How to choose a polycarbonate greenhouse: tips, reviews, types of greenhouses, ratings, advantages and disadvantages

• October 29, 2018
• Gardening equipment and tools
• Ekaterina Ryzhkova

How to choose a polycarbonate greenhouse? Advice from gardeners, are they justified? You will find answers to these and other questions in the article. The goal of any summer resident is to grow appetizing, healthy and environmentally friendly vegetables and fruits. To do this, you need to create a suitable environment for the growing process and put in a lot of effort.

And in this case, a greenhouse comes to the aid of the gardener, the presence of which on the land will allow him to receive crops throughout the year. Let's find out how to choose a polycarbonate greenhouse. We will also consider gardeners' advice.

Advantages of polycarbonate

Few people know how to choose a polycarbonate greenhouse. Advice and reviews from gardeners will help us in this matter. Today, polycarbonate is a material for creating greenhouse structures that is becoming increasingly popular. Probably everyone knows that a good greenhouse should be reliable, durable, retain heat well and at the same time let in the sun's rays.

If treated properly, polycarbonate can last for many years. The strength of the greenhouse frame guarantees that the structure will delight you with its amazing fruits for decades. The most important thing here is that polycarbonate retains heat perfectly. It performs this function thanks to its cellular structure.

The honeycomb contains air, which allows the material to inhibit air exchange between the greenhouse and the environment. Polycarbonate is also treated with a special varnish, thanks to which ultraviolet radiation cannot enter the room. Its plasticity and flexibility ensures easy installation of the greenhouse.

The advantages of polycarbonate are as follows:

• Lets light through. Allows maximum sunlight to penetrate into the building.
• Durability. Raw materials can serve faithfully for more than 20 years.
• Sustainability. Varies depending on the density of the material. But at the same time, each version is resistant to mechanical damage. The raw material also perfectly protects against moisture penetration.
• Variability. The cost of a greenhouse is determined by the properties of the raw materials from which it is made.

You can choose the right greenhouse when the selection criteria are known. An impeccable greenhouse is distinguished from a bad one by the density of raw materials, the ability to transmit light, and water resistance. Today, the market offers an impressive range of polycarbonate greenhouses, which vary in price category and characteristics.

Classification according to the structure and material of frame structures

I will describe several of the most popular options.

Galvanized thin-walled profile

This frame is light in weight, does not corrode, is easy to assemble, and is inexpensive. The main disadvantage is low mechanical strength. It can be used in regions where snowfalls are not heavy and snow cover does not last long or is completely absent (Crimea, Krasnodar and Stavropol Territories).

Closed-loop galvanized or painted steel pipe

A frame made of steel pipes with a rectangular or square cross-section has fairly high mechanical strength (the optimal cross-section is 40x20 mm, with a metal thickness of 1 mm).

This frame can be used in regions with average snow load (Moscow, St. Petersburg, Veliky Novgorod, Yekaterinburg). The main disadvantage is the susceptibility to corrosion in places where locks, windows are installed, in places where shelves are attached, etc.

For areas with frequent and heavy snowfalls, long and snowy winters, you should purchase structures with a double frame or an increased cross-section (60 x 20 mm) and a frame pipe thickness of at least 1.2 mm (Perm region, Nizhnevartovsk, Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky).

Aluminum pipe

The aluminum frame is resistant to external influences and corrosion. It is light in weight. Significant disadvantages include high heat transfer (cools quickly at night) and high cost.

Which greenhouse is better?

Many people ask, “What are the best polycarbonate greenhouses?” There is no definite answer to this question, since they can come in a variety of shapes and sizes and are made from different materials. It is important to know which design to choose. This can be galvanized cold rolled steel. It can take the form of a supporting pipe or profile.

The best greenhouse, as a durable housing, should have exemplary walls, a roof and a foundation, that is, a covering, a frame, and a foundation. The most uncomplicated variation of a greenhouse is considered to be unheated. It is used for growing early crops in order to harvest before the onset of cold weather.

A variety of greenhouse versions allows you to choose an affordable and suitable option. The most common types combine reasonable price and good quality. Which greenhouse shape is best? The following versions exist:

• Pointed arch. The greenhouse has an impressive area, but a relatively low ceiling. The installation of such a greenhouse is usually carried out by craftsmen.
• With vertical walls. The famous version of greenhouses. The design is convenient and allows the use of additional shelves. Such greenhouses are characterized by gable roofs. The height and width of the structure determines the ease of use. Disadvantage: possible heat loss from the north side.
• The walls are slanted. The greenhouse combines the properties of the two previous greenhouses. It is quite convenient if the space is not cluttered with additional racks and shelves.
• Arched type. The reliable design is easy to install and use.
• The roof is mansard. Comfortable greenhouse with a high roof. It is convenient to place additional devices for growing plants.

So how to choose a polycarbonate greenhouse? Gardeners give the following advice:

• Before purchasing and installing a greenhouse, make a rating among those variations that you liked the most.
• Consider the price of the greenhouse and its installation option. Some structures can only be installed by a professional.

Form

The following types of purchased greenhouses are distinguished by shape:

• arched _ This is the most common option;
• teardrop- shaped The arches here are pointed: they have a sharp top, like a church dome. Not all manufacturers have such greenhouses. Compared to arched ones, less snow accumulates on them, so they can be recommended for residents of areas with snowy winters;
• "house" . Traditional form with straight walls and a gable roof. Such greenhouses are produced extremely rarely today. They are more expensive than “curvilinear” ones, but have a larger internal volume with the same dimensions.

Experience has shown that arched and teardrop-shaped greenhouses are quite convenient.

Inexpensive polycarbonate greenhouses

We continue to find out how to choose a polycarbonate greenhouse. Advice from summer residents will help us in this matter. Everyone knows that polycarbonate has a reasonable price. There are a huge number of original designs of various sizes and shapes, produced in-house and industrially.

Any type of polycarbonate is characterized by flexibility, strength, durability, impact resistance and low thermal conductivity. Gardeners know that the price of a greenhouse depends on the quality of the polycarbonate from which the greenhouse is made. Its cost is affected, for example, by the presence of a protective layer from the sun. The price also depends on the color of the coating: it can be red or yellow. These colors are believed to have a good effect on plant growth.

Material priorities:

• impressive selection;
• wear resistance;
• affordable price;
• high quality;
• thermal insulation;
• plastic;
• flexibility.

The smaller the area of ​​the greenhouse, the lower its price will be. But there is no need to purchase greenhouses that are too small, since you will not be able to grow a full-fledged and high-quality crop in them.

Accessories

So, you have decided what the arches of the greenhouse frame will be made of, and you have also decided on the thickness of the polycarbonate slabs for the floor. Consider purchasing specialized fittings. This includes elements that securely hold the polycarbonate in place , excluding ruptures of the polymer and water entering through them.

Polycarbonate sheets have a cellular structure and when cut transversely, open channel pores appear. Don't listen if they tell you that you can seal it with tape.

With repeated exposure to moisture and sun, the tape will peel off and microorganisms will enter the open channel. As a result, light transmission will decrease, and your greenhouse will shine with a “swamp green” color. Treatment is carried out with steam-permeable sealing tape.

Reviews about greenhouses

Don't know how to choose a polycarbonate greenhouse? Reviews and advice from experienced gardeners should be studied first in order to make a decision. High-quality material is always popular. Polycarbonate greenhouses do not lose their recognition among customers. They are the most famous type of greenhouses, which are successfully sold throughout the country.

Such structures are a convenient means for obtaining crops on a plot of land. Over the past year, polycarbonate greenhouses took first place in sales. This means that their owners are satisfied with their purchases. After all, the durability of such greenhouses far exceeds, for example, the service life of film greenhouses.

Owners like the following:

• moisture resistance;
• acceptable price;
• ease of installation;
• strength;
• Sun protection;
• reliability;
• durability.

The positive qualities of a greenhouse can be pointed out for a long time. Every owner knows that its service life depends on proper handling of the product. Gardeners advise that after harvesting, thoroughly clean the greenhouse and prepare it for future crops.

Agrofabric Kron

It is used as a flooring between cultural plantings. Most often used for mulching against weeds.

Agrofabric from the Kron company is presented in black, since black color is least susceptible to the penetration of ultraviolet rays.

Main functions and properties of agrofabric:

1. Protects against weed formation
2. Permeates air, water and mineral fertilizers
3. Allows you to reduce the number of waterings
4. Retains moisture in the soil
5. Protects the root system of plants from overheating or hypothermia
6. Increases soil fertility while retaining essential minerals
7. Protects fruits from rotting
8. Protects from pests
9. Protects against frost
10. Durable, minimum 4 years of service

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Use the Promo Code “NO WEEDS” and receive an additional 10% discount on your order!

Photo: order agrofabric for fabric on the website krongarden.ru or by phone. +7

The greenhouse must be strong and stable

• To prevent the greenhouse from swaying from the wind, it is desirable to have reinforcements (jibs) at the arches and door pillars.
• In order for the greenhouse to stand level and without distortions, it must be placed on a foundation (wooden is quite strong and cheap), which must be securely attached to the ground using stakes. Otherwise, the greenhouse may be blown away by the wind.
• You should not buy a greenhouse whose profile thickness is less than 0.7 mm. These greenhouses are produced under film and have low strength and rigidity.
• The fittings (door hinges, locks) must be strong, otherwise they will deform during use.

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Ideal for both small greenhouses and industrial greenhouses of the agro-industrial complex!

Characteristics:

• Service life 5 and 7 years;
• High strength;
• Transparent;
• Elastic;
• Hydrophilic (there is no drip in the greenhouse);
• Heat retaining;
• Wind and hail resistant;
• Resistant to cracking and puncture.

on the film materials market since 1991!

Photo: film for greenhouses and greenhouses NEVA Premium and SVETLITSA

The greenhouse must be equipped with vents

• The greenhouse should have large windows on both sides.
• With a length of more than 8 m, it is desirable to have an upper window.
• To maintain a favorable temperature in the greenhouse, it is ideal to install automatic ventilation devices. These devices will automatically open and close the windows and vents of the greenhouse. And they will protect the harvest from weather surprises. This device operates without a battery or electrical connection, which allows you to save on energy. The price of the device itself is affordable for any summer resident.
• The automatic greenhouse ventilation machine can be used at temperatures up to 50ºС
• The greenhouse vents must open normally, without obstructions.

Video: An example of installing the automatic ventilation system DusyaSan on the windows of a greenhouse

Reviews about the service life of polycarbonate

Many people wonder how to choose a polycarbonate greenhouse. Reviews about the service life of this material are presented below. The long service life of a greenhouse is influenced by which company manufactured it, as well as what quality guarantees it gave for it. And, of course, who uses it and how. Different options have different service life, it all depends on the properties of the material.

Many manufacturers indicate a warranty period for polycarbonate of up to 10 years.

Important! Greenhouses for the Urals, “Kinovskaya” and “Severnaya” are designed for use in their latitudes.

It is necessary to choose a greenhouse responsibly. There is no need to save on cheap raw materials, since over time any investment will pay off. A good greenhouse can last more than 20 years.

Experienced summer residents advise caring for the greenhouse as follows:

1. It is good to clean the cavities of the panels.
2. Replace damaged parts in a timely manner.
3. Wash surfaces frequently.
4. Correctly adjust the pressure of the thermal washers.

The structure needs to be looked after all year round, but especially after harvesting fruits (autumn) and during planting (spring). Gardeners note that you can use any detergents to wash the greenhouse. To carry out the process, it is necessary to use only soft sponges, as hard brushes will damage the surface.

The following recommendations

Novice summer residents do not know how to choose a polycarbonate greenhouse. They try to study the advice and reviews of experienced gardeners as best as possible. When choosing a design for a greenhouse, you must pay attention to the quality of the material from which it is created. It is important to be able to correctly identify its disadvantages and advantages. To do this, you need to learn to compare various designs.

Summer residents argue that a high-quality greenhouse should be strong enough to withstand an impressive amount of snow. If it is made from low-quality and thin raw materials, the snow may well deform and even break the roof. You will have to spend a lot of money to replace the old coating, so it is better to immediately buy a high-quality structure. Of course, it won't be cheap.

How to choose a greenhouse? Be sure to decide which properties will be optimal for its application and installation in a particular area.

Which greenhouses are better to buy:

• waterproof;
• durable;
• reliable;
• durable;
• easy to install;
• wear-resistant;
• UV resistant.

Polycarbonate greenhouses are considered the best for summer cottages. These are durable structures that will serve you for a long period of time. The best polycarbonate greenhouses should be made by a reputable manufacturer who is willing to provide a product warranty and a quality certificate that you can trust. Summer residents themselves extend the life of the greenhouse by carefully caring for it and proper operation.

When purchasing a greenhouse, it is important to take its quality and delivery very seriously. After all, before the start of the operational period, materials cannot be damaged.

Today there are a huge number of firms and companies on the market that want to sell polycarbonate greenhouses. When choosing and purchasing, be sure to pay attention to the name of the manufacturer, his reputation, as well as the legality of his activities. Require a quality certificate and warranty for this type of product.

No. 9. Attention to the package

If you, like many summer residents, have opted for a ready-made greenhouse , then when purchasing, pay attention to what is included in the kit. In addition to the frame and covering material, there must also be seals, as well as doors and vents. The location of the latter is of great importance: in the summer heat, without normal ventilation, the plants in the greenhouse will burn, so ideally the doors should be on both sides, and the presence of windows is also necessary. The prefix “economy” in the name of the greenhouse model means that the greenhouse can only be used in warm weather or its design can be significantly modified, since often the step between the arcs is too large. A responsible manufacturer will always provide the design with assembly instructions.

The best polycarbonate greenhouses in 2022

Which greenhouses are best to purchase in 2022? Everyone knows that an excellent greenhouse is the key to a great harvest. Despite the high cost and installation difficulties, more and more gardeners prefer not to build greenhouses with their own hands, but to buy ready-made versions that take into account all the peculiarities of the Russian climate and are designed by craftsmen.

The best arched polycarbonate greenhouses in 2022 are considered:

• The first place was taken by the Dachnaya-Optima greenhouse (Volya enterprise).
• In second place is the greenhouse “Harvest PC”.

The best equal wall greenhouses:

• 1st place – “Dubrava” (from Glass House);
• 2nd place – “Tsar’s Farm”.

The best cone-shaped greenhouses:

• 1st place – “Dachnaya – Strelka” (from the Volya enterprise);
• 2nd place – “Droplet” (from ).

This rating is based on reviews from real customers.

The best manufacturers

Are you thinking about which polycarbonate greenhouse to choose? We invite you to study the rating of the best manufacturers in Russia and foreign countries, compiled on the basis of real buyers:

1. Volya is a Russian company with its headquarters in the city of Dubna. The quality of greenhouses of this trade group is extremely suitable for the natural conditions of the central zone of the Russian Federation.
2. Trading house "Urozhay" - the enterprise has grown greatly since 2004 and has more than 200 retail premises on the lands of the Russian Federation. Knowledgeable workers will tell you which greenhouse is best to purchase and will make changes to the drawings based on the client’s personal needs.
3. Plant of ready-made greenhouses "Osnova" - the company owns a large number of branches in Russia, which a resident of any big city can find. ZGT "Osnova" not only creates and designs greenhouses, but also performs assembly and delivery.
4. Glass House - since 2001, the greenhouses of this company have set the tone for innovative developments in the field of structures for summer cottages. The famous variations from Glass House have no analogues, and the affordable price allows people of any wallet size to buy them.

Choosing a greenhouse frame

The frame is a kind of foundation that helps the entire structure to hold on. There is no need to skimp on materials, otherwise the greenhouse will not last long. Basic materials, their pros and cons are given in the table.

To summarize, we can say that cheap raw materials turn out to be cheap only at first glance: a plastic or aluminum structure will ultimately cost much more than a steel one. Continuous repair work to replace failed parts will be needed every season, which is unlikely to benefit the family budget.

In addition to the raw materials of the frame arches, you need to look at the number of arches; the more there are, the longer the greenhouse will last.

How to cover a greenhouse with polycarbonate

Still don’t know how to choose the right polycarbonate greenhouse? Gardeners' advice will always help you, don't forget about it. Also study the types of polycarbonate. And they are as follows:

• Cellular polycarbonate is the most famous on the market for summer cottage products, as it has a low cost and excellent thermal insulation qualities, ideal for covering greenhouses. The most popular sheet thickness is 4 mm; a sheet 6 mm thick will be more durable.
• Monolithic - it is difficult to find it on the store counter, although the quality of the material is much higher than that of cellular. The almost transparent fabric transmits up to 90% of light, has high flexibility, easy installation and higher strength. The owner can choose the color of the polycarbonate. An important advantage of raw materials is safety for health and environmental friendliness.
• Profiled is a new product on the Russian market that has not yet gained much popularity. The price of this sheet is identical to the cost of cellular polycarbonate, but the density indicators are close to monolithic. This type of greenhouse covering has a wavy structure and is used for greenhouse roofs.

The choice of polycarbonate for covering a greenhouse depends only on the financial capabilities of the client. If you have enough money, it is better to opt for a monolithic coating.

The best arched greenhouses

What is the best polycarbonate greenhouse? Let's consider arched structures. Their outlines resemble hemispheres: the popularity of variations of these devices is due to their high resistance to harsh natural elements. The absence of corners allows snow to easily roll off the roof, and the spherical shape guarantees resistance to wind.

Based on the above rating, the Dachnaya-Optima greenhouse from . It has high strength: snow easily rolls off the domed roof, which can withstand up to 280 kg per m². The base of the frame is made of galvanized iron profile, the width of each side is 60 mm.

There is a door at each end - you don’t need to go around the greenhouse to get into it. Can't open your doors due to the weather? For ventilation of the building there are vents. The width of the building is typical 3 m, and the length can be chosen - length versions of 6 and 4 m are available. Such a greenhouse with parameters of 4 X 3 m costs 19,900 rubles.

Advantages:

• holds heat well;
• robust design;
• if desired, the structure can be extended;
• anti-corrosion coating of the profile;
• the structure can withstand a layer of snow up to 1.5 m;
• does not require a foundation.

Flaws:

• no sealing tape included;
• intricate assembly;
• The kit often lacks bolts and screws.

Consider the greenhouse “Harvest PC”. This is an excellent solution to the problem. Despite the low price, the greenhouse has wide functionality and good parameters. The arched parts are placed at a distance of 65 cm from each other. They provide sufficient rigidity to the entire greenhouse.

Polycarbonate sheets are secured using ties that do not violate the integrity of the material. The length of the structure can be different - 4.6 and 8 m. If desired, you can buy an additional section and easily attach it to any element you like. The average cost of such a greenhouse is 9,000 rubles.

Advantages:

• lasting;
• cheap;
• easy to assemble;
• polycarbonate is not damaged during fastening;
• high doors.

Flaws:

• the body is light and may not withstand strong winds;
• In winter, the structure may break without supports.

Climatic features

When choosing, you should take into account the climatic characteristics of the regions of use. The main climatic characteristic is the snow load for the region. It is measured in kg per square meter. m. Resistance to snow loads is almost always indicated in the product passport.

Snow load in some regions of the Russian Federation is:

• Crimea – 80 kg per sq. m;
• Krasnodar, Stavropol Territory - 100 kg per sq. m;
• Moscow, Veliky Novgorod, St. Petersburg, Yekaterinburg - 150 kg per sq. m;
• Perm region, Nizhnevartovsk – 250 kg per sq. m;
• Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky - 350 kg per sq. m.

The best equal wall greenhouse

Such structures are good for growing an impressive number of tall crops, as they allow you to adjust the height depending on the needs of the owner. These are large greenhouses that require a lot of space on the site. They are difficult to assemble, but the result of the labor will exceed all expectations.

The Dubrava greenhouse from Glass House is aimed at gardeners and craftsmen. The width of the device is 4 m, while the standard summer cottage has parameters of 3 X 3 m. You can choose the length to your liking, but the smallest indicator is also 4 m.

Despite the large volume, greenhouses of this type are very compact. The height of the structure is only 2.8 m; triangular windows are installed on the roof for ventilation.

The frame is equipped with additional ties; they not only give it rigidity, but are also suitable for installing auxiliary ventilation, heating elements and lighting wiring. The frame can withstand up to 180 kg of snow per 1 m² even when it is covered with cellular polycarbonate. The average cost of a 4 x 4 m structure is 47,000 rubles.

Advantages:

• strength;
• compactness;
• the ability to grow very tall plants;
• manufacturer's warranty up to 30 years (applies to the frame);
• galvanized doors, corners and handles.

Flaws:

• Price.