I'm building a dome greenhouse and I would like to know what is the best way to cover my dome with policarbonate panels. How to fix panels between themselfs and prevent leaking of water.
I'm using woden struts and hube system like on my model:
http://wildcatcollectiv.blogspot.com/
I'm also interested how to do that if I have steel pipe struts and glass panels.
Thank you;
Hi Matej
Some domes don't have a framework but instead they are a continuous membrane. Bucky built the plydome almost 50 years ago. Overlapping sheets of a material such polycarbonate, plywood or metal are fastened together to form a shell. Openings are cut into the shell for light, ventilation and access. Have you looked into these structures for the green house?
Here's a 25 cm diameter model to give a good idea of the principle:
http://www.cs.berkeley.edu/~sequin/ART/BRIDGES2004/Bridges_04_ART/OscarTuazon/modelz.jpg
The next image is a computer graphic by Joe Clinton:
http://www.freewebtown.com/randome/joes.dome1.jpg
This last one is an 8 m diameter aluminum shell with plexiglass windows.
http://www.freewebtown.com/randome/east_belfast.jpg
As you can see, the panels are like shingles so water sheds.
Dick
Zdravo!
we were solving the problem by installing custom made windows with PVC frames and glass. But that is quite complicated and costly. Polycarb panels could be mounted directly onto the wooden frame either by nailing them down, double sided scotch tape, or staples. We were also covering the seems with planks with rubber insulation glued on.
Yet the best way to do it for the greenhouse will be the ETFE film By Asahi Glass (more info at info@valpak.ru), that allowes 95% of the UV inside, self cleaning etc. The same material is used at Cornwell to cover 2 hectares!!!. This kind of shell can be welded into one piece hemisphere, and anchored down to the grownd. Just like the hat it mounts, has no leaks, weights 5% of the same area made of glass, holds enourmous amounts of show, and looks like the clear sky even when its cloudy outside. Because of the UV transparency, everything you grow there will be naturally healthy and juicy, not "plastic like" food grown under glass or polycarbonade...
good luck!