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Converting greenhouse from poly to glass

tac59tac59 Posts: 3
in Problem solving
Advice please. We purchased a budget aluminium and poly greenhouse some years ago. It is fine , but I am fed up with replacing the 4mm poly sheets. They do not like windy conditions and regularly lose the w clips. Would it be feasible to change to glass panels and still fix with the "W" clips. I can see how this could work on the sloping roof section, but what about the vertical sides. Would they need siliconing in ?. Or would the "Z" overlap clips plus the W clips be enough to hold them in. Many thanks.

Badger 

Posts

  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 11,340
    The first thing that came to mind when I read your post is will the structure be able to support the glass?
    Polycarb is very light, horticultural glass is not, and your greenhouse was designed to take the weight of polycarb not glass.
    Would hate to hear that your greenhouse collapsed under the weight

    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • KT53KT53 Posts: 9,016
    Horticultural glass is normally 3mm so the thickness of the glass wouldn't be an issue if replacing the poly panels.  The question is whether the W clips would hold the glass properly if 4mm panels currently pop out of those clips.  The Z clips would work with glass in exactly the same way they work now.  I've never siliconed glass into a greenhouse.  The gaps are actually beneficial as it improves air flow. 
    As Pete says, weight would be the major question mark.
  • tac59tac59 Posts: 3
    Actually I hadn't considered the weight of the glass. It seems a pretty strong structure..
    not sure if I would know it it would take the extra weight. The poly panels seem to have a limited life and after a while do deteriorate. Just thought glass would be longer lasting. 
  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 11,340
    I'm no engineer, but my glazed greenhouse has got lots of heavy gauge corner braces and other structural stabilizers to distribute the weight of the glass. That wouldn't have been a consideration when they designed your greenhouse. It's likely strong enough to take polycarb but nothing much heavier.
    Glass is very heavy by comparison.
    I don't know if perspex is an option possibly

    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • tac59tac59 Posts: 3
    Perspex would be a good alternative, but I believe is very expensive. It may be easier to buy a new aluminium/glass greenhouse. But there are so many out there. Can anyone recommend a maker that is reasonable quality and price please.
  • Hostafan1Hostafan1 Posts: 34,889
    look on freecycle.
    Folk often "inherit" one when they buy a house and are often happy to give it away to anyone who is prepared to dismantle and remove.
    Devon.
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