Greenhouse Glazing Update

I ordered new polycarbonate glazing a week ago and it arrived yesterday! I thought it would take much longer since the panels had to be cut to length, put in a crate built just for the 12 panels, and shipped from Wisconsin to where I live near the New York/Vermont/Massachusetts junction. It arrived in a tractor/trailer and the driver was in a hurry. He wouldn't allow me to open the crate and unload the panels one by one. The crate weighed over 1,100 pounds and the two of us couldn't move it so he had me get our tractor and a chain to pull it out the back of the trailer. It took only a few minutes though the back end of the crate had to sustain a few drops as it fell first to the bumper halfway down, and then to the ground. The crate is extremely well packed and the panels were oriented on their edges so they are probably fine.

Pulling the 21 Foot Long Crate Out of the Trailer

Glazing Panel Crate on the Ground, Without Tipping Over!

Now I Have Time to Uncrate! The Truck Is Leaving.

The cross section of these panels is much more complex than those they are replacing. They have five parallel layers that also have "XXXXXs" across the length, see photo below. This makes them stronger but also adds material that sunlight must pass through so they block a bit more than three parallel layers. This 20mm Clear Lexan Thermoclear Plus 2UV 5-wall X-structure material has an ultraviolet blocking compound on both sides so that it can be flipped over without sacrificing service life. The salesperson promised that each side should weather well for 20 years so I shouldn't have to purchase new glazing for 40 years! I won't be holding my breath!

End View of an Old Glazing Panel

End View of a New Glazing Panel

Installation instructions recommend that the top end of each panel be sealed with an impermeable tape and the bottom end covered with tape that lets the inside channels breathe and allows any moisture to drain. I'll use a metal tape for the top and a cloth tape for the bottom.