How to Secure Your Greenhouse From the Wind


If you live in an area prone to strong winds and storms, then you might be used to dealing with them. However, today, we have more named storms and hurricanes making their way toward the coast.

Even while a greenhouse protects your plants from the elements better than an open-air garden, your backyard greenhouse is still vulnerable to inclement weather. So, how can you keep a greenhouse safe from the wind?

If you don’t plan for it, wind can be quite harmful to a greenhouse.

Wind, like any other natural climate factor, is impossible to forecast, but it can be planned for.

How to Protect a Greenhouse from Wind

When it comes to choosing a greenhouse, there are a variety of factors that can help protect it from wind damage. Before you start building, take a close look at these tips to reduce the risk of wind damage.

Choose a Right Location

Before you place a greenhouse on your property, consider the wind patterns and other flying objects in your yard. This will help determine the best way to place the greenhouse.

Although it is important to have a well-designed and properly-placed greenhouse, it is also important to avoid wind interference. Most places can also experience harsh winds from various directions.

Ideally, a greenhouse should be placed in an aerodynamically-oriented way to avoid wind danger. This method works if it fits into your budget and zoning allowances.

Ideally, your greenhouse should be placed in a location that provides the most sun and shelter from storms. It should also be positioned at a certain angle to direct the wind.

When choosing a place to put a greenhouse, make sure that it’s placed in a way that will provide adequate shelter from the wind. This can be done by placing it in a corner or by having walls and fencing around it.

Prepare a good Greenhouse Foundation

Although it’s typically not possible to build a real foundation for a greenhouse, it’s still possible to do so if you live in an area prone to wind damage.

Secure your Structure

You can also anchor a greenhouse to a concrete block or other heavy objects to save a lot of money and effort.

Having two-by-fours or pipes that are designed to support the frame of your greenhouse can help strengthen its structure. Make sure these are installed securely.

Shop for an Insurance

It’s also a good idea to inform your insurance company that you have a greenhouse. This will ensure that your home insurance policy covers the facility.

Although it’s important to be careful when it comes to dealing with weather-caused damage, it’s also important to check your insurance policy to make sure that it covers the damage.

How to Keep the Wind Out

When it comes to wind, it almost never goes out the same way as it came in. This means that as long as the wind is strong enough, it will push the pressure up, which can cause something to break.

Before you start, make sure that the whole greenhouse is secure enough to prevent wind damage. If you have missing glass panes, make sure that they are fixed as soon as possible. You might also want to get some W shaped glazing clips.

If your glass has cracks or broken, then you might want to consider using glazing repair tape. This type of tape can be used to close gaps that might allow wind to enter.

Although the same rules apply to glass and polycarbonate panels, the latter is more prone to wind damage. To avoid getting damaged by wind, make sure that the gaps and cracks in the panels are closed using strong tape.

For polycarbonate panels, we would suggest enclosing them in a way that’s as practical as possible.

How to Protect Your Greenhouse From Flying Objects

Being prepared for storms is important, as powerful winds can take down anything in their path. To avoid getting injured, tie-down all heavy objects such as garden furniture and appliances, as well as put away toys and tools that could be hazardous.

Can the Wind Pick Up My Greenhouse? The answer is yes, absolutely. It depends on the type of greenhouse that you have and the materials used.

Even though it seems outlandish, don’t discount the possibility of the Wizard of Oz scenario. Having a smaller and lighter greenhouse could increase the chances that it will get swept away.

Aside from protecting your greenhouse from falling objects, you can also protect it from wind and tree branches by securing it with wooden panels or wind nets. Having a shade cloth around your greenhouse can also help provide additional protection.

When the Wind Has Died Down

Check the area around your home for damage after the wind has died down. Make sure that the glazing clips are still in place to prevent them from breaking.

Things That Can Add to Wind Damage

Site Exposure

If your greenhouse is located in an area that gets hit by high winds, it’s important that you consider the location of it.

House Shape

Large, flat surfaces can catch wind much easier than their small counterparts. This is especially true for objects that are prone to wind damage. For instance, a sailboat can be easily damaged by wind.

Roof Slope

The slope of the roof can affect how vulnerable your greenhouse is to wind damage. It’s usually recommended that you have a sloping roof in areas that get heavy rain or snow.

Height

The height of a greenhouse can affect the wind’s direction. If you live on a hill or on the plains, a lower-profile greenhouse is a good choice.

How to Prepare Your Greenhouse for Windy Weather

Before a storm hits, prepare your greenhouse for damage by having regular maintenance and winterizing it. This will help prevent wind damage and keep it from getting too cold.

Checking the structure

Examine your home’s frame to make sure it’s in good working order.

Tighten bolts, inspect foundational brackets, and make sure support beams are sturdy (particularly if the frame is constructed of wood). All of these can loosen up over time!

Inspecting the Area

Clear the area around your greenhouse of any objects that could get picked up by the wind and flung around.

Some things to keep an eye out for are:

  • Tree limbs that are weak or dry
  • Boxes or buckets that you may want to store in your yard
  • Gardening and yard tools
  • Decorations for inside and outside your home (flags, etc.)

Close windows and Doors

You’re out of luck if the wind blows through your greenhouse. If the wind comes inside the greenhouse, the force of the wind will increase, especially if your greenhouse was designed for maximum ventilation and airflow.

Greenhouse Protection from Wind-borne Missiles

To protect your greenhouse from wind-borne missiles, make sure that your garden is tidy before the storm hits. Takedown all your garden furniture and plant pots, and tie down all your gardening tools.

In areas where wind speeds are strong enough, some gardeners use wind nets, wooden fences, or hedges to enclose their greenhouse. These solutions can help protect their plants from damaging winds, but they can also reduce their light exposure.

After strong winds have died down, check over your greenhouse to make sure that it’s still in its proper position. If there are gaps in the glazing, cover them with tarps or plastic sheets.

Conclusion

Although a greenhouse is generally robust, it can get a bit cold during the winter months, which can leave you worried about its stability. This is why it’s important to make sure that the structure is strong enough to support the plants.

Ideally, aluminum greenhouse frames should be protected from harsh weather conditions by enclosing them in a delicate material such as glass.

It’s important to make sure that your greenhouse is well-protected from the elements during the winter season. Some of the best ways to do so are to keep it covered from frost and wind.

If you have a greenhouse, then you can site it so that the wind flows over it rather than at the end. You can also consider building a wind break to protect the house.

When it comes to buying a greenhouse, choose the toughened safety glass, which is stronger in itself and easier to keep clean. It’s also less prone to breaking and can be cleaned quickly.

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