Stage 12 – Covering the greenhouse with plastic film

Covering the greenhouse with the plastic film requires at least ten people to roll the plastic film over the greenhouse to ensure a tight fit, plus nailing it to the upper and lower sides of the greenhouse, next to the foundations. Start by stretching the plastic film from the sides (Photo 153), folding the plastic (Photo 154) and stapling into the upper gusset (Photo 155, 156 and 157). Then, lift the plastic-wrapped lumber to the upper side of the greenhouse (Photo 158) and align it with the roof structure’s upper side beam/board (Photo 159). After that, nail it from side to side (Photos 160 and 161) with 40 cm spacing (as viewed from inside in Photo 162). The same procedure is repeated on the other side, folding the plastic film and nailing it to the gusset (Photos 163, 164, 165 and 166), pulling the film to the upper side board (Photos 167), where the piece of lumber will be nailed (Photo 168). Observe the position of the curtain’s batten/piece of lumber (Photo 169), so that the upper roof plastic will fit in it. Installing the side curtains should be executed from the top of the wooden roof structure (Photos 171 and 172).

To more easily cover the greenhouse with the plastic film (Photos 173, 174 and 175), unroll the plastic over the wooden roof structure. After stretching the plastic, roll the ends around a batten/piece of lumber the full width of the greenhouse. The plastic film should be rolled around the batten from the inside out to insulate it from rain water (Photo 176). Next, nail the plastic-wrapped battens to the upper sides of the greenhouse (Photos 177, 178 and 179). Make sure the plastic film is firmly stretched to keep the wind from tearing it. Pull the plastic-wrapped batten/piece of lumber and fit it under the previously nailed side curtain batten (Photo 180).

Once the plastic cover is firmly stretched and the batten/piece of lumber is in place (Photo 181), we can start nailing the cover’s batten (Photo 182) on the side curtain’s batten (Photo 183), thus keeping rain water from leaking into the greenhouse. Photos 184–189 show how to roll the plastic around the battens, which are to be pulled down, fitted and nailed to the upper part of the wooden roof structure of the greenhouse. The firmly stretched side curtains (Photos 190 and 191) will provide greater safety for the greenhouse. Now the cover of the agricultural greenhouse with alternative materials (Photos 190, 191, 192, 193 and 194) is ready, its plastic film roof cover firmly applied, nailed, and made safe against wind action.