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gltrap54

Installing Solar Pool Cover On GH........

9 years ago


After lots of searches I'm still not sure how to install the pool cover on the outside of my gh. Is it cut to size or just draped over the roof? How much does it reduce light transmission? I've got Charley's bubble insulation on the inside & it has helped, but I'm in NE Kansas where winters can be rough.... Can both the bubble insulation & pool cover be used together? For a 6' x 8' HFGH, what size cover would I buy?

Comments (16)

  • 9 years ago

    Is it cut to size or just draped over the roof? Draped over roof.

    How much does it reduce
    light transmission?
    Does not seem to reduce light transmission much.

    Can both the bubble insulation & pool cover be used together? I don't see why not but light transmission might suffer. See what others have to say.

    For a
    6' x 8' HFGH, what size cover would I buy?
    You need to calculate the surface area of the greenhouse and that will be the minimum size of the cover you need to buy.

  • 9 years ago

    Thanks again Vladimir! I do know that the bubble insulation reduces light by about 20%, but I'm foreign to the light transmission effects of a pool cover......

  • 9 years ago

    What kind of GH do you have? I have a wooden framed self built one and we were able to screw the pool cover to the framework of the GH with long peices of strapping that we saved from year to year for this purpose. It was absolutely wind proof using this method.

  • 9 years ago

    I'd have to go back into my files to see what size I purchased for my 6x8 HFGH, back in 2005, but recall it cost about $100.

    The GH is on a 2"x10" pressure-treated wood base. To secure the pool cover, we installed two parallel furring strips to the long sides of that base, with just enough room between them for a third strip plus a wee bit. The pool cover, when draped over the top, then gets sandwiched between the strips when that third strip is screwed into place. This spreads any stress on the cover due to wind throughout the entire length, rather than just where the screws are. We fold and tape the ends. It has never come loose.

    I had extra pool cover left over, so cut that into three wide strips which I install, overlapping one another, inside the greenhouse doorway. (I found it helpful to weight the strips by taping fishing weights or stones to the bottom.) These really helped a lot, and if I'm out there on not-too-frigid days, actually allow me to leave the sliding door open so I can just duck in and out quickly and easily, with minimal impact inside.

  • 9 years ago

    Thanks so much folks! FedEx will deliver my cover tomorrow & with a little help from my DW, we'll get it installed! With the bubble insulation from Charley's that I've already installed, I'm anxious to see how much I can reduce my electric bill!

    agardenstateof_mind: Wouldn't using furring strips to attach the cover directly to the wooden base, accomplish the same thing (as far as stress is concerned)?

    Does anyone remove their cover in the spring? I suppose it depends on where you live, but I can see my 6' x 8' HFGH getting hot very early on....





  • 9 years ago

    I
    have a foundation made from 6 x 8's. I screwed in screw hooks and secured the
    pool cover to the hooks with bungee cords going over the GH and other cords
    going around the GH. I installed a tarp zipper onto the pool cover in front of
    the door so that I would not have to undo the cords every time I go into the
    GH. I just unzip and go in.

  • 9 years ago

    Yes, I always removed the cover in the spring. It was folded and then rolled up and fit right back into the bag it came in for summer storage. The pool cover lasted with all it's bubbles intact for a dozen years...then it started deteriorating with many of the bubbles wearing off. By that time, I no longer needed it, as I don't heat the GH in the winter any longer.

    We always waited for a day with just the right amount of gentle wind coming from the correct direction, for removal day. Then we removed the screws from the strapping strips and let the wind assist us in taking it off.

  • 9 years ago

    Vladimir, that's thinking outside the box! (& you're not putting any holes in your cover)

    Thanks wyndyacre ! I was planning to remove mine but wasn't sure if it was necessary...... I'm surprised you cover lasted all those years! IIRC, your winters are harsh.....

  • 9 years ago

    Thought I'd post a couple pics of my installed cover........ Didn't cut any of the cover, just "gift wrapped" it using duct tape..... Not sure the tape will hold up.......



  • 9 years ago

    That tape will not hold up. Use rope and bungee cords before the tape gives out and the wind blows the cover into the neighbor's yard.

  • 9 years ago

    Yes! Strap that sucker down! We have a saying around here...."Solar Pool Cover Makes a Good Sail!"


  • 9 years ago

    I've commented often of the benefits of a wire-loc system for all types of structures. I would tech screw the base around the end frames and also completely around the base, screwing into baseboard. I wouldn't be too concerned about the door. I used to use the furring strips but you need all three strips in treated wood or they rot apart the first year. Wire-loc is cheapest over time.

    Although the Wire-loc makes installation and removal of the film and pool cover easier I prefer to just leave it on. I believe it will last longer than if you are constantly removing and reinstalling.

    Not sure how long the exposed pool cover will last but mine, sandwiched between two greenhouse film layers is on 7 years and looks like it will last another 7. Before installing it I had just two film layers, inflated, and that film lasted 14 years.

    I guess I could have found a better picture of the framing. This one just shows most film surface.

  • 9 years ago

    Go for the bungee cords and/or rope if you wish, but we have found the tape to hold well if done carefully with no gaps for wind to catch the cover. And we do check it periodically throughout the winter to be sure it is holding well in all places.

  • 9 years ago

    Maybe the tape I used was crap but it did not hold after a month or so. So it may depend on the brand/quality of the tape. I don't know what brand I used. It must also depend on the weather to which it is exposed.

  • 9 years ago

    Thanks folks! Bungee cords it is!

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