Greenhouse repairs | How to make polycarbonate storm proof

Repairing a storm damaged greenhouse using polycarbonate sheets. This video shows how to cut, tape, and fit twin wall polycarbonate glazing panels. Also shows how we added some reinforcing to prevent the roof panels from being blown out by high winds.

[@mimox2753]

Thank you for the well detailed information on replacing your greenhouse with polycarbonate sheets. I love it ❤

[@jonnyskitchengarden]

Thanks :)

[@south-facer9562]

Thank you Jonny: I’ve invested in a polycarbonate greenhouse last month and we have just had an almighty storm. This has blown out roof and side panels. Thanks to your detailed description above, I now know I need to add cross struts which are fixed as you describe to each polycarbonate sheet. This will also strengthen the whole frame plus allow to in-build shelving into the walls of the greenhouse. Wonderful work there sir. Hope all is well

[@jonnyskitchengarden]

Hope the upgrade works out for you. We have a storm blowing here right now but so far the panels are intact. I’m sure they would have been blown out straight away without the modifications. Hopefully all will be well in the morning...

[@tarawalters22]

Thank you. A really concise guide with great tips

[@jonnyskitchengarden]

Thanks :)

[@davidwilliams6553]

That’s a very informative video, thank very much.

[@rebeccazody1278]

Thank you so much. Great job

[@jonnyskitchengarden]

Thanks 🙂

[@roisin252]

Thank you. My greenhouse arrived with strips of plastic but no mention in the instructions as to what they were for. We couldn’t figure out what to do with them, this might answer the question!

[@jonnyskitchengarden]

They sometimes come with bar capping that fits over the glazing bars and helps hold the sheets in place.

[@Arkenboutmusic]

Can I have a product description for that blue tape? I'm not sure what that is. Please elaborate

[@jonnyskitchengarden]

It is generally referred to as 'breather tape' or 'anti-dust breather tape'. It keeps out the dust and debris but allows a certain amount of air and moisture to move. It should be available from anywhere selling polycarbonate sheets as well as places like Amazon or eBay.

[@HomeGrownVeg]

It's now 2 years since you uploaded this video. How's the storm proofing gone, did it work. Jim.

[@jonnyskitchengarden]

It did :) None of the full panes have suffered even through some big storms and the extra straps have been handy for tying up plants. The small pieces in the windows aren't so happy, but I didn't reinforce them at all - will have to do something similar to fix those a bit better.

[@HomeGrownVeg]

Well you've certainly put some thought and effort into strengthening your greenhouse. Hope all goes well. Jim.

[@jonnyskitchengarden]

Thanks! It has survived a couple of storms now, so I'm happy with the repairs :)

[@lifebound10]

What is this greenhouse called. I have this exact one, it came with the house and I'm looking to fix it up

[@jonnyskitchengarden]

It is old, so I'm not certain, but I think it may be Simplicity. I checked some photos and it seems to match.

[@wofy11]

Thank you for your video. can just ask were did you get your polycarbonate sheets? Thank you

[@jonnyskitchengarden]

I think they were called Omega. I got them through eBay, although they have their own website too. It is definitely worth shopping around as I found prices quite variable. I also found it much cheaper to take one of the stock sizes and cut down rather than order sheets to size.

[@masterofgarden3472]

Temper glass is what they uses in auto. Been in car crashes before that how I know.

[@gazwylam5375]

How thick is the polycarbonate plz?

[@jonnyskitchengarden]

I used 10mm twin wall.

[@davidwall6020]

Good video..were the sheets an exact fit widthwise? Maybe triplewalled plastic would be stiff enough to not require purlin support.But then this would require much thinner clips and does anybody make them??

[@jonnyskitchengarden]

Yes, they were a reasonable fit across the width. The clips don't hold as well on the soft plastic edges as they do on glass but they are ok. I'm not sure about the triple wall stuff - you may be right and they might not flex enough to pop the clips out but I wouldn't be too confident as they need to withstand quite a beating in a storm. I think there are alternative ways to hold polycarbonate sheets in place on some greenhouses that are designed for them - capping strips that fit over the glazing bars - and these probably work much better. I still like the idea of the added support, and those bars are often handy for tying up plants :)

[@roisin252]

Is the blue breathable tape easy to get a hold of?

[@jonnyskitchengarden]

Yes - it’s available from amazon and I expect places selling polycarbonate sheets would have it.

[@bobcole3852]

In the US, "toughened"glass would be called tempered or safety glass

[@jonnyskitchengarden]

Thanks. I think it goes by various names here 👍