Glazed the Greenhouse!

It took a whole day to install three 4' x 20' panels. These new panels are a bit wider than the ones they are replacing and we had to figure out how we would accommodate these different dimensions. The aluminum trusses are rigidly mounted to horizontal members that fix the 48" center-on-center distances. The previous panels were 47.5 inches wide so squeezing in panels a bit wider required some work-arounds.

Capping the Connection Between the First and Second Panel on the Left Getting Ready to Install the Third and Fourth Panels on the Right

A major change between the original installations of the old panels and these new panels is that aluminum extrusions that captured the 20 foot sides of each panel had 3/8 inch studs projecting above the cap. These prevented snow from sliding  down easily and also interfered with efforts to shovel off snow. This new approach hides the nuts between a lower extrusion with legs up under a second extrusion with legs down. The two are bonded together with screws on the side, through the legs, leaving the top smooth.

This Installation Required Two Ladders: One on the Right Used to Carry the Glazing Panel Up the Incline, Allowed Removing the Top and Bottom Protective Layers, and Enabled Drilling Holes Through the Right Side of Each Panel to Permit the Studs to Capture That Side. The Ladder on the Left, Protected by Soft Material, Allowed Installing the Capture and Cap Extrusions. This Photo Shows Them in Position for Installing the Tenth Panel.

By 2PM today, we had installed over half the panels. Each one became easier than the one before.

End of Day Two: 12 Panels Installed. Some Cosmetic Details Still Need Addressing - But We Have All October to Complete These: The Greenhouse Is Safe From Frosty Nights! 

By 5PM we had installed the 12th panel and although there are quite a few details to complete, the greenhouse is safe from harsh weather and frost. Closing off the tops and bottoms of the panels are tasks I can complete alone, while carrying and installing the unwieldy panels required two people. Luckily, my brother Bob was able to help install the twelve panels.