Lets talk pre-fab units

[oceangrownkush]

Which brands are good shit? Lookin at a bunch of reviews online right now... Want to get one thats sturdy enough to mount a light in for keeping things flowing during the winter. Lookin at the "budget" categories hehe, but would love to hear about greenhouse units from any price range as I'll want to upgrade eventually.

10x10 or similar would fit my needs for now. Just wanna keep my moms flowering fo-free.. My outdoor spot is dope but the best sun is within eyeshot of the main road, would be sick to be able to flower right there without prying eyes. Would also really dig a brand that I can add more onto later..

This one seems decent from reviews;
http://www.harborfreight.com/10-ft-x-12-ft-greenhouse-with-4-vents-93358.html#pr-header-93358

Anyone here use this brand or know of a better one?
Thanks

 

[Sativa Dragon]

That's a nice one and a good deal.

Peace

 

[2 Legal Co]

Most of the reviews seemed to recommend additional bracing. Many didn't seem to understand the '5 star rating system' however'. Several rated it 5 star, and then proceeded with tales of woe and remodeling/bracing. lol

I'd think you need to read the reviews, and pay attention to what they say before putting it up.

Certainly the price is right IF you can make it useable 'long term'.

That said, I think a 'hoop house' with some 'real' GH Film could be a better answer for the 3-4 year term....?

 

[2 Legal Co]

After going back and reading some of the 2 and 3 star reviews...

I wouldn't go there at all.

If I had the room and wanted the size, I'd go get a 'carport' that has the metal frames and metal 'roof' panels. Using the metal panels as north wall and south walls, I would then purchase panels that would transmit the light for the top of the south wall and the roof. Use screws with 'panheads' and rubber washers to seal.

It'll cost a bit more but will remain with you for years to come.

In the lower ratings area there are Way too many structural failures, not just panels blowing out.

The only way I'd purchase this one is IF I had already figured out how to re-structure the frame to make it a tenable longterm situation. The crops that we have in them are way too valuable to lose when the thing fails in a winter storm. Especially since most of us are not growing vegetables and peppers. lol

 

[MJPassion]

Those Harbor Freight green houses are nothing but shit!

I bought one and previous to erecting it I went and saw one that a friend had purchased. Theirs was set up in what I thought was a very protected location, inside a bunch of tall cotton woods and opposite side of the house from prevailing winds. They had had the GH up for a couple weeks then experienced a bad wind storm which literally imploded the GH. It was a most unfortunate site to behold because their commercial crops were absolutely ruined as they were stacked from floor to the top of the walls...

That particular GH is only rated for 20MPH winds and I gave mine away to another friend who put it up inside of their GH for winter crops.

If you want something on the cheap and portable, check out Shelter Logic brand green houses...

 

[HidingInTheHaze]

Looks nice but I've never bought anything from HF that wasn't a total piece of shit.

 

[2 Legal Co]

I ended up re-roofing an old tin shed with Polycarbonate sheeting. NOT especially leakproof from wind however, so not so much for the colder months IF you get winter there. As I'm just looking to extend the season, leaving it dormant during the winters, I think it'll work for me. Less than $100 for the remodel, well maybe a bit over that.

Another idea for a permanent GH would be to put an add on Crainslist for free or reasonable sliding patio door panels. Frame the walls up using the glass panels. If you get hail in your area you might want to revert to a double walled product like Solex sp?,,, It's more forgiving when it comes to impacts... and it's also more appropriate if you have to add a bit of heat. It's constructed more like corrugated cardboard.

Of course this is only really practical if you can use saws, drills, screwguns, etc....

Also might need to look at privacy, when it comes to the glass walls!?.

Here's a place to start IF you decide to go Solexx. Most likely what I'll do next time. Just the first link I clicked on a Goggle search.

http://www.greenhousecatalog.com/category/solexx-greenhouse-covering-in-rolls

 

[guerilllataktic]

Harbor frieght is where i bought mine six years ago and it is still standing strong no problems what so ever, cheap and sturdy i bought the 6 X 8 ft for $299 they have a 10 X 12 ft for a little more , this thing has far surpassed my expectations six years and many more to come. there was a wind storm that came through last year that ripped fences and roofes apart, i had my greenhouse tied to a foundation of 4x6's and rebar staked into the ground and it stood untouched, go for it, the people that have all the complaints and failures did not build it right. it needs to be securely fixed to a stable foundation period, that goes for any greenhouse of any brand dont be lazy. build it right

 

[oceangrownkush]

Heh, I got a harbor freight vacuum thats held up pretty well.. Guerillataktic I am a practical learner, any way you could post up the foundation you built? If not thats fine.. I'm thinking this greenhouse would be perfect for the flat spot on our property.

2 Legal Co, hell yeah! I have been wondering lately what kind of plastic to use.. Thinking about keeping it super simple and just building some hoops, keep the plastic on hand to roll over the frame if it ends up raining, and only if it ends up raining/fogging up real bad.

 

[2 Legal Co]

Heh, I got a harbor freight vacuum thats held up pretty well.. Guerillataktic I am a practical learner, any way you could post up the foundation you built? If not thats fine.. I'm thinking this greenhouse would be perfect for the flat spot on our property.

2 Legal Co, hell yeah! I have been wondering lately what kind of plastic to use.. Thinking about keeping it super simple and just building some hoops, keep the plastic on hand to roll over the frame if it ends up raining, and only if it ends up raining/fogging up real bad.

I was just looking on the net for Solexx. Looks like $6 a linear foot for 4' 1" is about the going rate.... and if you take your bows down to 2' centers, you should be golden. Original product is warrentied for 10 years. Here's another source.

http://www.greenhousemegastore.com/category/solexx-panels?gclid=CMn_2OOJurgCFck7MgoduQ4Adw

I'm going with Solexx next time, except I think I'll use 'cow panels' as the 'bows'.... for security reasons if nothing else. That thick ass welded wire should hold, sans the use of bolt cutters. I like the added feature of shadows only when looking through it. There's a commercial GH down the road that has it on and you can't see what crops are growing inside.

I'll construct the ends from OSB and 2x4s, adding a large swamp cooler as ventilation. I'll just run it 'dry pad' when it's raining,, like it is now. Monsoon season seems to have arrived!

I'm finding my converted 4.5' X 6' tin shed too small for even 2 girls. They're getting a bit crowded, and one is a runt even.

 

[2 Legal Co]

I say screw the prefabs. I have a 'sawzall' and I'm not afraid to use it!

Make a frame 2' tall.
Cow panels are 42" X 12' Correction--- they are 4' X 16'...... Duh, bad memory.
3 of them should get you to 8' X 12' long, about 10' high. Might even make the 'base' 4' high and 10' wide, to get the extra height and width. Procure a 'heat activated' operator for the upper end vent and put the swamper on a thermostat (water pump only).... and let it fly.

Solexx about $300
Cow panels about $100
heat act. operator $100?
lumber misc. $200
fan/swamper $400?

total $1100 or so

10year skin on GH. Dam, I'm sure I'll need help changing the skin on the GH when I'm 70! or NOT. lol

I'm thinking that's a plan that'll work.

If you don't need 'secure', and or don't have snow or wind. You could cut the budget some as well.

 

[2 Legal Co]

Heh, I got a harbor freight vacuum thats held up pretty well.. Guerillataktic I am a practical learner, any way you could post up the foundation you built? If not thats fine.. I'm thinking this greenhouse would be perfect for the flat spot on our property.

2 Legal Co, hell yeah! I have been wondering lately what kind of plastic to use.. Thinking about keeping it super simple and just building some hoops, keep the plastic on hand to roll over the frame if it ends up raining, and only if it ends up raining/fogging up real bad.

Take a look at this one... speaking of using plastic sheeting on or off?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-DKlXs8iov0

Kind of what I was talking about except with 6mil sheeting, where I want to use Solexx to have some light diffusion and a bit of R value.

 

[Jhhnn]

Not knowing where you live, it's hard to guesstimate how much it would cost to light & heat a greenhouse during the depths of winter. It might just be cheaper to keep the moms indoors, use the greenhouse to extend the season for long flowering varieties with a propane heater on cold nights. Leave it empty in the coldest months.

I'd definitely want material that provides high light diffusion to prevent image recognition of the contents along with high light transmission.

I've been eyeing solarsoft 85 & solarsoft 80 for those reasons, with the latter being rather pricey-

http://www.greenhousemegastore.com/category/polycarbonate-panels?gclid=CPWL3ur0vLgCFWJqMgodvRcAWQ

I'd use diagonally braced conventional framing & 3/4" OSB on the lower 2' to provide rigidity & wind resistance.

 

[2 Legal Co]

Jhhnn;
I used some polycarb from Lowe's that resembles the SS 80. Light transmission is good, even in the smoked variety.

One thing I don't like is the difficulty in sealing the application. I'd like to make it tight for those cold nights and it's not been apparent to me how to get that done, which is why I've continued to do research on various products. The Solexx seems to fill that requirement best from what I've seen so far. That's why I've posted the links to various suppliers.

I'm in a state of experimentation to see what's possible and what is just a dream. I do come 'down the hill' for the winter to Denver area. I've found the winds to be a problem up here in the summer. Had to re-secure both halves of my shed roof already. The hinges 2 per half, I installed with 3 ea, 1.25" deck screws per hinge, and the wind just pulled them like they were slick nails. lol Went back with 2.75" screws,,, they've held so far.

I'm thinking the 'hoop house' shape is the best for high winds. Not positive of that but since that's what the commercial houses generally use ..... I'm reverting to 'indoor' for the winter, easily done since I'm at the 6 plant level.... well actually 18 since we are 3 individuals.

I am wondering if 10' ceiling height is enough or if I need to go to 12' for summer use?

 

[2 Legal Co]

OGK; You probably need to consider indoor for the winter for your moms, the days get too short in the winter, so you'd have to go to supplemental lighting for the winter anyway. Add a heating bill to that and it could be crazy IF you have a winter, of course.

A friend of mine has gone to the 'bonsai mom' method. Most amazing how small they can be kept, if you put your scissors to work. There's a thread here on IC Mag on the subject. If I recall you can keep 6 or so under one 4' T5. So pretty much a book shelf in the office, or den.

 

[Jhhnn]

Jhhnn;
I used some polycarb from Lowe's that resembles the SS 80. Light transmission is good, even in the smoked variety.

One thing I don't like is the difficulty in sealing the application. I'd like to make it tight for those cold nights and it's not been apparent to me how to get that done, which is why I've continued to do research on various products. The Solexx seems to fill that requirement best from what I've seen so far. That's why I've posted the links to various suppliers.

I'm in a state of experimentation to see what's possible and what is just a dream. I do come 'down the hill' for the winter to Denver area. I've found the winds to be a problem up here in the summer. Had to re-secure both halves of my shed roof already. The hinges 2 per half, I installed with 3 ea, 1.25" deck screws per hinge, and the wind just pulled them like they were slick nails. lol Went back with 2.75" screws,,, they've held so far.

I'm thinking the 'hoop house' shape is the best for high winds. Not positive of that but since that's what the commercial houses generally use ..... I'm reverting to 'indoor' for the winter, easily done since I'm at the 6 plant level.... well actually 18 since we are 3 individuals.

I am wondering if 10' ceiling height is enough or if I need to go to 12' for summer use?

The Solexx is an interesting material, the more I read about it. Here in the heart of the City, I need to be concerned about break-ins, suspect that the polycarbonates are tougher in that regard, particularly the double walled stuff. Solexx can be cut with a utility knife.

I think that getting a seal is an issue of using the accessories for any of the materials, the H & U channels, and of designing the structure with that in mind. The corrugated materials use wavy rubber gaskets to achieve the same effect. The closed cell foam strips used in house construction could be used between the material & wooden framing, too.

I'd be wary of growing tropical sativas in a northern latitude greenhouse that wasn't pretty tall. Starting them early combined with long summer day lengths would create enormous specimens that wouldn't even begin to flower until fall. I'm intrigued by semi-autoflowering varieties, mostly Canadian. They don't flower when the day length is increasing, but any shortening of the day length sets them off, regardless of the actual length of day. Picking the right date to sow should yield predictable size & harvest dates, both outdoors & in greenhouses.

The hoop houses are probably the most wind resistant, I suspect.

 

[2 Legal Co]

Good points, although I had problems finding the wavy foam stripes.

My Q on the height was about heat and how much height is needed in the summer to let it rise prior to being discharged.

Security is yet another concern. Quite a bit of value involved close to harvest.

 

[Jhhnn]

Good points, although I had problems finding the wavy foam stripes.

My Q on the height was about heat and how much height is needed in the summer to let it rise prior to being discharged.

Security is yet another concern. Quite a bit of value involved close to harvest.

Understood. The taller the greenhouse, the easier it is to keep the heat at the top, away from the plants. Greenhouse supply guys can furnish automatic vent openers & also solar powered vent fans.

Getting set up well looks like it gets pricy fast. I'll probably never do it unless I win the lottery.

Commercial growers who can move to big production style greenhouses will have enormous advantages, both in overhead & selection of varieties. They can service the connoissieur end of the market with haze & landrace strains that really want to flower for 5 months after growing to 15'.

 

[2 Legal Co]

Not sure I can get away with 16', but I think I can pass muster with 12'. My area of town is a bit too civilized to go to 16' I'm thinking.

Would be fun to move to the country and have a few acres to play on, with no neighbors to bitch about the height of my 'house'.

I'm thinking the base could be up to 4' high w/o causing significant light loss. Might be a bit less $s than transparent all the way down, and at least on the north wall shouldn't cause any heartburn at all. Certainly would be more stable structurally as well?

I'm also enamored with the idea of 55gallon barrels filled with liquid, to mount a potting bench on.

 

[catalyte]

great thread.

i'm always interested in seeing what kind of pre-fab units there are out there...