With the invention of such useful material as polycarbonate, the greenhouse has gained a second wind. Polycarbonate at times better retains heat, bends to cut it, no glass cutter is needed, which means that its losses during cutting are reduced to zero. Entrepreneurs have learned all this - and now we have a huge wealth of varieties of polycarbonate greenhouses, greenhouses and hotbeds, our eyes just run wide. But how to choose a really high-quality model from all the variety? The article provides an overview of the most common models of polycarbonate greenhouses, reviews about them, brief information about manufacturers.
General characteristics
All frames of such buildings are prefabricated and, if necessary, they can always be disassembled and compactly folded into the outbuilding for future times. Depending on the structure of the frame, all greenhouses coated with polycarbonate are divided into:
- arched, rounded on top;
- houses with a gable roof;
- wall, with a pitched roof.
Arched varieties
Arched differ in that they are mounted relatively quickly. They do not require a foundation and are held on lugs buried in the ground, which are most often played by ordinary segments of 10 or 12 reinforcement. If someone does not like the height of the purchased greenhouse, it can always be raised to the base, simultaneously changing the length of the reinforcement serving as lugs, to longer ones, or you can even mount the frame on a recessed base (a kind of foundation) that will firmly hold the greenhouse when strong wind.
In general, reviews about carbonate greenhouses are different. In most cases, people complain that the coating of the arched vault reflects the bulk of the sun's rays, which is why cultures suffer from a lack of light and artificial lighting has to be added. Nevertheless, 85% of all greenhouses sold annually are arched.
Houses and wall varieties
Houses are often more complex and sturdy frame, because they are more expensive. But there are no problems with the lack of lighting due to the smooth slopes of the roof.
Wall structures with a shed roof are less frequently demanded. They also, due to their simple design, are quickly mounted, hold on the ground with the help of lugs, but it is unlikely that anyone would think of fastening them close to the apartment building. Rather, it should be an outbuilding, but even in this case, nothing substantial can be grown in it if the owner of the roads has the foundation of this very building. In most cases, they are used for seedlings or growing plants in containers that are placed in a similar greenhouse.
Criterias of choice
How to choose a polycarbonate greenhouse? Reading reviews is one thing, but when it comes down to it, for some reason everyone remembers only general phrases. First of all, you should decide how much money you can spend on it and how you will use it - all year round or seasonally?
Those who do not plan to grow anything for the winter can opt for a budget seasonal model. It is lightweight, assembled and disassembled in a matter of minutes, but if left to winter, its lightweight frame can deform under the weight of snow.
Those who want to leave the structure for the winter will have to spend money on the one that can be used all year round. Even if the owner does not plan to grow anything in it in the winter, it will fit perfectly as a chicken coop or storage.
The video posted in the article will help to make a choice.
Volia products
The factory for the production of greenhouses "Volya" was founded in 1993 and from the first years of operation has established itself as a respected producer. Frames are mainly mounted from a galvanized profile pipe, the metal thickness of which directly depends on the type of construction. But even for the lightest frames, it is selected so that the product can serve faithfully for decades.
Consider the main varieties of models produced by the plant in more detail:
- "Perchina-M Plus." Despite its light weight, moderately durable, it does not rust. It withstands a load of 90 kg / m 2 , which is equivalent to a snow layer of 30 cm.
- "Country-Two." The name itself implies a two-meter width. That is, a buyer of a similar design has the opportunity, with a passage of 60 cm on each side, to arrange a pair of beds at 70 cm. The height of the arch at the maximum point is 2.2 m. The length of the structure can be different (from 3 to 8 m), you can choose.
- "Country Treshka." In general, the model is similar to the previous one and differs only in the width of the arch. Three-meter wide automatically makes each bed 50 cm wider than in the "kopeck piece". The length can also be selected as desired.
- "Country-Optima" - the most durable and reliable. It can withstand snow pressure of 280 kg / m 2 .
- "Country-Arrow-3" is a more serious model with a drop-shaped arch. The design is more robust and reliable, all parts are galvanized. The maximum height is 2.5 m, you can choose between 2.5 or 3 m in width. It can withstand a load of 450 kg / m 2 .
The feedback on the Volia polycarbonate greenhouses is as follows. Pepper models are too low. Gardeners whose height is more than 175 cm, they will have to bend down. Such greenhouses are best used for stunted crops. The name itself alludes to the cultivation of pepper and the like.
Models from the "Country" category are too light. Experienced gardeners are advised to more carefully dig the supports into the ground, otherwise, when gusts of strong wind blow, the greenhouses are torn off the ground. It is best to use additional pieces of reinforcement that extend into the ground by at least 70 cm. The optimal yield is a shallow columnar foundation.
Products of the company "New forms"
New Forms LLC begins its reckoning since 2007. It was formed on the basis of the StroySystemService Corporation. Currently, the company produces 6 different modifications of the Kremlin and Bogatyr brand greenhouses. Consider the most popular:
- “Kremlin Zinc” - reinforced arched greenhouse made of galvanized strong steel pipe. It has two doors at opposite ends of the structure, it is also equipped with two window leaves (you can also get a budget option without them). The width of the structure is 2.5 or 3 m. The height, depending on the width, is 2.1 or 2.25 m, respectively. The length is different - from 4 to 10 m. It withstands a load of up to 230 kg / m 2 , therefore it is quite suitable for use all year round.
- “Kremlin Suite” - the dimensions and other characteristics of this model are similar to the previous one. The difference is only in a more stylish design.
- “Bogatyr Premium” - the most durable arched model - can withstand a load of 330 kg / m 2 .
Products of the Uralochka greenhouse plant
The plant located on the territory of Bashkortostan produces only three models of greenhouses, but this is enough for people to take their products apart with a bang. Models of this plant are considered the cheapest, which, incidentally, does not in any way affect their reliability and quality. More about varieties:
- Uralochka is an arched model. Width - 3 m with a height of 2.1 m. A model with a length of 4 m in a complete set costs only 9.5 thousand rubles. It withstands a load of 180 kg / m 2 , so it is quite suitable for wintering.
- “Uralochka Reinforced” is a stronger analogue of the previous one. The length is 5 meters, and the load withstands up to 350 kg / m 2 .
- “Kremlin Double Arc” - is available in three versions. The most budgetary in proportion, similar to the usual "Uralochka", but stronger. It can withstand up to 480 kg / m 2 of coating.
What are the reviews about polycarbonate greenhouses from the Uralochka plant? Pros in quick and easy installation. The design is the simplest. A very understandable instruction, where the assembly order is explained to the smallest detail. The cons are the same - the ease of construction. The lugs that come with the kit are very short. With soft soil, the structure breaks down even with a wind of 15-20 m / s. It would be even better to do a backfill on each side. Complaints are caused by the frequency of sticking polycarbonate. It is best if the owner purchases the screws and pulls the polycarbonate through smaller sections than is prescribed by the instructions.
Products of the Urozhay group of companies
In the greenhouse market, their products are represented by three main ones:
- "Harvest Economy-2" - as the name implies, this is the most budget design. Proportions: width - 2 m, height - 2 m, length - from 4 to 8 m. As users note, you can turn around, but the beds are narrowish.
- "Harvest PC" - an arched model 3 m wide, 2.15 m high and 4, 6 or 8 meters in length, to choose from.
- "Harvest Elite 2015" - the most durable version of the "arch". Judging by the fact that the basis of the structure is a galvanized profile pipe 25 x 25 mm, the coating can withstand huge masses of snow. Suitable for growing any crops at any time of the year.
Reviews about the polycarbonate greenhouses from the Harvest company are akin to the previous one. In addition to the above tips, I would like to add that the owners of such structures are advised not to leave them open in any case, because if the base is not on the foundation, the greenhouse will be blown away even with very deep grousers.
Tips for choosing the main vegetable crops
Reviews of tomato varieties for the polycarbonate greenhouse are as follows. For models of small height, for example, such as "Peppercorn" from the company "Volya", users recommend choosing their varieties:
- "Bourgeois" - height up to 130 cm, 3 kg from 1 bush;
- "Big mommy" - height up to 60 cm, up to 3.5 kg from the bush;
- “Honey cream” - height up to 60 cm, up to 4 kg from a bush;
- “Openwork” - height up to 90 cm, up to 4 kg from 1 bush;
- "Verlioka" - height up to 150 cm, up to 5 kg from the bush.
Reviews of tomato varieties for a polycarbonate greenhouse from 2 m high are inclined towards such varieties as:
- "Samara" - height up to 220 cm, up to 4.5 kg from the bush;
- “Pink flamingo” - height up to 200 cm, up to 5.5 kg from a bush;
- “Grandmother's secret” - height up to 200 cm, up to 8 kg from the bush;
- “Hurricane” - height up to 230 cm, up to 4 kg from the bush;
- "Pink Mikado" - height up to 230 cm, more than 5 kg from the bush.
Now a few words about the reviews about the varieties of cucumbers for the polycarbonate greenhouse. Here, according to experienced gardeners, the length of the vine is not so critical. But it’s best to show themselves in such greenhouses:
- “Sunny” is a mid-season variety, characterized by long fruiting, not only has a great taste and aroma, but also has an attractive presentation;
- “March” is a universal variety, the first crop can be obtained a month and a half after the appearance of the first sprouts;
- "Courage (F1)" is also an early ripening, one of the most unpretentious;
- “Anyuta (F1)” - is characterized by intensive and prolonged fruiting, one of the earliest varieties;
- "Dynamite (F1)" - has a good yield, feels great in arched greenhouses.
In conclusion - a few words about polycarbonate
All of the above models are equipped with polycarbonate with a cell width of 4 mm. And, despite the fact that the light transmission of polycarbonate does not suffer much from the width of the cell, with a wider cell, the greenhouse begins to retain heat much better. This should be borne in mind for those who want to grow vegetables and fruits in the winter.
Regardless of which factory the polycarbonate is produced, its light transmission decreases over the years. Therefore, even with the 10-year warranty for the third or fourth year, your greenhouse will no longer be transparent, but opaque. It is worth remembering to anyone who wonders which polycarbonate is best for a greenhouse. Owner reviews cannot lie, and therefore there is no need to overpay for the "corporate identity" and some other "advancement" there.
Have a happy and rich harvest!