Lets go over them in a list here, before taking a deeper dive into each type of hardware component. : 1. wire-lock 2. We have both a PVC hoophouse & cattle panel and use wiggle wire to attach the plastic. Im putting down black ground cloth, which might help keep the ground warm. With the above being said, using rope (and downward pressure) is a good method for keeping your top cover on your structure if you are looking for an extremely low cost way that can be vented without roll-up sides. greenhouses stapled For my cattle panel house I stapled the bottom edges into the boards around the bottom edge. Cut the plastic at least 4 feet longer than the length of the cold frame. Snap clamps are among the most simple to use greenhouse plastic attachment hardware, however, they are only applicable for structures with a set outer diameter to their metal tubing. You can see an example of Double Channel Poly Lock in the picture below. This is my 5 Years Later Update for ou 1st floor bathroom, in my original post in 2013 when I was asking suggestions about what to do with original wooden window in the bathtub.. Sorry on the lack of rainfall. These pieces of hardware are installed one right after the other. When purchasing this hardware component, be careful to read the fine print, because not all suppliers will include the necessary wire along with the Poly Lock Channel itself. Since this form of greenhouse plastic attachment is more rudimentary, and is intended for less permanent structures it shouldn't be a primary form of greenhouse plastic attachment for large permanent structures. It took a while for us to figure out what to do with this bathroom, but now we could not be happier. Keeping plants alive through winter. Without it you would have a very difficult time covering your structure. The four primary ways are listed below, and more detail is provided on each method: While the list above provides the hardware needed to attach greenhouse plastic to metal framing, some make more sense in certain scenarios over others. My parents installed 16 and 10 sola tubes over 20 years ago. This is primarily due to the fact that Snap Clamps don't secure the plastic contiguously the full length of a tube. It's 12 degrees outside this morning. After the channel is secured, the plastic is installed into the channel by using a corresponding piece of Spring Wire; you'll wiggle the Spring Wire back and forth over the greenhouse plastic and into the channel, and you'll have secured your plastic to your greenhouse structure firmly. Use two clamps per side for each pipe, for a total of four clamps per pipe. I covered the interior of those walls with 3/4" foil backed foam panels, and insulated the base and lower wall with covered straw. To take a look at our product page for the channel WITH the wire included,click here. (2) Then I need to secure the first sheet to the end arch. It can replace lumber, is light and easy to work with, lasts forever, and is easy to use. Go to the Advice tab on the upper right corner of the Houzz page and click, scroll down to GardenWeb and click on Gardening Forums. Old window removed. I know you enjoy it in winter when enclosed. To prevent the wind from shredding your plastic, I would look for a heavier mil plastic. Yes, you can daisy-chain a ton of these one right after the other to create full length attachment of your greenhouse plastic, and yes you could drive a self tapping metal screw through each one of these and into your metal framing, however, if you were going to go through that trouble it would make sense to install Spring Wire Poly Lock Channel instead. The best hardware for attaching pieces temporarily, or for interior greenhouse partitions are Snap Clamps. On that page you can choose Florida Gardening or even maybe find a forum specializing on the kind of plant you want to know about. plastic. Two examples of how Double Channel is installed to metal framing can be seen in the two videos below. If you are going to be building a high tunnel, hoop house, or greenhouse you may be wondering how the greenhouse plastic is attached to metal framing. In case anyone else reads this 16 year old thread, to join two or more pieces of covering plastic to make one big sheet, you could melt them together. I attached my PVC with cedar strips and self drilling screws. HERE'S MY REAL PROBLEM: (1) I need to secure sheeting to the ends (which, in this location will have to take a good bit of wind). Good luck with your Greenhouse. I forgot to mention I have old cast iron radiators painted black under the sunward bench to collect solar. Insert two more ground stakes into the ground at each of the ends of the cold frame. In my experience if it is loose, it will be more prone to tearing. I've incorporated a modifications in an attempt to retain heat. It is a cooler light but we couldnt be happier. It also shows the new integrity by Marvin fiberglass window, with solid bright white quartz planks framing in the four sides of the window. but watching the videos has been helpful. First off I'm using a 20k BTU Heatstar LPG heater as my primary. Drape the greenhouse plastic over the PVC frame so it is centered. You can see an example of Double Channel Poly Lock in the picture below. I found Snap Clamps at Green House Mega Store work well with 3/4" PVC.. Because of its rigidity, double channel is often used as a way of eliminating and replacing lumber sometimes used on a Hip Rail of a structure. This way, they butt up to each others' ends without any break in their span. It is evident that the double channel is more robust in its width and rigidity. You might be interested in this link. The benefit of this hardware component is that it creates a contiguous seal. The first, and most popular greenhouse plastic attachment hardware on the market is. The plastic should be taut. The first time, I used a 6 mil plastic but not UV rated. After the channel is secured, the plastic is installed into the channel by using a corresponding piece of Spring Wire; This makes it nearly impossible to pull the plastic out of this channel after it has been secured. WOW! Snap clamps are great for temporary greenhouse plastic attachment, or in instances where low wind pressure and stress will be applied to the greenhouse plastic. It works great. The latter was a huge problem because sola tube no longer makes parts for the 16 either. If not, then I think I will go with the wiggle wire and plastic. The Double Channel Poly Lock system is not as widely used for securing Greenhouse Plastic since its double wide shape is not needed for most applications. Since that side of the house faces south, it gets plenty of light. Poly Lock Channel is secured to metal framing usingSelf Tapping Tek Screws. Purchased house in Feb, realtor gave me the one we are using for this "dilemma!". For flowers, some cannot stand summer heat and sun, like the pansy. Create an account with us and you'll be able to: Fill in your email below to request a new password. I got the poly from a friend who's recovering his hoop house. Yes, it's screened in. How To Cover Staircases When Painting Walls, How to Protect Blueberries During the Winter, How to Glue PVC Pipes Under a Bathroom Sink, How to Install a Bathroom Sink P Drain Flex Tube, Grow Organic: Season Extending Techniques, New Mexico State University: Hoop House Construction for New Mexico. The sale of the property, including the good greenhouses I've been using, was unexpected, so I am scrambling to save my plants. The Snap Clamps only come in standard sizes that fit onto 1.315 OD, 1.66 OD, and 1.90 OD outer diameter tubing. Perhaps you might ask him for more details. Below the picture we dive a bit more into how this type of attachment hardware works, what its best applications are, and more. Any future replacement will be with heavier triple wall to defray the increased material cost. I suspect you receive some radiant heat from the brick wall of the house to make it through those frosty nights. The factory supplied polycarbonate is a double wall 6mm and rather inefficient. That said, they are invaluable for creating roll-up sides on hoop houses, high tunnels, and greenhouses, and they are a very inexpensive greenhouse plastic attachment hardware. If you think double channel would work for your project, you can take a look at the type we carry. The picture below does a good job in showing how a Snap Clamp looks before and after it has been pushed onto the plastic and the metal tubing. Any and all suggestions would be greatly appreciated! That said, this is a great way of holding plastic to smaller structures that are often referred to as Caterpillar Tunnels. As of last Sunday they still had 6 ft snowbanks, so I wasn't able to get any great photos. 3558 Lee Road Trim any excess greenhouse plastic from around the base of the cold frame. Here is a link that might be useful: GreenHouseMegaStore Snap Clamps. Houzz Pro: One simple solution for contractors and design pros, Some properties in Munising, this one in Grand Marais. Stapled batten tape over plastic. greenhouses growerssupply gable farmtek teksupply A plastic covering allows light to pass through while trapping heat inside, creating a miniature greenhouse. We recently reroofed their house and found the sola tube domes had turned brown and were disintegrating. The sun and the 55-gallon drums will do their thing and warm it up to around 72 or 80 degrees in there today. More on that in the 'Solar heating with 55 gallon drums' thread. I used the black poly pipe from a roll I cut into 4" strips. Here is a link to the best double channel that we have found:Double Channel Poly Lock with Wire. Thank you for the Pic! Spaced-overlapping wooden strips 3. This property is being sold and the new owners are allowing me the space for this greenhouse until I established at a permanent location for my rapidly growing (but still in start-up) rare plants business. I have been struggling with the same question, and searching for answers! If you want to secure greenhouse plastic permanently, or semi-permanently, or if you need to install greenhouse plastic on a section of metal framing that curves, this hardware component is for you. This Christmas tree breakdown can help, Zero in on a kitchen combo you'll love with these strategies and great countertop-backsplash mixes for inspiration, Corner drawers, appliance garages, platter storage and in-counter knife slots are a few details you may not want to leave out, Conserve a vital resource and save money by collecting stormwater for irrigation in a barrel or tank, If your bathroom has that hit-by-a-hurricane look that tends to come with kids, sort things out with these tried and true ideas, Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers, Outdoor Lighting & Audio/Visual Specialists, Houzz Call: Show Us Your Nutty Home Fixes, A Wraparound Goes From Unwelcoming to Irresistible, Wild Birds Transform a Womans Garden and Life, A Cooks 6 Tips for Buying Kitchen Appliances, Real vs. The feature wall is a random 3-color flood of hexagon tile: white, gray, and greige (grey/beige/tan). I dont see how the poly pipe clips would work here. I hear you about the " What is rainwater" I haven't seen a drop in mounths. I often hear of people making clips from black poly pipe. Have someone hold the plastic down on the opposite side of the cold frame while you attach the clamps to keep the plastic from slipping. Dyson vacuum comparison: Which Dyson model should you buy? Although I couldn't tell a difference, the last way was faster and easier. Cut each piece about 8" long and make a slit along it's length. :) Guess I will find out if we ever get some. Use these same methods to hold plastic on a square-shaped cold frame made from PVC. Wish I could find some of those sky lights for that price. bmoser -- I looked up wire-lock systems, and they seem perfect for securing plastic sheeting to a wood or metal pipe base, but this is a temporary structure that I only need for this winter. These snap clamps work like a charm and A to Z Supply is super easy to deal with. One more thing I wanted to mention for prosdokaobasile. We cover more of the pros and cons of this attachment method below the picture. (5) For heat, I have a 2 tall, forced-air, electric heater and a portable, electric, oil-filled radiator. For now, I have driven 6' rebar a foot or more into the ground, spaced 4' apart, and slid sun-resistant pvc conduit over the rebar to make the arches. This way, Another reason this securement method is so popular is that, Spring Wire Poly Lock Channel typically comes in 4 ft., 6 foot, 8 foot, and 12 foot pieces, however, they are most commonly sold in. 6 WEEKS TO TURN THIS HOUSE INTO HARBOR TOWN BUNGALOW! Then you can attach the plastic by a number of conventional ways; eg. I tried both ways, wrapping the cattle panels with plastic and wrapping the whole shelter. It should be noted that this is also a more risky way of holding the plastic on your structure if you are intending to keep the plastic in place permanently. Drive a U-shaped ground stake with a rubber mallet through the plastic into the ground every 6 feet along the length of the hoop house on each side. I'm back to the fence! I have some of it lying around, so I can try this now. You can purchase plastic clips used for rollup sides to clip plastic onto rollup pipe, but because the clips pretty much surround the pipe, I doubt they will work for you. Here is a link that might be useful: Snap Clamps. Double aluminum channel is very similar to Single Aluminum channel except it provides twice the channels, and thus, twice the securement potential. For this reason, structures using this method of greenhouse plastic attachment are vented by simply pushing the plastic up the side of the tunnel to allow air to move in and out of the structure. This feature makes Poly Lock Channel one of the most important for building a high tunnel or hoop house. http://www.poly-tex.com/pages/accessories/replacement/Wigglewire/wigglewire.html. I am wanting to turn between the side of my house and my 7 ft fence into a small greenhouse for overwintering. Very easy to use. Let's take a look at an affordable attachment option that is also intended to be the primary top cover attachment option. Snap Clamps are great for certain applications, and not for others. If you are working with a structure that is comprised of a different type of tubing that doesn't line up with the diameters listed here you might as well move on to the other hardware items listed in this post. They have over 100 how-to videos. Im concerned that plain radiant heat would go straight up and dissipate through the cold plastic. Place one clamp toward the top of the frame and the second toward the bottom. Because this method of securing greenhouse plastic doesn't include any type of channel along its length there wouldn't be any hardware to drop a roll-up side from. Please note that these photos were taken before our tile installer did the grouting, which was done with "Natural Gray" epoxy grout made by Laticrete, and the the grey color of the grout is AMAZING. Attach the plastic to the frame with large binder clamps. I cover my Florida room every fall with 6 mil. Detail of the recessed nook/niche. Below is a picture of a farmer that installed a partition using Snap Clamps: They are also one of the best pieces of hardware for attaching greenhouse plastic to the metal roll bar in order to create roll-up sides. Additionally, each of the above methods for attaching greenhouse plastic will need to be installed a little differently than the next. This guy had a similar idea although probably different application. Now that we have gone through the four most common forms of attaching greenhouse plastic to metal framing below I have put together some recommendations based on my experiences. Instead of using spring clips on the end I used a pipe clamp to attach a 12" piece of PVC then folded the ends in and attached them to the pipe with another piece of the snap clamps.. How big is your greenhouse and would you go bigger or smaller. I will try the black poly pipe clips BD suggested, and I'm open to other ideas. We also had the original and beautiful 1951 cast iron bathtub refinished by miracle method. In your zone, that may help retain the temperature better. I plan to fill these with antifreeze and possibly attach a collector. greenhouse Sometimes this hardware is referred to as "U Channel" or "C Channel" or "zig zag Wire" or "Lock Channel", but regardless of the branded name, the channel all works in the same way to hold greenhouse plastic in place. After a couple of tries recovering it, I bought 6 mil UV plastic and it lasted till I got a greenhouse. Rowcover snap clamps are also available at garden centers, but you don't need to make a special trip. instant ventilation when I need it. I think I squeaked by, but I need to do something more durable today!!!!! See the picture below that shows how two pieces might line up at their ends. We did a complete do over and reinstalled with velux 14 and 10 tubes. Right now it is only letting me choose one. I'm thinking I'll staple the bottom to scrap lumber with batting strips. In this climate, it became tattered from the sun and wind. all year. With the above being said, Snap Clamps are a fantastic way to hold panels of plastic in place (temporarily) while you are securing pieces in a more permanent manner. When purchasing this hardware component, be careful to read the fine print, because not all suppliers will include the necessary wire along with the Poly Lock Channel itself. Clamping and wiring is not the only way to keep plastic against a metal frame; there is also pressure. Your greenhouse turned out neat. :) We have had 3 freezes now and so far so good! That said, The other reason Double Channel Poly Lock and Spring Wire is so valuable as a building component is that. The solution we went with is shown in the pics below, please click on each photo to see the full photo view. BigDogue -- Thank you so much for the tip about the black poly pipe. Below is a picture of this piece of hardware along with the corresponding piece of wire that holds the plastic in place. If you are looking for some rope for your rope and pressure system, there is 3/16" diameter rope and 1/4" diameter rope that works well for this application. Out of desperation, I did some stapling, but I know this is not a decent or lasting solution. Very nice! Cold frames help to protect your plants in light frost conditions, but only if they are properly covered. The only thing that was outsourced was the install of the tile, and connecting water lines of the new shower fixtures which required the plumbing in the wall to be changed. I put a strip of felt down on top of the plastic and stapled through it to the boards. Lay the plastic in the afternoon sun for 15 to 30 minutes to allow it to warm to make stretching it easier. I attached the plastic with hog rings. Another reason this securement method is so popular is that you can install the plastic with Spring Wire AND take it out without damaging the greenhouse plastic. greenhouse rebar materials cons Cold frames made from PVC are smaller versions of hoop houses because the PVC is bent over the plants to create hoops. We don't get that here! http://www.greenhousemegastore.com/product/polypropylene-batten-tape/covering-accessories, I had built a plant shelter from cattle panels and covered them with plastic. If this is what you are looking for, here you can find Snap Clamps that fit three different tube diameters: Snap Clamps. (3) I need to connect the successive plastic sheets together over the arches every 10 feet. 50 mph wind so far and it's held without the staples tearing out. I'll describe the problem a little more clearly below and will really appreciate any other input or suggestions you have. My boss has some short greenhouse panels that I am going to see if he will let me have. He sold me 6 of them for $5 each and the door for $20! HELP! Kristi. Along with one wall being the brick on the house, I will also be using a heater to keep it hopefully around 50 degrees F. Thank you for all your help! Below is a video that shows the process for installing the Spring Wire in the wiggle motion I mention above: While Spring Wire Poly Lock Channel is very easy to use for securing greenhouse plastic, the channel itself must first be attached to the metal framing of your structure at any points you want the plastic to be secured. I attached each one to a 4x4 frame make out of cedar fence pickets and then attached them to the house with hinges and voila! I think I will line the fence with 2 sheets of plastic. Since two of the walls of the green house and one is the house itself, I just covered the fence in 4 or 6 mil plastic (can't remember which one). Again, the black poly pipe might work. I have ordered from them a number of times. Thank you! But where does the runoff rainwater go? Wishing you luck in your project and hoping you continue to post your successes or failures. Well, given that, I will let you know that the stress of summer heat can be the worst time to plant trees and bushes. We use it at the Greenhouses that I work at on the weekends, I just figured it was expensive until I looked at it. This makes it nearly impossible to pull the plastic out of this channel after it has been secured. To keep the rough ends on the cattle panel from damaging the plastic, I used pipe insulation as a padding. If you ever want to learn more about gardening in your area, check out the GardenWeb. :) When I went to get a storm door from this gentleman I saw that he had some skylights in his pile of junk. This sounds daunting because you will need to screw through the channel, and into metal, BUT Tek Screws are designed to drill through the channel AND the steel tubing beneath. we explore some of these below. How are you trying to retain heat? Amazing, high-quality work, a true artist is this tile installer. Use greenhouse plastic that is the same width as the length of the PVC pipes use to make the hoops on the cold frame. greenhouse removeandreplace watering inserted http://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&keywords=hog+rings+and+pliers&tag=googhydr-20&index=aps&hvadid=6835375328&hvpos=1t3&hvexid=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=1807880141887987098&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=e&ref=pd_sl_1j4gry6pu5_e