How to choose a durable greenhouse. Which greenhouse is best for a summer cottage? What are the best greenhouses?

Ordinary garden beds allow summer residents to grow a variety of vegetables and vitamin-rich greens for their table. But if cucumbers and zucchini are not afraid of the scorching sun, harsh downpours and are able to please their owners with a decent harvest, then demanding eggplants and peppers in an ordinary garden bed in most regions of our country will not bring normal harvest, they need shelter. For this reason, homeowners are faced with an important question: how to choose a polycarbonate greenhouse.

Criterias of choice

It is difficult to choose a building suitable for your conditions; first of all, consider the thickness of the polycarbonate. It is cheapest to use products 4 mm thick; this material is best suited for most protected structures. It is convenient to lay it on arched greenhouses. 8-10 mm polycarbonate is best used when constructing a greenhouse for winter growing vegetables. It is quite durable, transmits light well and retains heat.

Using polycarbonate, you can assemble a very warm building; even a greenhouse cannot compare with it in terms of heat retention. Polycarbonate is great for constructing winter shelters for plants.

The service life depends on the characteristics of the frame. The structures are made from U, V and M shaped profiles. Structures are often built from galvanized profile 30x30 mm; it allows you to build a very reliable structure, but such a pipe is expensive.

It is necessary to take into account the thickness of the metal - frames made of profile pipes with thin walls serve well in the summer, have a low weight, and are easy to assemble. But they are not able to withstand a lot of snow. The frames of inexpensive winter buildings are sometimes made from PVC pipes. This is a durable material with low thermal conductivity; it will create a cold bridge in the greenhouse enclosure. But such a frame is very light, a strong wind can carry it away. The best greenhouse is based on an aluminum frame, this light metal does not rust. If it is installed correctly, the structure will stand stable under gusts of wind. But such a frame conducts heat well (due to the appearance of cold bridges), which will lead to rapid cooling of the air at night.

To prevent the appearance of cold bridges, when attaching polycarbonate sheets, a rubber seal is placed on the metal frame, and thermal washers are used for fastening.

Frame type and material used

The strength of the frame ensures that the structure will not break due to strong winds, and winter period will not collapse under the weight of fallen snow. A durable structure can be made from different materials: metal, light alloys (aluminum based), plastic pipes. Aluminum. The advantage of this material is ease of care and low weight. But such a frame will require high-quality, reliable fastening to the foundation, which will lead to additional costs; Steel. A heavy and durable metal frame made of profiled elements will not “play” in any weather; it will last a very long time if the material is protected from corrosion. High-quality products are made from galvanized metal, which is rust-resistant.

Galvanized bent profile

This is a very durable and lightweight material with a wall thickness of about 2 mm. They produce bent profiles with zinc coating on modern equipment. Thanks to modern technologies manufacturing, the accuracy of the dimensions and shape of the profile is achieved, which makes it possible to significantly reduce the time required for assembly.

Steel profile

The most wear-resistant and durable are profile steel products. Metal structures made from profile pipes can withstand high loads; for example, a frame made of thick-walled pipe can support an entire snowdrift. It is only important to treat the metal parts of the greenhouse with a composition that prevents corrosion.

Choosing the optimal area

The optimal length is within 4-6 m with a height of 2 m; in such a greenhouse it is convenient to care for plants and easy to organize watering, and it also has good ventilation. With such a length, if there are ventilation frames in addition to the doors, natural ventilation will be enough to renew the air. Almost all manufacturers offer products with a width of 3 m, this optimal size enough for most plants. It will be possible to create 2 beds along the building, and you can reach the distant bushes directly from the central path.

If the total area of ​​the protected structure is not enough for you, then it is better to make 2 small greenhouses than one large one (in which it will be inconvenient or difficult to work and difficult to maintain a favorable microclimate).

Which polycarbonate to choose for a greenhouse

To decide which polycarbonate is best to cover a building, you need to understand the properties of this material.

Material type

The purpose of the protected structure is to provide optimal conditions for plants during unfavorable times of the year. Any translucent material has a certain weight, and you need a frame that can support it. Therefore, it is advisable to use lightweight material with good thermal insulation, otherwise you will have to make a heavy, reinforced frame. Cellular polycarbonate is best suited for this, as it has a hollow structure and is light in weight. Monolithic polycarbonate, with the same sheet thickness, has much more mass. Cellular polycarbonate, in addition, retains heat well.

Presence of a light-stabilizing layer

With prolonged use of plastic, it is exposed daily to a stream of sunlight, the spectrum of which contains ultraviolet rays. They provoke processes of photoelectric destruction of the material, as a result of which microcracks begin to appear on the surface of the polycarbonate. They gradually increase, which leads to increased fragility of the material and gradual destruction.

To protect the coating from these processes, a special layer is applied to it. On most varieties of polycarbonate, such a coating is on one side and it must be directed outward when laying the material. To find this side, you need to find a special mark on the packaging film that shows how to place the panel. On some brands of polycarbonate, a UV protective layer is applied to both sides of the material. They should not be used to cover a greenhouse, since ultraviolet radiation affects only one side. Everything about polycarbonate greenhouses and the characteristics of such coatings can be found in a special article on our website. The industry also offers polycarbonate without a light-stabilizing coating. It can only be used for interior works. Destructive processes will quickly ruin the material, it will not last long, and you will have to splurge on new slabs. In short, the miser pays twice.

Cellular polycarbonate thickness

The thickness of polycarbonate for covering a greenhouse depends on several nuances:

• frame strut pitch;
• angles and shapes of slopes;
• temperature conditions and amount of snow in the region;
• choosing the crops that you will grow in the greenhouse..

We recommend purchasing structures with a sheathing pitch of 70-105 cm; this value is proportional to the width of the sheet, which makes it possible to reduce material costs when covering a protected structure. The thickness of the polycarbonate you need depends on the purpose of the greenhouse. If you are growing seedlings, then 6 mm thick cellular polycarbonate is suitable, and 4 mm of material is enough to produce early vegetables.

Forms of structures

Single-pitch. There are reasons to choose a greenhouse of this design. It can withstand heavy snow loads, it is easy to build, and the inside of this building is spacious. A lean-to structure, installed close to the wall of the house, allows you to use the area adjacent to the building, which is usually useless on the site, for growing vegetables or herbs. Thanks to the support on the wall of a permanent structure, material costs are significantly saved, in addition, the wall will improve the stability of the greenhouse. It is easy to install water and lighting into it, and the internal volume is easier to heat. Gable. Buildings with vertical walls and a gable roof are easy to assemble and install; the entrance is located at the end of the greenhouse. In general, she is considered excellent option for a sufficient volume of air, which is well heated by the sun's rays, and the ability to arrange racks for seedlings.

Polygonal. Gardeners rarely use them; they are very difficult to install. Such a greenhouse requires a powerful ventilation system, since it is necessary to renew a large volume of air. But the structure looks great, has high light transmittance and good resistance to gusts of wind. Arched. Arched greenhouses are considered the best in terms of thermal efficiency; they are able to withstand increased snow loads. However, if the height of such a greenhouse exceeds 2 m, then reinforcement of the structure is necessary. Tent. These buildings stand out for their variety of designs and sizes. They need a strong frame. The walls of such a greenhouse are straight, the roof is inclined by 25-30°C. The vents are installed under the “ridge”, which allows you to ventilate the internal volume without creating a draft, removing only stagnant air that collects at the top. A tent structure will require increased costs, as the consumption of polycarbonate will increase compared to other structures. Teardrop-shaped. This durable structure is designed for use in harsh, snowy winters. It features a reinforced metal frame treated with anti-corrosion agents. An exceptionally high-quality polycarbonate with good protection against ultraviolet rays is also required. The structure is made in such a way that there is enough warmth and sunny color for all plants. The greenhouse is equipped with doors and ventilation windows, which makes it possible to maintain humidity and temperature favorable for plants. A drop-shaped roof prevents snow from accumulating; it slides off the roof on its own. Common designs:

1. Arched. Optimal shape, this design is easy to assemble and convenient to use. Sheathed with polycarbonate using folded sheets, it is convenient for people to move inside, and the arc-shaped roof does not trap fallen snow.
2. Mini-greenhouses. These are small structures, approximately 2 m wide and small in height, which is only enough to move a person 180-190 cm tall. Mini-structures are well suited for installation in small garden plots.
3. "Droplet." The pointed roof of this design can withstand the harshest winters; snow cannot linger on it.

The best arched polycarbonate greenhouses

"Harvest PC" - an affordable building for a summer residence

Its racks are made of highly curved galvanized profile, the shape of which strengthens the entire structure. The doors have vents that allow the room to be ventilated. This design does not require a foundation; you only need to deepen the posts into the ground by 30 cm. The Harvest PC greenhouse has modest dimensions: 3 m wide and 2.15 m high. These dimensions of the polycarbonate greenhouse allow you to place both beds and paths. Its length is 4 m, but the structure can be made longer by connecting parts in 2 m increments. The structure is covered with polycarbonate.

Greenhouse "Harvest Elite-Absolute"

The arched greenhouse is 2.1 m high and 3 m wide, the minimum length of the structure is 4 m. There are 2 windows and 2 end doors. You can extend the structure by installing additional modular sections 2 m long. In the production of the frame, a square profile with zinc coating is used. The arcs are installed every 100 cm. The zinc-coated frame does not need to be painted, it will not rust for a long time, and there is a protective coating even on the inside. Polycarbonate is mounted using galvanized tapes, tightening it in the form of a clamp; for this reason, there is no need to drill holes, which will increase the service life of the coating. This design is easy to assemble yourself, since special markings are applied everywhere.

"Dachnaya-Optima" - the most durable

This is a reinforced structure produced by the Volya company. This type of greenhouse is preferred by summer residents who are deprived of the opportunity to clear snow daily. The galvanized profile is not affected by temperature changes and can withstand mechanical damage well. "Optima" is well suited for places where there is a lot of rainfall. The increased strength frame and thoughtful metal construction guarantee a service life of at least 15 years.

“Severyanka” from NZT - simple and reliable

This design was created taking into account the climate of the north-west of our country. The frame is made of galvanized coated profile pipe. The arcs are spaced at a distance of 65 cm and are fastened together by horizontal crossbars, forming a reliable and durable structure. For ventilation, a window and a door are installed at the ends of the greenhouse. Such greenhouses are produced no shorter than 4 meters; they can be made longer with the help of special inserts. Each adds 2 meters of length.

The best equal wall greenhouses

Glass House "Dubrava" - for real farmers

The structure is 4 m wide and 2.8 m high. It is possible to separate plants that are incompatible under growing conditions from each other with a special partition, which can be purchased additionally. The frame is made of galvanized components, which makes it possible to extend the life of the building. The use of galvanized metal guarantees a long service life. It is difficult to find a more effective ratio of usable area to cost on the market. Assembly does not require special skills; the entire job will take less than one day.

"Tsar's Farm" - for very harsh conditions

This design provides for ventilation in the walls and roof; reviews claim that the greenhouse has a convenient height, allowing the placement of hanging beds. This turns it into an indispensable building on personal plot. The “Royal Farms” has a reinforced frame around the perimeter, and additional jumpers are installed to increase the rigidity of the structure. The width of the greenhouse is 4 m, which allows placing 4 beds with a path size of 30-50 cm. The frame comes with a five-year warranty. The greenhouse can be used in farms, it has a good price-quality ratio.

The best cone-shaped greenhouses

“Orange drop” - good for the garden

The frame is made in the form of a pointed arch, the arcs are installed at a distance of 1 m. Polycarbonate is 4 mm thick, coated with a layer that protects from ultraviolet radiation. They are produced in two modifications: “Droplet-3” and “Droplet-2.4” - with a width of 3 m and 2.4 m, respectively. The building is installed using lugs. This design is a type of super-strong structure and is designed to withstand high wind and snow loads. The elongated shape evenly distributes the load; fallen snow simply slides off its surface. The arches are made in the form of a pointed arch, which redistributes some of the pressure from the roof to the supports, preventing the frame from expanding.

“Kremlin Strelka” - the winds don’t care

This is a design with fundamentally new configuration meets all the requirements of high-quality greenhouses. Arcs made of 6 metal ties contribute to increasing the strength of the frame. Metal pipes are used as the base, all fasteners are galvanized. The shape of the double arcs can withstand almost any weather conditions without damaging the greenhouse and it is convenient to tie plants to them. The teardrop shape of the roof allows snow to slide off easily; the polycarbonate coating improves the illumination of the entire greenhouse, which increases the yield. The design allows you to install the necessary additional equipment, for example, an automatic ventilation system or a drip irrigation system. The warranty period for using the Kremlin Strelka greenhouse is 30 years, annual operation.

Greenhouses of the Volya company

Greenhouse "Dachnaya-Strelka"

This design, according to the advice of experts, is intended for regions where there is a lot of precipitation in winter. It is also suitable for those who find it difficult to visit their dacha often to clear snow from the greenhouse roof.

Important! “Dachnaya-Strelka” is capable of surviving the winter period at your dacha without getting damaged without your presence and snow removal. Every one of her square meter, can hold 450 kg of snow mass.”

Convenient dimensions - length 2, 4, 8 m, height 2-2.5 m and width 2.6-3 m. The height of the building makes it possible to plant tall crops, and the durable polycarbonate, 6 mm thick, allows you to grow plants in winter. The Dachnaya Strelka roof is a hybrid of two types of roofs: arched and gable. For this reason, fallen snow does not linger on it, sliding from the surface of the coating to the ground. There is as much free space inside as in a conventional arched greenhouse.

Greenhouse "Dachnaya-2DUM"

This product combines many ideas from the best engineers. With proper assembly and careful use, the greenhouse will last for several decades. There is no need to disassemble this durable structure for the winter. External and internal coating of all parts provides reliable protection of the material from corrosion. The shiny frame, covered with transparent polycarbonate, looks beautiful and can even be placed near the house on the lawn.

Greenhouse “Kremlin Lux”

The structure is made of durable metal, painted with durable paint and then baked in a special oven. This increases the service life of the frame, in the production of which the “Krabs-system” technology is used. This is a special way of attaching the frame and significantly strengthening the roof arch.

Greenhouse "Uralochka"

The design is practical and allows you to place vegetables of different heights in it. The harvest can be obtained several times a year. The frame is made of a metal profile, which is covered with cellular polycarbonate. The greenhouse can be operated during heavy snowfalls and gusts of wind. The design is simple, for this reason it is easy and quick to assemble, it does not require a solid foundation. The structure can be placed on ordinary soil.

Greenhouse "Perchina"

The success of these structures is achieved by the fact that they can withstand temperature changes well. In addition, they are durable and stable, easy to assemble and dismantle, and clean from dirt. The reliable frame is made of a profiled pipe coated with zinc coating; the frame is installed on interconnected metal plates. The greenhouse is compact and inexpensive.

The greenhouse is the main assistant of every gardener, allowing you to get a decent harvest in almost any conditions. Without it, in many regions of our country it is impossible to grow familiar fruits or vegetables. When choosing a suitable structure and deciding which is better: arched or gable, take into account the features of your site.

To make growing in a greenhouse more fun than hassle, you need to choose the right greenhouse. Particular attention should be paid to the material of the frame and covering for greenhouses, decide on the foundation, understand the types and types of greenhouses and find a suitable place to locate the greenhouse.

When choosing a greenhouse, many summer residents, first of all, focus on cost - they look for simpler and cheaper greenhouses. However, in order to choose a high-quality greenhouse, the issue of price must be considered last resort. Initially, you should pay attention to the material of the greenhouse, the reliability of the design, ease and practicality of use, and suitability for a specific region.

Which greenhouse to choose
When choosing greenhouses for your summer cottage, you must first decide why you need a greenhouse. What vegetables are you going to grow in it, in what volumes are you planning to plant? The answers to these questions will primarily affect the size of the greenhouse, its length, width and height, and total area. For example, for tall, indeterminate varieties of tomatoes and peppers, for which it is necessary to build and tie up supports, a tall rectangular “house” greenhouse is best suited.

Greenhouse size
Of course, the size of the greenhouse will largely depend on the size of your site and the plants you plan to plant in it. If there are no reasons to limit yourself, then you can focus on the standardized length, height and width of the greenhouse.

Choose a greenhouse with a height of 2.5 m, while the height of the low wall should be at least 1.5 m. A greenhouse with a width of 3.5 m and a length of no more than 6 m is convenient.
When installing a greenhouse, it is important to take into account the size of the door - they should be such that you can easily walk through with a garden wheelbarrow and other equipment. Therefore, if possible, make the entrance to the greenhouse approx. 1m.

How to choose a location for a greenhouse
In order to choose the right greenhouse, you need to know where you will put it. It is necessary to take into account the ratio of the size of the greenhouse and the area of ​​the plot, so that in addition to the greenhouse, there is enough space in the garden for fruit, berry and flower crops - in pursuit of productivity, one should not forget about the aesthetics and attractive appearance of the plot. Ideally, the greenhouse is not placed in the most visible place; they try to install it in a place that is inconspicuous to the eye, so before buying a greenhouse you should choose a place for the greenhouse.

When deciding where and how to locate the greenhouse, find the sunniest location in an open, unshaded area. In this case, the area under the greenhouse must be closed from wind and drafts.
When locating the greenhouse, its orientation to the cardinal directions is also important. In length, it will be most effective to install the greenhouse from north to south.

Greenhouse: collapsible or stationary
You should also immediately decide whether you need a collapsible or stationary greenhouse.
Stationary greenhouses are a traditional option; they have been in operation for a long time and successfully. However, installing a stationary greenhouse does not negate the fact that it requires supervision and care, especially when it comes to snow removal in winter.

A collapsible one will be more expensive, there will be more hassle in assembling and installing it, but it will help out gardeners who come to the dacha only during the season and cannot ensure the safety of the greenhouse during the cold period. The prefabricated structure is based on a lightweight frame made of galvanized profiles, steel reinforcement or metal-plastic pipes, and it is more convenient to use polycarbonate or film as cladding. The foundation of a collapsible greenhouse should also be quickly and easily installed and dismantled, so a wooden foundation made of timber and reinforcement is suitable.

To choose the right greenhouse, you need Special attention pay attention to the frame and covering for the greenhouse.

Covering for greenhouse
Polycarbonate, polyethylene and reinforced film, glass. The material used to make greenhouses affects many characteristics: price, strength, durability and, of course, appearance.

The best covering for greenhouses
To determine which greenhouse covering is best, you need to take into account all the pros and cons of different greenhouses and determine priority factors for yourself. In any case, choosing best option, something will have to be sacrificed.

Greenhouses made of polycarbonate
The most popular are polycarbonate greenhouses. They are made from a relatively new material - cellular polycarbonate, which is characterized by increased strength, tens of times greater than the strength of traditional glass.

Thanks to this, polycarbonate greenhouses are considered durable and strong enough to withstand heavy rainfall, strong winds and even hail. The service life of polycarbonate is approx. 15 years, during which time it does not lose its properties - it remains reliable and transparent.

Many people consider polycarbonate to be the best choice for greenhouse coverings. Cellular polycarbonate is manufactured in the form of panels with a cellular structure. Polymer sheets have dimensions: up to 12 m in length, 1-2 m wide, and thickness from 4 to 32 mm. The thickness of the sheets should be selected based on the operating conditions of the greenhouse. If you need the building only in the warm summer season, and no heating is expected, then sheets of 5-10 mm will be enough. Otherwise, for a heated winter greenhouse Thicker panels will be needed - at least 15 mm.

There are many advantages of a polycarbonate greenhouse. Greenhouse polycarbonate perfectly transmits and scatters sunlight, while not transmitting harmful ultraviolet radiation, withstands temperature changes from -30 to +100 ° C, has good thermal insulation properties, and is superior to other coatings in strength and lightness (12 times lighter and 50 times stronger glass).

Even a beginner can handle assembling a greenhouse made of polycarbonate: the panels are fastened to each other using special connecting strips, and due to its high plasticity, it can be drilled and cut, and assemble a greenhouse of any shape and design.

In order for a polycarbonate greenhouse to serve for a long time and efficiently, a number of features must be taken into account when installing it. Avoid colored polycarbonate; in fact, it is not as attractive as it seems, and it transmits much less light than transparent one. When assembling, place the polycarbonate so that the UV protection layer faces outward. The sheets must be laid in one direction so that the stiffening ribs are positioned vertically.

However, in order to install a greenhouse made of cellular polycarbonate with your own hands, you need to take into account other factors: coefficient thermal expansion panels, fastening features, nuances of connecting sheets to each other, selection of components for installation. So specialists (for example, from https://teplica52.ru) will install the greenhouse faster and more reliably.

How to choose a polycarbonate greenhouse
Having decided to install a polycarbonate greenhouse and purchase all necessary materials yourself, pay attention to the quality of polycarbonate sheets.

1. High-quality cellular polycarbonate cannot be cheap, do not chase the most tempting offers. It is better to choose a reliable manufacturer.

2. Carefully inspect the surface of the sheet when purchasing - there should be no mechanical damage on it (chips, scratches, dents, unevenness).

3. The stiffeners cannot be wavy; they are located exclusively at right angles.

4. Give preference to panels with UV protection - this way they will last longer without changing color or deteriorating from the aggressive influence of direct sunlight.

5. Pay attention to how the sheets are stored - they should be stored horizontally on a perfectly flat surface (usually racks). If the polycarbonate is on an edge or rolled up, its service life will be significantly shorter.

6. Take the time to check the thickness and weight of the sheet. It is not worth buying polycarbonate thinner than 4 mm, it is short-lived, it is best to buy a 6 mm sheet with a density higher than 0.7 kg/sq.m. A sheet of standard sizes (600 by 210 cm) must have a mass of at least 10 kg, otherwise, refuse to purchase such polycarbonate - cheap lightweight material does not differ in quality.

Advantages of polycarbonate greenhouses
1. High strength to both weather conditions and light mechanical damage
2. Retain heat for a long time.
3. They transmit light well.
4. Durable, long service life.

Disadvantages of polycarbonate greenhouses
1. At high temperatures outside the window, plants in a polycarbonate greenhouse literally suffocate. Therefore, it is necessary to provide vents and doors for ventilation.

Film greenhouses
Film greenhouses have long been known, for the assembly of which polyethylene film is used - a widespread, economical covering material.

It is convenient to install film greenhouses with your own hands; this will ensure that ultraviolet radiation enters the greenhouse and protection from minor frosts (up to -3 degrees). Of course, you will have to replace such a greenhouse, if not every season, then quite often. Film greenhouses are not able to withstand winds, heavy rains and hail, but they will be a good solution if you do not need a stationary greenhouse.

The only advantages of film as a covering for greenhouses are, perhaps, its low cost and ease of assembly. The material is fragile and requires replacement every 2 years. In addition, every season the film must first be “put on” and then removed from the greenhouse.

Film greenhouses are most often built with your own hands on a frame made of timber or PVC pipes. It is recommended to assemble the film greenhouse in dry, windless weather, otherwise it will not be possible to properly stretch the film.

Advantages of film greenhouses
1. The cheapest coverage option.
2. Very easy to assemble - even a fragile novice summer resident can handle it.
3. Protects plants from light frosts and bad weather.
4. Well transmits sunlight, incl. ultraviolet light needed by plants.

Disadvantages of film greenhouses
1. Fragile material - easily torn by wind, rain and hail, requires frequent replacement.
2. Promotes the accumulation of condensation on the inner surface, which can lead to the spread of fungal diseases.

Reinforced greenhouses
For more durable film structures, it is better to choose a greenhouse made of reinforced polyethylene film. Such greenhouses will already be more durable than conventional film greenhouses: due to a special reinforced mesh, the film will be able to withstand gusts of wind and precipitation in the form of downpours and hailstones. In addition, reinforced polyethylene can be used longer - several seasons in a row.

Reinforced film, of course, is stronger than ordinary polyethylene film, but it transmits several times less light, which is undesirable, because sunlight is the main source of plant growth and development.

Glass greenhouses
Glass is undoubtedly a more durable material compared to film, and transmits light well. But there are also a lot of disadvantages: glass greenhouses are very fragile and therefore often need repair and replacement, the material itself is expensive, and its thermal insulation properties are not up to par. In addition, here you will be limited in the choice of shape - only rectangular “house” greenhouses can be glass; no other glass structure can be realized.

However, glass greenhouses are considered the most productive, because they create an optimal microclimate for growing various vegetable, green and flower crops.

Photo: greenhouse made of glass window frames

What should a glass greenhouse be like?
If you want glass greenhouses to last longer, it is important to follow the recommendations for their use and care.

1. Take care of a stable frame, ensure a rigid structure. A frame made of durable steel or timber is best suited.

2. A glass greenhouse should only be installed on a strong foundation. The base should be as smooth, dense, and strong as possible - choose brick or concrete for the foundation.

3. B glass greenhouses ah it is necessary to provide ventilation, because In hot weather, the glass becomes very hot and the temperature inside the building rises to critical values. Some summer residents use polycarbonate as a roofing material, this way they can avoid overheating during particularly hot periods.

4. Consider the dimensions of the glass - they will depend on the type of frame, and the thickness should be no more than 4 mm.

5. If you are making a glass greenhouse based on wooden structure, choose a beam measuring 50 by 50 mm.

Advantages of glass greenhouses
1. Glass greenhouses are easy to maintain.
2. They transmit sunlight well.
3. Heats up quickly.

Cons of glass greenhouses
1. The glass covering is quite heavy and requires a reinforced frame.
2. They lose heat quickly.
3. They do not allow ultraviolet rays to pass through, which are necessary for better growth and development of plants.
4. Disadvantages during operation: fragile glasses break easily, breaking, they can cause serious harm to health, they are difficult to replace.

Greenhouse frame
The material for making the greenhouse frame can also be different. Most often metal, wood or plastic are used. Homemade greenhouses from improvised materials, which means they are not the most reliable and aesthetically pleasing, we will not consider.

The frame is the basis of any greenhouse; the strength of the structure, ease of use, and service life depend on it. If you are interested in a high-quality, durable and reliable greenhouse, when choosing a frame you need to take into account all the possible loads that it must withstand: the weight of the covering itself, the wind, precipitation and, most importantly, the snow that lies on the roof in a large heavy cap all winter .

Metal greenhouses
Metal greenhouses are considered durable and reliable. The cost will depend on various factors - the chosen metal, the type of profile, and the manufacturer. Such greenhouses are easy to install; if necessary, they can be disassembled and placed in another place.

Aluminum greenhouses are known for their strength and resistance to corrosion, but they are expensive. Greenhouses with an aluminum frame are durable, easy to install, and look elegant. But due to the lightness of the structure, a very solid foundation is required, but, unfortunately, this does not guarantee that under the influence of gusty winds and generous snowfalls the aluminum structure will not flatten like a house of cards.

Steel greenhouses themselves are already an advantage. They are simple and straightforward to install, easy to maintain, and cost a budget. Galvanized greenhouses are even better. They are strong and durable, do not corrode, and are easy and quick to install. A high-quality galvanized profile has a perfectly smooth surface without cracks, foreign inclusions and peeling of the zinc layer.

Photo: greenhouse on a metal profile

The tree is highly susceptible to rotting, does not tolerate the aggressive influence of alkaline and organic environments, and is sensitive to changes in humidity. Therefore, it is constantly necessary to treat a wooden greenhouse with protective and antiseptic agents, chemical fungicidal and insecticidal preparations. But even with proper care, the service life of a greenhouse made of timber will be significantly shorter than that of metal structures.

A wooden frame is environmentally friendly and cheap, but at the same time very impractical. The timber will rot, and the entire structure will begin to sag sooner or later.

Greenhouse made of pipes
A greenhouse on a frame made of plastic pipes will last a long time and will not cause unnecessary trouble - it is easy to assemble, there is no need for additional processing, painting or impregnation. However, flexible PVC pipes can bend from high temperatures in the sun or become deformed from the weight of snow. Such structures are dismantled for the winter. It is possible that plastic tubes will have to be changed frequently.

The frame tube can also be metal - then the greenhouse will be many times stronger and more reliable. Typically a metal pipe measuring 20 by 40 by 2 mm is used.

Greenhouse forms
Given the variety of designs on the market, the question rightly arises of what form of greenhouse to choose.

A greenhouse of a suitable shape must be chosen not only for its pleasant appearance, but based on the needs and capabilities of gardeners. After all, greenhouses of different designs have their pros and cons.

Based on their shape, there are single-slope and gable greenhouses, vertical greenhouses (with vertical walls), round, square, arched greenhouses, “house” greenhouses, pyramids, etc.

Rectangular, vertical, gable, “house” greenhouses
Rectangular greenhouses with vertical walls and a gable roof are common in shape. With this design, greenhouse inhabitants receive best lighting, the greenhouse is easy to use and it is easy to provide ventilation. Raindrops roll off the sharp-angled roof well, and snow does not linger for long.

Arched greenhouses
A round or arched greenhouse is another very popular type of greenhouse. It is inexpensive, convenient, easy to install and use. Due to the absence of corners, the consumption of covering material is significantly saved, the durability of the greenhouse is extended - after all, in many cases, it is the joints of the profile that cannot stand the test of time and weather conditions (as in rectangular or square-shaped greenhouses).

Assembling an arched greenhouse will not be difficult, but caring for the plants will not be very convenient - in order to reach the vegetables against the wall, you will have to bend down and get on your knees.

Due to the ease of use and the fact that the light is in round greenhouses dissipates evenly and efficiently, many call arched greenhouses the most successful choice. In addition, snow does not accumulate on the arched surface in winter, so it is less susceptible to deformation. And heat is retained better in a spherical greenhouse.

With an arched design, the optimal distance between the arches must be taken into account. The more arches, the better: a frame with a small distance between the arches will withstand maximum loads. In addition, it is better to focus on solid structures. Collapsible arches are very vulnerable at the joints.

Lean greenhouses
Lean greenhouses are attached to the walls of other buildings (houses, bathhouses, verandas, barns, etc.), which is why they are also called wall-mounted. This option should be chosen only if you are saving money or space. In this case, the roof slope should be located on the south side so that even such an economical greenhouse works as efficiently as possible. It is quite comfortable to work and care for plants in such a greenhouse.

Unlike an arched greenhouse, snow will not roll off a pitched roof, so you will have to clean it off and make sure that the greenhouse does not drift.

Pyramid greenhouses
If you see a pyramid greenhouse, know that the site belongs to an experimental gardener. This is, of course, a joke, but greenhouses like this are very rare and are found mostly in the gardens of true experimental amateurs. Most likely, the shape of this design is due to its effective appearance and the belief that a special microclimate is created inside the pyramids (following the example of the Egyptian ones). Scientists have not yet found any other objective reasons to install a pyramid-shaped greenhouse.

Greenhouse in the ground
It is quite difficult and expensive to build an underground greenhouse. They are most often used as year-round greenhouses where vegetables can be grown in winter. Such greenhouses are also called “thermos”. To build them, you need to dig a pit with a depth of approx. 2 m, strengthen the base, insulate. It is labor-intensive to make such a structure with your own hands, but in winter it is covered with a warm snow blanket on top, and due to heating it becomes an ideal place for cultivating crops all year round.

Today, with the choice and opportunities available, there is nothing easier than buying a ready-made greenhouse and not bothering to create it yourself from scrap materials. But the variety of choices and breadth of opportunity come with pitfalls. After all, there are so many varieties of greenhouses that it is not easy to decide which one to prefer.

Greenhouses are:

• with polycarbonate coating;
• with film coating (of different quality);
• glass.

Depending on the material from which the frame is made, they can be:

• with a metal frame;
• with wood;
• with plastic.

This is about materials. As for shapes, greenhouses can be arched, rectangular, polygonal, square, etc.

On the modern market you can find greenhouses of all shapes and sizes

It is also desirable that country greenhouse served for a long time, was reliable, adapted to all meteorological troubles and problems, comfortable, attractive, fit into the country house design, and also not very expensive. In short, you need a greenhouse that will meet all your requirements and “work” for the harvest as efficiently as possible.

Prices for cellular polycarbonate for greenhouses

cellular polycarbonate for greenhouses

Criterias of choice

When choosing a greenhouse structure, owners are guided by different considerations. For some, a stylish look is enough, which is an integral element landscape design, someone sees a warm home for vegetables as part of a business. The characteristics are important, and the materials from which the structure is made are also important. After all, no one wants to spend money on a structure that will fall under snow within one season.

Important! Before you begin choosing a greenhouse, you need to break down the entire process into clear, defined steps. In this case, you will make a choice easily and naturally, and most importantly, it will be the right one.

Why do you need a greenhouse?

This key question, which every owner who plans to purchase and install a greenhouse of any kind on his site should ask himself.

There are several types of activities for which a greenhouse may be needed:

• provide the family with vegetables and herbs;
• for growing flowers (for own needs);
• for growing seedlings;
• for use as a winter greenhouse with exotic plants;
• for growing mushrooms;
• for growing any product for sale, that is, for the needs of small businesses.

Obviously, the last point, especially at the stage of growing into a highly profitable business, involves the use high technology, purchase and other bonuses that only an insulated house for plants can give High Quality execution. While for family use, an ordinary high-quality greenhouse that meets the minimum quality characteristics will do.

Plant watering system in the greenhouse "AQUADUSYA WATER TAP"

Prices for solid fuel boiler

solid fuel boiler

Assembly and disassembly

This is a very important question that faces all future owners of greenhouses - to prefer a stationary or mobile structure. Both options have their strengths and weaknesses.

Table. Comparison of stationary and collapsible greenhouses.

Greenhouse option	Peculiarities
	Much less work than with a collapsible one. Once installed, you won’t have to repeat this process every year in the spring and dismantle it for the winter. But this greenhouse needs more careful care, additional winter protection from snow, and changing the soil.
	It will have to be assembled and disassembled annually. But if your plans do not include creating a winter greenhouse, and you visit your summer cottage only in the warm season and use insulation exclusively to obtain an early harvest of herbs and vegetables, such a greenhouse is preferable. The covering can be removed. Autumn processing comes down to the elementary. If you need to change the soil, you just need to move the frame to a new place.

What to grow?

Step six. Check the package contents. Check all the details. For example, when installing a polycarbonate greenhouse, seals are needed to seal the joints, and they should be included in the delivery package. If they are not there, you are faced with a fly-by-night company selling low-quality goods.

Inspect the package to ensure its integrity. Take the list and check it to make sure all the parts are available. A greenhouse is a serious purchase. It is purchased and installed not for pennies and not for one year. Therefore, even if the delivery has already been completed and the structure has arrived at your site, but during the check something confuses you and does not suit you, remember: you can refuse the purchase at any time and return it to the seller.

Video - How to choose a greenhouse by shape and material

Which greenhouse to choose: a stable frame and reliable covering for a good harvest. Choosing a greenhouse made of cellular polycarbonate

Vegetable beds attract summer residents more than computer games for teenagers. Excitement spurs experiments: I want to try new varieties of carrots, expand strawberry plantations, test the strength of grapes. While resilient zucchini and squash are not afraid of harsh downpours and the scorching sun and delight their owners with a huge harvest, capricious peppers and eggplants bear fruit poorly in the open air and ask for shelter. Therefore, all avid gardeners, along with searching for seeds and determining planting dates, face a pressing question: how to choose a greenhouse - reliable and convenient.

Selection criteria: the main thing is the base and material

Approach the problem simply: imagine that you are buying a house. The analogies are clear: the upcoming acquisition is also an expensive structure, which we would like to use for a long time. The most best greenhouse, as a strong housing, must have an excellent foundation, roof and walls, that is: foundation, frame, covering.

How to choose the right greenhouse: main parameters and difficult secrets

Which frame is the most durable?

The strength of the frame – the “skeleton” of the plant house – guarantees that the greenhouse will delight you with unprecedented fruits for decades. The fragile structure will break at the first hurricane, and if it survives until winter, it will collapse under the weight of snow. The greenhouse corset is made from different materials: wood, plastic, light alloys, steel

The fragile frame will break under snow cover or strong gusts of wind

An eco-friendly and cheap wooden frame will disappoint with rapid rotting, subsidence and breakdowns - minor in summer and serious in winter. If the only requirement for your structure is low cost, choose this option.

The wooden frame must be treated against rotting

Aluminum

The advantage of plastic and aluminum alloys– in elegance, lightness and easy care. But air design will require a thorough connection to a stronger foundation - and this is an additional cost, and there is a high risk that it will be flattened by winds and snowfalls.

The heavy steel frame will not “play” in any weather, it is simply assembled and lasts a long time. The best greenhouses are created on the basis of galvanized steel corners - they do not corrode, so a solid structure will forever protect your pets. Conscientious manufacturers have switched to producing shelters with a steel frame.

The frame of the greenhouse must be made of galvanized profile with a thickness of at least 0.8 mm

Why does a greenhouse need a foundation?

Experienced gardeners do not place the future “office” directly on the ground. A wise decision is due to good reasons - a good foundation performs many functions: saves heat - according to recent studies, up to 10%; protects metal from destruction; protects the soil and the structure itself from rain flows; provides stable fastening of the frame and structural strength; saves greenhouse residents from frost.

Pouring a traditional concrete base, which was recently considered mandatory, is a long and expensive process. It will tire your nerves and strength, significantly empty your wallets and tightly “tie” the building to one place.

Foundation for a greenhouse, assembled from oiled timber on a brick base

A timber base is more profitable in material terms and is preferable for vegetables - you will change the soil under the plants, freely transferring the greenhouse to rested soil. A wooden support is suitable for any type of structure; it will not decompose if you treat the surface with an antiseptic impregnation. Modern structures with polycarbonate coating do not need a foundation at all. Steel stakes are driven directly into the ground, and greenhouse arcs are attached to their nozzles with self-tapping screws.

Opportunities and disadvantages of each coating option

The question of which greenhouse to choose most often comes down to determining the merits of the coating. Three common materials: polyethylene, glass and polycarbonate - cope with their plant protection responsibilities in different ways.

The glass structure breaks easily and blocks ultraviolet radiation.

Glass frames are easy to maintain, transmit visible light and faithfully “warm” the inhabitants of the garden building. The coating also has quite a few disadvantages: the heavy mass requires a reinforced frame; heat loss due to high thermal conductivity; UV rays do not penetrate; fragility; risk of injury from fragments when broken; the complexity of the process of replacing sheets.

Wooden greenhouse with glass

Therefore, many summer residents do not suffer from the problem of which greenhouse is better to choose, but prefer plastic film the old fashioned way.

New polyethylene is needed every season

The material attracts a number of factors:
protects plants from bad weather and frost;
transmits light perfectly;
very cheap;
convenient to use.

Film greenhouses are a favorite option for summer residents

If you are ready to decorate your greenhouse with a new dress every season (polyethylene deteriorates quickly) and put up with constant accumulations of condensation on the surface - and they lead to diseases of your green friends - then the problem of which greenhouse is better is solved. Do you want to keep up with modern trends gardening creativity - take a closer look at polycarbonate.

The whole truth about the “ideality” of polycarbonate

Polycarbonate rushed headlong into summer cottages and immediately won the ardent love of enthusiastic admirers. Northerners stopped wrapping tomatoes to ripen in dark, warm corners and began to feast on ripe, juicy fruits straight from the branch. The neighbors staged a competition to see who could purchase the fashionable design first. What explains the popularity of this unprecedented coating?

What is polycarbonate called?

Cellular polycarbonate is a two-layer plastic, inside of which cavities with air are located longitudinally - honeycombs. In the construction of greenhouses, panels of different sizes are used.

Polycarbonate for greenhouse

Advantages of interesting material: beautiful appearance; a light weight; the highest strength - glass is 200 times weaker; low thermal conductivity - air does not leave the structure; light transmittance; impact resistance - mischievous boys with stones and large hailstones are powerless; resistance to any weather conditions; durability; Possibility of installation without a foundation.

Attention! If your territory is covered with snow and blown through by winds, it is better to place the structure on a foundation and provide additional supports for the winter.

Tricks of "ball" greenhouses

Craftsmen make extraordinary houses for capricious greenhouse residents: a three-slope tent, a tunnel, a pyramid... People’s favorite models are always on sale: arched and gable. The rectangular greenhouse with a roof on two sides provides excellent lighting even under cloudy skies. The classic structure looks good: strict straight walls and a triangular top.

For a greenhouse, the arched shape is considered the best: snow and water roll off and do not destroy the building, heat is retained inside

However, a greenhouse with an arched frame beats its rival in the most important characteristics:

It is easier to work with - the absence of sharp corners helps in laying the coating; it is adapted to all climatic conditions: snow and water glide gently over the surface without causing harm; spherical objects conserve heat better than others. So there is only one answer to the question, which form of greenhouse is better: arched.

How to choose a good greenhouse: summing up

The attentive reader has already mentally added up best material with a reliable frame, imagined the shape, and placed the structure on the foundation. The result is the best greenhouse: polycarbonate, with galvanized arched arches, a timber foundation (if desired, you can do without it).

How to choose a polycarbonate greenhouse: advice from professionals

Don’t be lazy and carefully study the properties of the product offered. Carelessness during inspection and agreement with the seller, whose goal is transparent - to make money by all honest and fraudulent means - will result in unpleasant surprises during operation.
Once again about the frame. Assurances about the amazing reliability of plastic pipes are a lie. Arches made of bendable pipes are initially cheaper than galvanized ones, but their restoration after subsidence under the snow will be expensive, because you will have to buy new pipes. Or dismantle the greenhouse for the winter.

Choose a polycarbonate greenhouse, the frame of which is made of galvanized steel - the structure will last for more than 30 years

Optimal distance between arches A frame with a small arch spacing will withstand any load, so there should be a lot of arches.

Attention! Avoid collapsible arches! Any weight will crush the structure at the joints. Solid arches are stronger and more reliable.

Pay attention to the thickness of the metal: thin, flimsy structures cannot withstand the weight of snow

Windows and doors

In a polycarbonate greenhouse, plants suffocate in the heat. Cross ventilation will be provided by doors and vents at both ends of the structure.

The breeze needed in the heat will enter the greenhouse through open doors and windows

Coating features

A good polycarbonate is thick, preferably two-layer. Material with a thickness of less than 4 mm and a density below 0.7 is absolutely not suitable. Severe snowstorms and tornadoes are resisted by a coating with a thickness of more than 6 mm.

To inside If condensation does not form on the sheets, a material with a special layer is produced. Find out if there is a greenhouse with such polycarbonate on sale.

The color of the structure is important for growing certain crops. If you plan to use shelter for various vegetables and flowers, choose a universal transparent greenhouse.

Finished greenhouse covered with polycarbonate

Complete set with seals

During installation, care should be taken to completely seal the joints; seals will help with this. Be wary if they are not included in the package - only unreliable companies save money on consumers this way. Additional parts for assembly The cost of a more complete set will be recouped by the speed and quality of assembly.

How to protect yourself when purchasing

There are many fly-by-night companies that have gotten rich from selling low-quality greenhouses.

In pursuit of profit, they resort to dangerous tricks:

They use low-quality material and fragile parts;
they pass off a cheap coating and a weak frame as expensive, that is, they deceive;
counterfeit goods of famous brands;
They sell incomplete sets.

Your inattention and excessive gullibility can cause frustration and bitter tears about wasted funds. The search for parts necessary for fastening, cracks and corrosion on the frame, burial of the structure under snow rubble - the list of possible troubles can be continued indefinitely.

The greenhouse should be in harmony with the overall style of your site

Be on the safe side:

Look for the product on the Internet on the official websites of trusted companies;
go “on reconnaissance” to large stores of well-known manufacturing companies;
do not trust resellers;
avoid markets;
check the integrity of the packaging and compliance with the technical data stated in the instructions;
refuse to purchase if something bothers you.

What you need to pay attention to when choosing a greenhouse so that it does not collapse in winter:

1) How many elements do arches and pediments consist of? Less is better. Ideally, the arches should be one-piece, the pediments should be welded (that is, all the elements of the pediment - doors and windows - should already be welded at the factory). This design will have maximum strength

2) The profile cross-section is the best 20x40 mm (more simply does not happen yet)

3) Metal thickness - from 1.2 mm (more is possible, less is not possible

4) The distance between the arcs is optimal from 0.67 m. (And God forbid you buy greenhouses with a distance between the arcs of 2 m)

5) The cross-section of the base is at least 20x40 - only in this case can we say that the greenhouse has a base. A 20x20 base won't be much use.

What you need to pay attention to when choosing cellular polycarbonate:

1) Thickness from 4 mm. Ask sellers directly about the thickness of polycarbonate! No 3.5 mm and 3.8 mm. This is polycarbonate Low quality, which will serve you for a very short time

2) The presence of a protective layer from ultraviolet radiation. The layer must be applied. Some sellers say that there are UV additives “in bulk” - that is, in the raw materials from which polycarbonate is made. This is all from the evil one, such polycarbonate is guaranteed to be destroyed in 2-3 years.

And my last wish: do not buy into the sellers’ assurances that the greenhouse is excellent, although cheap. It doesn't happen like that! And then you will lose much more by buying on next year a new greenhouse to replace the destroyed old one.
And as one of the greats said: “I’m not rich enough to buy cheap things.”

A greenhouse is a year-round product; in winter you can purchase it at a significant discount. When thinking about how to choose the right greenhouse, consider how it will fit in with other buildings, plantings, and paths. After all, you lovingly care for the smallest piece of your native land, imagine your joy at the amazement of your guests at the sight of a structure that ideally suits the landscape: “Well done, and they picked a greenhouse to match!”

Good luck with your choice, pleasant troubles in your new “house” and huge harvests to you!

Choosing a greenhouse made of cellular polycarbonate