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| This section of the greenhouse roof is made from repurposed doors and windows. |
He carefully researched adhesives and sealers, all of which claimed to be super effective and excellent. Which they weren't, so that there were micro-leaks when it rained. The trouble was, it was impossible to tell where they were coming from. No dripping when it rained, just tell-tale wet spots on the dirt floor inside the greenhouse. I said, 'it's just a greenhouse,' but that didn't satisfy Dan. So after a lot of thought and research, he decided to cover them.
He's never been real keen on those clear corrugated roofing panels, although we used them to good effect for the milking room skylight. And now, they're flimsier than ever, so that was another hesitation. In the end, it seemed the most cost effective idea.
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| View of the rain from inside the greenhouse, looking up. |
The floor remained completely dry! So that was a relief. And, I don't think it looks all that bad.
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| Early morning shot of the greenhouse roof covered with dew. |
Next is covering the gable ends. Then it's on to wall trim and paint. And then we can get on to the interior.
27 comments:
My guess is that those sorts of windows aren't meant to be waterproof but meant to shed rain. When put in a flat position, they hold water long enough that is seeps through eventually.
I briefly looked at those clear corrugated panels when doing my greenhouse but as you said, they are so thin these days. I finally settled on the flat panels I have now with extruded square through holes in the middle. They were more expensive but I thought their rigidity and flat surface for the fasteners to seal against would hold up better in the long run. I'm only two years in at this point, but they have held up well thus far.
Ed, when it comes to a roof, rigid is a must. Sounds like you made a very good choice.
I'm not sure if Dan would have done it differently if he had it to do over, but at least he worked this one out!
You're nearly there! Congrats on finding an affordable solution!
Daisy, that's always the challenge, isn't it!
It's looking good. I still want a greenhouse, but I want the new coop done this year. We worked on it again last night, but it's slow going with just the two of us, so I understand the building process when you do it yourself.
Good solution! How perfect, having the greenhouse right next to the house. -Jenn
Kristina, yes, it is slow when it's a DIY for two. Especially for you, considering all the hours your husband works. Not for the impatient! I hope you get your chicken coop done this year. A good coop is a necessity.
Jenn, I hope so. People have cautioned about the humidity, although I'm more concerned about the heat it will trap in the summer. We have an idea for ventilation that I think will help. It will definitely be convenient! Plus, we only had to build three walls, lol.
I certainly was curious and had I been a betting man, I would have bet that it would have worked too. But I have learned a lesson at your expense unfortunately.
Ed, that's one of the biggest benefits of the internet. It's a place to share experiences and then we all learn!
I think the panels look fine. Dan, as always, found a way to solve the problem!
I'm glad that seems to have solved the problem. I'm like Dan, I wouldn't want persistent leaks either. Do you have plans for winter plants in the solarium as yet?
Deb, I know! He always does, even after fretting about it for weeks. :)
Sue, I'm hoping to experiment with winter greens, primarily. And I may dig up a pepper plant to see if it will overwinter. Last year I thought it would go dormant, but it kept sprouting leaves. Supposedly, they'll keep until spring to replant. But mine didn't make it.
I think the corrugated panels on top is an excellent solution! I've wanted to install those below our deck to keep the rain off the patio below ever since we built our house, but can't solicit any help. Now the deck itself is in need of serious help or replacement....
Michelle, yes, wood has got to be protected. One way or another. Even treated lumber only lasts so long. I hope a solution for your deck is imminent!
Must have been fun setting and screw/nail the center ones. I don't envy Dan doing that...
The greenhouse looks great, I was skeptical about using door and window framing for the roof, but it looks great! I am with Dan about those "super sealers" I have used them over the houses and barn repairs and have found wet puddles where none was supposed to be...
Kevin
Kevin, I'm not sure how he did it! They overlap so I suppose it didn't matter as he had to cut one so it didn't overhang too much.
I'm glad to hear somebody else has had the same experience with those sealers. We should probably take it for granted that advertising is often exaggeration.
It does look very good Leigh, and good to know that the "field test was successful.
TB, thanks! It almost looks like we planned it this way. :) We're very relieved it no longer leaks!
On a project like this there always seem to be glitches to be worked out. We've all been through it and no doubt will be again(!), but when it's all said and done everything looks just fine and does the job intended. Most of the time. We used the corrugated plastic sheets on our chicken house solarium. No leaks but last summer it got so unbearably hot in there we had to make provisions for more ventilation. Even then we ended up putting a tarp over half the roof to keep out the sun. This summer was so cool we didn't have to tarp at all. I think the roof on your greenhouse looks just fine.
Mama Pea, it seems like we ought to expect glitches as normal!
I confess I'm concerned about heat build-up in the summer. We experienced it this summer, and it wasn't even that hot (for us). We have a fan for ventilation, that we'll have to get hooked up before next year. Even so, I'm not planning to grow anything in it during summer because I'm not sure anything would tolerate it!
Looking very good Leigh. My money was on Dan to figure out a fix!
Glad to hear his knee has improved.
Rosalea, thanks! Dan often feels stumped, but he always figures it out. :)
Looks great! For the heat, I wonder if there's a fast growing vine you could grow to cover the roof in the summer and then cut back in the colder months? Although maybe you wouldn't want to cover up all of Dan's impressive carpentry. Plants like cactus and snake plant are supposed to help with humidity, but I haven't had much luck with things like that. I look forward to hearing more about your ideas for ventilation.
Yes I am still alive and here I finally get some time off to say hi and you don't have a brand new post for me to invade.. Love the green house...Turkeys scare me BB tomorrow :)
Ooo, a summer vine to help shade it is a good idea. Comfort trumps looks, anyway! I've also been thinking about somehow utilizing shade cloth, although I don't have a specific plan for that yet.
PP, I just published it! I do appreciate your visits though. I just don't have as much to say these days. :)
I wonder if a grape arbor over at least part of the roof would regulate the internal summer temp in a helpful way? And in the cold weather it would let all the sunlight in. I made a very simple arched trellis for my grapes last year, and this year they rewarded me with a gorgeous tunnel of leafy vines that filtered light in a way that made me understand why so many artists have painted grape arbors! On the few days when it wasn't raining and I worked in the big garden, I enjoyed visiting the arbor for a brief treat when I wanted to cool off slightly.
Quinn, that's an idea to explore. And who couldn't use more grapes?
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