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The greenhouse is built from rough treated pine bearers 75 x 35 and 75
x 45. We painted them white to increase the light inside the greenhouse.
Glazing is commercial opaque polycarbonate 1.00mm thick. The non-glazed
areas are covered with reflective foil on the inside (left over from the
house insulation). The floor is soil and pavers. Three large vents can
be opened on the southern roof area. It's very bright inside the
greenhouse. |
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| Greenhouses - so many
designs and choices! The first question was the material of the frame.
We decided to use treated timber, because it's easy to work with,
strong, and not subject to rot. The second question was the design.
We decided to orient the main glazed area exactly to the North, which
works well for the layout of the vegie garden. The third question was the
glazing material. We decided not to spend extra money on twin walled
material. Twin polycarbonate has much better insulation
properties, but is a lot more expensive, plus the whole greenhouse would
then need to have insulated walls, thermal mass, doors and vents, which
close perfectly - just a whole lot more work to really get the benefit
of the twin glazing. We found a supplier of commercial grade opaque
polycarbonate with a heavier wall thickness of 1.00mm. The opaque tint
still lets most of the light in, but it also creates diffuse light
without shadows and it eliminates the need for shading in summer. We
found out, that it's also easy to work with! |
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We use the bench at the back of the greenhouse for our seedling trays.
Some of the bench top boards are removed in summer and pots placed on
the floor. The plants in the pots can now use the full height of the
greenhouse.
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The greenhouse has a door at each end so that we can vent it quickly.
Cucumber vines and tomatoes grow in pots on the floor.
Eggplants and capsicums grow on benches. |
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