Harbor Freight Greenhouse Construction

[dragoneggs]

Yes, I did the roof too. I have two layers of 1" bubble wrap installed over everything but the door. I got the bubble wrap from Home Depot. I ordered both 24" and 48" width rolls 250' long. It had to be ordered from the website and shipped to the store. I found a vendor on Ebay that sells plastic clips that snap into the aluminum tracks to hold the bubble wrap. They had to be shipped in from the UK. You will need about 100 of the regular clips and 50 of the corner clips. The clips need to be about 2' apart. Super Alliplugs greenhouse shading clips

Could you please take a pic or two of the clips in action? Both corner and regular? I went the the website... and thanks very much for the tip but I don't exactly see how effective these will work.

Also if anyone knows where to get some T-bolts that fit in the frame slot that don't require sliding in from the end of the extrusion, that would be great too! I have had to grind down the flats of a few extra T-bolts that came with the greenhouse kit to fit them in the frame slot. Pain in the arse.

 

[dragoneggs]

Although I am a long ways from needing heat... any suggestions on electric heaters would be good too. Preferrably, water/moisture tolerant.

 

[Mendonsy]

Here's a couple pictures of the clips.
The first picture shows 3 extended clips which fit in the slots in the aluminum frame. These are used to separate the bubble wrap when installing two layers.
If you look closely just below them you will see 3 standard clips that hold the bottom layer of bubble wrap to the aluminum tracks. They are below the top layer of wrap so you have to look to notice them.
The second picture shows one of the corner clips. These are used where you don't have a slot in the aluminum rail such as in corners and by the door. You can slip them in behind the aluminum angles to fasten the bubble wrap.
It does take a bit of creativity to figure out the best places to put the clips, and a few will come loose so you need to check periodically and put them back if they do.

 

[dragoneggs]

Okay just about finished with the brains of the project... at least for spring to fall gardening. I have the fan in and just installed a thermostat and variable fan speed control. The fan is working great! I also installed a mister system that cools and humidifies (this is on a simple timer as well as my drip watering system)... great place to hang out in the middle of the day for a bit! We are harvesting albeit with a Margarita in hand! Hit 34degC/94degF today. Wow! Not bad for the shores of the Hood Canal!



I should probably throw in a non-greenhouse shot of our corn! Yes... corn in the PNW. The tassels hit the overhead netting, didn't expect that. What a bumper crop year!

 

[Mendonsy]

Lookin' good!!

 

[randy41]

Although I am a long ways from needing heat... any suggestions on electric heaters would be good too. Preferrably, water/moisture tolerant.

Portable Electric Heater, 240V - Greenhouse Heaters | Greenhouse Megastore

i have this heater in my 6x8 (?) julianna greenhouse and it is more than adequate.

 

[dragoneggs]

Okay update time... been 3+ years and thought I should update you all on condition. Thanks to a lot of reinforcing of the structure and screwing down panels, it has remained standing. A couple of lessons learned.

1. I taped the open edges of the panels to keep water and 'growth' from accumulating in the 'cells'. I think I should have only taped the top end and left the bottom (lower end) open to allow for drainage. I have water build up that is not evaporating.

2. The automatic (no power required) vent actuators working perfectly.

3. I filled the entire greenhouse with clean crushed rock. I should have made a raised bed on one side for larger plants and/or root vegetables.

4. Originally installed two electrical circuits. Really only need one. Powering a fan, auto watering system, and some lighting but not the high wattage I was originally thinking.

Question? Where does one buy replacement panel material? During our big blow this past weekend I did lose a panel even though I had it screwed down in the middle along with the standard clips. First failure since the initial reinforcement. Could have been worse. Predictions were for much higher (worst in 50 years) winds but they didn't come. Thank goodness.

 

[cqaigy2]

Thanks for the update! I've looked at one of those because our local climate isn't worth a darn for tomatoes and i really really like home made tomatoes.

 

[Tractor Seabee]

My reinforced, double end to end HF (10 X 20 now) has also weathered going on the fourth winter. I built a 2 X 4 frame on the inside that really firmed it up. I only installed one set of doors, scrapped the other. Dragon, HF sells the panels but they normally do not have in stock. Call there tech help line.

Ron

 

[Mendonsy]

FarmTek has the polycarbonate panels available in 4'x8' sheets. Their prices seem a bit high though.
4 mm & 6 mm Twin-Wall Polycarbonate Sheets - Clear - FarmTek

 

[DFB]

I've read that you can use the 6mm thick panels to replace the original 4mm double wall panels HF gives you.

This place has precuts
Easy Ship 2' Wide Twinwall Polycarbonate - Polycarbonate Panels | Greenhouse Megastore


So does this place too
Charley's Greenhouse & Garden Polycarbonate Glazing / Poly Covers

I ordered xtra clips from an Amazon vendor and they came airmail in less 10 days from Great Britain (of all places). Charley's claims their clips dont work with HF greenhouses :confused2: and getting anything from HF is near impossible, They had the clips on a 30 day BO when I inquired about purchasing an extra bag .

I'm going to tarp mine over the top and part ways down the sides before the harsh winter snows come. I did that with my old one in Maine. This time I also sited my new one on the leeward side of my 8x12 garden shed and that helps a lot.

Did you guys see the work benches and potting table I made from scrap lumber...one leftover bundle of twisted HD furring and bunch of ripped down warped 2x6.

 

[dragoneggs]

Thanks DFB. I am questioning whether the 6mm will fit. I have to replace at least one roof panel and they slide up into a groove at the ridge. One 2x4 panel is $16. Shipping is $10.99 for two. $13.99 for four. Hate spending that kind of money when I will likely have to replace more of them soon. Hoping these 6mm are stiffer and stronger.

I like the tarp idea for the winter. I have four auto opening vents so I think I need to keep the tarp somewhat loose in case of a warm 'solar' days though.

 

[DFB]

Seems to me the groove in the ridge cap is plenty wide enough at least it is on mine, there was enough extra space I considered adding weather stripping or a strip of wood in there. Rip off a piece of 3/4 pine a 1/4 inch thick see how it fits

 

[Otto Syracuse]

Question? Where does one buy replacement panel material? During our big blow this past weekend I did lose a panel even though I had it screwed down in the middle along with the standard clips. First failure since the initial reinforcement. Could have been worse. Predictions were for much higher (worst in 50 years) winds but they didn't come. Thank goodness.

I found the panel's locally from a commercial greenhouse supply, but I used growersupply. com to get the aluminum channels. I did not tape the tops or bottoms, I filled the holes with silicone caulk instead. Worked ok, tape would probably be better.

 

[dragoneggs]

Seems to me the groove in the ridge cap is plenty wide enough at least it is on mine, there was enough extra space I considered adding weather stripping or a strip of wood in there. Rip off a piece of 3/4 pine a 1/4 inch thick see how it fits

Will do... I remember I was having difficultly shoving mine up into the ridge but I used aluminum tape (not sure of the mil thickness) to seal the ends so that added some thickness to the panel.

 

[dragoneggs]

3 year update part II... I purchased 6mm thick panels from Greenhouse Megastore... seem to be a bit sturdier and better quality. UV light and time will tell. Installed new panels, 4 on the sides and two on the roof. Fit fine except the full 6ft panels are not long enough for sides. Roof panels were just below vents so I cut down a couple 4ft lengths. Here are the pics... note the water trapped in the old panels where I stupidly taped the bottoms. The existing panels are quite brittle now... don't know how many will blow up next winter storm. I sure was expecting to get more than 3 years from the panels. Don't see how the rest will last more than a year or two. Old panels are also quite dingy next to the clean and clear new ones.

 

[Mendonsy]

Mine is about the same age as yours and the panels look about the same. I haven't had to replace any of the panels yet, but I'm sure that is coming up soon.

 

[dragoneggs]

Mine is about the same age as yours and the panels look about the same. I haven't had to replace any of the panels yet, but I'm sure that is coming up soon.

I bet yours are brittle... be careful pushing on them... they will probably crack or shatter, rather than bend. I put screws w/cushioned washers in the centers of each panel to better secure them. I am sure I mentioned that detail in the build. Without the screws I had a couple blow out of their clips during the first strong winds it saw.

It was the wind and a pressure difference inside and outside that caused the panels to blow off (outward) during a storm. I probably ought to go ahead and buy some more panels to have at the ready.

 

[Mendonsy]

I noticed that Home Depot says they have the 6mm in 4'x8' sheets for $80 with store pickup. Depending on what your shipping costs are that might work out to be a better price. All of the suppliers seem to be on the west coast or in Iowa so shipping to here is very expensive.

 

[DFB]

Ya them panels trap water, pollen and bugs pretty easily. I had considered taping at one point but figured might be worse off, same with all the caulk some people use on them.

I'm into my second season now. Survived the Vermont winter ok though I did have it covered across the top and about halfway down the sides with a heavy duty sliver tarp.