Greenhouse glazing

We always go for glass, but if you greenhouse is going to be in full sun the polycarbon may give you a little much needed shade as the UV light will not get through as well. Depending on what you grow in it you may find you have to shade in summer.

I ordered toughened glass with my greenhouse a couple of years ago , it was really from a safety point of view , last year one of the panes got smashed it goes like a windscreen into very small pieces, replacement pane = toughened £50 !!!!!!!

I put ordinary in for £8 I will however replace the next one with polycarbon and see , to me toughened is best but you dont want to be breaking them.

I agree with Moon grower's point re the UV light. I had a polycarb greenhouse for years, and the best part was that everything grew up straight, and didn't lean towards the light. no shading was required either. The only thing you need to do is brush off snow in winter.

I agree with David. Polycarbonate is long lasting and far better than glass as it's warmer and doesn't break. The only problem is the initial cost. We've constructed a polycarbonate conservatory and manage to keep sub tropical plants through most winters without supplementary heat (though it backs onto a south facing wall)

the polycarb does go 'cloudy' after a while though, or at least the one a work did.

I bought a polycarbonate one, very good safety wise as we have 3 kids, BUT.....the wind has a nasty habit of popping out the panels. If I can ever afford another it will be glass and a toughened one. To make the light less harsh I also put up a thin sheet of garden fleece, the really light light thin stuff just to protect from harmful beams

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mookins
I silicone the ones that pop out and that normally keeps them in place

that is a very good idea Mac....I have some of that stuff for the chamelons new wardrobe so could do that tomorrow.

cheers brains

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yup thats me alright lol

Seaburngirl, you might just have put your greenhouse together when the hollow tubes in the polycarb were wet or damp, and so causing condensation. Keep all components of a polycarb greenhouse in a dry place until ready to erect, and choose a dry day to do so. :-)

Maccrimmon, a great point! my kids leaned on some of the panels, so that they kept popping out. I cured this by running clear silicone round the panel edges. Thanks for mentioning!

Thank you all for your thoughts,I had been leaning towards the polycarb, but was a bit concerned that they do look a bit flimsy the point about the UV light is a very good one, so once again thank you all and my apologies for not replying sooner I was without internet access, but all is well again.