GH that will withstand hurricanes?

I'm new to gardening and have been looking for a greenhouse (right now I do most of my propogating in my south-facing screen porch). However, I live in Florida and am worried about hurricanes tearing down all of my hard work. I looked at the Harbor Freight greenhouses, but it sounds like its a lot of work to make them structurally sound. Anyone know of a greenhouse that is already strong and not so difficult to put together? I'm willing to spend more money on a stronger GH that will not bring me headaches.

Hey there, I'm not sure any greenhouse is cut out for survive strong hurricanes as I know commercial greenhouse structures become damaged with winds above 80 MPH. I have posted extensive information on how to build your own greenhouse out of PVC and it is extremely durable (should it become damaged it is inexpensive to repair). Check this entire thread http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/808483/

Mine have gone thru hurricanes-you have to take the plastic off or the frame will get bent. Its not fun, you wait until you are absolutely sure that it is going to come your way and then its pouring rain and windy. Hurricane Fran hit us, and I was lucky because the plastic just happened to be off all of the grhouses because I was doing repairs that year.

Thats a good idea, just better find shelter for your plants!!

Thanks, All, and thanks, mustangman for the GH plans. What a great idea!

Through my web browsing I found this GH (http://www.littlegreenhouse.com/country-lean.shtml). Its a lean-to which is perfect for a spot I have in my backyard. However, for the size I would need it would be $5k+, so I'm wondering, is it possible to build a GH out of plexiglass? My handy DH said he could build one easily with plexiglass and says it would be cheaper than buying one from this website. Has anyone built one or seen GH's built from plexiglass? Pros? Cons?

http://www.charleysgreenhouse.com/index.cfm?page=_a2&cid2=247&cid1=193

Polycarbonate is stronger the Plexiglas, plus it had better R value.

The disadvantage to Polycarbonate is it becomes yellow looking and is not very attractive after a couple years.

I have a solar star gothic style gh from Farm tek with twin wall polycarbonate end walls. It will be 4 years old in october of this year and the poly is just as clear today as it was on day one. It is in full sun with no protection from trees or anything and is showing no signs of yellowing or discoloration at all. In fact i'm so pleased with it that I have considered investing in enough of it to cover my entire gh.

Yeah, I've found the same with my polycarbonate. Going on five years, and no yellowing. Probably why most hobby GH's use it. Even architect's are using it in their designs. I would think that Plexiglas would yellow faster as most have no UV protection.

There may have been some type of improvement on this type of GH covering, as I know most of the older GH's I see that have it have extensive yellowing. Can't say I've been any "newer" GH's using this cover, but ya'll would know better since you use it.

I live in Florida, and this is the greenhouse. I bought. It is rated for 130 mph winds, with tie-downs. : ) Robin Builders Inc. Tuff, as they come. : )

http://www.robinbuilders.com/products/greenhouse.html
~Lucy

could the yellowing you're seeing possibly be iron from well water being sprayed on the gh's via irrigation?????

Yes that is a definite possibility.

Probably a more likely explanation mustangman. I've had a polycarb greenhouse in place for 7 yrs now, and the light measures and color are virtually identical to the measures I took the first year. It's also rated to 130mph winds, but that's never been tested (Praise Jesus!). Did withstand some 70-80 mph gusts over the years, but I'm not sure ANY greenhouse could survive a bad hurricane. I've been really pleased with the polycarbonate. Pine cones/limbs sound like bombs going off when they land on the roof and will make you jump out of your skin, but so far, no noticeable damage. I've become a fan! It's just too #^%* expensive...

Stono we're not that far apart and you know what we go through living this close to the ocean!!!! My gh has also withstood some very rough winds but nothing comparable to a major huricane. I'm sure if I had of had it when Hugo came through it would have been demolished!!!!

I wonder if one might be able to remove front and back panels if a hurricane was approaching? I think they suggest opening windows in tornadoes. But in the Rockies I don't have to worry about either. Just the occasional nine foot snow storm!

i'd almost rather deal with a 9ft snow storm than a CAT 4 or 5 hurricane. I live approx. 1 mile from the Atlantic!!!!!

Wow, dmichael! Aren't you scared living that close to the ocean? I love the beach, but I'm just too chicken. I live 25 miles inland, so I don't think I'll ever see Cat 4-5 winds. It would have to be a direct hit. Ever since Hurricane Charlie and the others I don't feel as comfortable even living "inland". I would be happy with a GH that could take Cat 1 or 2 winds.

Yeah, the big snow storms aren't bad if you are prepared. I bet your homeowners is pricey. Well, good luck this season!

Keith

I have a Rimol Matterhorn greenhouse and I believe it was rated for winds over 100 mph (but I was more interested in the snow load). In fact, the description says

passiflora, I live 80 miles inland and Hurricane Charlie just about wiped me off the map. It was still a Cat 4 when it got to me. My house is in this picture somewhere. : )
~Lucy

You know, when you get right down to the nitty gritty of it, hurricanes, tornadoes, volcanic eruptions, cyclical warming/cooling, lightening strikes, etc., are all acts of Nature. Not very predictable, and often quite devastating. But if you let fear of natural events dictate your decisions, you won't make a move. In fact, you go into a catatonic state for fear of triggering a "cataclysmic event". IMHO, the only intelligent thing FDR ever uttered were the words "...the only thing we have to fear is fear itself."
Don't worry about the "hurricane strength" of the greenhouse you build. If you get a big hurricane, it's gone regardless of the "rating". Just build it. And if necessary, rebuild it! In the intervening years, just enjoy the "HADES" (due deference to the hall monitors!) out of it! I suspect there will be a lot more "intervening years" than there are "devastational years"... Least that's been my experience...

So True, Stono. : )

I like your attitude, Stono :)