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Ok, so I have a frame from a large carport. As in - truck large.
It's disassembled and is wasted rottening in the property as of now.
We think about reassembling it and turning into a greenhouse but...
There is caveat. Our property gets a lot of winds. Very strong winds. Fall comes and boommm...
I can concrete frame "feet" into the ground and definitely will enforce it with 2x2s, that's easy. Willl need some sort of extra frame for cover anyway.
Thing is - I am not sure what to use for cover.
I did look at "the usual" - polycarbonate plates but it's something like 21x10x10 carport, so it will cost A LOT in polycarbonate plates. I could likely do better with heavy plastic roll but am fearing winds will tear it in short time. Also, I am positive whatever adhesive is used to overlap rolls will NOT last long, I work with adhesives for years.
Any suggestions? Strong, durable, not expensive, suitable for greenhouse, hoping to have 10 years out of it.
We have several hoop buildings for livestock. 18× 100. We use them as sunshine barns in the winter & shade houses in the summer.
The rolled film (2 layers) from a greenhouse supplier is the roof...the hoop part. It is sandwiched between a 2×4 attached horizontal on the outside of posts with metal brackets and a 1x4 (deck screwed into 1x4 through film into 2x4). We use clear for 1/2 and a translucent for other 1/2 to moderate temperature. The appearance from outside is that it is all same color. Where the overlap occurs mid structure, webbing is pulled tight each side of the rib & stapled to the wood below.
Underneath & prior to attaching the webbing straps, the bottom film is clamped on the hoop with aluminum sleeves. These are reusable but hold the film very tight...these clamping sleeves are also used to stablize film on ends....and in summer to hold shadecloth in place. You may need a rubber mallet to tap them on.
If you are in high wind areas you could use webbing straps on either side of each rib or get batten poly strapping which is narrow & more stretchy.
If you are fully enclosing the structure, you will need ability to have full ventilation & be able to add shade cloth to moderate tempetature. I would use poly panels for ends & sides for stability.
Location: East of Seattle since 1992, 615' Elevation, Zone 8b - originally from SF Bay Area
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If you buy the film made for greenhouse use, and go with at least 6 mil thickness, you should be OK. Mine is just plastic pipe frame with 6 mil and has survived several storms with 50mph gusts. If it collapses or tears, it's just another $100 or more depending on the size and an hour or two to replace it.
The corrugated panels have a ten year warranty against fading, yellowing, or cracking but the roll is cheaper to ship and should have a similar lifespan. Both materials would do fine in that wind as long as they are secured well to the frame and all ends are sealed well with framing or foam fill.
Farmtek is a great supplier. They will advise you well.
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