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permaculture - Re: [permaculture] Double pane plastic windows?

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  • From: venaurafarm <venaurafarm@bellsouth.net>
  • To: permaculture <permaculture@lists.ibiblio.org>
  • Subject: Re: [permaculture] Double pane plastic windows?
  • Date: Fri, 18 Jan 2013 21:36:52 -0500

On 1/15/2013 11:51 PM, Stephen Sherman wrote:
I'd agree with the other posts regarding polycarb being the only way to
go. How long polycarb will last varies with your UV exposure and
weather, but most GH multi-wall panels are guaranteed against
discoloration for 10 yrs. The GH polycarb extrusions have some other
advantages, besides being multi-walled, such as uv coating on the
outside, anti-condensation coating on the inside.

Cost is probably the only disadvantage. Polycarb twinwall is about the
same price per sq ft as the standard sized double pane glass panels.
However it is not code (or safe IMO) to put glass, even tempered glass,
on a GH roof. You should have tempered laminated glass there, to prevent
glass pieces from falling on people if there is any breakage (such as in
a hail storm). Polycarb is much less than tempered-laminated glass. And
plastics of all sorts are much lighter and can bend without breaking, so
the framing for them is much simplier and less expensive than the
framing for glass,

You could build your own double-glazed polycarbonate panels for greenhouses and shylights. Minimum would be 1/8" polycarbonate.
I think the next increment thicker is 3/16". Use full sized panels, i.e. 4X8 or 5X10. Use silicone caulk and stainless screws (hex head only) with neoprene grommets to attach the panels to frames made of non toxic pressure treated framing members, 2X4 or 2X6. You will have
1 1/2" airspace. They will last forever. I would not attempt to use 2X2 members as they will likely warp during any hot dry seasons and you will then lose your investment; i.e. use full dimension lumber and use NT PT rather than cedar or cypress.





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