Updated at: 23-09-2022 - By: Sienna Lewis

Rather than fretting about how to protect my greenhouse from the wind, consider the following three options. Maintaining a strong greenhouse in the face of adverse weather conditions requires anchors, reinforcements, and a well-considered site. To ensure the long-term viability of your plants, you must continuously be on the lookout for any issues.

In addition to protecting your crops from the elements, you must preserve the greenhouse itself. If you live in a state that experiences severe storms, such as Florida, Alabama, or Louisiana, this is especially important. Three ways to defend your greenhouse are discussed in this article, along with a few extra hints on how to keep the wind from harming your construction.

How Do I Protect My Greenhouse From Wind Successfully

Anchors, reinforcements, and strategic location should protect your greenhouse from harsh winds and storms. Using all three in advance of an impending storm is preferable, and then inspecting the entire building for missing or defective elements. In addition to wind protection, you should also prevent the wind from entering your home, which we’ll cover in more detail in a moment.

Why and how to protect your greenhouse from severe winds - Greenhouse Product News

Anchors

When constructing a greenhouse, ensure that it is fixed and secure. While pegs are fine for tiny and light plastic greenhouses, they aren’t the best option for securing a larger greenhouse. When dealing with high winds, it’s best to use ground anchors or other sturdier options.

When the weather is bad, you can use a metal base to anchor your greenhouse. A polycarbonate-glazed greenhouse puts you at more risk, therefore don’t forget the anchors when setting up your greenhouse.

It’s safe to state that a greenhouse’s construction should always have an anchoring system. Even if you don’t live in a region prone to strong winds, employing anchors should be a given among the three options. As long as you pick the right system for your soil, your greenhouse will never fall apart.

Reinforcements

Reinforcements can be added once you have a solid greenhouse base built with anchors. When it comes down to it, the most effective method of protecting a greenhouse from wind is to be prepared. Keep in mind that the greenhouse’s profile is smaller than that of a regular farm structure, so it’s your responsibility to secure it and provide additional support.

Trenches can be used to bury the extra greenhouse cover material, such as the PVC glazing. Remember to dig the trenches at least 7 to 8 inches deep before covering the glazing with sand in order to withstand strong winds. It is possible to secure the greenhouse cover to the structure’s frame joints by attaching patches inside and outside the greenhouse.

In order to prevent damage to the greenhouse’s frame and glazing caused by wind blowing in from the outside, strengthening patches should be installed. A smart tip is to seal all the holes you see in the frame so that no wind can get in. Finally, did you know that after installing anchors, you can further strengthen the greenhouse’s foundation?

The greenhouse will be more stable if the base and bottom shelf are paved with slabs. If a storm is approaching, some owners secure the greenhouse to a more stable object, such as a fence, to protect it from damage.

Strategic location

Planning the location of your greenhouse is the final step in protecting it from the wind. As a precautionary measure, you want to keep the greenhouse space open. You may make sure that no wind-borne objects are in the way, and you can also check the area in case another storm is on the way.

This way, you’ll be able to get rid of things like tree limbs and other things that might fly into the greenhouse. Smaller greenhouses can be moved to a safe location until the weather improves. Protect the greenhouse by building a wooden fence or installing wind netting.

Can You Keep Wind Out Of The Greenhouse?

Allowing wind to enter the greenhouse is also an issue, as previously stated. As a result, in addition to safeguarding the building itself, your greenhouse must be wind-tight. Before the winds arrive, inspect the doors, vents, and louvers and close them.

If you notice any cracks in your window panes, you should have them replaced right away. Keeping an eye on the panes is always a smart idea, as glass becomes fragile over time. While you’re at it, you may need to replace some missing glazing clips or splices, as well as the bar caps.

Can the wind pick up my greenhouse?

There is no doubt about it: It all relies on whether your greenhouse is composed of heavy materials (glass and metal) or light structural elements (such PVC pipe and polyethylene sheeting) and other aspects.

However, just because a Wizard of Oz scenario looks absurd, it should not be discounted. The more compact and lightweight your greenhouse, the greater the likelihood that it will be swept away like Dorothy’s.

Elements that can contribute to wind damage:

Site exposure

Your greenhouse’s placement may be at risk from wind gusts. The location of your greenhouse on your property is critical if you live on a ridge, gorge, hilltop, or plain that is frequently battered by heavy winds.

House shape

If an object has a large, flat surface, it is more likely to be damaged by wind currents.

Sailboats are an option! A bicyclist, for example, could be seen in an aerodynamic seated position or with a teardrop-shaped helmet. In order to reduce wind-catching drag, flat surfaces should be avoided (or minimized).

How Do I Protect My Greenhouse From Wind - Krostrade

Your greenhouse is no exception. It’s important to familiarize yourself with the many types of greenhouses that are accessible before making a final decision.

Roof slope

The slope of your roof, another feature of your greenhouse’s form, can have an impact on how prone it is to wind damage.

The roof of a greenhouse should always have some tilt to it, especially in places that receive a lot of rain or snow. The wind can pick up more force on a steeply inclined roof, however.

The wind resistance of a domed roof is significantly greater; nonetheless, they are extremely unusual.

Height

The more wind a structure is able to capture, the taller it is! The tallest trees in your yard can answer that question for you, of course. You may want to consider a smaller greenhouse if you live on the plains or the top of a hill or mountain.

Tips to Protect a Greenhouse from Wind

It is possible to protect your greenhouse from wind damage by making important decisions during the design, construction and installation process. Take a hard look at these things even before you start building your greenhouse to lessen the possibility of wind damage.

Choose the Ideal Location

Do you have a lot of tree limbs in your yard? When it comes to wind, where on your property does it blow the most? What direction are the greenhouse’s largest walls and roofs facing?

Consider your property’s wind patterns and other “flying” things while deciding where to locate your greenhouse.

Orientation toward the sun is more crucial than preventing wind interference in some cases, therefore this shouldn’t be your first concern while building your greenhouse. In addition, wind can come from all directions in most situations.

You may want to check into the possibility of using a “aerodynamic” greenhouse orientation to avoid wind damage.

A greenhouse that is attached to another structure may be an option if it is within your budget and zoning guidelines (one with a foundation).

Consider a Greenhouse Foundation

A concrete or other heavy-duty foundation isn’t as common as you may think, but it’s still doable. For those that reside in windy areas, you may want to begin your greenhouse construction with a foundation.

Anchor your Structure

As an alternative, you can use concrete blocks, bricks, or other heavy things to secure a lightweight greenhouse.

Plastic sheeting and hoop homes are two examples where this can be particularly handy.

There are a number of ways to increase the structural integrity of your greenhouse, like using two-by fours or even semi-heavy pipes to support the frame. Make sure these are firmly fastened down!

Want to learn more about how to design a long-lasting greenhouse that will stand the test of time? Check out our guide to Building Your Own Greenhouse for more information.

Consider Insurance (Seriously, This Isn’t A New iPhone)

The insurance provider that covers your home should know that you have a greenhouse installed. In this way, if anything occurs to your greenhouse, you’ll be protected.

However, it’s important to be aware of weather-related damage, as some insurance policies do not cover it. Instead of assuming that weather damage is covered by your insurance policy, always double-check with your provider or agency!

Preparing Your Greenhouse for Windy Weather

You can protect your greenhouse from wind damage by preparing it ahead of time.

Maintaining the structural integrity of your greenhouse will also help protect it from wind damage during storms. Winterizing that greenhouse is a good idea if it’s going to be windy and cold.

Check the structure

Make sure your house’s frame is in good condition by inspecting it.

Inspect the frame for solidity by tightening bolts and checking the foundational brackets, especially if the frame is constructed of wood. All of these things are prone to become sloppy with time!

Inspect the area

Dispose of anything that could be blown into your greenhouse by the wind by clearing the area surrounding it.

There are a few things to keep an eye out for:

  • Tree limbs that are weak or dried out
  • Storage containers like buckets or boxes that you could have lying around the yard
  • Garden and landscaping equipment
  • Decorations for your house and its surroundings (flags, etc.)

Close windows, vents, and doors

You’re out of luck if the wind tears through your greenhouse. Even if your greenhouse was designed for maximum ventilation and airflow, the wind’s force will increase if it gets inside.

Avoid creating a wind tunnel in your greenhouse.

Inspect glazing

Examine the integrity of the attachment to the frame of your greenhouse’s glazing for any cracks, tears, or holes. Keep an eye out for loose screws and bolts and tighten them if necessary. Make sure there are no holes in the seals where they should be.

The weather is getting worse – how do I protect my greenhouse from wind?

In light of climate change and its influence on the weather, this topic is not only uncertain but also unnerving. We used to be able to talk about tornado-prone or hurricane-prone places that were isolated and predictable.

It’s hard to predict where catastrophic weather events will strike now that we can see the tremendous effects of the many-layered changes to the Earth’s climate including air warming, acidity of the ocean, sea level rise, depletion of ecosystems, drought, and much more.

Greening your own lifestyle, such as growing your own organic food in a greenhouse, can have a positive impact on Earth.

Jāderloon® Greenhouses Proven to Withstand Hurricane Irma - Jaderloon Greenhouses

Greenhouse Protection from Wind-borne Missiles

Is that all there is to it in terms of keeping out the wind? Before a storm, it’s a no-brainer to get your garden in order. Place outdoor furniture, plant pots, children’s toys, and gardening tools in storage or secure them with rope. Even light wind-borne things have the capacity to shatter glass, which is astonishing given how easily wind can fling heavier objects.

In some circumstances, you may need to physically protect your greenhouse from wind-blown debris. Some greenhouses are surrounded by slatted wooden fences, wind netting, or hedging in locations where the winds are particularly fierce. Even though it has a drawback in terms of reducing light, a wind barrier may be necessary in windy areas or on an exposed slope if your greenhouse is located in a strong wind tunnel.

Until you can afford new windows, repair broken greenhouses to keep the wind out.

Take a moment to inspect your greenhouse after the wind subsides. Make sure all of the glazing clips are still in the correct position and are firmly keeping the glass in place, since they can come free and fall behind the glass. Until you can afford new panes, fill in any holes created by damaged or missing ones. Wind-blocking sheets of plastic, tarpaulin, or an old blanket are better than nothing.

When it comes to protecting your greenhouse against wind, what other strategies do you employ? Please leave a remark with any advice you may have for the rest of us.

Conclusion

It is important to note that greenhouses require some maintenance in order to protect the plants from storm damage. My greenhouse is vulnerable to wind. Three methods should keep the greenhouse’s structure solid in the face of changing weather and climate: anchors, reinforcements, and strategic placement.

As a first step, anchor the greenhouse’s foundation with concrete blocks and then add further reinforcements. As a result, you’ll be better able to determine where the greenhouse should go in order to avoid further storm-related damage. Keep an eye out for any holes or cracks that could allow wind to get inside and cause damage.