Swimming Pool Cover for Greenhouse?

Does/has anyone used a swimming pool solar cover to help warm and insulate their GH during the winter months? Obviously this is more for the rigid/free-standing greenhouses. I was looking at them on ebay, and thought that was a good idea. And they're not too terribly expensive (e.g., a 12x20 for $48). Just curious if anyone else has done this to help produce and retain heat, and if so, what/how you did it.

Thx! -- Jennifer

What a great idea... though they may limit light too much for actual growing during the winter months. But they'd sure help to insulate a lean-to style it seems.

Since it's just a more durable form of "bubble wrap" I wouldn't think it would limit light all that much. I had bought bubble wrap for the inside, but have been racking my brain with how to afix it to the insides and not have it falling all over the place. Then, I thought, "Jenn -- think outside the greenhouse box." I started looking for cover ideas (even getting of the flexible, plastic/portable greenhouses to just go on the outside of mine, and saw these pool covers on ebay for the same price (or less).

OH. The pool covers I'm familiar with are blue bubble wrap.

I've seen the blue ones as well, but I'm looking at clear ones. Also, my GH glazing is single-wall crystal-clear polycarbonate so it should allow a fair amount of light through still, as my glazing won't obstruct it any.

Has anyone else done this who can share suggestions/ideas/how-tos?

Check out this nifty GH-insulating idea! http://www.treehugger.com/bottle-greenhouse.jpg

Kinda makes me wish we drank more soda! LOL

Do you think it will stick to the protective UV film on the outside of the greenhouse panels? When I researched the bubblewrap thing, there was a warning not to put it on the outside because you would risk damaging the UV protective film.

I'm not sure. I figured I would clean the exterior surface well and let dry before trying, but it's those types of questions I don't even know to ask yet. I wouldn't imagine it would because shade cloths also would go on top in the summer, and I don't suspect those are damaging.

I heard about the solar pool cover idea, and was told that it didn't cut down (much) on the light inside the greenhouse, so I decided to order one. The brand recommended to me was a Magna Clear Solar Blanket. It should be arriving soon. I am in zone 8, so I won't need it for a while.

I wouldn't think it would cut down much on light if it is able to help heat a pool. Plus, if it's a clear one (which I also figured I would try), with the bigger bubbles, I wouldn't imagine it's any different than bubble wrap inside the GH. But given it is made for a pool, I imagine it's much stronger than the bubble wrap in terms of durability and lasting longer. I'm thinking I'll look for one that is rectangular, about 14x24-ish, for my 6x8 GH.

Solar pool covers are very durable. This is an interesting idea I would like to know how it works out. Solar pool covers actually focus enough sun light to burn your grass in a short period of time on a sunny day. Know from experience not to let your cover dry out by spreading it out on your lawn

I'm not sure what precautionary measures need to be taken when using on on the GH, but I'd imagine you need to ensure good ventilation and air flow. That's why I was hoping someone who might have tried it or is doing it successfully might see this and post. I wouldn't image it'd be that much different than bubble wrap inside the GH though, which people do a lot from what I've read. The benefits to the pool cover though are it's one piece to put on the GH vs. slicing up the BW and afixing it to the inside of the GH. Also, being that it's one piece, I imagine it helps to retain heat from any cracks/leaks in the structure, if any.

I have the Magna Clear Solar Blanket on all 3 of my greenhouses,and will always use it for now on.
One greenhouse is the poly tuf panels,this solar cover does help seal all the leaks I've had in the past,it does seem to cut down on the light ,but not much at all,but does seem to diffuses it more,which brings light to areas that seemed much darker before.
Makes a big difference on keeping the heat in ,also I noticed the heater kicking on a lot less than before as well.
Well worth the money.

I think I will definitely get one if the bubble wrap and insulation I installed in the GH today doesn't keep it warm enough at night. I'm only 35, but I can feel that I killed my knees and back on that work today! :(

Here are a couple of pictures of the greenhouse with bubble wrap. I actually did a combo of bubble wrap on the south side, door and part of east facing wall by door; the west and north sides are blocked by lattice on my deck and the house, so I used a reflective bubble wrap found at Lowes on those sides to provided added light reflection and insulation given there will be some diffusion from the bubble wrap.

This is the south facing side.

This is the north side which is beside the house.

Another of the north wall.

From outside, looking at south wall. Those cans at the bottom are illy espresso cans I got from a cafe by my office (8) and I filled them with water in hopes they may warm during the day for help in night warmth. I also have the large feed tank (holds about 150 gallons of water) in there filled. I'm hoping with a sunny, 76 degree forecast for tomorrow, it will warm up a bit.

If anyone who has experience in the bubble wrap insulation sees anything they would recommend a change or reconsideration in, I'd appreciate the feedback. This is my first shot at trying this (first winter with the GH). I used "hundred-mile an hour tape to attach the bubble wrap to the GH in most places, and binder clips at the top, as my main support is an upside down "T". I also cut a flap for the roof vent to have access to it, which I think will be crucial, as it reached 100 in there today while I was hanging the wrap.

Great looking job!
I think that should work just as well,because it is creating a airspace to trap the cold air from entering the greenhouse.

Here's a pic of the solar cover on my hog panel greenhouse,as you can see enough light shines through to bring my Purple Queen Bougainvillea to bloom.

Just a thought I noticed the water tub. Think a fish tank heater would keep the tub warm enough to keep the green house warm enough? How much current can a fish tank heater pull?

I'm not sure. I do have one used in my (outside) pond last year that automatically turns on/off if the water reaches a certain temp, but I don't know that it would heat enough to make the water warm enough to put off much heat. Once the day warms up a bit, I plan to relocate a couple of my pond plants (elephant ear, lotus, water lily) etc to it. I plan to try adding a couple small fish to it once the water is right. I want to monitor what the water temps do during the day and night first, as I imagine spikes in highs/lows might be harmful for the fish, but I'm not sure. I've never had fish in my GH before.

Tropicman -- thanks for the pic! Very pretty Bougie. Do you use your pool cover year round, or is it only on in the cooler-months?

Thanks
Yes I leave it on year round,will try to get new pics.
I have a pond in my greenhouse,water stays about 50* all through the winter,but it is a warm greenhouse,65* night,80* or more everyday,no matter how cold it gets outside.
Heck I just went out and took some pics.
Here's the 16x32 greenhouse,located between the house and garage.
That large piece of solar cover cost about $140.

This is my palm seedling greenhouse,10x8x12ft tall,poly tuf plastic,covered with solar cover.

Here's pics of palm seedlings,I started from seed.

Also has a attic with seedlings

Also floor shelf

Here's my tunnel house,in front of the garage,which it too is full of plants.
Its 10x10x10,covered with solar cover.

It's filled with large palms and Birds of Paradsie,I have to lean all the plants on a 45* angle,for they all are just to tall to stand up in there,also my huge bananas stay in there
as well.
Wrong pic,this is the sunroom full of large palms as well.

This message was edited Nov 8, 2009 11:33 AM

Here is pic of tunnel hoop house.

Next few pics inside the sunroom,10x20x9ft tall.

another

more

Ok this is the side door,into the large tunnel house,it's the door you see,next to the hog panel greenhouse in front of the garage.

Once you get passed those plants,which are in the ground,you come inside.

WOW! You have got a LOT of growing spaces! Lucky You! I might have to give up the idea of a larger outdoor pond to go for a larger greenhouse, or hubby threatened to throw up another motorcycle shed, and we just don't have the room (quarter acre, half of which is back yard, and we have 3 dogs and two cats).

In that last pic you can see the 6x8 pond,it's only a foot deep,but that doesn't stop the koi
from growing large.

koi again
Sadly I'm all out of room.have a small yard.

This is the garden room,I had built before any of the greenhouses,I sit here with my computer,and right next to the door that leads out into the biggest greenhouse.