To late now Jamie. All 8 roof panels holed and now replaced. Who would have thought that something built to stand out in all weathers and with a UV protective coating would be destroyed by the sun. Whatever happened to 'fit for purpose'.
I have two greenhouses, both was glass but as I live in a flat & share a communal garden, I had to replace the glass with Polycarbonate sheets, 4mm size which I purchased from a company on EBay. It was pretty reasonably priced & came with a 10 year guarantee. I'm in my fourth year now & my panels are still in good condition. But rather than just clipping them in with glazing wire clips I put eight good size blobs of clear Mastic on each sheet then pressed them on firmly & put the clips on the tops. My panels won't blow off & they have withstood all the winds we have had in recent years. 😉
Sorry to hear about this. You seem like a dedicated, bighearted chap, and one who loves his plants and the ability to care for 'em. This kind of fortune usually only follows those who can rule it. Cheers!!
I too have the same issue with my roof panels on my polycarbonate greenhouse, but I don't think it's the sun and UV as the side panels have had the same exposure and are fine. I think it's possibly two issues. Firstly i did not seal the top and bottom ends of the panels when i installed them. This has allowed water into the cavity sections which during the winter has frozen and expanded causing cracking damage. Secondly like yourself when i first installed them I did not take into account the flexing in wind which exacerbated the damage during the winter and spring months. I am going to replace my roof panels but am going to seal the top and bottom ends with aluminium foil tape (used normally for insulation) and also string wire across the roof to prevent bowing and flexing.
I have the bowing and flexing under control using additional bracing that's holding the sheets. I do have some water ingress into the sheets. Any expansion or contraction of frozen water because the sheets are open ended, shouldn't be a problem. Let's hear what others have to say. Thanks for your comment. Jim.
Thank you for educating us on this! I think this will help save many grief and $$$ on trying to use this material for this purpose... There are enough other things to distract and detract from our goals of creating food and watching things grow from our work!
Thank you for showing this, Jim! I was considering purchasing one until I saw this. Would have been a big mistake. I'll stick with the mesh crop cage I currently have. It works will for my needs.
There are some contributors 'singing the praises' of Polycarbonate greenhouses. My advise is based on my experience's and from watching others struggle with them on TH-cam. Jim.
I also have had a Polycarbonate greenhouse for 6 years I have never had mine go in holes , my initial problem of the wind breaking out the panels was solved with silicon fixing in each panel, I have replaced some that cracked due to wind pressure but I live in Cornwall we have lots of wind as well as sun . I think you have been really unlucky with your greenhouse Jim as my friend down the road has had hers over ten years , it’s in a more sheltered position from the wind than mine , Also of course they are considerably cheaper than glass which in my case could get broken by falling branches from the surrounding trees , these don’t shade the greenhouse from the sun though they are in the field adjacent my garden. Hope you get something more suitable soon Jim , must keep home grown veg , growing ❤️
Hello Linda. I think you'll agree, that based on my Polycarbonate Greenhouse experience I could hardly recommend one. That said you seem to have had a much better experience. Thanks for your comment. It brings a bit of 'balance' to the conversation. Have a good gardening year. Jim.
We have a 10x6 Palram Polycarbonate greenhouse, two years old now screwed to a breeze block base with a concrete floor. It cost £1000 to build including a massive concrete base as it was built on a steep garden. We've had no problems with it at all and it still looks like new. We've insulated it with bubblewrap inside this winter and heated it to prevent frost. We started growing in it in January this year and its been absolutely great. I hope your experience will not put people off because it's the best thing we've ever bought.
Hello Phil. I think you'll agree, that based on my Polycarbonate Greenhouse experience I could hardly recommend one. That said you seem to have had a much better experience. Thanks for your comment. It brings a bit of 'balance' to the conversation. Have a good gardening year. Jim.
I bought a couple of those cheap plastic protectors that I can stand my tomatoe plants in and overwinter some broccoli and herbs. Third year now and apart from needing a clean they are fine.
Got to agree with you the wind, had mine after only one season, it's now over the Pacific Ocean. Please please don't buy a polycarbonate greenhouse, always go for a glass greenhouse. 😢
Hello Jim. I've been studying this since you posted it the other day, wish I could help. After reading all the comments I sensed a tone of despair. I know the feeling. Both of us have way more gardens behind us, than ahead of us and just want to enjoy what we do and share our knowledge. The irony, check this out. To maximize your polycarbonate green houses life expectancy, 3 things you can/should do. 1) Wash with mild soap regularly with a soft bristle brush. 2) Polish/wax roof annually. 3) Place/build it in a shady area. Yup, we all do that. Always owner caused. Lack of maintenance or improper assembly. They make Poly Repair Tape. Cover the holes with that maybe. Will get you by. Do some research, assess your options, maybe make some phone calls to places that are in the business of polycarbonate green houses and see what they'd suggest. Actually, the 3 items I listed above are answers from UK business's to 3 different questions. If there's a chance of possibly gaining a new customer that they'd be happy to talk to you about it. Until then, Garden on my Friend. We're all here for you. Mark n Rosa
Hello Mark and Rosa. Its a 'make do and mend' on 4 roof sheets with holes in them. I have purchased some heavy duty semi extra sticky clear tape and covered the 4 panels with it. It might be UV stabilized but then so were the sheets. Lets see how that goes. Its been suggested by a few commenters that I may have fitted these sheets the 'wrong way round'. Well that's a possibility given that part way through the build I had to remove some sheets to correct errors I had made. The film indicating the UV stabilized side had been removed. At this point there is nothing to distinguish which side is stabilized so reinstalling them the wrong way round would be easy. An easy fix for the manufacturer would be to stabilize both sides of the sheet. Thanks for your contribution, its much appreciated. We garden on! Jim.
Jim, if you purchased your greenhouse via credit card, there's a chance you may be eligible for an extended warranty from that source beyond that of the supplier.
In Australia, we can buy a product called Solarweave. To describe it, it looks like a sheet of plastic on a roll, with open weave fibres through it. I was given a galvanised tubing frame that had been discarded because the original material wasn't fir for purpose like yours. The Solarweave was simply rolled out over the gabled frame,and then then ends cut out and fitted with a silicone seal. It was starting to deteriorate when we shifted 17 years later. These days, I see what the market gardeners are using, and it looks like a lightweight material.
That's interesting Ian. I think you'll agree, that based on my Polycarbonate Greenhouse experience I could hardly recommend one. That said you seem to have had a much better experience. Thanks for your comment. It brings a bit of 'balance' to the conversation. Have a good gardening year. Jim.
Thank you for the update! I wonder how well attempting to maintain the UV protective layer may affect the full-sun polycarbonate sheets on a greenhouse like this.
I just started looking at this greenhouse yesterday, and I live in west Texas where the sun is really powerful here, and it eats car paint jobs for breakfast. We get temperatures around 110° F in the summertime. I don’t think this will last two years where I live.
Mine was a budget greenhouse John so not 'top of the range', that said I never expected this to happen. Perhaps more expensive polycarbonate greenhouses have better UV protection. Be sure to check out other Polycarbonate greenhouse reviews. Jim.
It’s a pain. Your sheets should have lasted much longer. I got 7 years out of mine before replacing them. My greenhouse was second hand with only about half the glass remaining. I found it impossible to get replacement glass, so went to the polycarbonate. The uv protection helps, but the sun makes all plastics brittle eventually. I must get the sun screen cream out!!
Hi Jim, just a quick update - 5 more of my red onions have run to seed. The variety is ‘Electric’ and were sets planted in late February! I have nipped the seed heads out but don’t hold much hope of getting any serviceable onions!
I have a polycarb greenhouse. We built it from a kit in 2004. The ground was well prepared prior to building the greenhouse. We used crushed gravel as the base. The aluminum frame sits on 8 x 8 treated lumber that was sunk into the ground and drilled into place. The frame has good bracings to help hold the basic frame structure in place. The footings and the frame has never wavered or moved at all. Our polycarb panels are doing fine -- and this greenhouse is 19 years old!! Our polycarb panels are 10mm. We wash the panels twice a year to remove pollen and any type of filaments that settle onto the roof area. Our greenhouse has a gutter system so water runs off the roof and into gutters. We live in Virginia, Zone 6b/7a and it is VERY windy because we're in the Shenandoah Valley. We have never had any issues with panels flying off or coming loose. We did buy our kit from a reputable greenhouse supplier and it was a brand kit. Also my husband is a builder and his profession was as a Construction Superintendent. Maybe these things makes the difference?
I think you have a much better product than I have. Just when I thought I had all my problems sorted, the sheets start to disintegrate. Such is life. Jim.
@@HomeGrownVeg I think you're correct. And I have an older greenhouse so quality may have deteriorated here now in the States...Heck, even in the kits since they're assembled w/ many parts from suppliers. From looking at your video close-ups, I wonder if the actual layer of plastic is thinner. And, by the way, have you ever used any shade cloths to see if that helps? At the rate you've been going, just plastic wrap would serve you better -- wrap varies in thickness here in the States. Maybe that's an option. I shudder to think of the cost of going with glass! If I were to do another greenhouse, I would hobble one together w/ recycled windows. I actually like the look of "wonky". LOL I sure do feel your frustration. Gardening is supposed to be fun and full of rewards, not frustrations!
Jim hello you ok?? poly greenhouses ok i have two one in the heat of Southern Arizona the older one by 10 yrs in Beverly Hills,,,,, the problem i found was the roof of the older one,,,, it separated between the layers causing dirt looking marks,,,, so its now cobbled together with pallet strips both my greenhouses had a 10 yr guarantee on all the sheeting,,,,, becomes very brittle with age,,,,,the best is glass i only grow toms n chilli/peppers melon mini,,,,, maybe the climate in Cumbria has an effect on how your greenhouse can cope having said that a commodity should do what it said in the advert for sale,, you have a consumer right in law holes look like brittle deterioration not good for a 3yearold greenhouse you can get replacement panels Jim this is Edwin signing out haha seey buddy
Replace those sheets with Plexiglass? Bit expensive, but seems to last a very long time. My father-in-law, replaced a glass window that got broken by his children 50 years ago in his back door with Plexiglass. It's still there, after all these years ago.
To be honest the sheets had lost all their strength. It would only be a matter of time before they failed completely. I've now replaced all 8 roof panels. Jim.
If this is the same one as mine (I have the 6x4 variety bought in 2020) it's worth noting it's twinwall polycarbonate sheets, not solid polycarbonate (as other commenters might have). Would be interested to know how you got on replacing the panels without completely deconstructing the structure? (This comment is sponsored by Storm Isha...)
As you know, the sheets are captivated top and bottom and the sides. To replace a sheet properly would need a partial deconstruct of the greenhouse at which point the greenhouse is likely to fall apart. I got my replacement sheets from B&Q. I cut them to the correct width but short. I sprung them in and made do with the sides only being captivated. I used sealant along all the edges. The 4 roof panels I replaced have just took the full force of 'Isha' and are still in place. (I think???? need to go and inspect) Jim.
If you want to save the frame you'll just have to replace the panels. You may be able to get them already made for your green house. Or buy sheets of it and make your own. Bummer!
Hello Pam. The design of this greenhouse requires the panels to be installed as the greenhouse is built. That captivates the panels in the build. They are not easy to replace 'properly'. They can be broken out and new panels forced in but its not good. This is only one of the problems I've had. Some of the members are no thicker than a paper clip as I demonstrate in one of my videos. I think, as they say, 'I've been sold a pup'. Jim.
Hi Jim when you were erecting your greenhouse the sheets normally have a plastic film on them with one side saying this way out which is removed prior to to fitting so maybe the sheets that come with your greenhouse didn’t have this information
Hello Malcom. There's every chance sheets are installed the 'wrong way round'. Once the backing paper is off, both sides look the same. Part way through the build if sheets have to be removed to facilitate a correction that's where mistakes can be made. Jim.
So very sorry. Despite the tomatoes and cucumbers this has been an endless source of frustration for you and it shouldn't be. I've been thinking of getting one for a while but this has sealed the deal-I'm going to do something different. My cobbled-together plan may fail as well but at least it'll be my fault.
Hello Diane. There are some that have joined the conversation who 'sing the praises' of their Polycarbonate greenhouses. I can only speak as I find. Perhaps there are some good ones out there but by and large there are too many polycarbonate disaster movies out there on TH-cam for my liking. Jim.
@@HomeGrownVeg I've followed every step of your journey. Polycarbonate greenhouses are notorious here for being a nightmare to assemble and keep assembled. Your modifications to reinforce it made me think it'd be fine as what you did worked so well. But, having the panels crumble like that is a deal-breaker for me. I saw where some folks had good luck and that's great but the one I would get is on the, um, 'affordable' end of the spectrum and any UV coating would be the bare minimum. We're not in the Southwest but our summers are much hotter and sunnier than yours so I figure it would degrade even faster. I'm not a polymer chemist so I don't know what's best but I did find a few products that may help you. There are sprays for outdoor decor designed to protect from UV. There are also sprays for polycarbonate headlights. For better coverage it may involve flipping the panels so the outside is solid and treating that side. Whether it's worth the effort and expense is another matter. I did see one other thing on the Amazon UK site: Mardili 1.8x3m Transparent PVC Waterproof Tarpaulin Cloth with Eyelets,100% Marine Grade Heavy Duty Clear Vinyl Tarp - Water,UV-Ray,Dustproof,Tear and Cold Weather Resistant Cover It may provide some protection for the panels, I don't know. PVC is supposed to be more resistant to UV but again, that's not my particular focus. Sorry for the length, I know I'm long-winded. Thank you for posting this. You've saved me and others many dollars and tons of grief.
@@dianeladico1769 If it is marine grade material, you could bury that tarp for 15-20 years and it would still be useable. Long story short, I bought a brand new snow sled in 1986, that came with a factory cover. Purchased in Feb. By Nov it was rotted out. It's replacement didn't hold up any better. A customer of mine was a sail maker. Asked him if he could make me a cover. Said he'd never done it before, but being winter and business was slow he'd give it a try. I gave that sled away without the cover in 2007. I found the tarp, in a cardboard box in 2009. Still good as new. 😄
@@marktoldgardengnome4110 Wow, what a testimonial. I'm not sure that particular one was that good but it's nice to know they're available. I'm sure he can find one, probably locally given his proximity to the sea. I hold Jim in high regard and would love to be able to help him but it's just not what I know so the best I can do is scour the interwebs. Wanted to find something to protect what's left of the roof from UV and still let the sun in. Hope you're breathing OK with all the wildfire smoke. We've got some air quality alerts and stunning sunsets but it's worse up your way.
@@dianeladico1769 We TY. But, I was just whining to Jim last week, we went from mid to high 90's to daily highs in low 50's and rain. They were right, nothing but rain and cold until this next coming Sunday. A low pressure (cold front) area parked it's backside in the Gulf of Maine causing the smoke to go counter clockwise around the state of Maine, sparing us from the smoke. I guess at times, there IS a Silver Lining. However, running our pellet stove in June, was never on our Bucket List. 🙂
I've heard you can contact glass repair companies and get the old glass panels from back porch glass doors for free. You just have to pry the glass panels apart then you can use on a greenhouse.
The Polycarbonate sheets are captivated by the frame of the greenhouse. Its not that easy to change them let alone upgrade them, you have to start by part dismantling the greenhouse to get the old ones out and the new ones in. Jim.
@@HomeGrownVeg It might not be easy but eventually you will have no choice. Guess you have a few more years till the other half of the plastic melts too.
@@adtopkek4826 The Sheets are 4mm and fit into a channel in the frame. Anything thinner will rattle about and not be secure and anything thicker will not fit. There is probably a way but it would involve drilling holes in the frame. The frame is light weight and not sturdy at all so would be weakened it adding to my problems. Thanks for trying to help. We garden on! Jim.
Hi Jim, I'm in my 4th year now with my own built poly greenhouse and as yet no damage to speak of and it feels ok to touch, as you said the sheets are protected from the sun but only on one side I wonder if yours have been installed the wrong way round ? Take care.
Polycarbonate panels are not the problem. CHEAP polycarbonate panels are the problem. You get what you pay for. Besides, a lot of that damage looks like impact damage, especially from 2:11 to 3:06. I suspect hail. Regardless, those are cheap PC panels. Good quality PC panels are perfectly fine and will last around 7-10 years in your area of the world. Less is areas with more intense sunlight.
The gardeners that visit this channel are mostly pensioners. Advising them to spending more on a limited budget probably isn't helpful. On closer inspection the material from 1000,s of holes has completely disappeared. I agree it looks like hail damage but the evidence suggests otherwise. These panels are not 'fit for purpose' if the sun can destroy them. Jim.
@@HomeGrownVeg Of course, you are right, they are not fit for purpose. And that is my point. That is the case with all product lines in the "too affordable to be true" cost bracket. They are basically sucker products that play on the emotions of the prospective buyer. That applies to every product that has a subset of models in the "too affordable to be true" price point, even automobiles. Working man Korean and Chinese cars are a great example of this. Utter junk and you are lucky to get 100K miles without major issues, like total transmission failure in which a total replacement is the only "affordable" option. I have no idea how a youtube creator can deduce if their viewers are pensioners. After all, I am not a pensioner. But regardless of the income level of your particular viewers, this law of consumerism does not cease to be true just because there are people that cannot afford the properly manufacture models. That defies all logic and reason. And lastly, what also defies all logic and reason is when you say basically ALL PC greenhouses are junk judging from your experience of what amounts to a toy greenhouse, is nothing short of ludicrous.
@@ASpinnerASpinner " I have no idea how a youtube creator can deduce if their viewers are pensioners". (A) TH-cam demographics gives creators the age range, sex, and country of all their subscribers. "what also defies all logic and reason is when you say basically ALL PC greenhouses are junk" Did you just make that up? I think I said "don't take my word for it watch other peoples videos on the subject and form an opinion". And lastly. Have you got a polycarbonate greenhouse?
Does your neighbour have an air rifle? I kid. My PC greenhouse has a 20 year guarantee, from a well-established firm. PC sheets for greenhouses have, or SHOULD HAVE, a UV resistant coating. eg Google Amari Plastics UV protected polycarbonate sheets. From their site "Clear polycarbonate UV Sheets have dual sided UV protection which prevents 98% of damaging UV radiation from penetrating the sheet, making it perfect for external glazing applications. The UV protection enables longer sheet life in tough weather conditions, while preventing yellowing and guards against loss of strength." But these are specifically UV protected. If you just bought Polycarbonate sheets that aren't UV protected, maybe you'll get these problems with the sun. FWIW my polycarbonate greenhouse uses single layer, corrugated polycarbonate that's 4mm thick not that sandwiched type, which I've used for craft projects and making signage in the past.
You've either bought the wrong polycarb, or have put it on upside down. It's often UV protected, but on one side only. Millions of conservatories have this for roofs and don't suffer from this issue. I wonder how you decided which way up to put it..... I wouldn't bother with tape, if you're going to bodge it just get some clear silicone and blob that on to get you through. Next time buy the right material and put it on the right way round.
I bought a greenhouse, the polycarbonate sheets were from the greenhouse manufacturers so should have been fit for purpose. Have you ever built one of these things? It was so stressful and I could have made some mistakes. Started the build at breakfast time on a calm day , completed it at supper time in the wind and rain and dark soaked to the skin. Thanks for you advise but there will be no next time. Jim.
@@HomeGrownVeg I haven't built one of these things specifically, I have a proper PT and that has to have the polythene put on the right way up. I was a glazier though so know about glass, clear plastics and UV coatings.
Is a proper PT a proper polytunnel. I didn't know the polythene had a UV coating, I've learned something. Picking your brains, could these products have a UV coating both sides? Is there a reason they don't do this? Just asking. Jim.
The sun can only shine one way and that's from the outside in, so plastic glazing products are UV resistant on one side only to save money. In a similar fashion (but not exactly the same) even the double glazed units in windows have stickers on them telling you which way to fit them when new.
The trials and tribulations of owning a Polycarbonate Greenhouse : studio.th-cam.com/users/playlistPLrdJ3rKwLaer4SU3gVuKE_jf_abuhmE2K/edit Then hit the videos link on the left of the screen. Has your watering can got one of these? th-cam.com/video/iD_XBOuUk0k/w-d-xo.html
Sunscreen? 50/50 emulsion wash on the roof in late April??? That is one fine looking cuppa there.
To late now Jamie. All 8 roof panels holed and now replaced. Who would have thought that something built to stand out in all weathers and with a UV protective coating would be destroyed by the sun. Whatever happened to 'fit for purpose'.
I have two greenhouses, both was glass but as I live in a flat & share a communal garden, I had to replace the glass with Polycarbonate sheets, 4mm size which I purchased from a company on EBay. It was pretty reasonably priced & came with a 10 year guarantee. I'm in my fourth year now & my panels are still in good condition. But rather than just clipping them in with glazing wire clips I put eight good size blobs of clear Mastic on each sheet then pressed them on firmly & put the clips on the tops. My panels won't blow off & they have withstood all the winds we have had in recent years. 😉
Sorry to hear about this. You seem like a dedicated, bighearted chap, and one who loves his plants and the ability to care for 'em. This kind of fortune usually only follows those who can rule it.
Cheers!!
I too have the same issue with my roof panels on my polycarbonate greenhouse, but I don't think it's the sun and UV as the side panels have had the same exposure and are fine. I think it's possibly two issues. Firstly i did not seal the top and bottom ends of the panels when i installed them. This has allowed water into the cavity sections which during the winter has frozen and expanded causing cracking damage. Secondly like yourself when i first installed them I did not take into account the flexing in wind which exacerbated the damage during the winter and spring months. I am going to replace my roof panels but am going to seal the top and bottom ends with aluminium foil tape (used normally for insulation) and also string wire across the roof to prevent bowing and flexing.
I have the bowing and flexing under control using additional bracing that's holding the sheets. I do have some water ingress into the sheets. Any expansion or contraction of frozen water because the sheets are open ended, shouldn't be a problem. Let's hear what others have to say. Thanks for your comment. Jim.
What a shame! I have ADMIRED how well you have grown things in your greenhouse!
Thank you for educating us on this! I think this will help save many grief and $$$ on trying to use this material for this purpose... There are enough other things to distract and detract from our goals of creating food and watching things grow from our work!
Thanks for supporting my Home Grown Veg channel for the past 2 years. Jim.
Thank you for showing this, Jim! I was considering purchasing one until I saw this. Would have been a big mistake. I'll stick with the mesh crop cage I currently have. It works will for my needs.
There are some contributors 'singing the praises' of Polycarbonate greenhouses. My advise is based on my experience's and from watching others struggle with them on TH-cam. Jim.
I also have had a Polycarbonate greenhouse for 6 years I have never had mine go in holes , my initial problem of the wind breaking out the panels was solved with silicon fixing in each panel, I have replaced some that cracked due to wind pressure but I live in Cornwall we have lots of wind as well as sun . I think you have been really unlucky with your greenhouse Jim as my friend down the road has had hers over ten years , it’s in a more sheltered position from the wind than mine , Also of course they are considerably cheaper than glass which in my case could get broken by falling branches from the surrounding trees , these don’t shade the greenhouse from the sun though they are in the field adjacent my garden. Hope you get something more suitable soon Jim , must keep home grown veg , growing ❤️
Hello Linda. I think you'll agree, that based on my Polycarbonate Greenhouse experience I could hardly recommend one. That said you seem to have had a much better experience. Thanks for your comment. It brings a bit of 'balance' to the conversation. Have a good gardening year. Jim.
We have a 10x6 Palram Polycarbonate greenhouse, two years old now screwed to a breeze block base with a concrete floor. It cost £1000 to build including a massive concrete base as it was built on a steep garden. We've had no problems with it at all and it still looks like new. We've insulated it with bubblewrap inside this winter and heated it to prevent frost. We started growing in it in January this year and its been absolutely great. I hope your experience will not put people off because it's the best thing we've ever bought.
Hello Phil. I think you'll agree, that based on my Polycarbonate Greenhouse experience I could hardly recommend one. That said you seem to have had a much better experience. Thanks for your comment. It brings a bit of 'balance' to the conversation. Have a good gardening year. Jim.
I bought a couple of those cheap plastic protectors that I can stand my tomatoe plants in and overwinter some broccoli and herbs. Third year now and apart from needing a clean they are fine.
Pleased to hear it Alia. Jim.
Got to agree with you the wind, had mine after only one season, it's now over the Pacific Ocean. Please please don't buy a polycarbonate greenhouse, always go for a glass greenhouse. 😢
Hello Jim. I've been studying this since you posted it the other day, wish I could help.
After reading all the comments I sensed a tone of despair. I know the feeling. Both
of us have way more gardens behind us, than ahead of us and just want to enjoy what
we do and share our knowledge. The irony, check this out. To maximize your polycarbonate
green houses life expectancy, 3 things you can/should do.
1) Wash with mild soap regularly with a soft bristle brush.
2) Polish/wax roof annually.
3) Place/build it in a shady area. Yup, we all do that. Always owner caused.
Lack of maintenance or improper assembly.
They make Poly Repair Tape. Cover the holes with that maybe. Will get you by.
Do some research, assess your options, maybe make some phone calls to
places that are in the business of polycarbonate green houses and see what
they'd suggest. Actually, the 3 items I listed above are answers from UK business's
to 3 different questions. If there's a chance of possibly gaining a new customer
that they'd be happy to talk to you about it. Until then,
Garden on my Friend. We're all here for you. Mark n Rosa
Hello Mark and Rosa. Its a 'make do and mend' on 4 roof sheets with holes in them. I have purchased some heavy duty semi extra sticky clear tape and covered the 4 panels with it. It might be UV stabilized but then so were the sheets. Lets see how that goes. Its been suggested by a few commenters that I may have fitted these sheets the 'wrong way round'. Well that's a possibility given that part way through the build I had to remove some sheets to correct errors I had made. The film indicating the UV stabilized side had been removed. At this point there is nothing to distinguish which side is stabilized so reinstalling them the wrong way round would be easy. An easy fix for the manufacturer would be to stabilize both sides of the sheet. Thanks for your contribution, its much appreciated. We garden on! Jim.
Jim, if you purchased your greenhouse via credit card, there's a chance you may be eligible for an extended warranty from that source beyond that of the supplier.
Hope you can figure this out because I know you need its help for your winter months. You will do fine nomatter the season, I have seen you do it!😊
Bummer a greenhouse you have to keep in the shade.
In Australia, we can buy a product called Solarweave. To describe it, it looks like a sheet of plastic on a roll, with open weave fibres through it. I was given a galvanised tubing frame that had been discarded because the original material wasn't fir for purpose like yours. The Solarweave was simply rolled out over the gabled frame,and then then ends cut out and fitted with a silicone seal. It was starting to deteriorate when we shifted 17 years later. These days, I see what the market gardeners are using, and it looks like a lightweight material.
That's interesting Ian. I think you'll agree, that based on my Polycarbonate Greenhouse experience I could hardly recommend one. That said you seem to have had a much better experience. Thanks for your comment. It brings a bit of 'balance' to the conversation. Have a good gardening year. Jim.
Thank you for the update! I wonder how well attempting to maintain the UV protective layer may affect the full-sun polycarbonate sheets on a greenhouse like this.
I just started looking at this greenhouse yesterday, and I live in west Texas where the sun is really powerful here, and it eats car paint jobs for breakfast. We get temperatures around 110° F in the summertime. I don’t think this will last two years where I live.
Mine was a budget greenhouse John so not 'top of the range', that said I never expected this to happen. Perhaps more expensive polycarbonate greenhouses have better UV protection. Be sure to check out other Polycarbonate greenhouse reviews. Jim.
It's just because the uv protection wasn't set by the suppliers when you purchase them
I am so sorry. Jim. Heartbreaking. Truly
It’s a pain. Your sheets should have lasted much longer. I got 7 years out of mine before replacing them. My greenhouse was second hand with only about half the glass remaining. I found it impossible to get replacement glass, so went to the polycarbonate. The uv protection helps, but the sun makes all plastics brittle eventually. I must get the sun screen cream out!!
Might there be a spray-on UV protectant that is useable on polycarbonate?
Hi Jim, just a quick update - 5 more of my red onions have run to seed. The variety is ‘Electric’ and were sets planted in late February! I have nipped the seed heads out but don’t hold much hope of getting any serviceable onions!
Hello Gordon. I'm now up to a dozen 'bolters', all red skin sets. Jim.
@@HomeGrownVeg my shallots are bolting, its been so dry, they dont like being manually watered it seems
I have a polycarb greenhouse. We built it from a kit in 2004. The ground was well prepared prior to building the greenhouse. We used crushed gravel as the base. The aluminum frame sits on 8 x 8 treated lumber that was sunk into the ground and drilled into place. The frame has good bracings to help hold the basic frame structure in place. The footings and the frame has never wavered or moved at all.
Our polycarb panels are doing fine -- and this greenhouse is 19 years old!! Our polycarb panels are 10mm. We wash the panels twice a year to remove pollen and any type of filaments that settle onto the roof area. Our greenhouse has a gutter system so water runs off the roof and into gutters.
We live in Virginia, Zone 6b/7a and it is VERY windy because we're in the Shenandoah Valley. We have never had any issues with panels flying off or coming loose.
We did buy our kit from a reputable greenhouse supplier and it was a brand kit. Also my husband is a builder and his profession was as a Construction Superintendent. Maybe these things makes the difference?
I think you have a much better product than I have. Just when I thought I had all my problems sorted, the sheets start to disintegrate. Such is life. Jim.
@@HomeGrownVeg I think you're correct. And I have an older greenhouse so quality may have deteriorated here now in the States...Heck, even in the kits since they're assembled w/ many parts from suppliers.
From looking at your video close-ups, I wonder if the actual layer of plastic is thinner. And, by the way, have you ever used any shade cloths to see if that helps?
At the rate you've been going, just plastic wrap would serve you better -- wrap varies in thickness here in the States. Maybe that's an option. I shudder to think of the cost of going with glass!
If I were to do another greenhouse, I would hobble one together w/ recycled windows. I actually like the look of "wonky". LOL
I sure do feel your frustration. Gardening is supposed to be fun and full of rewards, not frustrations!
@@homesteadgal4143 Notwithstanding this latest 'set back' , this greenhouse has been a battle all the way. Jim.
Homestead gal, could you please share which greenhouse you purchased? Thanks!
Hi Jim, obviously the UV protective coating is not adequate! What a pity!
Jim hello you ok??
poly greenhouses ok i have two
one in the heat of Southern Arizona the older one by 10 yrs in Beverly Hills,,,,, the problem i found was the roof of the older one,,,, it separated between the layers causing dirt looking marks,,,, so its now cobbled together with pallet strips
both my greenhouses had a 10 yr guarantee on all the sheeting,,,,, becomes very brittle with age,,,,,the best is glass
i only grow toms n chilli/peppers melon mini,,,,,
maybe the climate in Cumbria has an effect on how your greenhouse can cope
having said that a commodity should do what it said in the advert for sale,, you have a consumer right in law
holes look like brittle deterioration not good for a 3yearold greenhouse you can get replacement panels
Jim this is Edwin signing out haha seey buddy
Replace those sheets with Plexiglass? Bit expensive, but seems to last a very long time. My father-in-law, replaced a glass window that got broken by his children 50 years ago in his back door with Plexiglass. It's still there, after all these years ago.
The Polycarbonate sheets are captivated by the frame of the greenhouse. Its not that easy to change them let alone upgrade them. Jim.
I truly despise plastics.
I despise racists, but you do you. 😜
Buy cheap, buy twice , innit x
Donit didit fixedit. xx
@@HomeGrownVeg Good lad x
Cant you apply plastic sheeting? Or shade cloth?
To help cover the holes
To be honest the sheets had lost all their strength. It would only be a matter of time before they failed completely. I've now replaced all 8 roof panels. Jim.
If this is the same one as mine (I have the 6x4 variety bought in 2020) it's worth noting it's twinwall polycarbonate sheets, not solid polycarbonate (as other commenters might have). Would be interested to know how you got on replacing the panels without completely deconstructing the structure? (This comment is sponsored by Storm Isha...)
As you know, the sheets are captivated top and bottom and the sides. To replace a sheet properly would need a partial deconstruct of the greenhouse at which point the greenhouse is likely to fall apart. I got my replacement sheets from B&Q. I cut them to the correct width but short. I sprung them in and made do with the sides only being captivated. I used sealant along all the edges. The 4 roof panels I replaced have just took the full force of 'Isha' and are still in place. (I think???? need to go and inspect) Jim.
If you want to save the frame you'll just have to replace the panels. You may be able to get them already made for your green house. Or buy sheets of it and make your own. Bummer!
Hello Pam. The design of this greenhouse requires the panels to be installed as the greenhouse is built. That captivates the panels in the build. They are not easy to replace 'properly'. They can be broken out and new panels forced in but its not good. This is only one of the problems I've had. Some of the members are no thicker than a paper clip as I demonstrate in one of my videos. I think, as they say, 'I've been sold a pup'. Jim.
Hi Jim when you were erecting your greenhouse the sheets normally have a plastic film on them with one side saying this way out which is removed prior to to fitting so maybe the sheets that come with your greenhouse didn’t have this information
Hello Malcom. There's every chance sheets are installed the 'wrong way round'. Once the backing paper is off, both sides look the same. Part way through the build if sheets have to be removed to facilitate a correction that's where mistakes can be made. Jim.
So very sorry. Despite the tomatoes and cucumbers this has been an endless source of frustration for you and it shouldn't be. I've been thinking of getting one for a while but this has sealed the deal-I'm going to do something different. My cobbled-together plan may fail as well but at least it'll be my fault.
Hello Diane. There are some that have joined the conversation who 'sing the praises' of their Polycarbonate greenhouses. I can only speak as I find. Perhaps there are some good ones out there but by and large there are too many polycarbonate disaster movies out there on TH-cam for my liking. Jim.
@@HomeGrownVeg I've followed every step of your journey. Polycarbonate greenhouses are notorious here for being a nightmare to assemble and keep assembled. Your modifications to reinforce it made me think it'd be fine as what you did worked so well. But, having the panels crumble like that is a deal-breaker for me. I saw where some folks had good luck and that's great but the one I would get is on the, um, 'affordable' end of the spectrum and any UV coating would be the bare minimum. We're not in the Southwest but our summers are much hotter and sunnier than yours so I figure it would degrade even faster.
I'm not a polymer chemist so I don't know what's best but I did find a few products that may help you. There are sprays for outdoor decor designed to protect from UV. There are also sprays for polycarbonate headlights. For better coverage it may involve flipping the panels so the outside is solid and treating that side. Whether it's worth the effort and expense is another matter.
I did see one other thing on the Amazon UK site: Mardili 1.8x3m Transparent PVC Waterproof Tarpaulin Cloth with Eyelets,100% Marine Grade Heavy Duty Clear Vinyl Tarp - Water,UV-Ray,Dustproof,Tear and Cold Weather Resistant Cover
It may provide some protection for the panels, I don't know. PVC is supposed to be more resistant to UV but again, that's not my particular focus.
Sorry for the length, I know I'm long-winded.
Thank you for posting this. You've saved me and others many dollars and tons of grief.
@@dianeladico1769 If it is marine grade material, you could bury that tarp
for 15-20 years and it would still be useable. Long story short, I bought
a brand new snow sled in 1986, that came with a factory cover.
Purchased in Feb. By Nov it was rotted out. It's replacement didn't hold
up any better. A customer of mine was a sail maker. Asked him if he
could make me a cover. Said he'd never done it before, but being winter and
business was slow he'd give it a try. I gave that sled away without the
cover in 2007. I found the tarp, in a cardboard box in 2009. Still good as new.
😄
@@marktoldgardengnome4110 Wow, what a testimonial. I'm not sure that particular one was that good but it's nice to know they're available. I'm sure he can find one, probably locally given his proximity to the sea.
I hold Jim in high regard and would love to be able to help him but it's just not what I know so the best I can do is scour the interwebs. Wanted to find something to protect what's left of the roof from UV and still let the sun in.
Hope you're breathing OK with all the wildfire smoke. We've got some air quality alerts and stunning sunsets but it's worse up your way.
@@dianeladico1769 We TY. But, I was just
whining to Jim last week, we went from
mid to high 90's to daily highs in low 50's and rain. They were right, nothing but
rain and cold until this next coming
Sunday. A low pressure (cold front)
area parked it's backside in the Gulf of
Maine causing the smoke to go
counter clockwise around the state
of Maine, sparing us from the smoke.
I guess at times, there IS a Silver
Lining. However, running our pellet
stove in June, was never on our Bucket
List. 🙂
I've heard you can contact glass repair companies and get the old glass panels from back porch glass doors for free. You just have to pry the glass panels apart then you can use on a greenhouse.
The Polycarbonate sheets are captivated by the frame of the greenhouse. Its not that easy to change them let alone upgrade them, you have to start by part dismantling the greenhouse to get the old ones out and the new ones in. Jim.
@@HomeGrownVeg It might not be easy but eventually you will have no choice. Guess you have a few more years till the other half of the plastic melts too.
@@adtopkek4826 The Sheets are 4mm and fit into a channel in the frame. Anything thinner will rattle about and not be secure and anything thicker will not fit. There is probably a way but it would involve drilling holes in the frame. The frame is light weight and not sturdy at all so would be weakened it adding to my problems. Thanks for trying to help. We garden on! Jim.
Hi Jim, I'm in my 4th year now with my own built poly greenhouse and as yet no damage to speak of and it feels ok to touch, as you said the sheets are protected from the sun but only on one side I wonder if yours have been installed the wrong way round ? Take care.
Thanks for supporting my Home Grown Veg channel for the past 6 years. Jim.
Polycarbonate panels are not the problem. CHEAP polycarbonate panels are the problem. You get what you pay for. Besides, a lot of that damage looks like impact damage, especially from 2:11 to 3:06. I suspect hail. Regardless, those are cheap PC panels. Good quality PC panels are perfectly fine and will last around 7-10 years in your area of the world. Less is areas with more intense sunlight.
The gardeners that visit this channel are mostly pensioners. Advising them to spending more on a limited budget probably isn't helpful. On closer inspection the material from 1000,s of holes has completely disappeared. I agree it looks like hail damage but the evidence suggests otherwise. These panels are not 'fit for purpose' if the sun can destroy them. Jim.
@@HomeGrownVeg Of course, you are right, they are not fit for purpose. And that is my point. That is the case with all product lines in the "too affordable to be true" cost bracket. They are basically sucker products that play on the emotions of the prospective buyer. That applies to every product that has a subset of models in the "too affordable to be true" price point, even automobiles. Working man Korean and Chinese cars are a great example of this. Utter junk and you are lucky to get 100K miles without major issues, like total transmission failure in which a total replacement is the only "affordable" option.
I have no idea how a youtube creator can deduce if their viewers are pensioners. After all, I am not a pensioner. But regardless of the income level of your particular viewers, this law of consumerism does not cease to be true just because there are people that cannot afford the properly manufacture models. That defies all logic and reason.
And lastly, what also defies all logic and reason is when you say basically ALL PC greenhouses are junk judging from your experience of what amounts to a toy greenhouse, is nothing short of ludicrous.
@@ASpinnerASpinner " I have no idea how a youtube creator can deduce if their viewers are pensioners".
(A) TH-cam demographics gives creators the age range, sex, and country of all their subscribers.
"what also defies all logic and reason is when you say basically ALL PC greenhouses are junk"
Did you just make that up? I think I said "don't take my word for it watch other peoples videos on the subject and form an opinion".
And lastly. Have you got a polycarbonate greenhouse?
Looks like hail damage mate
That's true, but on closer inspection the holes have flakey edges and are elongated where the polycarbonate sheet has been degraded.
Does your neighbour have an air rifle? I kid. My PC greenhouse has a 20 year guarantee, from a well-established firm. PC sheets for greenhouses have, or SHOULD HAVE, a UV resistant coating. eg Google Amari Plastics UV protected polycarbonate sheets. From their site "Clear polycarbonate UV Sheets have dual sided UV protection which prevents 98% of damaging UV radiation from penetrating the sheet, making it perfect for external glazing applications. The UV protection enables longer sheet life in tough weather conditions, while preventing yellowing and guards against loss of strength." But these are specifically UV protected. If you just bought Polycarbonate sheets that aren't UV protected, maybe you'll get these problems with the sun. FWIW my polycarbonate greenhouse uses single layer, corrugated polycarbonate that's 4mm thick not that sandwiched type, which I've used for craft projects and making signage in the past.
It is what it is Anton.
You've either bought the wrong polycarb, or have put it on upside down. It's often UV protected, but on one side only. Millions of conservatories have this for roofs and don't suffer from this issue. I wonder how you decided which way up to put it..... I wouldn't bother with tape, if you're going to bodge it just get some clear silicone and blob that on to get you through. Next time buy the right material and put it on the right way round.
I bought a greenhouse, the polycarbonate sheets were from the greenhouse manufacturers so should have been fit for purpose. Have you ever built one of these things? It was so stressful and I could have made some mistakes. Started the build at breakfast time on a calm day , completed it at supper time in the wind and rain and dark soaked to the skin. Thanks for you advise but there will be no next time. Jim.
@@HomeGrownVeg I haven't built one of these things specifically, I have a proper PT and that has to have the polythene put on the right way up. I was a glazier though so know about glass, clear plastics and UV coatings.
Is a proper PT a proper polytunnel. I didn't know the polythene had a UV coating, I've learned something. Picking your brains, could these products have a UV coating both sides? Is there a reason they don't do this? Just asking. Jim.
The sun can only shine one way and that's from the outside in, so plastic glazing products are UV resistant on one side only to save money. In a similar fashion (but not exactly the same) even the double glazed units in windows have stickers on them telling you which way to fit them when new.
god damn it man just spray it with a varnish can when you buy it,it will last 15 years
How's your potato harvest going?
@@HomeGrownVeg very poorly,the onions and tomtoes on the other hand are awesome i will post some videos this week :D
I think you will be needing a skip soon!
Seems it is fundamentally unfit for purpose if they were sold as suitable for use on a greenhouse or any exposure to the sun. You need a refund.
Sadly, I think the 'purpose' was profit and in that they've succeeded.
I bought the same thing and threw it all in the garbage after a year and a half :(
Thanks for supporting my Home Grown Veg channel for the past 4 years. Jim.
The trials and tribulations of owning a Polycarbonate Greenhouse : studio.th-cam.com/users/playlistPLrdJ3rKwLaer4SU3gVuKE_jf_abuhmE2K/edit Then hit the videos link on the left of the screen.
Has your watering can got one of these? th-cam.com/video/iD_XBOuUk0k/w-d-xo.html
Can you get your money back?
😮 link does not work 😮
Try this: studio.th-cam.com/users/playlistPLrdJ3rKwLaer4SU3gVuKE_jf_abuhmE2K Then hit the videos link on the left of the screen.
th-cam.com/play/PLrdJ3rKwLaer4SU3gVuKE_jf_abuhmE2K.html - need to remove the "edit" at the end.
@@AntonGully Thanks Anton for your help. Edit removed. Jim.