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researching a greenhouse

schloaty

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I would like to get myself a greenhouse, as I have too many plants inside, and natural light is always better. Also, it will look great in the garden (assuming I get a nice looking one).

Since I live in NY, where the winter can get pretty chilly, I want to make sure I get one that is well insulated.

So, for all of you greenhouse owners in cold areas, what would you recommend?

I think I want twin walled glazed polycarbonate (hopefully 6mm)...but then I saw Double-wall acrylic Therma-Truss® construction:
Double glazed 1-1/2” thick walls and roof for superior insulation. I wonder, is this far superior?

Any ideas from fellow northerners would be appreciated!
 
Hi Schloaty,

Been looking a bit myself and have narrowed it to:
Juliiana Semi Pro 12.1 has 10mm twinwall
dimensions 9'1"Wx14'6" x 7"10" peak a bit on the smallish side but energy prices are what they are...
Saw it advertised in Harrisseeds.com for $3810 w/ free shipping (might get it cheaper using a google search, think I saw one for $3100.)

Also like www.growerssupply.com
They have two I like: StK# 104564 11'8Wx8'10Hx16'6L w/
6mm twinwall $3495, they have a 24'8"L version too for $4695
Biggest greenhouse for the price. Recommend you get their catalog 18004769715

They have a passive solar greenhouse Stock#104903 w/ 8mm twinwall10'1 1/8Wx20'9 1/2"L for $3595

Check em out'

Kirk Martin
 
Schloaty wrote:

[b said:
Quote[/b] ]I would like to get myself a greenhouse,

Kirk wrote:

[b said:
Quote[/b] ]Been looking a bit myself.....

Hmmm...if you guys each get one, perhaps you could host a future NECPS meeting at your greenhouses, rather than at the Roger Williams Park Greenhouse!

[b said:
Quote[/b] ]dimensions 9'1"Wx14'6" x 7"10"

Then again, things might get a little too cozy!
smile.gif
 
Thanks Kirk for the ideas.  I actually have the growersupply catalog at home, and so far it's got the GH I'm most interested in.
Here is the one I'm leaning towards:

DOH! - Just realized i shouldn't post the link since PFT sells GH's too. BAD MOD!!

Anyway, here are the specs:
Unique, sloped roof design allows for maximum sunlight capture in winter. During hot summer months it reflects the sunlight, keeping the greenhouse cooler.
• Provides the ultimate growing environment.
• Captures sunlight from all sides, resulting in uniform growth.
• 4' rafter spacing. Sidewall height: 5' 8". Ridge height: 9' 2-1/2".
• Frame is constructed from 16 gauge, 1.5" square Allied Gatorshield structural steel tubing.
• Panels are constructed from UV-stabilized 8mm twin-wall polycarbonate that offers superior heat retention and comes with a 10 year warranty.
• Multiple roof and lower vents allow for plenty of fresh air circulation.
• For automatic climate control and improved growing conditions, FREE Solar-Powered Vent Openers are included.
• 36"W x 80"H man door comes complete with stainless steel hinges and lever lock.

Actually has 8 mm twin walls....So even better.

Also, the way it's constructed fits better into the space/orientation I am after in the back yard.

Thoughts/comments?
 
What plants will you be growing in it?

The greenhouse you're looking at seems very good. Most CPs will be happy in anything with glass or polycarbonate walls!
 
Twin wall polycarbonate is good. It should be at least 8mm. They do produce a 16mm triple wall but most greenhouses aren't designed to hold the thicker panels. Some of the acrylic ones look nice too. Neither will be super energy efficient, it is a greenhouse afterall ;> So be prepared for some heating bills!

Other things to consider:
Venting hot air
Cooling/humidifying during the warm months
Heating during the cool months.
Temperature alarm and or backup systems for venting/heating
 
This is a great discussion so far! I live in the cold North as well and even though it is not in my budget right now, I will evetually need to switch to a greenhouse. Especially if the mouse wars in my basement continue but thats a whole other topic.

Does anyone have any guesses on operating costs? Heat, water treatment (I'm on a well), etc. I figure if I have a all of the costs estimated I will be in a better position to buy when the time comes.

The other question I have is concerning winter power failures. I would hate to loose my collection to the cold. Do you need a generator or will one of those automatic thermosatically controlled kerosine heaters do the trick. Will I ever be able to take a winter vacation without causing ulcers do to worry?

Glenn
 
I forgot to add that I want to be able to grow lowland neps outdoors in a greenhouse in the dead of winter worry free.

Is this just a pipe dream?

Glenn
 
Alvin, this greenhouse will be a highland environment. I will have to heat it in the winter and cool it in the summers.

We already do have a separate circuit that is run out to the spot where I want the GH (hot tub we're getting rid of), but the circuit was shorting out realatively frequently. I still have to have an electrician take a peek at it to see why. At any rate, I will definately want a backup (I, too, was thinking about a backup kerosine heaters).

I'm not too worried about humidity (at least in the warm months). Also, actual cooling will only be a power draw (nights) for about two months. I think I can cool it off enough in the daytime with just vents, though I will have to interogate the GH people about that.

Tony, I also saw tripple wall 10MM....but the cost was prohibitive. I need to be able to afford the darn thing!
smile_n_32.gif
 
  • #10
Hi Scholaty,

I can recommend you on my greenhouse, the manufacturer is Rion and it is also sold as STC in the USA or Oasis in the UK.
Here's a link of it being built step by step http://www.cpukforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=12372

If you've got some questions just let me know.
 
  • #11
You can cool via venting only. However that requires a large volume of air exchange. Something on the order of replacing the entire greenhouse air volume every minute or two. Greenhouse get very hot very fast in the summer when the sun is out!! Also keep in mind that without evaporative cooling your inside air temperature will at best be equal to the outside air temperature. In practice it will run 5-10degrees higher depending how fast you vent. With evaporative cooling it is possible to run the greenhouse inside air temperature LOWER than outside air temperature. While at the same time reducing humidity drop or if desired increasing it above outdoor levels.

Personally I wouldn't bother with a triple wall 10mm. I think you will find the r factor only slightly better than the double wall 8mm, and noticeably less than the triple wall 16mm. The r value is related to the number of layers but more significantly the thickness of the air pocket.

Glenn,

You can design a greenhouse to run at whatever conditions you want on a year round basis. The deciding factor however will be.. can you afford the energy expenses! If your wanting to run lowland conditions in a subfreezing climate then you would need a really well insulated structure. A big wallet for the heating bills. I have been considering something to grow lowland plants in and it might come down to building my own with polycarbonate 8mm walls covered by an inflated 2 layer poly.

As for winter power failures. They are an ulcer maker.. so are summer power failures! In the past I had one of each.. a winter freeze and a summer roast. That was a hobby greenhouse with just one heater and one set of circuit breakers. In one of the cases the power didnt go out but the breaker tripped.. which has the same effect when everything shuts down ;/

Now I have my greenhouse(s) set up with an automatic generator. TWO heaters TWO vent fans Everything on it's OWN circuit breaker. Probably excessive for a hobby situation but there other ways to avoid the ulcers. Alarm systems are great. They can be as simple as one of those wireless temperature sensors so you can keep an eye on things to ones that will ring a firebell if the temperature gets too hot or cold beyond whatever setpoint is set. They even make little computer gadgets that monitor a greenhouse environment and will make phonecalls to a couple preset numbers if temperatures go outside preset setpoints. You can even call them up and get a message about the current conditions. They of course require a phoneline within the greenhouse.

Tony
 
  • #12
Hi Schloaty,
I knew one grower that put black painted 55 gallon drums of water under the benches as a buffer should power be lost. Heat is slowly released and should give you a day or so of temps above freezing for your collections. If properly placed it can also reduce your heating requirement too if the solar heat gain is exposed to your drums. I'd also seriously consider insulating the North wall with polystyrene panels.
I saw one cool experimental technology online that blew tiny styrofoam beads into the cavity between glazing panels every night as insulation then in the morning they were vacuumed back out into storage. Gave the equivalent of about R-19 insulation yet didn't block any sun transmission. Don't know if any hobby greenhouses use the technology though (bummer).

Kirk
 
  • #13
Well, I'm not too worried about the energy bill - can't be too much more than all my lights + running the hot tub was (hot tub is now drained & off, but at the time it was quite a drain).

I do think I will have to get a swamp cooler ( I assume that's what an evaporative cooler is, right?) for the summers....

I like the idea of the black dums of water as heat-sinks. That's inovative!

The north wall isn't much of an issue, as that will be protected by the house (the greenhouse will be in the backyard about 20' from the house). Though I suppose it wouldn't hurt (east wall, too, in my case) to add the extra winter insulation because it won't block any sunlight.
 
  • #14
LOL,
My pool pump added nearly $50-60 month to my electric bill
Usually 90-150 month (use natural gas for hot water/and cooking)
Yet my brother who lives in Fairport(near Rochester NY) heats his house w/ electric and runs all electric appliances gets a bill maxing at $150 month for coldest months. They have a hydroelectric coop. Consider moving there as schools are great too...

I've heard of people stacking 1 gallon milk jugs (filled with water) against the North wall too if you don't want to eliminate space under benches w/ drums.

Kirk

P.S. Knew Phil sold greenhouses but thought since you were looking for 6MM polycarbonate or greater in your greenhouse, felt it was okay to post links. Hope that was right. If not, I'll discontinue doing that. Sorry in advance if that's the case
 
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