Weathering Extreme Weather With Your Greenhouse
Safeguard your greenhouse investment with proven strategies for weathering storms, high winds, and severe weather conditions. Learn essential protection techniques from location selection to emergency preparedness.
Extreme weather is always a concern for gardeners. It can devastate the best of gardens and damage structures such as greenhouses. Protecting a greenhouse from severe weather and wind damage is essential to protect your investment. There are many things you can do to decrease the risk of damage. This article discusses weathering extreme weather with your greenhouse, how to protect your greenhouse in extreme weather, and how to minimize damage or loss.
Location is Everything
Protecting your investment starts before building the structure. Select a naturally sheltered location for your greenhouse from strong winds. Placing the greenhouse next to a building, fence, or shrubs provides a natural windbreak, which can reduce the impact of strong winds.
When choosing the orientation for your greenhouse, consider placing the strongest side toward the direction in which the wind typically blows. The strongest side is usually a gabled side with the fewest doors and windows.
Site Selection Tips
Research your local prevailing wind patterns and seasonal storm directions before finalizing your greenhouse location. A well-positioned greenhouse can withstand significantly more wind pressure than one placed in an exposed area.
Anchor, Level, and Square
Whether you install your greenhouse on concrete, a wood deck or frame, or directly on the ground, anchor the greenhouse properly. It’s important to use the correct anchor type for your application and concrete footings if necessary.
Ensure the surface on which you’re installing the greenhouse is level and square the base as you assemble it. This will help the assembly process go smoothly and is also essential to the structure’s integrity. Leveling and squaring the greenhouse will help prevent shifting or lifting in strong winds.
Foundation Critical Points
A greenhouse that isn’t properly leveled and anchored is vulnerable to catastrophic failure during storms. Take extra time during installation to ensure your foundation meets manufacturer specifications.
Anchoring Methods by Foundation Type
- Concrete foundations: Use concrete anchors or embedded bolts
- Wood foundations: Secure with lag bolts and washers
- Ground installation: Use earth anchors or concrete footings
- Gravel pad: Combine with concrete footings for stability
Use Strong Materials
When it comes to extreme weather, you want a greenhouse made of strong and durable materials. Do research before buying and compare frame material and thickness, panel material and thickness, and the type of warranty offered. Greenhouses may look similar but can differ in quality. A warranty is a good indicator of the quality of the product you’re buying. A more extended warranty is usually a good indicator of a better product.
Our choice of materials is an aluminum frame with a thick wall profile and twin wall polycarbonate panels 6mm or thicker.
Material Comparison for Weather Resistance
| Material Type | Wind Resistance | Impact Resistance | Longevity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aluminum Frame + 6mm Polycarbonate | Excellent | Excellent | 15-20 years |
| Steel Frame + Glass | Good | Poor | 10-15 years |
| Wood Frame + Plastic | Fair | Fair | 5-10 years |
Related Reading
Read more about frame types: Choose The Right Greenhouse Frame Material
Read more about polycarbonate panels: The Thick and Thin of Polycarbonate Panels
Regular Maintenance
Regularly inspect your greenhouse for weak spots, loose fittings, or damaged panels. Identify damaged parts and repair them as soon as possible. The manufacturer’s warranty may cover broken or damaged parts.
Seasonal Maintenance Checklist
- Spring: Check for winter damage, tighten all connections
- Summer: Inspect ventilation systems and door seals
- Fall: Secure loose panels, check anchor points
- Winter: Remove snow loads, monitor for ice damage
Monitor Weather Conditions, Have A Plan
Stay informed about weather conditions in your area, and consider investing in a weather monitoring system for your greenhouse. You can follow the list below to prepare your greenhouse:
Storm Preparation Protocol
- Close and secure all vents, doors, and windows
- Remove or secure automatic window openers
- Clear the area around the greenhouse of loose objects
- Move valuable plants to the center of the greenhouse
- Have emergency repair materials on hand
Consider adding your greenhouse to your homeowner’s insurance policy, as it may help cover damages and repair costs, depending on your policy terms.
Emergency Response and Recovery
If your greenhouse does sustain damage, quick response can minimize losses and prevent further deterioration. Having an emergency plan helps you act quickly when severe weather strikes.
Post-Storm Assessment
- Check structural integrity before entering the greenhouse
- Document all damage with photographs for insurance claims
- Prioritize temporary repairs to protect plants
- Contact your greenhouse manufacturer for replacement parts
- Review what worked and what didn’t for future improvements