Allotment Gardening Advice Help Chat

Chatting => Design and Construction => Topic started by: She'sinthegarden on May 20, 2010, 20:23

Title: Free greenhouse with massive panes of glass - can it be moved please?
Post by: She'sinthegarden on May 20, 2010, 20:23
Hi
I've been offered a free 12x8 greenhouse if I can dismantle it and take it away. Lucky me! I've read loads of good advice about taking pics, WD40, marking the bits and wrapping the glass.

My concern is that most of the panes are massive - eg the whole height of the greenhouse and into the apex at the back.

I'm concerned about how easy/ expensive it would be to replace such big sheets of glass if they break. Would it end up being worth the hassle and expense? If I need to replace big sheets, is there a way to replace them with 2 or 3 smaller sheets if the frame is set up for 1 big sheet? Polycarbonate? Plastic sheeting? (though it's going in my garden rather than my lottie)

To give you an idea of age, the existing glass is held in by putty and in some places, what looks like clear silicone.

Any advice would be very welcome.
Thanks
Title: Re: Free greenhouse with massive panes of glass - can it be moved please?
Post by: Digger Tom on May 20, 2010, 20:46
 How old is the greenhouse & whats it made from?
Title: Re: Free greenhouse with massive panes of glass - can it be moved please?
Post by: She'sinthegarden on May 20, 2010, 20:56
Sorry I don't know how old it is because we're having it from someone who's just moved into the house where it is. I think it's aluminium.
Title: Re: Free greenhouse with massive panes of glass - can it be moved please?
Post by: Ice on May 20, 2010, 21:07
Can you post a photo?
Title: Re: Free greenhouse with massive panes of glass - can it be moved please?
Post by: She'sinthegarden on May 20, 2010, 22:01
Sorry I don't have one but we're supposed to be picking it up on Saturday and I'll be taking lots then.
Title: Re: Free greenhouse with massive panes of glass - can it be moved please?
Post by: savbo on May 21, 2010, 08:04
if they break (and I shifted a smilar 8x6 last year without breakages) you could replace them using twinwall polycarb for less than a tenner a pane ( based on about £20 for an 8x4 sheet)
Title: Re: Free greenhouse with massive panes of glass - can it be moved please?
Post by: She'sinthegarden on May 21, 2010, 16:20
Thanks savbo

I've been googling and twinwall polycarb has been criticised for weakening the structure, especially in wind. Has yours been ok?
Title: Re: Free greenhouse with massive panes of glass - can it be moved please?
Post by: savbo on May 22, 2010, 08:07
I didn't break any so I've not actually tried it for big panes. My 12 x 8 lost some panes in the move to our new plot and I've used smaller pieces of twinwall in it but couldn't comment on strength...

I hadn't heard about that issue, so thanks to you too!