Regular and tempered glass for greenhouses
Many manufacturers offer 3 or 4 mm thick glass for greenhouses. Most often, buyers purchase regular or tempered glass. The second option is characterized by increased resistance to temperature changes and damage. It is 5 times stronger than ordinary glass.
Its big advantage is safe cracking. Tempered glass breaks into hundreds of tiny, non-sharp shards, greatly reducing the risk of getting cut.
Sometimes manufacturers also provide the option of 14mm double glazing. This is an interesting option when growing exotic plants. However, it is worth remembering that the more layers, the worse the light penetrates into the greenhouse.
Advantages of glass greenhouses
A glass greenhouse has many advantages, among which the following should be highlighted:
- Long service life;
- High level of thermal insulation inside the structure;
- Easy cleaning of glass from dirt;
- Possibility of replacing glass if it is damaged.
All plants need sunlight. A glass greenhouse can provide such conditions - ultraviolet light easily penetrates through transparent surfaces, which promotes ripening.
In addition, glass greenhouses look attractive. However, this applies only to those structures whose frame is made of metal. As for wooden structures, under the influence of the sun, moisture and other negative factors they quickly lose their appearance.
Manufacturing of frame structures
The frame for glass greenhouses can be metal or wood. Wood is environmentally friendly, and metal is reliable and durable. To build a metal frame, you will need steel tubes or angles. The wooden frame is fastened with bars with a cross-section of 100 mm. In order to strengthen and increase service life, wood is treated:
- autoclave;
- antiseptics;
- stain.
It can also be painted with permanent paint.
To make a wooden frame you will need support beams, top trim and corner posts. Pre-treated blocks are installed on the base of a brick strip foundation and fixed. Horizontal ones are nailed to the bars located vertically - at all corners of the building. Next, the vertical bars are fastened to the upper horizontal elements. This creates an upper frame to which the support bars are attached.
The ends and sides are glazed last - after the structure is completely ready, since the weight of the glass sheets is very large. It is better to use metal corners to fasten elements. After assembly, the frame is painted.
Disadvantages of glass greenhouses
Before building a glass greenhouse, you should consider its main disadvantages. We can highlight the need to create a solid foundation and frame structure.
In addition, glass is a fragile material and can break if dropped or handled carelessly. There is a possibility of the surface becoming cracked if you accidentally hit it.
Glass weighs a lot, and a strong frame and foundation require a lot of space. A glass greenhouse heats up quickly when exposed to ultraviolet radiation, so good ventilation is necessary.
Also, a glass greenhouse is usually made only in the form of a house with two slopes. Glass can be of considerable size, which complicates the process of installation and maintenance of the structure.
Additional materials
On average, all glass greenhouses cost their owners 45-50 thousand rubles. This is explained by the fact that in addition to glass, you need to stock up on a number of additional materials:
- Iron corners of fastening and profile type;
- Pine timber with a variety of cross-sections;
- Boards made of oak or pine;
- Universal type hinges;
- Ondulin - one of the popular ridge elements;
- Nails and screws;
- Hydrophobic impregnation and sealant;
- Crushed stone and sand.
The final number of auxiliary material is related to the size of the greenhouse.
Glass or polycarbonate - which is better?
The first important selection criterion is price. Glass is one of the budget options. You will have to pay more for polycarbonate. Some experts usually recommend 4mm thick tempered glass because it is stronger than regular glass but also cheaper than cellular polycarbonate.
- The second parameter is weight. If the greenhouse or greenhouse will be located, for example, on a wooden terrace or on the first floor of a building, it is important to correctly calculate the resistance of the base to loads. Each square meter of 4mm thick glass weighs 10kg, making it much heavier than polycarbonate. This may be important when installing the structure in open and windy areas.
- In terms of weather resistance, polycarbonate is certainly better. It is also an easy-to-process material, which is important if you are building a greenhouse yourself. However, it is soft and, unlike glass, can be scratched easily.
- The fourth parameter is environmental friendliness and health safety. There is no clear opinion about the toxicity of polycarbonate, so the question remains open. However, broken glass is easier to injure than broken polycarbonate. In this case, it is better to buy glass that crumbles into small harmless pieces.
- The fifth criterion is resistance to damage. In this case, polycarbonate is preferable.
When choosing a covering, you should consider what plants you plan to grow in the greenhouse. If these are light-loving species, then it is better to opt for glass. For plants that prefer locations with less access to sunlight, polycarbonate may be worth considering.
Roof slope for a glass greenhouse
Here, expert opinions differ, so it is better to consult with a specialist. It is believed that the roof slope for a garden greenhouse should be 25-35°. In spring and autumn it receives the most sunlight.
If a domed structure is being considered, it is important to maintain a sufficient pitch on the roof so that snow, ice or rain does not stagnate in one area.
Glazing technique
The method of glazing a greenhouse depends on what material the frame is made of. If the frame is made of metal, the glazing technique will look like this:
- the glass is fixed with nails and silicone sealant;
- for upholstery of external parts, glazing beads made of wood or rubber are used;
- the roof is glazed from bottom to top. Large sheets should not be used: they will crack under the weight of snow;
- The glass is placed on putty, which is applied in a thick layer.
Inside the greenhouse you can make one or two windows for ventilation on hot days. All gaps are treated with sealant or foam. If there are cracks in the walls, they are sealed with plastic sheets.
If the frame of the greenhouse is made of wood, use bars with a selected quarter. Recesses are made in the elements for installing glass. The installed glass is fixed using glass nails or glazing beads and secured with metal corners.
Ventilation and heating in a glass greenhouse
It is important that the greenhouse is well ventilated, because high humidity and still air worsen its microclimate. This negatively affects the plants.
For larger greenhouses, you may want to consider installing a fan to ensure better air circulation. However, you should act carefully and avoid drafts - strong winds can harm the plants. It is also good to take care of the installation of windows.
If you plan to heat the greenhouse, you need to fill a foundation of 50-60 cm, which will prevent the ground from freezing inside the greenhouse.
- You should remember to provide adequate shading during the summer season to avoid burning the plants, as the temperature inside can exceed 50°.
- To do this, you can use special blackout curtains or paint the glass with a mixture of water and lime.
- It is also good to think about an irrigation system, which will make growing much easier.
Construction of the foundation
Markings are made at a suitable location. To do this, use twine and several pegs. The best foundation for a glass greenhouse is a strip foundation. It will have to be built thoroughly, but it will justify itself. A trench for the foundation is dug 50 to 60 cm deep. The width of the pit is 30 cm. The pit is filled with sand and compacted. Fixing reinforcement is installed in the resulting pit and filled with concrete mortar.
A basement is erected at a height of 10 cm from the base of the building. To build the base, the formwork is built up with brickwork and leveled on top with a building level. After leveling the top part, pour a second layer of concrete and wait for it to dry completely. After the material has dried, work is carried out to lay the waterproofing layer. To do this, use roofing felt or bitumen mastic. For additional insulation of the base, you can use a layer of polystyrene foam.
Did you know!
If you build the foundation correctly, you can save up to 10% of heat in winter.
Parameters and elements of a glass greenhouse
When creating a glass greenhouse, you should pay attention to the following:
- The height is 2.5 meters, which will allow you to comfortably move throughout the entire greenhouse with a sloping roof;
- Quality of construction and individual elements;
- Easy door opening;
- Availability of windows for ventilation;
Availability of accessories such as shelves, tables, thermometer and greenhouse hygrometer. Rainwater storage tanks and many other accessories are also available to make your greenhouse one of your favorite spots in the garden.
