Greenhouse Roll Ups

greenhouse roll ups

Greenhouse Roll Ups

NO FANS REQUIRED

Greenhouse roll ups can be installed economically and are easy to operate.  Poly (polyethylene) covered greenhouse structures can be adapted to greenhouse roll ups on just about any side or surface of your structure that you wish to.  Roll up side walls are most common on freestanding and gutter connected greenhouses for ventilation, however, gable end walls and even the entire roof can be adapted to greenhouse roll ups.

Roll up coverings on hydroponics, aquaponic and organics greenhouses provide excellent cooling and ventilation capabilities and don’t cost a lot to install or operate versus power hungry and noisy exhaust fans.  In the event of a power failure, or temporary loss, relying on mechanical fans could be disastrous on a hot day.  Anybody who operates a greenhouse will know just how quickly things can heat up inside–even when it’s seemingly cooler outdoors, so long as the suns rays are coming in unfiltered.

greenhouse cooling vent


 

Advantages of Greenhouse Roll Ups for Ventilation:

-can be operated manually with hand cranks or worm gear boxes (like awnings)–very little or no power is required; “off the grid” potential

-quiet versus exhaust fans

-very effective–just a few degrees above ambient with enough opening area

-can be installed on just about any greenhouse with polyethylene coverings; double poly is more challenging

-adaptable to black out AKA Light Dep systems using opaque materials (does not let light through)

-with a few specialty parts that ship easy, it’s straightforward and affordable to do with materials avail locally

-great way for propagators to harden off plants for later transplant outdoors

 


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Parts List for Greenhouse Vent Roll Up Systems 

  • roll up tube (1-3/8″ diam galvanized fence post is great)
  • strapping (keeps roll up tube snug against structure
  • polyethylene covering (6 mil or greater rated for greenhouse use is best) NOTE-shade cloth or netting can also be used
  • tube grip(s) (may be continuous or individual clamps, hold poly to frame and on other end, to roll up tube)
  • pipe seats (what the roll up pipe sits on when down, may also hold straps to baseboard)
  • roll up crank or motor (manual simple crank, worm gear or motorized)
  • roll up guide rail (typically for motorized only)
  • control box thermostat (motorized only)

How To Install A Roll Up Side Wall for Greenhouses:

Time Required: depends on length of building, but usually no more than an hour per side

Step One: Make sure you’ll have all the parts you need on hand–you don’t want to get caught with it incomplete; especially if plants are counting on it.

greenhouse roll up hardware

 

Step Two: Secure pipe seats (all roll up sides) and install guide rail (applicable to motorized)


roll up vent tube seat

Step Three: Install poly tube grip (or secure polylock) on the side purlin-that’s the horizontal frame member running the entire length of the building. Then fasten whatever you are using to secure the strapping to the side purlin.

greenhouse strapping system

Step Four: Attach the tube grip(s) to the roll up tube, securing the cover evenly and straight down the length–don’t put too many on or use too many fasteners yet, this can take a little practice and adjustment to get right on your first try. Part of the goal is to ensure the poly is tight when down, and that it will roll up straight.

greenhouse roll up tube grips

Step Five:Install the crank–make sure the crank handle, the roll up tube and the covering itself is exactly where you want it to be–critical to a tight closure.

greenhouse roll up ready

Step Six: If everything looks good  and straight, secure the straps and give it a test roll up.  If it’s not straight enough rolling up, let it down and adjust the grip positioning relative to the poly on the continuous roll up tubing.

greenhouse cooling vent

Helpful Tip for Greenhouse Roll Up Vents:

  • paint the ends at the crank and roll up tube with dayglo colors or similar tape–people may trip or walk right into them otherwise
  • individual tube grips on the roll up tube make for easier adjustments
  • keep a few small lengths of poly lock wire to secure the roll up poly at the end arches when not in regular use—don’t forget to remove next time you go to roll up, or you will need to order poly repair tape!

greenhouse roll up sealed

About Erik Biksa 245 Articles
Erik Biksa has been writing about and discussing hydroponics growing, related technologies and cropping methods since 1999 in a variety of professional publications and platforms globally Erik has travelled the world learning and teaching modern growing techniques and technologies and is appreciated by many growers for his informative yet hands on approaches. Presently, he is the Editor at Grozine Hydroponics Mag.