How to build a greenhouse with polycarbonate and profile pipes

DIY polycarbonate greenhouse: a drawing using profile pipe can be downloaded directly from this resource. To take advantage of all the benefits of a greenhouse on your property while saving money, you often have to build it yourself. Particular attention during the design stage should be paid to the material used for the frame and wall covering.

It goes without saying that the frame must be durable. This is the primary factor determining the longevity of the greenhouse. Next comes the choice of covering material, as plants are sensitive to even the slightest exposure to ultraviolet light. A frame made of profile pipes covered with polycarbonate offers excellent performance characteristics. Let's look at the key points of building such a greenhouse yourself, what nuances to pay attention to, and which plans to use. Other options How to build a greenhouse from polycarbonate and profiles.

Features of the construction of a profile frame

First of all, it's worth noting that covering these types of structures on a site with cellular polycarbonate is considered extremely effective and practical in the modern world. Compared to film and glass, polycarbonate offers superior performance properties from every angle. It transmits a sufficient amount of light while blocking ultraviolet radiation. It has an air gap that retains and retains heat. The material does not lose its excellent performance properties even in high humidity.

It's impossible to build a frameless greenhouse using polycarbonate sheets for the covering. This is because the rigidity of this material doesn't allow for it. Under their own weight, as gardeners have experienced many times in practice, the sheets begin to sag, and cracks form in the panels. Therefore, a DIY polycarbonate greenhouse: a drawing using a profile pipe with a photo is needed precisely to correctly construct the frame. How

The advantages of using metal profile pipes for the frame of this greenhouse:

1. Excellent mechanical strength makes the frame reliable. It can support the entire plastic greenhouse walls and withstand snow loads. The maximum load rating is up to 300 kilograms per square meter.
2. The problem of accommodating powerful lighting and heating equipment with such a sturdy frame also disappears. The structure can be safely used not only during the gardening season, but even in winter.
3. Assembly, and then subsequent maintenance, takes little time and requires virtually no effort.

Important! As for the disadvantages, there are certainly some. First and foremost, the relatively high cost of the material and the need for special tools during installation to bend the pipes to fit.

Types of greenhouses with a tubular frame

Rectangular (gable roof)

Externally, these greenhouses resemble a regular house and are quite common among gardeners. One of the advantages of this design is the large amount of open space inside, which means tall plants can be grown both in the central part of the greenhouse and along the walls.

Rectangular tunnel

This design will have a flat roof, which will save money during the greenhouse construction phase. However, the downside of this savings is that it will reduce the space inside. A horizontal roof is also dangerous because snow accumulates on it in winter. Polycarbonate, as mentioned earlier in this article, can support heavy weights, but snow will still need to be removed in winter. Because the internal heat can cause the snow to freeze, which will significantly increase its weight.

Arched

To build a greenhouse like this, you'll need not only a lot of pipes, but also a special pipe bender, as bending a metal pipe into an arc is impossible on your own.

To build this type of greenhouse, pipes with a cross-section of 20 x 20 mm or 20 x 40 mm are used. The latter type of pipe offers additional strength and can be used for structural elements.

Metal pipes are quite heavy and not always cost-effective for constructing a simple greenhouse in a vegetable garden. Therefore, larger-diameter pipes can be safely used for rafters and retaining walls, while smaller, less expensive pipes can be used for other areas.

Construction preparation stage

The video provides a detailed look at how to build a polycarbonate greenhouse yourself. Drawings for a wide variety of profile pipe options are presented in this article, but the final dimensions will still need to be tailored specifically to your needs.

As for the initial preparatory stage, you'll need to find a suitable location for the future greenhouse. However, experts note that a metal frame is so sturdy that it will stand up well anywhere on the site. This frame can withstand wind loads and doesn't require additional protection from load-bearing walls or garden trees.

As for the soil properties, this also needs to be taken into account. The soil under the greenhouse shouldn't be too moist. It's best to choose a site with extremely dry soil, with a high sand content. If the soil is too clayey, the area could quickly become marshy. The long side of the structure should face south. This will capture the maximum amount of sunlight each day, and also ensure the material reflects the sunlight.

Once the site has been clearly and accurately determined, it's time to consider the greenhouse's dimensions and begin adapting the selected design to the specific situation. A dimensional drawing is essential to ensure a reliable, robust, and error-free construction.

Advice! DIY polycarbonate greenhouse: drawing of houses made from profile pipe. The roof angle should not be too round. This will reduce the greenhouse's efficiency due to the increased percentage of reflected sunlight.

These are the fundamental preparation steps. Watch the video accompanying this material for advice from professionals who have already built similar greenhouses on their property. The video tutorials will help you clearly and precisely understand how to carry out each stage of the work.