2021 ᐈ

A greenhouse made of cellular polycarbonate is a great help for growing heat-loving plants in cool climates. Lightweight sheet material with excellent light transmittance and low thermal conductivity is an excellent replacement for heavy, fragile glass. In addition, you can build a polycarbonate greenhouse with your own hands simply and quickly, even without professional skills.

How to choose a design

If you decide to build a polycarbonate greenhouse with your own hands, it is advisable to choose a design that allows you to use the main advantage of this material - its ability to bend. These are two types with curved roofs with arch-shaped supports.

In one design, the arcs extend from the ground itself. If they are curved in the form of a radius, a lot of area is lost at the edges, since it is very inconvenient to work there due to the small height.

Another design solves this problem - with a composite frame welded from several pieces. Straight posts emerge from the ground/from the base, which rise to a height of at least one and a half meters. An arc is welded to them. With this arrangement, the roof is rounded and the walls are straight.

You can even work along walls without problems, standing up straight to your full height.

But the rounded greenhouse roof has several disadvantages. The first is that it is more difficult to make ventilation windows in it than in a straight line. The problem can be solved by making transoms in the walls rather than in the roof. The second disadvantage of a rounded roof in a polycarbonate greenhouse is that snow falls off from it worse than from flat, sloping surfaces.

If you live in a region with snowy winters, you will either have to make reinforced trusses, or make a pitched roof - with one or two slopes.

There is a third solution - to make a rounded part of the roof from two arches, welded at an angle, which forms a kind of ridge. With this structure, the snow melts well and the ridge can be protected with a wide strip of metal. This will improve snow melting and protect the joint from leaks.

Greenhouse device

Confusion between a greenhouse and a greenhouse should be avoided. Outwardly they are similar, but still have a number of differences. First of all, a greenhouse is smaller in size than a greenhouse. But the main difference is the operating principle. The greenhouse is self-sufficient in storing heat, since energy is generated due to the greenhouse effect created by the sun and the heat resulting from the decomposition of organic matter. The greenhouse is used only from early spring until autumn frosts.

The greenhouses have an irrigation system and an additional heating source.

In a greenhouse, the greenhouse effect is created by an external heat source - electricity, fuel oil, gas, and the harvest can be obtained throughout the year.

Based on the type of installation, greenhouses are divided into above-ground and in-depth.

In deep greenhouses, thermal insulation is higher due to the thickness of the soil. To build it, a trench is dug, around the perimeter of which a frame of logs is made or a row of brickwork is made, and then the outer frame is attached. It is called the “Russian greenhouse”.

Biomass generates heat, which serves as a “stove” for the greenhouse

Aboveground greenhouses are otherwise called French. They are lightweight structures that are quite easy to assemble and disassemble and can be installed during the season. The disadvantage of this type of greenhouse is that it is less energy efficient, as it has a larger surface area for cooling. But the temperature cannot be maintained quite enough to grow early crops or prevent seedlings from freezing.

Polycarbonate structure with hemispherical roof

Above-ground greenhouses can have different types of roofs and frame hatches for ventilation - “butterfly”, “snail”, “Belgian”, “dragonfly”, “convertible”. The most common option is a gable roof. A pitched roof can be damaged by snow if the greenhouse is left undisassembled for the winter. For ease of caring for plants, it is better to equip a tall greenhouse with a door; for a low greenhouse, a door is not necessary.

Photo gallery: various types of structures

To ventilate the greenhouse, you can open one side

A snail roof will allow you to care for plants

To ventilate the greenhouse, you can use stops

The gable roof allows you to open each side separately

The greenhouse is equipped with a door and hatches for ventilation

There is a window above the entrance door for ventilation.

Additional horizontal slats make the structure more durable

For ventilation, transoms are located both on the roof and on both sides

The streamlined shape of the greenhouse is convenient to assemble and operate

A door with a folding design was made for a small greenhouse

The convertible roof allows you to care for each plant individually

How to make a polycarbonate greenhouse with your own hands (drawings)

If you decide to assemble a polycarbonate greenhouse yourself, you will need a design plan and certain materials, a list of which you can find below.

Design selection

First, you need to decide on the type and material of the frame for the future greenhouse. There is a huge variety of both standard solutions and individual projects.

The choice of material is also important. Construction stores sell ready-made kits made from metal profiles that are assembled like a construction set.

PVC pipes can also be used as a material. They are easy to bend, lightweight and easy to install.

And of course, one cannot fail to note wood, which also serves as an excellent frame for these buildings, is accessible, cheap and allows the installation of structures of various shapes and sizes.

Drawing up a drawing

A do-it-yourself greenhouse made of polycarbonate, which will not take much time to draw up, will turn out to be large and comfortable, provided that all the necessary rules are followed.

First of all, you need to decide on the size of the structure. They will depend on the area of your personal plot, what and how much you are going to grow, and, of course, on the cost of materials.

Foundation preparation

The strength and reliability of the greenhouse will depend on how high-quality the foundation you prepare for it. There may be several options here. The most common is a wooden base. To build it, you will need a beam, a level, a screwdriver, a shovel, a 7-meter tape measure, and a construction knife. It is necessary to cut 2 pieces of 3 meters each and 2 pieces of 3.85 meters each.

When assembling a box from timber, for convenience we place the timber on the narrow part for further ease of installation of the polycarbonate, so that it overlaps the timber. Three-meter beams should cover the end of the beam 3.85 m.

But the most reliable will be a concrete foundation. If you are going to make a large greenhouse and use a metal profile or wooden blocks for the frame, then a concrete foundation will be necessary due to the significant weight of the entire structure.

To install a cement foundation, we make formwork according to the dimensions of the proposed foundation. We cover it with cement and let the cement harden and strengthen.

Foundation

If you are wondering whether a foundation for a polycarbonate greenhouse is needed or not, there is only one answer - it is necessary. And reliable. They fly very well. Therefore, the foundation must “anchor” the building well.

For normal operation, it is better to place a polycarbonate greenhouse on a foundation

Belt type

This foundation is for buildings that are planned for more than one year. The most expensive, but also the most thorough option. If you plan to use the greenhouse all year round, the foundation is made deep - to a depth just below freezing of the soil. For seasonal use, concrete-brick or simply timber is suitable.

Concrete-brick is one of the most common

Concrete-brick (concrete-beam)

Most often they make a concrete-brick version. It is optimal in terms of cost, complexity and duration. The work is carried out as follows:

A trench is dug according to the size of the greenhouse. Its width is about 20 cm, the depth depends on the type of soil. On heaving soils (clay, loam, black soil), a trench is dug 50-60 cm deep. The edges of the trench are reinforced with formwork - knocked together panels made of boards, plywood, OSB. 15 cm of coarse and fine crushed stone is poured onto the leveled bottom and compacted. The same layer of sand is poured on top, leveled and compacted. This pillow will compensate for soil movements during frost heaving.
The depth of the foundation on soils not prone to heaving is 25-30 cm. The bottom of the dug trench is cleared of stones, roots and other objects, leveled, and compacted.

The marking is carried out like this

Thick oilcloth or roofing felt is spread on the prepared bottom. This is necessary so that moisture from the solution is not absorbed into the soil. It is also advisable to cover the sides, but there the formwork panels partially solve this problem. Without this layer, concrete will not gain strength and will collapse.

The solution is poured into the resulting ditch. The proportions are as follows: for 1 part of cement (M 400) take 3 parts of sand and 5 parts of filler. Filler - preferably crushed stone of small and medium fraction. You should not use expanded clay - it absorbs moisture and can cause increased humidity.

The surface is leveled “under level”. You can smooth it out with a wooden block.

Construction of a concrete-brick foundation

Mortgages - studs or pieces of reinforcement with a diameter of at least 12 mm - are installed in the foundation, in the corners and at a distance of 1 meter. Studs are installed if it is necessary to attach timber to them, and reinforcement if brick is to be laid. They stick out at least 15 cm above the foundation level.

The poured foundation is covered with film and left for at least a week (at temperatures below 17°C, two weeks should pass). If the weather is hot, water it a couple of times a day. To preserve moisture in this case, it is better to cover it under the film with a coarse cloth (burlap).

If the bottom trim is a beam, waterproofing is rolled out over the concrete base. You can use two layers of roofing material, but now it quickly deteriorates, so it’s better to take “Gidroizol” or something similar. You can coat the concrete with bitumen mastic a couple of times. The result will be more reliable.

A row of strapping is laid:

If it is a 100*100 beam, it is impregnated with a composition for direct contact with the ground. They drill holes in it for the installed studs, put them on them, and tighten the studs with bolts. To prevent the bolts from sticking out, recesses are made using a drill of a suitable size.

Bricks are laid on concrete

If the base is concrete-brick, one or two rows of bricks are laid. You can also use a hollow one, since the mass is small. The laying is carried out so that the mortgages fall into the seam between the bricks.

Next comes the assembly of the frame.

There are options for this type of foundation. You can install small foundation concrete blocks in a prepared trench and fill the space between them with mortar. They must be installed so that their edge is below ground level. A layer of concrete is poured on top and leveled. Mortgages are secured in the seams.

Empty bottles can be used as building material. They are laid in rows and filled with concrete. It turns out to be a very economical and warm foundation. Its load-bearing capacity is quite enough for a more serious construction.

Beam foundation for a polycarbonate greenhouse

This option is suitable as a temporary solution - it can last two to three years. It depends on the humidity in the area, the quality of the wood and the processing. The timber is used with a large cross-section - 100*100 or more (can be made composite, from several boards). It is treated with compounds for wood in contact with the ground. The order of work is as follows:

They mark the area and dig a trench. Its dimensions should be 7-10 cm deeper and wider than the timber used.
The bottom and walls are covered with rolled waterproofing material (it is better to use “Gidroizol”, it will last for a longer period).
Lay the treated timber and connect it in the corners.

It is easy to make a timber strip foundation for a polycarbonate greenhouse with your own hands, but it will not last long
Waterproofing is wrapped around the timber.
Using corners driven in on both sides, the beam is fixed in place.
The remaining free space between the waterproofing and the walls of the trench is filled with crushed stone if the soil is heaving and with previously removed earth if not. The soil is well compacted.
Next, the strapping beam is attached to this beam. Between them it is worth laying another layer of waterproofing.

This option is only suitable for dry areas with low groundwater. In this case, one can hope that the foundation will survive for at least several years.

Pile-grill

Another type of foundation that will not protect against frost. But it is reliable and will last a long time. Read a full description of the technology for manufacturing a pile-grillage foundation here, and we will provide a short list of works.

Mark the perimeter of the greenhouse, dig a trench 20 centimeters wide and about the same depth.
In the corners, holes are drilled with a diameter of 30-40 cm and a depth below the freezing depth of the soil (a drill is used). Then the same holes are drilled around the perimeter. The distance between them should be about 2-2.5 meters.
Sand is poured into the holes - about a bucketful at a time, then roofing felt rolled into cylinders is placed inside.
They are equipped with three reinforcement bars with a diameter of 10-12 mm, connected into a single structure. The rods should stick out above the surface of the ground - the harness will be attached to them later.
Concrete is poured into the holes (1 part M 400 cement, 3 parts sand, 5 parts crushed stone). We must ensure that there are no voids.
A layer of sand, 5-5 cm thick, is poured onto the bottom of the trench, leveled and compacted.

Pile-grillage foundation - a reliable option for a do-it-yourself polycarbonate greenhouse
Waterproofing (roofing material, Gidroizol) is spread on it.
The formwork is assembled on the sides and fixed. It may be above ground level. If the soil is not loose, you can do without formwork by covering the walls with waterproofing. But in this case, the foundation will be level with the ground, and it will also be uneven.
Concrete of the same composition as for the pillars is poured into the formwork. The surface is leveled, covered with film, and waiting for the concrete to set.

Next, you can attach the strapping, or you can add a couple of rows of bricks and only after that install the frame. After this, we can say that the polycarbonate greenhouse with your own hands is almost ready. All that remains is to fix the polycarbonate.

Making a frame from a metal profile

If you are going to make the frame yourself, then you will need: metal profile: square pipe 25 x 25 mm, pipe bending machine, welding machine, angle grinder.
And for further assembly of the greenhouse: polycarbonate sheets, metal strips, metal corners, self-tapping screws, including roofing ones.

You can easily make a polycarbonate greenhouse with your own hands, the drawings of which are ready. We take a square metal pipe 25x25 mm, preferably galvanized, and roll it through a pipe bending machine, resulting in an arc of the required size.

We cut the pipe to the size of the structure and weld arcs to it, in increments of 0.65-1.0 m. We make 7 arcs: two for the ends, 5 for the gaps.

We make the ends - we connect the ends of the arcs with a three-meter square pipe 25x25 mm, weld the door frame and vents. Or such a frame can be purchased at a specialized store.

We make a frame

The easiest way to make a greenhouse from corrugated pipe is to weld or assemble all the transverse trusses, install them on the foundation and connect them together with horizontal ties.

To make trusses, all elements are cut to size according to the drawing and connected to each other by welding or bolted fasteners, having previously drilled holes for it. When assembling, it is important to control the perpendicularity of the corners and the location of all elements of the truss in the same plane, which requires a flat area.

Ideally, the contours of the structure are drawn on the site with chalk and all the trusses are laid out and connected along them so that they turn out the same. End trusses are immediately equipped with door and window frames.

Do-it-yourself arched polycarbonate greenhouse: drawings, photo materials, sketches

Arched structures are perfect for both small country greenhouses and massive greenhouses intended for commercial purposes.
Answering the question of how to make a greenhouse from profile pipes with your own hands, we can safely say that the primary thing is to develop drawings and make correct calculations. Arch-shaped greenhouses made from pipes have their own design features. The main determining factors are the height of the structure and the dimensions of standard covering sheets.
Polycarbonate sheets are traditionally sold with parameters of 6 x 2.1 m. A sheet length of 6 m will limit the height of the arched structure.

To obtain an arched shape, the sheet is placed in a transverse (relative to the frame) position.

In this case, the radius of the semicircle will be 1.90 m, and the width of the structure will be 3.80 m. Taking into account the geometric formulas, the height of the greenhouse will be equal to the radius, i.e. 1.90 m. This height of the greenhouse is not suitable for everyone.

In order for the arched greenhouse to have a height that meets your needs, you can resort to arranging a base. Moreover, by stopping at a base height of one meter, you can get the width of the greenhouse up to 2.4 m, and increase the total height of the entire structure to 2.2 m.

Having correctly set the main dimensions of the greenhouse, you can develop drawings and sketches for making greenhouses from a profile pipe with your own hands.

Another feature of arched frame shapes is that the profile needs to be bent into the desired shape. If you don’t have a special machine for bending pipes, you can purchase ready-made arc-shaped profiles or create an arched shape from short sections connected to each other by metal plates.

To design a small (4-5 m) arched greenhouse, two arc-shaped frames will be sufficient: the initial and final ones. In the case where the length of the greenhouse is 6 m or more, the required number of support frames is calculated, which must be a multiple of the thickness of the polycarbonate sheet. A separate diagram indicates the dimensions of the window and door opening.

Helpful advice! When choosing the width of the greenhouse, it is necessary to take into account the number of beds planned in it and the arrangement of the path between them. Convenient width for processing - up to 0.7 m.

Next, a drawing is developed that specifies the features of installing a polycarbonate greenhouse cover with your own hands (the videos will help you understand the process in detail) indicating the fastening spacing.

He must take into account that polycarbonate panels in arched greenhouses should be positioned with edges along the arc.

It is also necessary to take into account that the bending radius of polycarbonate sheets should not be less than that provided by the manufacturer for this material. Polycarbonate sheets should be covered with punched tape at the ends. For clarity, you can use a selection of photos of polycarbonate greenhouses.

Area and dimensions

The dimensions of a polycarbonate greenhouse depend on many factors. After we have decided on the location, we need to look at the site and decide how much margin we need on the sides. It is important that the greenhouse does not clutter up the space, and that it is convenient to walk around it even with a garden wheelbarrow.

IMPORTANT
Leave space for paths around the greenhouse - at least 1 meter.

If we talk about height, it depends on the height of the person who will work in it most of the time. He should be comfortable being in the greenhouse at full height. It is also necessary to consider what specific plants will be in this greenhouse. If you plan to grow grapes, then the height of the greenhouse should be at least 3.5 m. And for growing medium-sized crops, greenhouses with a height of two and a half meters are usually used. Of course, we proceed from the capabilities of the person and the dimensions of the site. If a person decides to spend money on a good-quality greenhouse, then it is better to make it more spacious.

GOOD TO KNOW!
The smaller the volume of the greenhouse, the greater the chance of overheating the plant!

The choice of greenhouse area and its size should be approached as seriously as possible - this is a structure for more than one season. If the technology is followed, such a greenhouse can last at least 20 years. A standard greenhouse is usually 6 meters in length. To build such a structure, you need about 4 sheets of polycarbonate.

Drawings of a greenhouse frame with a gable roof

Projects for greenhouses with a gable roof involve making the greenhouse frame with your own hands from a 40*20 mm profile pipe. Such a profile will be able to withstand significant loads in the form of a snow cap or gusty wind.

The drawings show a diagram of the supporting frame, including the dimensions of the walls, the angle of inclination of the roof, in which ventilation vents are traditionally installed. If you are planning a small greenhouse, you can consider an option with a pitched roof, one edge of which will be located higher than the other, ensuring water drainage and snow removal.

The angle of inclination of the rafters in the roof of a gable structure is 25-30 degrees. This slope will facilitate the drainage of precipitation from the surface. The roof is considered to be quite flat and does not require the installation of auxiliary slopes on the rafter system.

In structures of this type, it is assumed that a more durable profile (20x40) will be used for the main posts and base, rafters and ridge beam. For horizontal jumpers, you can use a 20x20 profile pipe. The drawings provide for the arrangement of vertical posts in increments of one meter. It should also be taken into account that if the greenhouse is covered with polycarbonate sheets, the joining lines must be on the profile.

The rafters are also placed at a distance of no more than one meter from each other.

The design of a greenhouse with a gable roof has some unique features. Here you will need to carefully approach the cutting of polycarbonate sheets for gables. If all dimensions are maintained according to the drawings, this will lead to economical consumption of polycarbonate.

Advantages of polycarbonate in the manufacture of greenhouses

Polycarbonate is a modern and durable material that has replaced the usual plastic film and glass. They are still used in the manufacture of greenhouses, but the polyethylene film easily breaks under gusts of wind, and the glass is fragile and cracks under mechanical stress.

The film may be torn or damaged in strong winds and will need to be replaced.

A polycarbonate greenhouse can be purchased prefabricated in standard sizes, or designed and built according to your own drawings, since the Internet offers diagrams of various designs. The latter option is more profitable, since you can choose materials at your discretion and at an attractive price.

A drawing of a standard greenhouse can be found on the Internet and altered to your size

Polycarbonate has a number of advantages:

withstands large temperature changes;
does not require annual replacement;
service life is several years;
resistant to mechanical damage;
lightweight and easy to install;
can take a curved shape;
has high light transmittance (90%) and remains transparent for a long time;
affordable price.

Among the disadvantages of a polycarbonate greenhouse, one can note the high windage of the structure, which will require the creation of a reliable and stationary support. It is necessary to be precise when attaching polycarbonate to the frame so that the sheets do not sag and the geometry of the structure is not disturbed - this can lead to failure. In hot weather, ventilation is necessary.

Seasonal greenhouse projects

There are no specific requirements for reliability and strength for the construction of seasonal greenhouses. The drawings of these structures are easy to develop and do not involve complex calculations. The frames of such greenhouses can be built from lightweight profile pipes, and the covering material can be polyethylene film or thin polycarbonate sheets.

As a rule, light greenhouses and greenhouses are not equipped with a foundation.

The type of frame of a seasonal greenhouse does not matter much - the main criteria are ease of assembly and budgetary cost of the structure. Several recommendations will help you avoid mistakes when building small greenhouses:

When developing drawings and sketches, the presence of ventilation hatches at various levels should be taken into account. This will facilitate high-quality ventilation of the greenhouse;
Fastening of polycarbonate sheets should be done using fastening profiles that do not damage the surface of the plastic. In addition, they can be easily dismantled at the end of the season, eliminating the possibility of deformation of the light frame of the greenhouse;

the project should provide for the option of simply disassembling the frame for transfer to another location or storage for the winter.

Determining the correct location of the greenhouse on the site

The right place for a greenhouse will save nerves, time and money in the future. First of all, you need to find out which areas of your garden may be flooded. To do this, you need to make test measurements in the spring using a drill and an ordinary thread with a pebble. This procedure is familiar to all summer residents.

It also happens that there are no other options for constructing a greenhouse. In this case, the structure must be equipped with a strong foundation. It can be installed on slabs or piles. Drainage ditches must be installed along the greenhouse.

Scheme of the site with a functioning drainage system

The place under the greenhouse should have maximum light during the day. This is usually the south side of the site. We immediately discard buildings that potentially create a shadow in the future.

Forbidden places for a greenhouse

It is best that there are no trees or tall bushes around the greenhouse. The entire space is cleared of weeds and debris. The type of soil is of great importance. The best option is when the soil is sandy. Clay or silt soil must be prepared in advance. Usually, a pit is dug at the site of the future greenhouse and covered with gravel. The next layer is sand, and the last layer is fertile soil.

Dumping a strip foundation

Low-lying places with strong wind blowing are not suitable for us. It is permissible to install a greenhouse with a slope, but only on a cement foundation on stilts. Such flower beds got their name - vegetarians. By type it is a wall-mounted greenhouse, but built in a certain way.

Vegetarian scheme and operating principle

Such greenhouses are very common in Holland and China. If the former use vegetarian gardens for flower beds, then our Chinese neighbors use them for vegetable crops. After we have determined the location, we need to select the shape of the greenhouse and make a drawing. This will help you calculate the costs of materials in advance.

Features of the design of the greenhouse-bread bin

The main advantages of the greenhouse-bread bin are:

unusual ergonomic design;
minimum number of connecting lines;
regulation of greenhouse ventilation by opening the lid to the required angle of up to 90 degrees;
ease of assembly and full use of greenhouse space.

The drawing of such a greenhouse provides for the construction of the upper part of the frame from two half-arches, which are fixed to the base on hinges. The frame of the greenhouse is made of a profile pipe of small cross-section. The radii of the lids are selected taking into account the fact that they can easily open without interfering with each other.

The difference in diameter is equal to the width of the polycarbonate sheet - this ensures that there are no gaps when closed.

Helpful advice! Considering the fact that small greenhouses are usually used for growing seedlings that require a special microclimate, it is recommended to use polycarbonate with UV protection for the coating. The percentage of heat retention of this material is much higher than that of polyethylene film.

The dimensions of the greenhouse are selected individually. The length can be from 3 to 4 meters, the height is no more than one meter. The width is taken taking into account how the greenhouse will open - from one or both sides.

For one-way opening of the greenhouse, it is advisable to choose a width of 0.7-1.2 m, so that it is comfortable to care for the seedlings.

No. 6. What does the prefix “light” mean in polycarbonate labeling?

Cunning manufacturers and sellers sometimes mislead buyers by using the designation “light” in the labeling. Choosing such polycarbonate for a greenhouse means overpaying and getting a material with reduced strength. Often thinner polycarbonate is sold under the lightweight version, but the price remains standard. Instead of 4 mm, it can feed material with a thickness of 3.5 mm, instead of 6 mm - 5.5, 8 mm - 7.5 mm, etc. It seems that the difference is small, but with a decrease in thickness (and therefore strength and durability), the price does not fall - not the most profitable purchase. In addition, it is not recommended to use polycarbonate with a thickness of less than 4 mm for a greenhouse.

Types of polycarbonate

There are three types of this material:

Monolithic. It looks like glass, but transmits light better, is two to four times lighter, and several times (100-200) stronger. Thickness - from 0.75 mm to 40 mm. The disadvantage is the high price. This material is used if there is a risk of damage - it often hails, the greenhouse is positioned in such a way that icicles and snow can fall on it. There is multilayer monolithic polycarbonate. There can be up to 3-5 sheets, they can have different properties. For example, for greenhouses a double layer is usually used - the first layer is characterized by increased strength, the second does not transmit ultraviolet radiation.

Corrugated (profiled). Appeared relatively recently. It is formed from a monolithic sheet on which a relief is formed. There are types similar to corrugated sheeting and slate. The thickness of this type of polycarbonate is 0.8-1.2 mm. With such a small thickness, it can withstand hail impacts up to 20 mm in diameter, bends well, and tolerates frosts down to -50°C.

Cellular (cellular, structured). Consists of two (or more) polycarbonate sheets connected by jumpers. The shape, size, thickness of the jumpers - all this affects the quality and performance characteristics. The thickness of cellular polycarbonate is 4, 6, 8, 10, 16, 20, 24 and 32 mm. For greenhouses, it is better to take no thinner than 10 mm, multilayer.

What type of polycarbonate is best to use for building greenhouses? Depends on the operating mode of the greenhouse. If it is heated, you will need a cell phone. If this is an option exclusively for the warm season, a corrugated (or monolithic) one is more suitable. Monolithic is also not bad, but corrugated has more rigidity.

For greenhouses that are planned to be used from early spring or throughout the winter, cellular polycarbonate is installed.

No. 3. Honeycomb geometry and polycarbonate strength

The partitions inside polycarbonate form honeycombs, the shape of which significantly affects the strength of the material and its load-bearing capacity. The most common options:

rectangular honeycomb is the most common material. The load-bearing capacity is not very high, but light transmission remains at a high level. This polycarbonate is recommended for use in greenhouses where artificial lighting is not provided;
square honeycombs make the material more durable and suitable for the construction of medium-load greenhouses;
hexagonal honeycomb They allow you to achieve the highest strength, but greatly reduce the level of light transmission, so such polycarbonate is rarely used for the construction of greenhouses, and if used, it requires the mandatory arrangement of artificial lighting.

Choosing cellular polycarbonate

It is not difficult to choose corrugated or monolithic - we are guided by the stated characteristics. It is only important that there is protection from ultraviolet radiation. There are no other pitfalls. But with a cell phone there are many nuances. You need to pay attention to the following:

The thickness of the outer layers and their number. The sheets should be of the same thickness without sagging or thinner places.
The location of the jumpers and their thickness.

These types of cellular polycarbonate can be

The presence of a layer that protects against ultraviolet radiation.

The easiest way to check the quality of cellular polycarbonate is to try to squeeze it between your fingers. If it doesn’t press through, even if you make a significant effort, you can take it. If it squeezes easily, look for another one.

Choosing a greenhouse location

When deciding where to install the greenhouse, pay attention to the landscape, soil composition and lighting.

When talking about the landscape, you should take into account the groundwater level, as well as the possibility of flooding in the spring. When water rises above 120 cm, you should consider creating a drainage system.

Do not place the greenhouse where there is shade

It is recommended that the soil be dry, so clay soil will not work. It is good if the soil contains a lot of sand. If necessary, sand or sandy gravel can be brought in.

Abundant insolation will save on heating and artificial lighting. In terms of lateral orientation, it is recommended to follow the directions from east to west or from north to south. The first option is considered more preferable. If the structure is square, the orientation can be any.

Diagram of the most favorable location of the greenhouse relative to the cardinal directions

It is important that no shadow from the house or trees growing nearby falls on the greenhouse.

Falling leaves covering the roof can also negatively affect the lighting.

Installation features

According to the technology, polycarbonate is mounted using starting and connecting profiles. First, profiles are installed on the frame, a sheet of cellular polycarbonate is inserted into them, which is fixed to self-tapping screws with special press washers, which at the same time protect the attachment point from leaks.

Profiles, in addition to holding the sheets in place, also protect the cuts from dust and dirt getting into the bottom. The system looks neat and works well, but all the components cost a lot of money.

Aesthetics for a greenhouse is not the most necessary property, therefore, if you need to save money, they prefer to mount it in a simple way, without profiles and press washers. Here's how to do it:

The edges of each sheet are covered with silicone. They must be closed, otherwise condensation will accumulate inside, in which mold and fungi will develop over time, and the polycarbonate will lose its transparency. So the edges must be sealed carefully, leaving no room for air and moisture to penetrate.
The sheets are laid with an overlap of several centimeters, and pressed on top with a strip of tin. The fasteners are installed in an “overlapping” manner through a tin strip.

You can place regular wide washers under the screw heads.

The UV protection layer must face outward during installation. It is important. Otherwise it doesn't work.

This is what directly concerns the fastening of cellular polycarbonate. There is one more point that became clear during the operation of polycarbonate greenhouses. Polycarbonate should not be placed close to the ground. It is desirable that it starts at least half a meter from the surface.

Why? Because firstly, it still gets dirty and almost no light passes through it, so it does not affect the overall illumination. Secondly, it begins to deteriorate—blacken and flake.

It is not clear what causes this reaction, but it is common. So, when developing a model of a polycarbonate greenhouse with your own hands, provide half-meter walls made of another material - brick, building blocks. Doesn't matter.

Calculation of materials, necessary tools

Based on preliminary diagrams and drawings, you can accurately calculate the materials required for the work. To do this, it is enough to count the number of racks, slats, and their height. If there is a bottom trim, add the required amount of material.

To connect polycarbonate sheets to each other, it is recommended to use a special H-shaped profile, which makes it possible to leave small gaps for expansion or contraction of the panel due to temperature changes . Its length is equal to the length of the connecting seams.

The profile simplifies the assembly of the greenhouse

The profile is attached directly to the support using self-tapping screws, and then polycarbonate sheets are inserted into it. To avoid deformation and prevent cold air from entering, it is recommended to use thermal washers. They are equipped with a rubber seal and a heat-insulating ring and are attached every 30 cm.

Thermal washer prevents cold air from entering

Tools you will need:

construction knife or jigsaw;
screwdriver;
hacksaw;
pencil;
cellular polycarbonate (4–6 mm thick);
silicone sealant;
metal mounting profiles;
metal scissors;
self-tapping screws;
metal pipe for the frame of the required length;
garden drill

Depending on the material from which the frame will be made, additional tools may be needed.

Deciding on the sizes

To better imagine how to make a greenhouse from a profile with your own hands, you must first decide on the dimensions. And in order not to encounter excessive consumption of material and a large amount of waste, it is advisable to correlate these dimensions with the standard dimensions of corrugated pipes and polycarbonate sheets.

In construction markets and metal depots, profile pipes are sold in 6-meter lengths. In stores you can find a different length - 2 or 3 meters. It is more convenient for independent transportation, but it is more difficult to assemble an arched structure from short sections: there is a need to make additional joints.

If you have no problems with how to bend a profile pipe at home for a greenhouse, it is better to purchase standard whips. Each will make an arch about 2 meters high and with a distance between the legs of 3 meters. This is enough to accommodate two beds and a central passage inside.

If the width needs to be increased to 3.6-3.8 m to arrange three beds, then the height will have to be reduced to 1.8-1.9 m, which can create inconvenience if the gardener is tall.

It would seem that the length of the arch can be increased without problems by welding the required section of pipe. But the length of cellular polycarbonate sheets is also 6 or 12 meters, and such an increase will lead to overuse of this expensive coating, the need for its joining and a decrease in reliability.

Therefore, in such cases, the height is increased due to the foundation or a different form of greenhouse is chosen.

For example, the height of the side walls of a pitched structure should be 1.5-2 meters for ease of work. These dimensions correlate perfectly with the dimensions of corrugated pipes and sheet material, which are cut without waste.

Video description

For an example of proper installation of a greenhouse made of cellular polycarbonate, see the video:

Dome and arched structures are characterized by the fact that they do not accumulate snow on the roof, and therefore experience minimal load in winter. However, it is not advisable to use very thin plastic, since with sudden changes in temperature and thaw, a crust of ice appears on the panel, which leads to the accumulation of a large snow cover.
Experts call the optimal thickness of sheets with an index of 6 mm if the greenhouse will be used from spring to autumn. For winter structures, the plastic should be up to 10 mm.
A common thickness of plastic is 4 mm - it is very light and inexpensive. Experts do not recommend using it as a seasonal option, since even a minimal lathing step will not protect the material from deformation. When using it, it will be necessary to significantly strengthen the frame, which leads to an increase in the cost of the structure. Frequent lathing creates more shade and reduces yield, which is a serious disadvantage for large structures.

Take these and other equally important aspects into account, and the constructed greenhouse will last a long time and will delight you with a good harvest.

Wrong choice of materials, mistakes made when calculating the design and the number of required elements of the greenhouse lead to the fact that it can easily collapse due to wind or accumulation of snow on the roof. Source i.ytimg.com

Briefly about the main thing

Such a task as welding a greenhouse from steel profile pipes cannot be called simple. At a minimum, you need a welding machine and the ability to operate it. But you can do without it if you use galvanized profiles that are connected with bolts and special plates.

Conventional pipes will require additional anti-corrosion treatment. Another necessary tool for creating arched structures is a pipe bender.

But you won’t need it either if you choose a greenhouse with a pitched roof or use the DIY bending methods described in the article. Before starting work, you need to decide on the size of the structure, focusing on the standard parameters of corrugated pipes and polycarbonate.

Disadvantages of using polycarbonate for the construction of greenhouses and greenhouses

Of course, polycarbonate, like other materials, has its own characteristics and disadvantages that must be taken into account. How big they are can be judged by looking at each of them:

The service life of polycarbonate directly depends on its quality, as well as operating conditions. One of the most common problems encountered is fading of the material in the sun. Due to constant exposure to sunlight, the strength of the covering material may decrease;
The quality of polycarbonate is another pitfall. There is always a risk of purchasing products from an unscrupulous manufacturer;
During the operation of a polycarbonate greenhouse, there are some difficulties associated with installing a heating system. Of course, there is always a solution, but you will have to take care that the material does not melt.

Helpful advice! The approximate weight of a standard size polycarbonate sheet is 10 kg. It is highly recommended to weigh before purchasing, and if the weight is noticeably less, refuse to purchase the material from this manufacturer. Otherwise, you risk facing many difficulties associated with the low quality of the covering material.

With correct calculations, the greenhouse design can include not only windows, but also shelves for small plants

Making a greenhouse in the shape of a triangle

To make the shape of the correct arch, it is best to insert pipes when pouring the foundation. Then you need to make cuts on them (with a grinder or a hacksaw) about 1-2 m in length. After bending and inserting the arcs, they are secured in the pipes with screws, drilled through or filled with cement.

Polycarbonate can be fixed in different ways:

drill through holes in the plastic and profile and secure with screws (this method is not very reliable) - the material may crack;
make two holes in the sheets for the width of the profile and secure them with wire, clamps or staples.

The side walls are cut out, doors and windows are inserted.

You can make arcs from PVC pipes, because they bend well. But attaching polycarbonate to them is much more difficult. It will be necessary to secure it with clamps or screw the longitudinal elements of the frame every 50-80 cm.

Some tips

Useful tips:

When the design involves bending polycarbonate sheets, this must be done across the stiffeners.

No need to skimp on the frame. If it is made of wood, it must be leveled and dried. If it is made of metal, it is recommended to purchase galvanized one.
You cannot leave cracks and gaps, as warm air will escape from there.
It is best to build a shelter in April or late October. At this time, the temperature varies between +10...+12 °C, which is optimal for work.

Polycarbonate is a modern material for greenhouse construction with high performance characteristics. It is much stronger than glass or film. It is flexible enough that it can be shaped into different shapes. At the same time, it is not very expensive, which makes it a leader among materials for making greenhouses for various vegetables from cucumbers, peppers, tomatoes to herbs..

Dimensions of the greenhouse and individual elements

When determining the size of a greenhouse, the first thing to consider is its purpose and planned production volumes. Design work, even in the most simplified version, allows one to calculate the required amount of materials with sufficient accuracy.

The general rules for carrying out this type of activity are as follows:

It is necessary to establish the length, width and height of this structure. This takes into account the area and configuration of the site and the convenience of working in the greenhouse.
The angle of the roof slope is determined to ensure spontaneous sliding of snow.
When determining the size of the doors, it should be taken into account that the person will carry tools and agricultural equipment during the work process. In addition to the entrance, a folding transom is provided in the wall for ventilation of the structure.
The structure of the frame must be such that the joints between individual sheets of polycarbonate must fall on its elements. This approach allows us to significantly strengthen the structure.