Are you sure it is the same thing?????
Normally packaging wrap is not as clear and most of it has smaller bubbles.

It looks EXACTLY the same. Better yet both edges are smoothly cut whereas one edge on Charlies was rough. I feel we were really ripped off.

Green,
Did you by chance note who mfg ed the one you bought in Nashville? Some times it is stamped along one edge or even comes in a box.
Thanks,
1eyedJack and the Dawg

Sorry but I didn't notice the mfg. It came in a huge plastic bag. I don't remember seeing anything on the bag, but then I didn't look either. So before you buy anything online, check out your local "packaging" places. I sure could have used that money sent to Charlies on something else needed for the GH.

Another thing I've noticed is how much more expensive everything made for GHs costs. They must assume everyone with a GH had mega-bucks to spend. :)

I priced humidifiers for the GHs (I have two) and almost fell off my chair. I went to the Goodwill store and bought two of them for the grand total of $12. Both are in excellent condition and both work. I got my fans at the Dollar store for peanuts and all three are running fine.

Green,
I agree. I used to own an export company in my other life and I loved running down great deals.
one ied Jack and the Dawg

I've had ponds for years and products labeled for ponds are also much more expensive than identical alternatives that aren't packaged or labeled for ponds.

I'm not surprised that greenhouses are the same way.

You may be comparing similar products but without the UV protection the plastic will break down within one season. I thought I could save money on the rollup sides of my greenhouses by getting the 6 mil construction plastic at Lowes. After a few months it started to rip apart.

The Magni-Clear Pool cover bubblewrap is UV protected, at least to some extent. Don't waste your time on a product meant for non-exposed uses. If you save in the short term you often end up spending more in the long term.

BM,
So where do we get the Magni-Clear stuff? How cold does it have to get before we worry about bubble insulation? How good is inflated double film? Down to what temp?
Thanks
1eyedJack and the Dawg

Running down good deals is a necessity for us now with my husband semi-retired. He'll be fully retired next spring. We have to watch what we spend now.

Don't be surprised. At one time the middle classes couldn't afford a GH or ponds on their property. Those selling products for GH and ponds seem to still assume owners of such things are all making 6 figure incomes. They're going to skin us for as much as they can. I too have ponds so know what you mean.

The bubblewrap is INSIDE my greenhouse and used as insulation. It is not exposed to UV light as the poly sides of the Rion GHs have UV protection.

For those who want to try package material here is some at a reasonable price.

Here is a link that might be useful: BUBBLE WRAP

People can save on shipping by getting it locally. I called the place and my husband picked it up when he was in the city. Remember, we got 250' X 24" for only $54. :-)))

For the Magni-Clear 12 mil pool covers you can check www.amerimerc.com among others. Look under inground pool covers for the rectangular sizes. I don't think I ordered mine from this supplier but they are probably all made by the same company in Canada.

You can use plain bubblewrap but it won't come with a five year warranty and the widest I've seen is 4' so you either need to overlap it or tape it at the seams. I wirelocked a 20'x40' piece of the Magniclear betwwen 2 layers of Tufflite greenhouse film and inflated on both sides. This is a permanent installation for the next 5 years+ and it allows plenty of light for my plants to grow.

Ole Dawg, I guess I didn't fully answer your question and I'm not sure of an answer.
You asked:
" How cold does it have to get before we worry about bubble insulation? How good is inflated double film? Down to what temp? "

Anytime you need supplemental heat and it as costly to provide as fuel prices are nodays I think you should consider double inflated layers (or beyond). But the specific temperature will depend on many things: What kinds of plants are you growing?; what stage of growth are they at( seedlings, blooming,etc.) during the critical time periods?; What types of risks can you afford to take on normal weather fluctuations?

I think bubble insulation has one unique advantage over inflated double layers in that it accomplishes a similar thermal air barrier (experts say that any airspace over 1/2" is wasted)in a more exact width package. That feature allows you stack multiple layers if you desire in a confined space.

Inflated double film is the commercial industry standard. I think bubblewrap is just waiting to be developed in a whole host of technology fields. Just wait til someone patents a method of filling the bubbles with functional gasses and uses different plastics in the process. For now you can purchase greenhouse light diffusion plastic film, dripless film (for inner layer)and there are different strength films and longevity films. Each of these specialized films comes at an extra price.

So each person making the decision of what greenhouse covering to use will have a lot of questions to ask in determining what to use. It isn't a simple decision to make.

I'm in the business to make money so I want the most return on my investment. However I differ from most of you in that I think that a gothic arch frame greenhouse is not only practical, but beautiful too.

I too live in Middle Tennessee and have been looking for bubble wrap as an insulation for my greenhouse. I have poly carb sides and roof (Morton's greenhouse). I have been told and have read that regular bubble wrap should not be used on poly carb walls. I called Charlies and for the amount I needed there is no way I could afford an additional cost like that. So tell me if I can use the wrap you are referring to or not. I won't hold you to anything but if I can use it and not hurt my house or its warranty I will make a run to Nashville to get some. Thanks for the helpful info.
Cindy

Bmoser,
Does you system provide any bennies against the summer heat? That is my major concern.
Thanks
1eyedJack and the Dawg

For those who are interested in cheap packaging material here is a site with good price.
Large bubble 1/2" X 48"X 250' $44.64

Here is a link that might be useful: bubble wrap

Why not? It's the same stuff Charlies is selling for a lot more $$$. How is it going to harm the polycarb? The bubbles face the polycarb - don't turn it the wrong way or it wont work as well. We got ours at Packaging Products on Vulcan Dr. or St.

That price is almost unbelievable! I was looking for something local to save shipping on. The one you found is a much better deal (unless the plastic is very, very thin). Even with shipping we would have saved a bundle.

Cindy, For a structure such as your Morton polycarbonate covered GH you can either cover the entire unit (as with a tarp) and then anchor it to the ground or you could use the bubblewrap to create internal heat barrier curtains.

I have never seen the tarp concept work well in windy conditions since once the wind gets under anything it usually ends up ripping the material.

I've never created interior curtains but for your unit I would give it a try. I envision using Velcro patches to hold the unit in place. Sams Club sells big industrial strength rolls of the Velcro that you can use. I'd drill screw the "hooks" patches to your inner framework and glue the "eyes" patches to your bubblewrap in corresponding attachment areas. If you can use wirelock at a baseboard, or even at frame corners you'l have a secure attachment.

Whereever I attach wigglewire to secure bubblewrap in a wirelock system I don't worry about the bubbles on the Magniclear product. It is not an easy task but the bubbles seem to compress enough to lock the material in place. A small amount of sagging on the inner walls is not going to hurt unless water condenses there.

You may have a problem adhering anything to the bubblewrap. If that seems to be an obstacle then you can fold the edges double and use something like the tarp grip clamps to provide anchoring loops.

I wouldn't know how well anything could be fastened to the polycarbonate. I would suggest that you use the metal framework as much as possible.

Ole Dawg, the only real benefit of the bubblewrap in summer heat is that there is a small amount of light blocked by the material. That benefit is offset by the insulating effect so that ventilation is necessary during the sunny days.

You can accomplish ventilation by either exhaust fan or rollup sides or even a ridge vent (if you can find a system that works at a reasonable price). I use the combination of the first two. A thermostatically controlled exhaust fan works well in spring and fall situations. During the summer you can roll one (or both) sides up on an arch structure and leave it up unless a storm is coming.

inexperienced GH person here, but gearing up for assembling my NEW HFGH 10x12...woo hoo.....(sorry I digress), now for the series of questions :) what is the overall advantage of using bubble wrap? and do you put it between the panels? I'm not even sure if my GH has single panels or dual panels? do you just secure it somehow to the surface of the panels? and does it (BW) go on the inside or outside of the GH?

I'm all for keeping the heat in, since actual heating for me is going to be running an extension cord from the house to the GH...at least for this year.

I attached the bubblewrap to my Rion with self-tapping screws and fender washers. Bubblewrap isn't attractive but should save money on heating. I used the foil sided bubblewrap in the HFGH. It went right next to the panels and the clips hold both in place.

GHers,
Doesn't the foil block the sun light from the GH? I want to grow lettuce and I need the sun light.

1eyedJack and the Dawg

Thanks for the info on the bubble wrap. I intend to attach with clamps from the cheapest I can find (my husband loves clamps and has volunteered to help with this). My problem has also been to reduces heat in the summer. Will this help at all or should I use something else. For this winter, I want the bubble wrap. For next summer, I just want ideas since the water is supplied from a well and also feeds my parents home. I did not use the greenhouse this summer due to water risks from the draught. Anyone got any ideas? I already have exhaust fan, roof vent and back wall vent and am running three fans. Purchased a portable swamp cooler but early on it couldn't handle the heat so I need something else to help.

Yes, but it's only on the back north wall and north side of the roof. It doesn't block the winter sun. We may bubble-wrap the ends next spring but the 8X6 is so cheap to heat it's hardly worth the effort.

I bought a shade cloth from Lowe's but the GH was still to hot to use even with that. All the plants spent the summer outside. They're being moved in now. The smaller HFGH is taking up the slack and taller plants.

msbasselope, I'm also going to have a tough heat problem in the summer. I know many folks do use swamp coolers successfully, but I'm still hoping to avoid that if possible. In addition to the things you've mentioned, several folks here have removed some of the poly panels and replaced them with screen panels made of shadecloth, hardware cloth, or regular screening material. I've just done this on my Harbor Freight greenhouse and it has helped lower the temps...here's a link: Aluminet screen panels.

I don't know if the panels are removable in your greenhouse. If they are, that's another idea you could try.

Just passing thru and thought this might be helpful.
Click 'My page' or link below.

Here is a link that might be useful: Solar pool covers

Cactusfreak,
U have too much free time on your hands. You need to get a job LOL

I could live several years off what U have invested in that setup.

DAMN IT IS PRETTY THOUGHT

1eyedJack and the Dawg