Omar Khalid
Installing greenhouse plastic is a challenging but rewarding task. It is important to plan for a calm, warm day to ensure the plastic does not blow away and to allow for expansion. The process requires at least two people and a variety of tools, including wiggle wire, channel wire lock base, and screws. The first step is to unroll the plastic film lengthwise, ensuring the label is visible from inside the structure. The next step is to lift the plastic over the hoops of the greenhouse, taking care to work with the wind to avoid rips. Once the plastic is in place, it can be secured using wiggle wire or other methods such as batten tape, staples, or trench digging. The endwalls, which bear the most wind load, should be secured first, followed by the sides.
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What You'll Learn
Prepare the plastic film and frame
To prepare the plastic film and frame for installation, you'll need a few people to help you, as well as the right materials and ideal weather conditions.
First, check that you have all the materials you need, including the plastic film, channel wire lock base, wiggle wire, screws, and spring wire. It is also recommended to have greenhouse repair tape on hand in case of tears or rips. Choose a calm, warm day for installation, as temperature fluctuations can cause the plastic to expand and contract, and wind can make the process more difficult.
Before you begin, make sure there are no sharp edges, wood splinters, or nails that could tear the plastic. When you're ready, unroll your plastic film lengthwise along the structure, ensuring that the label is visible from inside. For a hoop house greenhouse, have two people grab a corner of the film and begin lifting it over the hoops, working with the wind to avoid the plastic getting pushed onto the ribs. Soft-bristled brooms or poles with tennis balls on the end can be useful at this stage.
Once the plastic is draped over the frame, you can begin securing it in place. Pull the plastic as tight as you can and start securing it into the channel from the top to the bottom and side to side. You can use spring wire and lock channel, snap clamps, or staples and batten board to secure the plastic, depending on your preference and the permanence of the structure.
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Secure the plastic to the baseboards
When securing greenhouse plastic, it is recommended to install on a calm, warm day with at least two people helping out, although four is ideal. Begin by unrolling your plastic film lengthwise along the structure, with the label visible from the inside.
To secure the plastic to the baseboards, you can use wiggle wire, which is installed in two-person groups. One person pulls the slack out of the plastic, while the other installs the wire over the plastic and into the channel. Starting at the peak, work your way down each side of the bow, leaving 12” of plastic overhanging. After one side is complete, pull the slack to the opposite side and install the wiggle wire from the peak down. Repeat as needed to tighten the plastic.
Another method is to use spring wire, which is installed in a similar way to wiggle wire. The wire is installed by wiggling it back and forth, allowing the bend in the wire to be tucked into the channel.
If you want to avoid making holes in the plastic, you could try digging a trench around the greenhouse and burying a portion of the plastic in it, placing weights on top. However, this may not withstand strong winds.
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Use wiggle wire to secure the plastic
Wiggle wire is an effective and inexpensive way to secure greenhouse plastic. It can withstand heavy snow and winds exceeding 70 mph, and it helps with temperature control. It is also easy to install.
To install wiggle wire, you will need two people. One person should pull the slack out of the greenhouse plastic, leaving 2-3” of overhang, while the other installs the wiggle wire over the plastic and into the channel. Start at the peak of the end-wall bow and work down each side. Repeat this process on the opposite side, pulling the slack out of the plastic and installing the wiggle wire from the peak down. This will ensure that the plastic is tight.
If you have a roll-up side, you will also need to install wiggle wire to the eave plate and secure it to the roll-up bar. Lay the roll-up bar on top of the baseboard while you do this to ensure that your roll-up side is straight.
To remove the wiggle wire, start at one end and use pliers to pull it out.
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Work from the centre outwards
When installing greenhouse plastic, it is important to work on a calm and warm day, ideally in the early morning, to prevent wind from blowing the plastic away and to reduce the potential for loose plastic when the weather gets hot. The plastic should be unrolled lengthwise along the structure, with the label visible from the inside. Two people should then grab a corner of the film on the ends and begin lifting it over the hoops of the greenhouse, working with the wind when unfolding. Soft-bristled brooms or poles with a tennis ball on the end can be useful at this stage.
Once the plastic is pulled over the greenhouse, it should be secured in place to prevent it from blowing away. This can be done by installing wiggle wire in two-person groups, with one person pulling the slack out of the plastic approximately 2-3” in front of the second person who installs the wiggle wire over the plastic and into the channel. Starting at the peak, install the wiggle wire down each side of the bow, leaving 12” of plastic overhanging. After completing one side, pull all the slack to the opposite side and install the wiggle wire from the peak down. This process should be repeated as many times as needed to get the plastic tight.
When working with the plastic, it is important to work from a central point and out diagonally. This helps to work out any wrinkles in the plastic. Working from the bottom to the top, move from the middle out on one side and then the other. Securing these individual pieces after the perimeter makes the end wall skin very tight.
After the plastic is secured, the excess should be cut off, leaving 2-3” of excess plastic for future adjustments. If your greenhouse has roll-up sides, install the channel base on the top 2’x4’, which will be the desired roll-up height. Install the roll-up handle and repeat this process on the opposite side of the structure, starting at the center and working toward each end.
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Cut off excess plastic
When you are completely done installing the greenhouse plastic, cut off the excess plastic. Leave 2-3” of excess plastic for future adjustments. If you have a roll-up side, you can cut off any excess from the bottom past 12”.
If you are installing roll-up sides, you can cut the roll-up bar to the same length as the greenhouse's outside-to-outside length.
To avoid cutting the plastic, you could dig a small trench surrounding the greenhouse, then bury a portion of the plastic on one side, place weights on top, pull the plastic tight on the other side, and then bury and place weights on that side. However, this method may not withstand strong winds.
Another option to avoid cutting the plastic is to screw lath (such as garden stakes) into the baseboard of the greenhouse, with the plastic between the lath and the baseboard. This method does put holes in the plastic, but they will be on the edge of the plastic sheeting.
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Frequently asked questions
Begin by unrolling your plastic film lengthwise along the structure. Unroll the film so that the label is visible from inside the structure. Most plastic is folded in a way that facilitates its unfolding as you pull the corners. After rolling out the plastic, grab a corner of the film on the ends and begin lifting it over the hoops of a hoop house greenhouse. Work with the wind when unfolding, otherwise, the plastic will be pushed onto the ribs, making the job much more difficult.
You can use spring wire, wiggle wire, batten tape, staples, or specially designed greenhouse snap clamps. If you are using spring wire, begin by installing the wire in the centre and work your way out. Starting on the ends before the sides prevents any wind from blowing the film away. The wire is installed by wiggling it back and forth, allowing the bend in the wire to be tucked into the channel.
It is best to install greenhouse plastic on a calm, warm day. This is because the plastic expands and contracts with temperature fluctuations, and installing the plastic on a warm day reduces the potential for loose plastic when the weather gets hot. It is also a good idea to have at least four people helping you.
