AZ ranch

[BoFuller]

Framing done. I found an old roll of heavy plastic in the Conex and it’s exactly the right size. It will do until I order my polycarbonate panels.

 

[Kyle_in_Tex]

When you order your polycarbonate, make sure you specify whether or not you want UV blocker.

 

[EddieWalker]

Don't you need purlins going across your rafters for the poly panels?

 

[BoFuller]

Don't you need purlins going across your rafters for the poly panels?

I’m still honing my search for panels. Hopefully they will be 4x10, in which case I’ll put a 2x4 at the top and bottom.
I’m trying to keep it as open as possible to keep anything from blocking the sun.

The rafters are 12 ft long, so I’m thinking of putting a 12 inch strip of plywood across the top and bottom to fill in where the 10 ft panel doesn’t cover.

My neighbor suggested 2 rows of 6 ft panels but I don’t see any point in having polycarbonate panels beyond the bird blocks, as well as having a purlin right in the middle of the roof.

 

[Kyle_in_Tex]

I know there are 4 x 8 sheets, but I've never needed 4x 10 so you may have to go to a distributor. I would recommend some purlins. Mainly to keep it from warping over time. Make sure you predrill it first, then don't tighten your fasteners too tight, where it dishes the plastic.

How are you going to join the sheets? Does it matter if it leaks rainwater? Are you going to put a rainfall collector inside? Sorry for so many questions.

Check with Interstate Plastics. Not sure if they have a distributor there or not. I can get you a contact number for Austin area if you need it. They can usually cut custom lengths. You can cut it with a carbide tipped diablo blade on a table saw.

 

[BoFuller]

Home Depot has Lexan sheets with “H” profile strips to go between the panels and “U” profiles for the ends. But they only carry 6mm in that brand. They have Ejoy panels in 10mm, which I’d rather have, but they don’t carry any profiles or connectors. Go figure. So I haven’t finalized which panel or size yet.

And if I can’t get 10ft panels, should I settle for 8 ft or use 8 footers and cut up a panel into 2 ft wide strips to get my 10 ft? Just makes more seams.

One company online had what I wanted but then wanted $550 for shipping. Ouch. So I’m still looking.

I already cut a dozen 2x4’s at 22 1/2 inches that I was going to put midspan to prevent warping. Just haven’t put them in yet.

Yes, I will put a gutter at bottom edge and put a barrel just inside.

I prefer that there are not any leaks.

 

[Kyle_in_Tex]

Polycarb and acrylic aren't cheap. That brings up a good question. What do the greenhouse people in your area say to use? Diffused light might be better, and the insulating effect of the Ejoy might be even the best? I'm not sure, but I'd research it. Will you have a plan to partially shade it in the heat of summer?

Polycarbonate is more flexible, while acrylic seems tougher, but will crack or chip. Kind of like it is a brittle version of polycarbonate (but they have different recipes).

There is a huge plant nursery near me, they use white visqueen to limit heat, and they have huge fans on each end of the greenhouses. It is susceptible to hail and high winds.

 

[jyoutz]

Home Depot has Lexan sheets with “H” profile strips to go between the panels and “U” profiles for the ends. But they only carry 6mm in that brand. They have Ejoy panels in 10mm, which I’d rather have, but they don’t carry any profiles or connectors. Go figure. So I haven’t finalized which panel or size yet.

And if I can’t get 10ft panels, should I settle for 8 ft or use 8 footers and cut up a panel into 2 ft wide strips to get my 10 ft? Just makes more seams.

One company online had what I wanted but then wanted $550 for shipping. Ouch. So I’m still looking.

I already cut a dozen 2x4’s at 22 1/2 inches that I was going to put midspan to prevent warping. Just haven’t put them in yet.

Yes, I will put a gutter at bottom edge and put a barrel just inside.

I prefer that there are not any leaks.

Do you have any steel building companies near you? They do carry clear panels for skylights and greenhouses. Another though is to check with greenhouse supply companies.

 

[BoFuller]

Eddie, is this what you meant by purloins? I always intended to put 2x4’s in between the rafters, but I’ve always heard that referred to as “blocking”.
So I have 2x4 blocking at the center of the span. Then I put 30” of plywood at the top and 18” at the bottom. That leaves 96” for my panels, that just ordered.

 

[BoFuller]

 

[EddieWalker]

Blocking is stronger and it will add overall strength to your rafters. Purlins go on top of the rafters and provide you with a place to attach your roof panels. They add a little strength, but as much as blocking. Your way is better, but a lot more time and effort.

 

[BoFuller]

I have 12 ft rafters. I put 30” of plywood along the top, and 18” along the bottom. That leaves 96” for my 8 ft panels.

What I didn’t take into account was my fascia boards. If I start the plywood at the top edge and the bottom edge, I’m going to have a 3” gap.

I’ll have to think on that one.

I know there’s a couple of people just dying to say I should have used a contractor. Save your breath. The building process has been fun and rewarding, even if I screw-up a few times. If i had to use a contractor or not have it done, I think I would choose not to have it done. Nothing against you contractors, I love ya. But the process here is more important than the finished product.

Besides, you can’t get contractors out here. My neighbor asked me to build her deck because 4 contractors said no and 3 said to call them back in 6 months.

I don’t think I’m going to do it for her as there’s a big difference between building for yourself and for someone else. I don’t want the liability of doing someone else’s.

 

[BoFuller]

Yes, that’s what I thought when you said purloins, but I don’t think they are necessary with the blocking and plywood.

 

[EddieWalker]

Where is the plywood going to go? I'm not understanding what you are doing with plywood and the roofing panels?

Why not run the panels from edge to edge of the roof?

 

[BoFuller]

Panels will go edge to edge left to right, but they are 4 ft wide and 8 ft long and the rafters are 12 ft so I need something to cover up the other 4 feet. I could cut some panels in half and do a row of 8 footers and a row of 4 footers but there’s little point of paying for panels to cover overhang that I’ll get no benefit from.
Just to clear it up, the panels must go vertically, 8 ft up and down and 4 ft wide. They are grooved and cannot be used horizontally.

 

[civilian]

How does rain that falls on the top piece of plywood drain onto the clear panels? Or does the the plywood overlap the clear panel? (Don't worry about forgetting tpo account for the fascia boards. Been there, done that. Had to add a 3" wide strip of osb to make it up.) Jon

 

[BoFuller]

The plywood and panels are about the same thickness. I’ll butt the panels up to the plywood and then I’ll probably shingle over the plywood, with some overlap onto the panels.

 

[civilian]

Thank. In my mind I saw the clear panels looking like the corrugated roof panels, about 1"to 1 1/2" tall, not 1/2" like plywood (or your thickness picked). Jon

 

[dstig1]

Remind me again why you are building a Greenhouse as a bunker underground? I'm sure the explanation is back a bunch of pages, but I am lazy

 

[BoFuller]

It uses the earth to keep a more consistent temp. The temp of the earth, usually around 50-55 degrees, will keep it warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer, thus extending the growing season, possibly to 12 months.