Many gardeners are interested in how to make a polycarbonate greenhouse made in Belarus (Republic of Belarus) with their own hands. To do this, it is recommended to familiarize yourself with the features and varieties of these designs, choose the optimal size, and also learn how to take care of them in the future.
Features and design varieties of Belarusian greenhouses
The product is selected not only on the basis of size, but also depending on the particular shape of the structure. Greenhouses are:
- arched;
- galvanized;
- cone-shaped;
- "Butterflies";
- a house;
- equinoxes.
Benefits
- Each type of polycarbonate greenhouse has its own advantages:
- The arch type product is one of the most popular and is most often used on the farm. It is suitable for all types of chores, because it can be used to grow seedlings, heat-loving plants, flowers, etc. The arched appearance of the product is highly resistant to wind. Snow is not collected on the surface of the structure in winter, which is facilitated by its shape. The plus is that the arch is a reinforced structure, and the condensate collected on the walls flows down, and does not drip onto the plants.
- The galvanized structure has good light transmission, provides an optimal temperature inside. It is easy to assemble yourself. It is little affected by the cold, normally tolerates the severity of snow. In case of metal destruction, no chips are formed, which ensures the safety of the product.
- In a cone-shaped model of Belarusian production, tying nets for fastening plants is allowed. She also boasts a decent height relative to its size.
- The most compact are butterfly models. They can be easily installed on your site, and they will not take up much space. Installation of the product is as easy as possible, because installation is possible directly on the ground.
- Equinox structures are also very popular and are most often used on an industrial scale. They do not require additional supports, are durable and reliable. Comfortable planning of the space inside will also please, because the product has a decent width and height.
Important! The product in the form of a house is very simple to install, it is convenient to ventilate. In addition, there is no snow on the roof.
Disadvantages
Despite all the advantages of products, each of them has its own weaknesses.
- Below we consider the disadvantages of each type of structure:
- Arched. Not suitable for growing plants with unlimited growth. It has difficulty in ventilation, since the windows are mainly at the ends.
- Galvanized. If installed incorrectly, sheets of material may be deformed.
- Cone-shaped. It has restrictions on the cultivation of plant crops with unlimited growth.
- "Butterfly". It has compact dimensions, therefore it is not suitable for growing crops on an industrial scale.
- House. The structure is difficult to move if there is such a need. The manufacturer did not take into account that inaccurate movement is possible depressurization at the joints.
- Equinox. It has a higher cost, unlike other types of structures. In addition, it is difficult to install it yourself.
Thus, selecting a product is only based on the objectives of the acquisition, otherwise the greenhouse simply cannot perform its functions normally.
Did you know? In Iceland, greenhouses are built next to geysers. These natural pools of hot water increase the efficiency of plant care.
Selection of optimal greenhouse sizes
The first thing to do is to choose a place under the greenhouse. It will depend on its area how large the structure will be. The larger the structure, the higher the yield, because in a spacious room it is easier to work and you can organize the area inside more efficiently. The size of the structure is selected according to individual measurements and has a number of recommendations, without which it will be impossible to build a normally functioning structure.
To calculate the width of the structure, you need to determine the number and size of beds that will be located inside. The optimum width sufficient for growing crops is considered to be 3 m with a length of 6 m. That is why industrial products are made in this size. Such parameters are enough for growing any heat-loving crops. On average, the width of a product that is used at home is 1.8–2.4 m. Shelves with such dimensions have a width of 91 or 97 cm.
Did you know? The Netherlands has the largest number of greenhouses in the world. Their total area reaches 10.5 thousand ha.
The width of the door is also important. It must be at least 54 cm so that a person can enter and exit. This size is enough for small design options. Under these conditions, the width of the greenhouse should be approximately 2.4 m. Such parameters make it possible to make a passage of 60 cm, which is quite enough for comfortable work in the room. If you want to build two passages, then the minimum width of the greenhouse should be 3.7-4 m.
As for the length, this parameter can be anything, although 4-6 m is considered optimal. The main criterion for choosing the height of the structure is comfort for plants. If you plan to use shelves, then you need to consider their size.
Important! The height of the greenhouse should be at least 2 m, optimally — 2.5 m. This height is necessary not only for the comfort of the people working in it, but also for the normal flow of light. With the above parameters, light transmission is considered optimal.
How to assemble a greenhouse with your own hands
You can assemble the structure yourself, following the installation recommendations. If you follow the rules, you can install it relatively quickly, while not wasting money on the help of professionals. Consider the steps of installing a Belarusian greenhouse using an arched structure as an example.
Foundation selection
The polycarbonate greenhouse is lightweight, so it does not require a powerful base. With an average weight of 120 kg, it fits perfectly on foundation types such as:
- Tape. It is a continuous strip around the perimeter of the structure. The tape itself is either completely in the ground, or partially protrudes on the surface in the form of a low base. It can be installed in case of low occurrence of groundwater.
- Tiled. Such a foundation is a slab located throughout the construction area. It is installed on unstable heaving soils.
- Point. It is made according to the type of pile foundation. As piles, columns of concrete, brick or wood are used. Suitable for excessively wet areas.
For laying the foundation, both concrete and wood, brick and other materials are used. It should also be remembered that the foundation is not needed for the construction of a butterfly-type greenhouse.
End assembly
As a rule, self-tapping screws and fasteners are included. They are used to connect the upper center piece with long side elements. For simplicity and comfort, it is recommended to use a screwdriver.
Did you know? The largest greenhouse in the world is in the UK. On its territory in two domed rooms, interconnected by a passage, thousands of plant species are located.
As soon as the ends themselves are ready, install the end part on the foundation and tighten it tightly with the clamps.
Frame assembly
Connect the ends to the longitudinal elements of the base. Take the upper arc and attach the cross beam in the center. Arcs should be attached to the guide parts using self-tapping screws. Once the construction details are assembled, install it perpendicular to the base. It is important to tighten all fasteners after installation. After that, the base of the doors and transoms is installed.
Frame cladding
When covering the greenhouse with polycarbonate, you should first clean the sheets of material from the protective film. After that, they are laid face down from the structure up and attached with roofing screws. The ends of the structure are sheathed even before the installation of the frame, since later it will be almost impossible to do this.
Depending on the type of product, you can also use galvanized tape, which is attached to the frame with self-tapping screws.
Video: Installation and mounting of polycarbonate in the greenhouse
Greenhouse Care and Maintenance Tips
The design requires regular cleaning. This manipulation can be done using ordinary water and a soft washcloth. It is permissible to use a soap solution. You need to clean the surface both inside and outside.
Do not use harsh brushes or harsh detergents. They can damage the protective layer of the material and leave scratches on it. If in the winter time you do not use a greenhouse, then polycarbonate can be removed altogether.
Important! If snow accumulates on the roof of the greenhouse and frost on the street, the need for surface cleaning increases. Use a broom to do this, as scraping is unacceptable and will damage the structure.
Manufacturers of Belarus offer a wide selection of greenhouses made of polycarbonate. Before choosing a design for installation on your site, you need to familiarize yourself with its features and varieties, choose the optimal size, and also learn how to properly assemble a greenhouse with your own hands.