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. On a Grandio Greenhouse, this would be the back end of the greenhouse.
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.
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. The 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.
Read more about frame types: Choose The Best Greenhouse Frame Type For You.
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.
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. Before a storm or strong winds, close and lock all vents and doors in your greenhouse. It may be necessary to remove auto window openers. Remove valuable items if possible and take them to a more secure location. Be aware of potential hazards around the greenhouse, such as pots and tools that the wind can blow into the greenhouse and break the panels or bend the frame. Also, adding your greenhouse to your homeowner’s insurance is crucial before damage occurs.
What Is The Best Greenhouse For Extreme Weather
We carefully engineer our Grandio Greenhouses to the highest standards, which makes them durable enough to withstand harsh environments. You can browse our greenhouses here.
