Replacing damaged greenhouse glass might be a hassle, so it’s best to avoid it. Foxes, rowdy footballs, and harsh winters all contribute to cracked greenhouse windows that must be mended in the summer. However, this is an improved approach.
The Perks of Polycarbonate
Polycarbonate greenhouse plastic is far more durable than greenhouse glass. In reality, it is about 250 times as strong. Consider the riot shields used by police (they’re composed of polycarbonate). As a result, it’s considerably safer and more cost-effective since you won’t have to replace it as frequently. The following are the main advantages of the material:
- Safety: Polycarbonate is far less dangerous than glass: it is a lot lighter, so picking it up, transporting it, and installing it is much easier. It won’t shatter into hundreds of pieces if dropped, as glass would.
- UV Filters: The front surface of the lens is made of polycarbonate, which has excellent UV protection. UV resistance is often enhanced with a layer of UV absorber co-extruded on the surface sides during manufacturing, creating a barrier against UV radiation. Under harsh sunlight, this exceptional warranty helps to ensure long-term excellent quality.
- Insulation: The thickness of the horticultural glass is typically 3mm, and a single layer has a thermal insulation value of 0.93, while clear, single-layer polycarbonate retains only slightly less heat with a value of 0.83. In the winter, bubble wrap or fleece can be used to protect plants from cold temperatures. Alternatively, in colder weather, 4mm twin-wall polycarbonate has a much greater thermal insulation value of 1.42 and can be used. Twinwall polycarbonate allows more light into areas that glass does not, which can be valuable. When comparing 3mm glass top 3mm twin-wall polycarbonate, there is a difference of approximately 8%. The amount of light transmitted through 4mm twin-wall polycarbonate is about 84 per cent versus 98% for 3mm glass. However, because the light is dispersed as it passes through the twin wall, it becomes more spread out, allowing it to reach areas that light coming through glass does not.
- Workability: Cutting polycarbonate plastic is straightforward. If you need the pane to be a specific size or shape, search for a manufacturer who can cut custom-sized or customized panes for you.
How to Replace your Greenhouse Glazing in 5 Easy Steps
For aluminium-framed greenhouses:
1. Remove the glass from the frame.
2. Remove the broken glass using a pair of tweezers. Remove the upper pane first if it overlaps the damaged one.
3. Remove the electrical tape from the seal strip that encircles the aluminum frame. If it is broken, replace it.
4. Install the new polycarbonate pane.
5. Remove the fabric, you may now remove the frame. There should be a clip every 12 inches, so carefully slide each one out and replace it with another.
For wooden greenhouses:
1. To remove the glazing pins, use small pliers.
2. Remove the broken glass in the above way. If the top panel covers up the damaged pane, remove it first.
3. Remove the old putty from the pane’s edges. If the putty adheres to your wooden frame, use a chisel to remove it – but avoid cutting into it.
4. Apply fresh putty to the frame’s sides and bottom. Leave the top edge uncluttered with putty. Set the new polycarbonate pane into the fresh putty prepared previously.
5. Using a tiny pin hammer, drive the glazing pins in.
Discussion about this post