is easy and quick to drive piles using a screw method. The depth of laying piles depends on the weight of the greenhouse structure and the number of supports, on average the depth is 1–1.5 m. Also, a foundation made of timber, a pile foundation can be easily dismantled and moved to a new location.
If the groundwater is high, then a foundation made of any material requires good waterproofing. Thanks to protection from moisture, the service life of the foundation is significantly extended and the stability of the structure is increased. When the base is ready, the greenhouse is leveled on it, the corners are aligned and secured with self-tapping screws.
How long a greenhouse will last directly depends on the material of the foundation and frame. It is made from a wooden block or metal pipe. The pros and cons of the type of greenhouse frame are inherent in the properties of the substance used.
The wooden frame is environmentally friendly, easy and quick to install, but short-lived and requires hydrophobic impregnation and periodic painting. The service life of a wooden structure is no more than 5 years.
The frame made of metal tubes can easily withstand wind and snow loads. Will last much longer wooden frame, but the metal needs anti-corrosion treatment. Due to precipitation in the form of snow, rain, rust quickly appears in grooves or joints.
Tools and materials
When installing a greenhouse with your own hands, you cannot do without a set of tools and materials. In this work you will need:
- Level (level);
- Screwdriver;
- Construction saw;
- Electric jigsaw;
- Axe, shovel.
Materials:
- Frame materials (timber or metal pipe);
- Board for formwork;
- Polycarbonate sheets;
- Waterproofing (mortar or rolled material);
- Fasteners (screws, washers, gaskets);
- Twine, stakes.
Before proceeding with the installation of a greenhouse on a site, you should carefully study the quality of the soil, the water level, the terrain, the main direction of the wind and the degree of sunlight.
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