[Pimento]

So... Having been lucky enough to get a 6' x 8' greenhouse on Freecycle, it's now finally dismantled and sitting waiting on the plot. I think I've just about got my head around how to build the base, but am wondering what to do about the glazing?

The glass was previously held in with mastic, although some panes had slipped as this perished. New glazing strip seems pretty expensive to buy. Would silicone sealant be a cheaper alternative and, if so, should I apply it before I put the glass in or outside, on top?

I've looked through previous posts but can't find a lot of advice, so any help would be appreciated.  Many thanks!!

P.

[Gandan57]

Presumably it`s an aluminium greenhouse so it should have the grooved glazing bars to enable the glass to be fixed with W clips.

[JayG]

Pimento: if you do an "advanced search" of the Design and Construction board using the keyword "silicone" there are several threads which might be helpful, including this one:

http://chat.allotment-garden.org/index.php?topic=52343.msg624376#msg624376

[compostqueen]

Yes there are!  I read em all before embarking on the north face of my greenhouse 
Which I successfully sorted out. I got some clips and bolts from good old Wilko. The clips are a bit sharp on the old fingers. You can get glazing bars from Two Wests and Elliott, Chesterfield

[Kleftiwallah]

Rather than use mastic. which sticks like the proverbial to a blanket, there is small diameter grey tubing that sits in the semi-circular groove cast into the ally sections.    Then use the 'w' and some cresent flat section spring clips.   

If you still have problems understanding,  let me know and I'll provide a snap or two.        Cheers,    Tony.

[JayG]

If you do replace the glazing bead make sure you get the right one - mine is nothing like what Kleftiwallah has just described (it's a square"C" section which pushes over raised lips cast into the frame.)

[savbo]

Another option for missing rubber beads discussed in previous threads is to pipe out a bead of silicon sealant but let it dry completely before putting in the glass with clips... I did a couple of panes this way where I had gaps and it seems to work ok

[Ice]

Another option for missing rubber beads discussed in previous threads is to pipe out a bead of silicon sealant but let it dry completely before putting in the glass with clips... I did a couple of panes this way where I had gaps and it seems to work ok

Did the very same thing last year with no problems.

[Pimento]

Hi,

Thanks for the replies everyone... I've also read all the old posts, but I'm still at a bit at a loss.  Tony, if you'd be kind enough to provide a couple of pics, perhaps I might get the idea...!

My greenhouse glass was held in with the band or 'G' type clips,  with mastic filling the grooves in the frame, both inside and outside. I can't see that the W-type ones would work, because the groove is too wide. Without providing something else to replace the mastic, I just don't think the glass would be secure enough, or a tight enough fit to prevent gaps and leaks. Some kind of rubber strip to replace the original mastic might be a possibility if I can find the right size, but may prove pretty expensive compared to silicone?

Any further thoughts would be very welcome!

Thanks a lot,

Pim.

[Ice]

A picture paints a thousand words.

[mumofstig]

you can get many sorts of gaskets it depends on your frame which one you need.
Look here
http://www.gcraft.co.uk/display_greenhousespares.php?id=19

You usually only have a gasket inside the glass, and the clips compress the glass onto the gasket and pop inside the edge of the glazing bars.

look here
LTKxEA9PRzkNR=1
peak greenhouse glazing clips, are they like yours? If you look at the Halls video clip, it looks as if the W clips would fit in the same grooves

[GrannieAnnie]

I don't use sealant as I always worry that if the greenhouse moves and the sealant dries solid, it may break the glass.  But lots of places do the rubber strip, if you can find out which shape is right for your greenhouse.

Does it have any rubber left in it at all?  or do you know which make of greenhouse it is?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p5197.m570.l1313&_nkw=greenhouse+rubber&_sacat=See-All-Categories

It may work out a little more expensive, but will last for ages if looked after and easier to remover broken panes IMHO

[Pimento]

Thank you very much, both - GrannieAnnie, I was worried too about the glass breaking once the greenhouse settled if I used sealant which hadn't gone off first.

The greenhouse has never actually had a rubber strip, just mastic, but looking at the links you kindly supplied, MumofStig, I see that rolls of mastic are still available, and for £20 or so perhaps I'm just best off buying another one of those.

All becoming clearer now...   Thanks very much for your help, everybody!!

Pim.

[GrannieAnnie]

Good luck with the re-assembly Pimento!