Warning! dont buy HFGH if you live in high wind area

14 years ago

Don't buy a Harbor Freight greenhouse if you live in a windy area.

It took me 4 days and $450.00 to build the 10'-0"x12'-0" HFGH.

I finished it 4 days ago and was concerned about how frail it looked. My concern was justified, last night the East wind blew with gusts of 70 mph.

This morning my HFGH was flat.

I live in Somis, California, near the city of Ventura.

My next weekend will be used up taking it apart and throwing it in a dumpster.

The only thing I can think I should have done is put metal fence posts on each corner and bolt the corners of the HFGH to the posts, even then the roof may still have collapsed. But now I need to clean up and buy a real greenhouse.

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Comments (47)

stressbaby
14 years ago
Somis, did you read the FAQ on the 10x12 HFGH?
gardenerwantabe
14 years ago
One more testimonial to what I have been preaching on this forum for a year now.
This guy would never believe that mine has already survived 80mph winds. It is sad that some have to learn the hard way.
Maybe we should archive all these post like this where people are losing their GH and if people could see how often this happens they would not continue to do this but then again maybe not like he says now he can buy a real greenhouse.
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javan
14 years ago
Somis, I'm sorry to hear about the disaster with the greenhouse. It is quite clear to me that this greenhouse needs reinforcement, and gardenerwantabe has provided clear directions in this regard. My own hfgh (6x8) has withstood winds that have taken down massive trees in my neighborhood twice in the last 12 months. It did take careful construction and reinforcement to make this happen. I hope you will enjoy your next greenhouse more. Let us know what you get, and how the construction goes. It would be instructive to hear your take on the differences between greenhouses. All the best, Jim
chris_in_iowa
14 years ago
Somis,

I am very sorry for your loss. But I am really happy that you posted this thread.

Your greenhouse is not the first that has re-inacted the 1939 classic movie "Gone with the wind" or as someone else on here likes to mention the other 1939 movie "The Wizard of Oz"

Your loss helps others. Wind is a greenhouse killer no matter what kind of greenhouse you have. If it is not directly the wind that kills a greenhouse it is the projectiles the wind hurls at your structure. Corn stalks, shingles, hail, anything not tied down.

As to Rolling On The Floor Laughing, ROTFL, no I am not, and I never would laugh when someone lost a structure.
laserfan
14 years ago
>Posted by somis Somis CA (My Page) on Sun, Jan 7, 07 at 13:11

>Don't buy a Harbor Freight greenhouse if you live in a windy area... I finished it 4 days ago and was concerned about how frail it looked...

I'm sorry for your loss, but disagree with your first statement, as will others here who have recognized the structural issues and dealt with them before disaster struck.

I consider myself to be one of the "lucky ones" in that I was researching GHs and found this forum BEFORE I made my decision & purchase (I have a 10x12 HFGH) and feel I have made the mods necessary for this thing to survive a bad wind. I do wonder how many HF customers buy the GHs without doing any homework, and end-up with a pile of scrap aluminum when the first wind hits!

I believe HF would do well to enclose with the GH instructions some sort of warning about potential wind damage, and tips on how to avoid it...

Here is a link that might be useful: Our 10x12 HFGH
somis
Original Author
14 years ago
For those of you who are happy the wind took out my project, well I dont you are worth a comment.
For those who are sympathetic, thanks, nice to see some class.
For everyones information, I dont have much time for computers or the internet, I didn't even know there was a forum like this until my daughter looked up Harbor Freight Greenhouse on Google after the fact.
Laserfan, I think you are right on when you say Harbor Freight should include a warning that their greenhouse won't survive as it is sold.
oregon_veg
14 years ago
I don't think ANY aluminum-framed greenhouse I've seen could stand up to the high winds many of us are talking about without some modifications.
However, It does seem that HFGH is one of the cheapest, flimsiest, I have seen. It took a lot of modifications & it's actually turned out to be a good structure. A lot of people just buy it, put it together thinking it will hold up. Big mistake. In this case, I think HF could spend a few more dollars and give people a turn-key greenhouse with all the mods for only a few bucks more.
Somis, I don't think anyone is HAPPY the wind took out your greenhouse. (okay, orchiddude is uncaring, but probably not happy. just ignore him).
Believe it or not, I know of one person who's greenhouse took off and landed in a heap. He salvaged it, secured it, made the mods and the thing could survive a hurricane now. Is your's salvageable? You could still make this useable?
Just a few thoughts
Tom
gardenerwantabe
14 years ago
People price greenhouses and find that a comparable size GH will cost $3000.00 to $5000.00 depending on what brand you buy.
They buy the HFGH and think it is going to be the same.
Instead of harbor freight warning you how about some one accepting responsibility for being and informed shopper
Many people can not afford a $5000.00 GH but with a little effort on your part you can have the same as a $3000.00 GH for less than a $1000.00
Harbor Freight's doing many of us a favor by providing us with something so inexpensive and so easy to make into a really nice greenhouse.
When I started building my HFGH I took one look at the way it was designed and knew it would not survive a windstorm.
It is so easy to blame everyone else for our lack of knowledge of what we are buying or working on.
Personally I think people need to accept responsibility for their mistakes and stop looking for someone to blame
gardenallyearlong
14 years ago
We just had our worst windstorm in about 20 years and I was nervous, but I am amazed by how well my greenhouse did. Not much else around it survived but it did great. I LOVE MY GREENHOUSE!

My neighbor lost three huge trees which destroyed our fence, and we just had one removed that was badly damaged.

My greenhouse was staked to the ground. The only thing I did was make sure the door and vents were closed. My greenhouse is a Solexx Early Bloomer. It was a bit more than the HF greenhouse ($750 delivered), but worth every penny and then some. I got mine at the Greenhouse Catalog, here is a link: http://www.greenhousecatalog.com/early-bloomer-greenhouse-p-32.html

Here is a picture taken in early fall this year.
{{gwi:287177}}
gardenallyearlong">

This is my yard now. We had the tree right by the greenhouse removed this weekend. The wind knocked down two 100ft + fir trees right next to the greenhouse (you can see what they used to look like).
{{gwi:287178}}
gardenallyearlong">
laserfan
14 years ago
>Posted by oregon_veg 8 (My Page) on Mon, Jan 8, 07 at 15:21

>I think HF could spend a few more dollars and give people a turn-key greenhouse with all the mods for only a few bucks more.

I would agree that one of the most-needed mods, which is screwing-down of the polycarb panels, would be a simple & cheap matter of including a box of screws (whether Lath screws as I used or the type w/a neoprene washer). But another very important requirement in my view is one or two 10-ft wide (well, actually 116 1/4 inches for my GH) contiguous braces for side-to-side bracing, but these (many of us here used EMT conduit from 10ft stock) would not fit the standard packaging, which IIRC maxed at 7ft in length.

There is also the matter of securing the flimsy base. So I don't agree it would be easy for HF to include these. It WOULD, however, be easy to include a page of suggestions e.g. 1. Timbers for the base, 2. Screws for the panels, 3. Braces for the top of the stud-walls. Oh, and 4. Secure the roof vents (with galvanized wire or what-have-you.

I think these simple additions will allow the HFGH to survive sub-tornadic winds. Somis I do sympathize with you though--I read a lot of posts here and still managed for these points to hit-home only after our first serious wind. Damn near lost my HFGH in the first week myself!

Here is a link that might be useful: Our 10x12 HFGH
orchiddude
14 years ago
I dont even see my post do but since I posted, I will say this. I was not being rude to somis, I was just making a comment about the flying greenhouse. All I have heard is trouble and problems with these little expensive greenhouses that are 6x8 and 10x12. They are all the time blowing away and problems with screws and stuff wont fit etc... I was just making a statement. I am sorry you wasted your money. If you would have emailed me before hand, I could have helped.

I dont know what age group this is, but yall sure do put your feelings on your shoulders. Good lord, please dont read emotion into my words. Please dont take anything to heart, if you get your feelings hurt over something silly, please get off the internet.

I guess one of yall got them to delete my post. I hope it made you happy. I still wish I could have seen Dorothy blowing in the wind. no I am not being mean LOL
chris_in_iowa
14 years ago
orchiddude,

You know, you have been VERY lucky with your greenhouse. If I had spent all the years of work you put into your collection and the sheer cost of replacing them I really would not sleep at night knowing that all the things I worked so hard to grow were protected by a double layer of thick trash bag. (UV stable trash bag)

For every disaster story on here then 10 people benefit.
oregon_veg
14 years ago
Let's see:
(1) small box of grommeted screws
(4) 5' conduit
(4) 6' Conduit
(4) conduit couplers
(8) base plate strengtheners
total = abt $50.
Easily fit in 7' box
Heck, throw in a few anchor bolts, some extra panel clips.
Still well under $700 bucks, then we wouldn't even be having this discussion about greenhouses sailing in the wind.
BTW orchiddude,
Although your comment was a little cold, I didn't think it deserved to be deleted. Everyone has their opinion (even if it's not PC). I thought this was America. you know , free speech and all that.. Oh well, I guess Censorship keeps everyone smiling. :-)
Ã¶Â¿Ã¶
~
Tom
chris_in_iowa
14 years ago
oregon_veg,

some people don't suffer from wind. You just upped the HFGH to $700 for everybody.

Now if I bought your $700 HFGH and assembled it correctly it wouldn't last 2 weeks here. It wouldn't end up in Kansas it would hit the ground in Wisconsin.

It is a shame, a HFGH is a great basic kit, but it needs work to make it a GREENHOUSE. Just like if you bought an aircraft kit or a car kit. They all need the builder to ADD things.
orchiddude
14 years ago
Chris...your like a damn politician, you play both sides of the fence and then run and tell. You know good and well that I was joking. You have been on here to long not to know otherwise and then make posts acting like I am the bad guy. You know as well as I do that real life stories allow people to learn. That is not what this is about. This is about me wanting to see Dorothy fly...LOL.

If you don't like my trash bag, then you don't have to look at whats in it.

oregon_veg....to be honest with you, I don't remember what I posted. When I saw my name in your post, I figured I was in trouble for something. I stay in trouble around here. I promise, I am really a good person, but sometimes these 14 yr old cry babies get on my nerves. Yes, damnit, I want to see Dorothy fly!

:-)
chris_in_iowa
14 years ago
""Chris...your like a damn politician, you play both sides of the fence and then run and tell. You know good and well that I was joking. You have been on here to long not to know otherwise and then make posts acting like I am the bad guy. You know as well as I do that real life stories allow people to learn. That is not what this is about. This is about me wanting to see Dorothy fly...LOL.""

yes I have been on here a long time, and I learned a lot, and I have a very thick skin, and I read a lot, I filter it and I work out what I need to do to do what I do. What I do as in garden structures and growing is very specialised. It took me years to use what I had and understanding my climate to be able to do it.

But... somis registered on January 7, 2007.

Don't know how long he read this place, but your post was one hell of a welcome!
chris_in_iowa
14 years ago
P.S I didn't "run and tell"

That I DO NOT DO!
orchiddude
14 years ago
Ok, look, maybe it wasnt the best welcoming post, but, I dont think I should have to look at everyones hire date to see if they are new or old. Ok, look, next time I will try to keep my jokes to myself, if it will make you happy. I cant swear to it, but I will try.

Since we are on the subject of HFGH buildings, by now, dont you think people would understand that they are a piece of crap and the maker is ripping people off. Think about it, by the time Dorothy flys away, LOL, and you have to go get something else, you have wasted enough money that could have been put into something else to start with.

I dont know who makes these HFGH buildings but maybe if I could get them to modify the plans a little, add some more cheap parts and tack on $200, they would still sell, and I could make $100 a piece off of them just for the modified part.

I will give away a free orchid if someone will video Dorothy flying away. LOL
orchiddude
14 years ago
Now that if funny, Chris! Ok, I'll trust you on that one.
chris_in_iowa
14 years ago
""Since we are on the subject of HFGH buildings, by now, dont you think people would understand that they are a piece of crap""

No I do not think "they are a piece of crap" I think they are a very cost effective starter greenhouse if you are serious about having a greenhouse.

A starter kit, you have to add stuff!

I wish I had one. Would I assemble it and put it in my yard as it came, no, no way.

Would I use it as the major components of a finished greenhouse, yes in a heart beat.

Did you buy a total solution or did you adapt a structure?
greginshasta
14 years ago
Hi folks -

Just wanted to offer a mid-winter report on our 10x12 unit. We are at 3500' in Mount Shasta, CA and we have experienced horrendous winds and several inches of snow already this season. There was one night when we had gusts so strong it shook the house, and I worried we would lose trees. A block away a telephone pole was snapped off, and at the ski resort gusts over 100mph were clocked. I have to tell you - it was one hell of a storm.

As I mentioned in a previous post, I purchased a few 100-count boxes of 3/4" #6 hex-head stainless steel screws. Also a matching number of the aluminum washers used as backing plates for pop rivets. Those were used to secure the panels all around the greenhouse. The only panels not secured with these screws were those on the doors because I simply could not find a way to screw those down, so they are only secured with the regular clips.

The GH is mounted on vertically aligned 2x12 pressure treated lumber, we added L bracing above the door, and 3 lengths of 1/2" rigid conduit across the top (from wall to wall).

I'm happy to say this sucker is now build like the proverbial "brick sh** house" and the only damage we incurred the night of that big storm was that one panel which didn't have the #6 screws (I overlooked it initially) got blown out. That allowed a couple door panels to blow out as well. All got stuck in adjacent shrubbery and were captured and re-installed the next morning.

I was one of the early purchasers, along with gardnerwantabe, and did my fair share of moaning and grousing about the crap design and instructions. But with the effort we have extended, I could not be happier with the way this thing is surviving the winter.

Solis - I really feel for you. These are no small effort to assemble. But before you throw it all away, at least salvage the panels because they are worth the price of the kit alone. You may just find a use for them some day.
chris_in_iowa
14 years ago
greginshasta,

I posted on some other thread on some other place that HF should put a skill rating against some of their products.

Like kids toys... 0-6 months. +3years. Needs batteries.

On a scale of 1-5 (one is easy) then the 10x12 is a 5 (special skills and additional parts may be required)

""salvage the panels because they are worth the price of the kit alone""

I think I may have posted somewhere else that the polycarb is worth more than the greenhouse costs.

:)
oregon_veg
14 years ago
Chris,
I don't understand your logic.
If you bought my kit for $700, it wouldn't hold up?
That's pretty presumptuous. My modifications would be easier than building the kit was. It would only add a few hours to the project. My GH has held up pretty good. Did you hear about the wind storms a few weeks ago on the west coast here?
Our power was out for 2 days. We had winds up to 70mph. Trees came down all over our road and my driveway. It was so strong, it knocked one of my rain barrels (full) off its blocks. It was nasty. Guess what? the neighborhood could have taken refuge in my GH. The thing is a solid brick with the (less than $100) mods. So, please explain what you mean by this:----->

""Now if I bought your $700 HFGH and assembled it correctly it wouldn't last 2 weeks here. It wouldn't end up in Kansas it would hit the ground in Wisconsin.
It is a shame, a HFGH is a great basic kit, but it needs work to make it a GREENHOUSE. Just like if you bought an aircraft kit or a car kit. They all need the builder to ADD things. ""

If you bought my GH and assembled it correctly? uh, didn't you cancel that statement with "They all need the builder to add things"?
my point exactly.

If HF included the mods, we wouldn't be having this discussion! Am I missing something?
Tom
gardenerwantabe
14 years ago
When the subject of the HFGH comes up it is kinda like mentioning #24 in red neck country it really divides the house. I have repeatedly said this GH is not for everyone.
Some would be better off buying a high $$$$$$ GH that has everything already thought out for them.
Some people will know that it has some poor designing in the basic structure and take measures to correct it and those are the ones that are reporting how well theirs is doing.
Some will put it up and wonder what happened when it fails.
Talking about warnings this GH will fall into the same category as the six foot step ladder. They are going to have to stop building the six foot step ladder because their is not enough room for all the safety warnings.
We have got to the point that we must warn people that it is dangerous to stand on top of a step ladder.
MacDonald's now must warn you that coffee is hot.
Their are consequence's for are actions and at some point we need to accept responsability for them.
I have a Corvette and I put a supercharger on it and this car is increditably fast. Maybe I should sue the manufacture of the supercharger they did not warn me that I could get hurt driving this car over 200 mph. It is not my falt how was I to know it was going to be so fast I was not warned.
laserfan
14 years ago
>Posted by greginshasta (My Page) on Tue, Jan 9, 07 at 0:28

>the only damage we incurred the night of that big storm was that one panel which didn't have the #6 screws (I overlooked it initially) got blown out.

Great report, thanks for that!

And thanks for the reminder; I need to get a 6ft stepladder while they are still legal! ;-)
orchiddude
14 years ago
You don't have to warn me about what will happen when Dorothy blows in the wind, I can figure that one out.
gardenerwantabe
14 years ago
I don't know about Dorothy but you won't see Gardenerwantabe blowing in the wind. If it does my home will go with it.
chris_in_iowa
14 years ago
oregon_veg,

Basically I am trying to say (badly) is that if HFGH added another $200 of parts then the thing would cost $200 more for everyone. Even those that did not need the extra strength.

Having said that then the reinforced HFGH would still not be strong enough for all locations, so some buyers would have to add even more.
funnylady
14 years ago
I had my 6X8 green house when all the hurricans can throught Florida a couple of years ago. Had no damage at all. But I had everything close tight so no wind could get in. Trees all around were down. Maybe I was just lucky. But I love my greenhouse (I have sence bought 2 10X12"s)
Have had no problems with them. Live out in the country and it's flat so the winds do get quit strong.
PRO
Nell Jean
14 years ago
Funnylady, I trust that you were not in the path of the recent devastating storm in Florida? How do you have your greenhouse secured? Did you find the tips from others on this Forum to be helpful when you were doing so?
gardenut
14 years ago
I have my 15% off coupon and my raincheck for the 10x12 green house for $599. and so I am ready to buy my greenhouse. I have talked to several other greenhouse owners and read every post on this site about the HFGH. I have many questions but one in particular. It was suggested to me to seal each panel in place with a silicone type sealer to prevent water getting in between the twin wall polycarbonate and therefore preventing mold and mildew. If I do this will I still need to screw every panel into place? This GH will be located down the hill in the back yard and so our house will act as some sort of wind break but I want to be prepared for any type of wind that may occur.

Thanks!
laserfan
14 years ago
>I have talked to several other greenhouse owners and read every post on this site about the HFGH. I have many questions but one in particular.

You ask about sealer "to prevent water getting in" the polycarb? This won't help re: wind at all. If you instead caulk the entire perimeter of every panel that would help, and maybe be enough, but instead I think you should "screw every panel" which is actually almost trivially easy & quick to do with a power drill. You just put a screw into the middle of every panel securing it to the cross-brace behind. You could screw the edges too I suppose, but my opinion is: use the clips and screw-down the panels, then decide after if you want to go the silicone-sealer route. That's fairly expensive and will make it hard I suspect to get panels out if you want to re-configure something.

I used simple metal Lath Screws--a better-sealing alternative is rubber-washered screws meant for metal roofing.

Here is a link that might be useful: Detail of Lath Screw
gardenut
14 years ago
Thank you laserfan for your responce...since my husband will be doing all of the work. Do you or any other HFGH owners have problems with mildew and do I even need to seal each panel to prevent this?
ninjabut
14 years ago
Thank you laserfan for your responce...since my husband will be doing all of the work. Do you or any other HFGH owners have problems with mildew and do I even need to seal each panel to prevent this?

I had a bit of a problem with stuff in the panels, but it wasn't bad. Most of it was due to sitting around for a year!
DH and SIL put together my 8x10 HFGH in an afternoon!
We have only had one panel blow out due to wind sheres we get from the horse fields! Duct tape is your friend!
We've had a full winter with NO problems! Nancy
funnylady
14 years ago
I never found this sight untill after I put up my greenhoues 1-6X8, 2-10X12. But I had the forsight to see that they need more braces. The bases are all on 2X12. Extra screws to hold them to the 2X12.
In answer to the tornadoes that when through Lady Lake down here, I'm abot 2 miles from where they hit. People around me have shingles off. We were luckey all the way around our property.
Like a lot of people are saying HFGH is good for them money even if you spend a little extra to beef it up.
troykd
14 years ago
Somis... was your greenhouse mounted to a base or put in the dirt like the instructions?

Here is a link that might be useful: Building a 10x12
mamallama_2007
13 years ago
This is a very helpful forum. Please tell me where I can locate the FAQ on the HFGH 10'x12' mentioned by stressbaby on January 07, 2007. Also, anyone have any idea how often the 10x12 green house goes on sale at HF? If it occurs a few times a year, I suppose I can wait for a sale. (I did find a 15% off coupon online that I've printed off. I just "found" Harbor Freight in San Antonio this week! What a find.
amigatec
13 years ago
I just bought one of these and this has been VERY heplful!!!
amigatec
13 years ago
Well I started putting it together, I got the base done, will pickup the 4X4's on Saturday.

Just remember "some assembly required" now where have I heard that before?
greenhouser
13 years ago
If you think HFGHs are the pits to put together don't even think of the Rion's. There is no explanation of how to use the black rubber sealer stuff on the roof parts or if it even goes there. We can't understand why the side panels get this water tight sealer-tape but not the roof. The booklet makes no mention of doing the roof part with this black rubber stuff. :-( I have no idea how two older people like ourselves are going to lift the roof part onto the side pieces. I hope we can get someone to help us.
jimmie_castex
13 years ago
Well, I'm another one of those people who found this treasure trove of info....after I purchased my HFGH. to be honest, had I read all of this or see one in person, we would have NEVER bought one! That said....what's done is done.

Bracing with EMT tubing is a must, for this thing to survive. I've probably done things a little different from most where it concerns my braces but I feel confident they will work. Not wanting it to look "tacky" I used small diameter cable (wire rope) and ran it throught the gutters and anchored it at all 4 corners.

My last project will be to stiffen the base. I built it on an old slab, and I am considering building a form fitting 4X4 based inner frame/floor with 5/8" thick deck boards for the floor and attaching it with lag screws to the base. Of course I will also add tabs connect the wall uprights to the frame/floor as well. we'll see
mudhouse_gw
13 years ago
Hello Jimmie, welcome! I admit we benefited from finding this info before we bought our HFGH. (If I'd found it afterward, I probably would have been pretty concerned.) As it was, we spent a lot of time reading here, so we felt like it was an eyes-open decision that would allow us to have an end result of a good solid GH for much less money than other alternatives we considered.

I hope some of your feelings of regret will fade after you make more progress. I'm enjoying mine to pieces so far!

Sounds like you're well on your way to a sturdy structure. I also hope you'll consider posting photos of your solution using cable at all four corners (I really enjoy seeing what others have come up with.)

Sheri
Our HFGH 10x12
jbest123
13 years ago
I worked for ALCOA, Research and Development for nearly 40 years. I started out as a test technician in the mechanical testing div. After I finished school, I worked in the Equipment Development Div. Had this forum existed before I bought a HFGH I would not have. When I started to assemble the GH I was amazed at how easily the frame work components bent and/or twisted. It became obvious that who ever made the GH chose an alloy that was easy to extrude but lacking in the strength/toughness department. If you are concerned about high winds, and I think you should be, I would build shelving like rosepedal did in thereÂs. Attach the wall members and the roof members to the shelving and cement the up writes into the ground.
mudhouse_gw
13 years ago
I sure agree that the HF components were a much softer aluminum than the aluminum angle we bought at HD and Lowes for additional bracing. The latter was much harder to drill.
gardenerwantabe
13 years ago
.Posted by jbest123
When I started to assemble the GH I was amazed at how easily the frame work components bent and/or twisted
____________________________________________________
The 1/4"x11/2"aluminum angle that I bolted to the corner posts and bolted to the base on mine solved that problem.
ole_dawg
13 years ago
I must admit that you guys seem like a happy group for people that admit that they bought a less than quality product but decided to make the best of it AND MAKE IT BETTER. That is why AMERICA will always win. We never quit. I personally grew up on an Island, connected to the mainland by a bridge, granted, but the nearest town of any size was 42 miles away and it wasn't all that big either. My father could make ANYTHING FIT or WORK and I can recall time and time again when he did just that. I am very pleased to acknowledge that I have those genes running in my veins.
The Oreintials (read China) might be able to make it cheaper, but WE make it BETTER. I absolutely LOVE to read how y'll have improved and strengthen those little flimsy, twisty pieces of left over beer cans and made them into things of beauty and STRENGTH. Long live Reynolds Wrap and Alcoa as well.
Give me another beer would you. In a bottle if you please

1eyedJack and the Dawg

Stay tuned for the upcoming saga of "The Greenhouse from Hell"
rosepedal
13 years ago
Yahoo for miller lite. I know a girl is not supposed to drink....... After the 400 ft of trench work I drank a six pack. I luv my flismy gh. Barb

Warning! dont buy HFGH if you live in high wind area

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