PaulG
eXtreme
This is a reply to a question about the One Stop Gardens 6x8 greenhouse's ability to handle a snow load. Posting here in case others want to see this kit 'in action'. If you want more info about the kit and assembly there's a thread in Grow Tech - "One Stop Garden...'
Thanks for your interest. It's really a pretty solid little unit. Being an aluminum frame held together with screws there is a slight amount of 'wiggle', but it's negligible. I haven't even had to tighten up the screws since I assembled it in September 2007. We don't have a lot of snow here, but we have had a couple of snow dumps and the greenhouse didn't even notice the load. Another time we had about 3/4 inch of freezing rain and it just melted and slid away eventually. IMHO unless you are going to get a foot of snow at a time, I wouldn't worry - just check to make sure it's okay periodically. I think the main worry would be the weight of a lot of snow pushing the roof Panels through the frame. A thin plywood (or?) cover on the roof would probably take care of that issue. These panels have handled 1/4 inch hail with no problems, as well. Here are some photos of winter 2008 so you can get an idea. This is a lot of snow for us here at 200 feet elevation! Also, we had an extended period of below freezing weather, with lows at night down to 17F. The snow cover insulated the little space, so the heater kept it above freezing, but the plants didn't like it much, especially over-wintering jade plants:
The table at the left is 4 feet wide, so you can get an idea of the snow depth.
The little space heater kept the inside relatively warm, that is at 38 or 39F. Notice how the snow is melting off the roof - almost gone at the ridge top.
This is the back of the greenhouse, facing South, the direction of prevalent wind in our neighborhood.
The snow melts off and freezes into icicles. One or two eventually reached the ground.
Thanks for your interest. It's really a pretty solid little unit. Being an aluminum frame held together with screws there is a slight amount of 'wiggle', but it's negligible. I haven't even had to tighten up the screws since I assembled it in September 2007. We don't have a lot of snow here, but we have had a couple of snow dumps and the greenhouse didn't even notice the load. Another time we had about 3/4 inch of freezing rain and it just melted and slid away eventually. IMHO unless you are going to get a foot of snow at a time, I wouldn't worry - just check to make sure it's okay periodically. I think the main worry would be the weight of a lot of snow pushing the roof Panels through the frame. A thin plywood (or?) cover on the roof would probably take care of that issue. These panels have handled 1/4 inch hail with no problems, as well. Here are some photos of winter 2008 so you can get an idea. This is a lot of snow for us here at 200 feet elevation! Also, we had an extended period of below freezing weather, with lows at night down to 17F. The snow cover insulated the little space, so the heater kept it above freezing, but the plants didn't like it much, especially over-wintering jade plants:
The table at the left is 4 feet wide, so you can get an idea of the snow depth.
The little space heater kept the inside relatively warm, that is at 38 or 39F. Notice how the snow is melting off the roof - almost gone at the ridge top.
This is the back of the greenhouse, facing South, the direction of prevalent wind in our neighborhood.
The snow melts off and freezes into icicles. One or two eventually reached the ground.
