Advantages and disadvantages of arc greenhouses
A greenhouse, which is made from arcs and covering material, has the following positive aspects of operation:
- mobile and practical design;
- simple and easy installation. Such buildings do not need a foundation;
- quick dismantling for the winter. When folded, such structures are very compact;
- the model is much cheaper than stationary greenhouses.
The disadvantages here include the following points:
- the covering material is short-lived and needs to be replaced frequently;
- strong winds can damage the integrity of a lightweight structure;
- there is no possibility of installing lighting and heating devices inside the greenhouse.
When planning to build such a structure on your site, you need to first find out its design features.
Types and properties of greenhouse arcs
In addition to strength and durability, structural components must be flexible. Due to its low weight, installation operations and movement for seasonal storage are simplified. Which arcs are best for a greenhouse can be found out after a comprehensive study of the design and scope of application. Separately, you should study the convenience and reliability of fastening the casing.
Plastic arcs for a greenhouse: main characteristics
Polymer products are not damaged by corrosion processes. They will not have to be protected with additional paint or other special layers. This significantly increases the service life and reduces the user’s economic responsibilities.
As a rule, plastic is used to create compact structures
The picture clearly shows that the transverse elements bend even with a small weight of covering materials. The distance between the frames is chosen taking into account maintaining the overall integrity of the structure. A significant advantage in some situations is the ability to bend parts without damaging them. It is convenient to work with them without unnecessary precautions, since there is no decorative protective coating.
Related article:
Do-it-yourself greenhouse made of plastic pipes. A separate review provides a detailed overview of the use, design and installation of greenhouses made from PVC pipes.
How to use metal arcs for a greenhouse
The main advantage of steel products is high strength. Such materials are used to create large, durable structures that are suitable for securing heavy covering materials. Metal arcs for a greenhouse are connected by welding, screws and nuts. The second option allows for disassembly.
Significant weight determines the need to use a powerful foundation
Creating a strong support increases the overall cost of the project of building a greenhouse from arcs with covering material. The impeccable condition of the protective layers should be maintained to prevent destructive oxidative processes.
Features of arcs for a greenhouse made of metal-plastic pipes and wood
Products in this category are well protected from corrosion and look great. Steel tubes coated with polymers can withstand heavy weight without damage. To maintain the integrity of the surface layers, specialized compounds with soft gaskets are used.
Greenhouse arcs made of metal in PVC are more expensive compared to the products discussed above. However, for a correct analysis, it is necessary to take into account the specifics of consumer characteristics. Straight elements retain their original shape with a large distance between the transverse supports. This allows you to reduce the number of parts. In this option, there are no costs associated with regular restoration of layers of primer and paint. Accordingly, operating costs are reduced.
Wood frame
To create high-quality arcs for a greenhouse with your own hands from such material, you must have professional carpentry skills. Finished products are treated with impregnations that prevent rotting and moisture penetration. Special compounds are used that are not capable of causing harm to plants and human health.
Related article:
Do-it-yourself greenhouse made from a profile pipe. A separate review provides detailed instructions for the design and construction of a structure from a profile pipe with photo examples.
Design Features
Greenhouses of this type have an arched structure, each segment of which represents an arc. A non-woven covering material is stretched between the arcs. The height of such structures can range from 0.5 to 1.3 m. Thanks to the varying height, such structures can be used for growing various vegetable crops. Moreover, the width of the arches themselves varies in the range from 0.6 to 1.2 m. The length can be arbitrary. This parameter determines the number of arcs used during assembly. Most often, the length of such greenhouses is 4.6 and 8 m.
Greenhouse "DAYAS Lux", 4.4 x 1.25 x 1.5 m
The Dayas Lux greenhouse is a fully complete, high, collapsible greenhouse with a frame made of pipes of variable stiffness and a cover made of professional Reifehauser covering material. Its size allows for growing tall plants, so it is used to increase yield and protect against strong winds, acid rain and cold snaps throughout the entire season, from early spring to late autumn. Why is the Dayas Lux greenhouse so popular:
1. Tall and wide. This tall greenhouse can be used not only for young seedlings, but also for growing adult plants, as in large greenhouses, it significantly increases productivity.
2. Practical packaging. The theater begins with a hanger, and the Dayas LUX greenhouse begins with packaging. This voluminous greenhouse is folded into a convenient compact bag 1.4 m long, 0.35 m high, weighing about 6 kg. Even a child can carry it. A greenhouse in such a bag is convenient for any transportation and storage.
3. Large useful internal size - arcs of variable rigidity are bent only at the top of the greenhouse, so the useful volume for plants inside is much greater than in other greenhouses.
4. Ease of use. You can even enter it, access inside both from the ends, where there are zippers, and from the sides of the greenhouse, because the material can move upward along the arcs.
5. High-quality arcs. Other greenhouses use arcs made from waste HDPE and recycled materials, and in the Dayas Lux greenhouse they use eternal polypropylene pipes made from primary raw materials. They will not crack in the cold or melt in the heat, they are very difficult to break, and will last for decades.
6. Durable. The Dayas Lux greenhouse uses high-quality Reifenhauser covering material of increased strength and with a several-fold increased content of UV stabilizer, so the cover is designed to last for several years of operation, and after wear it is easily replaced.
7. Wind resistant. The design is unique and patented. Withstands even storm winds.
8. Easy to install and portable. The greenhouse is easy to assemble, it can be installed anywhere and rearranged as many times as you like. He's figuring it out in the offseason. That's why he's not afraid of snowfalls.
9. Effective. Reifenhauser is specially designed to increase productivity; it transmits light only in the required spectrum and allows plants to breathe. Smoothly disperses direct rays, protects plants from burns, perfectly protects against temperature changes and frosts, does not allow acid rain to pass through and creates comfortable conditions for the growth and ripening of fruits. The result is consistently high yields.
10. Profitable. There is no need to buy any materials, the greenhouse is convenient and durable, effectively increases the yield, and most importantly, it has an affordable price. This is a profitable and useful investment in your dacha!
Existing models
Today, arc greenhouses are available in various models. Let's look at the most popular options in more detail.
Greenhouse "Dayas"
The basis of the design is a plastic arc. For ease of installation, the frame elements are equipped with special pegs with a length of 20 cm. The covering material is fixed inside the greenhouse. To do this, plastic clips are included with the greenhouse.
The length of the structure is 2 m, and the cross-section is 20 mm. Thanks to its sectional structure, “Dayas” can have a length from 4 to 6 m. At the same time, the width and height are constant values (1.2 m and 0.7 m, respectively).
Greenhouse "Agronomist"
This model has many design points similar to the Dayas. Here, plastic pipes with a cross-section of 20 mm and pegs with a length of 20 cm are also used as a frame.
In its finished form, “Agronomist” has a height of about 0.7–0.9 m. This parameter depends on the type of arches. The length can vary from 4 to 6 m. Agrotex 42 fabric is used as a covering material.
Greenhouse "Snowdrop"
A very popular model. It is available in four sizes: 8, 6, 4 and 3 m. The frame is made of polyvinyl chloride tubes (section 20 mm). Covering material “SUF-42” or spunbond is stretched between the arches. Its main feature is that it is highly resistant to ultraviolet radiation.
Greenhouse "Quickly ripened"
This model has a huge variety of arches. The arcs are made of metal and have a PVC sheath. The arches are connected to each other by special crossbars. The covering material is fixed using pegs and clamps. The width, height and length of the structure depend on the type of model. Typically they are 1.0–1.1 m, 1.2–1.6 m, 3 and 5 m respectively.
Greenhouse "Cucumber"
The frame of this model is assembled from pipes (size 1x1.1x5 m) and galvanized profile. Both film and polycarbonate can be used as cover. All parts needed for assembly are included in the kit.
Greenhouse "Hawk"
For this model, the greenhouse arcs have the form of HDPE pipes with a width of 1.2 m and a length of 6 m. During the assembly process, you need to bend the arcs to the required radius. After that, they are stuck into the ground and covered with film or polycarbonate on top. "Hawk" is used for growing vegetables and heat-loving crops.
Greenhouse made of vines
In the absence of material for the manufacture of greenhouse arcs, they can be made from willow twigs. To make a simple greenhouse from vines, do the following:
- A base box 30 cm high is made from thick boards.
- A water pipe with a diameter of 25 mm is cut into pieces 15 cm long.
- The pipe sections are screwed with plumbing clamps to the inner wall of the greenhouse after 60 cm.
- For the ridge, take a block with a cross section of 50 by 60 mm and a length equal to the length of the greenhouse. After 30 cm, through holes with a diameter of 20 mm are made in it.
- In the nearest bush, willow twigs with a diameter of 15-17 mm are cut. The length of the rods is equal to 1/2 of the arc plus 20 cm.
- To assemble the greenhouse, one end of the rod is threaded into the base tube, the other into the hole in the ridge bar, alternating the right and left sides.
- The outside of the greenhouse is covered with film.
Types of arcs and choice of material
Arcs for a greenhouse of this type can be made from the following materials:
- metal. Such greenhouse arches are highly durable. They are easy to work with. They are resistant to adverse environmental factors. The production of metal arcs is best established. Therefore, there are no problems with finding this kind of arched structural elements for greenhouses. The disadvantages here include high cost, significant weight, and tendency to corrode;
- plastic. In order to become resistant to external factors, arches need to be painted with special coloring compounds. Such arcs for greenhouses are cheap and durable;
- wooden. The advantages of this material include strength, reliability and environmental friendliness. The main disadvantage is that before installation, the wooden frame elements must be treated with an antiseptic.
It is worth noting that you can make a greenhouse from arcs with your own hands using available materials (for example, an unnecessary watering hose). Here it is allowed to use anything that can be used to make arcs for a greenhouse.
Conclusion
Harvest in a homemade greenhouse
Regardless of what interests you, be it greenhouses made of plastic pipes or their analogues made of aluminum profiles, you can assemble such a structure with your own hands without the need to involve professional installers.
The assembly of greenhouses from a curved profile is more simple compared to structures based on profiles with a complex configuration. Moreover, the frame on the arches is not only easier to assemble, but also easier to cover with film or sheathe with polycarbonate sheets.
The installation instructions are quite simple, but if you have any questions, watch the video in this article (find out why reinforced film for greenhouses is better than regular film).
Selection of covering material
The selected arcs are covered with material. The following products can be used as an external coating in such structures:
- films of various thicknesses. They have the lowest strength;
- reinforced (reinforced) film;
- polycarbonate The most durable and practical to use;
- any non-woven material. It should be noted that it will not be possible to sew a cover for a greenhouse, since the tightness of the entire structure will be compromised.
In this case, your choice must be made based on the positive and negative aspects of using one or another external coating.
