Van Taylor

Amedean Messan wrote:Only problem I see with spinners is thermal loss during winter. They work great during the summer though. A remedy would be to have the option to close off the spinners during the winter months.

If you notice in my reply, I close it every night for about 6 months a year. I keep it closed for 3 months in the winter even during the day. and keep it open for the summer even at night. It does work well. Thanks

Those are exactly what I have down low. The problem is they only move about an 1 1/2 so they wont open a window very far. Also they have a small amount of power to lift and close. I think mine were rated at 15 lbs. So you will need a lot of them if this is your only ventalation and it is sunny and hot out side. That is why I added the spinner.

I put one of those spinning attic turbine vents you see on top of mine. It spins and pulls air out at the slightest wind or if the heat starts to build up the hot air will start it spinning on its own. I have two lower vent that open automatically like the ones you talk about above. When the turbine is spinning and the two lower one are open it really moves the air. As the greenhouse cools the lower vents close and the top one continues to spin which vents some but not as much. I have a door built for the spinner made of 2 inch foam board. I stick it in the vent from the bottom at night in case the wind kicks up so the spinner wont suck out all my warm air. I also stick the door in in the winter durring the very coldest months and just let the two bottom vents do there thing. The system works very well and requires no power and very little attention.

I got mine from a company called Mr. Shrikwrap. This plastic seems just like standard plastic, but when you heat it, it shrinks to give you a nice tight fit. Probably wouldnt work for takeing it on and off. But because it fits so tightly the wind doesnt damage it like normal plastic. I have only just gotten mine, but the guy who turned me on to it says he gets 5-6 years out of his because it fits si tight the wind cant tear it up. It was origianally made to store boats over the winter, so there is a lot of info on it if you search boat shrink wrap. Good luck

Finished the foundation this weekend, and got the frame on it. I also ordered my top vent and figured out my door. Next I am going to build my grow beds and my water tank, order my side vents , plastic, pond liner and insulation for the north side. Still looking for opinions on clear vs white plastic. I am leaning toward the clear, since if it turns out to be too much, I can always whitewash it. Your help would be appreciated. Thanks Van

Put the auto vent opening at the bottom and get one of those attic vent turbines and put it at the top. The hot air rising will turn the turbine which will suck the hot air out whenever it get too hot or the wind is blowing. During the really cold days if you dont want it too operate just put a stick up in it or cover the bottom. Cheap and pretty much automatic. Van

No opinions? I worked on the foundation this weekend, got about 1/2 of it done. I have the frame built and I am leaning toward white plastic since here in AZ although we have VERY cold winters and a short growing season we have a lot of Sun. What do you think? Thanks Van

Sean Banks wrote:you don't most people keep it secret..........you made a mistake by mentioning such a system...now their just going to be suspicious

That about sizes it up. Since you already have a septic system, just set your system up and leave the septic in so you can re hook to it if ever needed. It is much easier to ask for forgiveness and hook it back up, then to get permission.

I am about to order the film for my greenhouse, and I was wanting to get some pros and cons of clear vs white from some of you that have some experience. I understand that the white defuses the light and lets less light in (between 55 and 75 percent according to the manufacturers) and the clear lets more light in, and doesnt defuse it, so more shadows. So in reality which works better? Thanks for the help.

Tim Burrows wrote:the plan is to roll up the cover in summer. Can't do that with glass, and it wont be as warm.

Your right that you cant roll up glass, you would have to hinge a panel or make it removable. BUT there is no product out there that works nearly as good as glass for greenhouses if seeing through and durability is important. It also has the same R value per layer as plastic. ALL plastics are a compromise, usually based on cost. Glass is the ultimate greenhouse see through material. I hope you find some new miracle material that does all the things glass does for half the cost, but people have been trying for hundreds of years, and nothing has come close yet. Good luck Van