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DIY Garden Greenhouses & Trellis shelters.
Constructed with VIVAK® PETG (Polyethylene Terephthalate Glycol)
Tender plants,humans & animals all enjoy winter warmth from garden
shelters! Erection of a glasshouse however may incur serious costs
and planning, and tight inner city sections often do not suit standard
commercial glasshouse sizes. Although temptingly cheaper plastic
versions are appearing at chain and hardware outlets, these tend to
flap annoyingly in winds and soon tear with UV light,animal and kids
activities. Typically they need to be written off after just 2
seasons.
I've long been a fan of trellis ( well- who isn't!?), and some years
ago created a sturdy and attractive garden shelter at our home here in
Eastbourne (coastal Wellington,NZ) over an old concrete pad. This largely
used walls of standard trellis panels,with rain and dew kept off by
overhead corrugated plastic sheeting,conveniently allowing outdoor
clothes line drying even in threatening weather.Energy savings against
using an indoor drier were very apparent, as was reduced panic when
rain threatened washing still on the outdoors clothesline! The
shelter's ambience was particularly popular for kids activities,brunch
and family cats on "garden duty".
Winter winds however still kept conditions rather exposed, especially
when further trellising offered space for outdoor table tennis and
BBQs. I was keen to retain the trellis appeal and "transparency",
without detracting from the sturdy nature of the structure,so was
unhappy with the prospect of agricultural or corrugated plastic for
the walls. Glazing involved substantial framing, planning,safety and
costs- so was also dismissed.
After searching hardware stores to little avail, I pondered a
versatile plastic previously used for electrical equipment inspection
safety covers, obtained via Mulford Plastics ( Seaview- but NZ wide
outlets). This "VIVAK" PETG 1mm sheeting costs ~US$25 for a ~1.2x 2.4
sheet,readily cuts with sturdy scissors, and bends,drills or nails
without complaint. Initial trials with VIVAK fastening to trellis soon
showed galvanised clouts ideal for securing, additionally making the
trellis sections themselves more rigid. Abracadabra - within
hours,using just simple hand tools, the entire shelter was clad, and
best of all still appeared as bare trellis from even just a few metres
away!
The thermal effects within are predictably MOST satisfactory,with a
complete absence now of wind and drafts.Interior temperatures remain
higher as well, to such an extent that a small raised garden inside
is still producing mid winter tomatoes, and self sown pawpaw, avocado
and passion fruit are making table tennis increasingly more of a
jungle slashing activity! Absolutely no degradation of the VIVAK seems
to have resulted, even though the bulk of the cladding is now
approaching 10 years duty.
The trellis/VIVAK combo may also suit smaller structures such as
seasonal tomato houses or even kids play houses. The latter often tend
to be built by devoted dads into property corners that defy the
structures eventual removal without near total demolition. If the
simple framing of a trellis version was screwed rather than nailed, it
instead could suit easier breaking down into stackable panels.
Lightweight versions could even be shifted by 2 adults to suit outdoor
seasonal sunshine, shading or housekeeping as well. Additionally the
resulting "ginger bread" version could look more attractive than
normal solid walls, and the trellis transparency should allow adult
supervisors to better keep an eye on activities instead of the
classic query -"Things have gone very quiet in there- what's going on?! "
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The idea involves simply nailing 1mm "Vivak" plastic sheeting to
trellis, so as to create an attractive (but versatile) warm wind proof
siding, that from even a few metres away just looks plain trellis.
I've had several of these up for ~ 10 years with no problems or
plastic degradation, & wonder why more folks don't consider this
approach for garden rooms or simple DIY greenhouses etc. The plastic
is available form larger hardware stores, although Mulford's here in
L.Hutt, NZ stock it in abundance as normal sized sheets.
Unlike corrugated plastic, Vivak sheets of course will roll up for transport. Also,in
contrast to cheap agriculture grade plastic or $100 hardware store green
houses, it doesn't flap or hole thru' with cats scratches or kids
mischief! Curves can readily be formed with a hot air gun as well,
even though the plastic is good to normal high NZ summer temps without
stressing.
trellis, so as to create an attractive (but versatile) warm wind proof
siding, that from even a few metres away just looks plain trellis.
I've had several of these up for ~ 10 years with no problems or
plastic degradation, & wonder why more folks don't consider this
approach for garden rooms or simple DIY greenhouses etc. The plastic
is available form larger hardware stores, although Mulford's here in
L.Hutt, NZ stock it in abundance as normal sized sheets.
Unlike corrugated plastic, Vivak sheets of course will roll up for transport. Also,in
contrast to cheap agriculture grade plastic or $100 hardware store green
houses, it doesn't flap or hole thru' with cats scratches or kids
mischief! Curves can readily be formed with a hot air gun as well,
even though the plastic is good to normal high NZ summer temps without
stressing.
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Also, you mentioned being in NZ and then all the tropical fruit growning under Vival/Trellis-- bu I can see some fruit plant growning outside Vival/Trellis.
Did you get MORE fruit or different plants growning under Vival/Trellis? Of is it just a perk to have a sunroom/playroom with all those plants as OPPOSED to planting outdoors?
thanks-- really interested because I want to make greenhouse to try growing tropical fruit outside my zone!
I'm unsure about your zone, but I live in coastal central NZ (Wellington Harbour) where snow is unknown & even frosts are rare. The nearby ocean moderates the climate & it rarely gets too hot or too cold. Northern parts of NZ ( Auckland etc) are almost tropical, while our far south ( Invercargill) becomes very seasonal with snow some years.
Here in Wellington we've a high sunshine & good rainfall maritime climate somewhat akin to northern California ( without fogs!), but it can get windy. A huge benefit of the shelters hence relate to wind protection (for humans) & easing of plant damage. Stan.
http://www.usplastic.com/catalog/item.aspx?itemid=23337&clickid=redirect
Hope this helps :)
http://www.usplastic.com/catalog/product.asp?catalog_name=USPlastic&category_name=68&product_id=12070&cookie_test=1