Greenhouse Butterfly: features of self-assembly of the structure

Growing various crops in greenhouses and greenhouses is a favorite activity of many summer residents. But there is not always a place on the site for large and bulky structures suitable for this purpose. As an alternative to a simple and convenient option, the Butterfly greenhouse can be used, the design, features and advantages of which will be discussed in this article.

What is the Butterfly greenhouse: design features

The main feature of this type of greenhouse is its versatility. Such designs are great for both spacious and very small areas. Another advantage is their mobility - such a greenhouse is easy to disassemble and move to another place.

By its design, the greenhouse resembles a butterfly, which is why it got its name. It is simple to regulate the microclimate in such a greenhouse by partially or completely opening the doors and allowing air and the sun to penetrate inside. If necessary, a greenhouse of any size can be installed on the site, depending on the needs of the owner.

Useful advice! If you plan to grow plants in a greenhouse during the cold season, then you should consider purchasing a heated model.

For most greenhouses of this design, standard materials are used: a plastic or metal-plastic profile for the frame and polyethylene or polycarbonate as a covering. Depending on the model, the frames can have several sections or be solid.

If you highlight the main feature that distinguishes the Butterfly greenhouse from other models, then this will be the most rational use of the available area. Thanks to its design, the greenhouse provides the owner with comfortable access to all plants, allowing the entire area to be used for growing crops.

Advantages of the Butterfly greenhouse: photos of the most beautiful greenhouses

Summer residents who use this type of greenhouse on their plots often note both positive and negative aspects of its use. To better understand whether it is worth giving preference to this option, consider all the pros and cons.

Benefits of using Butterfly greenhouse:

• able to withstand severe weather. Remains strong and stable even in the event of heavy snowfall;
• the process of airing the greenhouse is convenient due to the presence of special vents. In addition, special shock absorbers have a positive effect on the service life of the Butterfly, preventing its moving parts from failing;
• subject to the use of high-quality certified coating and proper care for it, the service life of such a greenhouse is quite long;
• design features allow the greenhouse to perfectly retain heat, creating the most comfortable conditions for the growth and development of plants;
• suitable for growing almost all popular crops, including vegetables, flowers, melons, any seedlings, etc.;
• the installation of such a structure does not require the mandatory presence of a foundation. The greenhouse can be easily disassembled and carried from place to place;
• if desired, a suitable design can be made by hand, saving on the purchase. Moreover, the prices for such greenhouses are quite affordable.

As most reviews testify, the Butterfly greenhouse is easy to use, it fully meets the requirements of the most fastidious summer resident and copes with its functions fully. And yet, the terrible reviews cannot be ignored. Greenhouse Butterfly has both supporters and opponents, and in order to create an objective picture, it is necessary to take into account the arguments from both sides.

Disadvantages of the Butterfly greenhouse and how to eliminate them

During operation, many summer residents have to face some difficulties, which, however, are not always critical. In most cases, following simple rules and proper care of the structure, you can use the greenhouse without any problems.

Nevertheless, it is worth knowing the weak points of such greenhouses:

• most often the hinges on which the sashes are held are prone to breakage. This is due to regular opening and closing. This can be prevented by carrying out regular inspections and, if necessary, repairs;
• if polycarbonate is used as a covering material, then under its weight the lower arcs can deform. To prevent this from happening, they must be further strengthened;
• one of the most common complaints that can be found among users who purchase a ready-made greenhouse is the use of low-quality paint by the manufacturer, which quickly cracks and crumbles. In this case, it is best to remove the poor coating and repaint the frame again;

• sometimes there are burrs inside the holes made for fasteners, which have to be eliminated on their own using a file.

Greenhouse Butterfly do it yourself: features of assembly and installation of the structure

The design of this greenhouse is simple, thanks to which it is easy to make it yourself, subject to certain rules and recommendations. Another question is to choose the right materials and carry out all the calculations. What exactly is worth paying attention to, and how to do everything right, we will consider.

How to choose a place to install a greenhouse

The design of the greenhouse allows not to allocate too large a site area for its installation. However, even this small area must be properly sized to ensure the integrity of the structure and allow the owner to grow a good crop.

Among the criteria for choosing a place to install a greenhouse, lighting occupies the main position. Lack of sunlight can negatively affect the growth and development of plants, and therefore the best option is a flat, well-lit area. In addition, the location of the greenhouse from north to south is considered ideal.

It is strongly not recommended to install greenhouses in low-lying areas, since in the event of rain or melting snow, the accumulation of water will lead to crop rot. For the same reason, it is bad if the groundwater is too close to the surface and causes constant dampness. It is also undesirable to install a greenhouse on the windy side, since the constant exposure to wind can negatively affect the stability of the greenhouse.

In practice, when choosing a place suitable for a greenhouse, the most unsuitable options are first excluded. Avoid placing the structure in shady areas or near septic tanks and other chemicals. It is recommended to adhere to existing standards for distance from other buildings, fences and other elements of the site.

The choice of material for the manufacture of frame and sheathing

To assemble the Butterfly greenhouse, you can use a base made of both metal and wood. Small diameter metal pipes are considered ideal, however, a wooden frame is also quite suitable. In any case, it is worth paying attention to the issue of protecting the structure from moisture. The advantage of a wooden frame is that there is no need to use a welding machine and other tools designed to cut, bend and fasten metal parts.

For cladding the frame, polycarbonate is considered the most suitable material. This material is strong, durable and retains moisture and heat well inside the greenhouse. Such a choice will provide the most comfortable conditions for plants and at the same time, the convenience of using the greenhouse, including caring for it and, if necessary, repairing it.

How to make a butterfly greenhouse with your own hands: drawings with dimensions

As it should be, the creation of such a greenhouse begins with a standard procedure for calculations and developments. At this stage, it becomes clear how much the project will cost, what materials and in what quantity will be required for its implementation.

In most cases, summer residents use ready-made drawings that can be found on the Internet as a basis. The greenhouse Butterfly is considered standard, 1-1.5 m high and 2x4 m in size.

Useful advice! It is worth thinking in advance about what plants will be grown in the greenhouse, as this will directly determine its size. For example, for tall or climbing crops, the standard height may not be enough.

It is important to consider whether it is planned to regularly dismantle the greenhouse, since the complexity of the fastening elements, as well as the thickness of the material used, will depend on this. If the structure is stationary, then it is permissible to use a frame and polycarbonate of greater thickness than for collapsible structures. Another important aspect is thinking over additional systems, for example, heating or lighting.

Step-by-step instructions for assembling a greenhouse Butterfly

Having decided on the drawing, and having completed all the preparatory work, you can proceed directly to the installation of the greenhouse and its equipment. To do this, it is necessary to clear a suitable area from grass and debris, completely removing the top layer of soil. It will also help level the area.

The construction of the foundation is not a prerequisite for installing the Butterfly greenhouse, however, its presence will provide the structure with additional strength, making it more reliable and extending its operational life.The foundation for the greenhouse is erected according to the following scheme:

• measurements are taken on the prepared site and appropriate markings are made;
• then they dig a trench around the perimeter of the future greenhouse, lay a waterproofing layer inside. To provide additional strength, the corners of the trench are reinforced, after which a slurry of sand and cement is poured inside;
• using bricks, they lay out a low basement - a protruding part of the foundation.

After the foundation has hardened and is completely ready for the installation of the greenhouse, you can proceed to the assembly and installation of the frame. The structure is assembled from the selected material using welding or bolts of a suitable size as a method of fastening. Then the frame is fixed to the base.

At this stage, it is most convenient to apply protective anti-corrosion or antiseptic agents. You can immediately paint the frame or open it with varnish. While all these layers are drying, there will be enough time to measure and cut the polycarbonate. The most convenient way to do this is with a circular saw.

Attaching polycarbonate to the frame is another step that requires attention. For this purpose, you will need self-tapping screws, thermal washers and fasteners with a seal. Using special profiles, the ends are connected, and each joint must be treated with silicone sealant so that the greenhouse turns out to be airtight.

As for the features of such a design, in the process of self-manufacturing, you should pay special attention to the drawing of the greenhouse Butterfly with your own hands. So, the presence of a central beam, which holds special hinges, plays a huge role. It is on them that the opening flaps - "butterfly wings" are put on.

Before assembling the Butterfly greenhouse, it is important to consider how the open segments will be held in this position. Usually, for this, special supports are mounted on the sides of the structure.

Greenhouse rules Polycarbonate butterfly

In order for the plants inside the greenhouse to feel comfortable, you must adhere to a few simple rules and avoid common mistakes.

It is important to always monitor the air temperature outside and, accordingly, open / close the greenhouse. On warm days, the flaps should be open to provide oxygen to the plants, and the greenhouse should be closed when cool. Thus, the greenhouse effect will extend the fruiting period of almost any crop. And in spring, thanks to the greenhouse effect, you can start planting plants several weeks earlier than usual.

Related article:

Greenhouse Bread box: functional design for growing vegetables

Principle of operation, advantages and disadvantages of the design. How to make and sheathe a frame with your own hands. Prices and features of finished structures.

If you plan to grow several different crops at once in one greenhouse, then it is advisable to separate them. For this, ordinary plastic wrap is quite suitable.

You can water the plants in the greenhouse in any convenient way: from a regular watering can or using drip irrigation... Convenient Butterfly design allows easy access to all plants.

After the winter period, when the greenhouse was not used for its intended purpose, it is necessary to check and prepare before proceeding with planting. The greenhouse must be cleaned of accumulated dust and dirt, carefully inspected for damage, and, if found, removed.

Important! Care is required not only for the design of the greenhouse, but also for the soil inside. A large number of fungi and bacteria that could accumulate during this time will negatively affect the seedlings.So, when preparing the greenhouse, it is imperative to decontaminate the soil.

How to prepare a greenhouse Butterfly for winter

After the growing season is over, you need to start preparing the greenhouse for the upcoming cold weather. Proper greenhouse maintenance will help extend the life of the structure. General cleaning before the onset of winter is simply necessary, since this process significantly reduces the risks of a malfunction and the need for repairs.

Depending on what kind of covering material was used, the procedure will differ. The plastic film must be removed. If it is intact and can be used, then it must be thoroughly rinsed and dried. It can then be folded up and stored in a dry place where it will be stored until the next season.

 

Of course, this is not done with polycarbonate. But this does not mean at all that it does not require care. Any hard surface must be washed. The same applies to all elements of the frame. It is especially important to make sure there is no rust. If it was found, the defect must be eliminated. Lubricating moving parts will also help.

It is important that before the onset of cold weather, all old plants were completely removed from the soil. The earth must rest in order to be fertile next year. At the same time, the use of special means that can destroy harmful microorganisms by cleaning and restoring the earth is encouraged.

How to choose and buy a greenhouse Butterfly: features and cost of various models

If you want to buy a butterfly greenhouse, the price of it plays a very important role. It is important for every summer resident to save money, but at the same time get a quality product. As an example, consider a greenhouse with Butterfly 4 m polycarbonate, which is the easiest to buy, since it is very popular.

Greenhouse-greenhouse from a domestic manufacturer Mr. Hit Butterfly 4 m. This structure is made of painted steel pipe with a section of 20x20 mm. As covering material Cellular polycarbonate must be used, which, however, is not included in the set for the greenhouse and must be purchased separately.

With a width of 4 m, the greenhouse is 1.15 m high and 1.25 m wide. The frame, packed for transportation, weighs 26 kg. At the same time, the manufacturer provides a guarantee for his product - 12 months. It is quite rare to find on sale a Butterfly greenhouse 4 m with polycarbonate. Most often, it is not included in the kit price. And in this case, the cost of the frame will be 6400 rubles.

The same company offers its customers models in other sizes. For example, for those who want to install a very small greenhouse, you can purchase a structure 2 m long. They are made of painted steel pipe of the same section. At the same time, the height and width of the structure are preserved. Only the length changes and, accordingly, the weight, which is only 14 kg. Such a greenhouse costs only 3600 rubles.

Designs of these sizes are purchased by summer residents for personal use and almost always have extremely positive reviews. If you want to see a greenhouse of a non-standard size or shape on your site, then you should inquire about their independent production.

Assembling a greenhouse butterfly: video instruction for self-work

Everyone who has a desire can watch a video on how to assemble a Butterfly greenhouse and make a design suitable for their own site. If you think over all the aspects considered and take into account the recommendations of experts, the greenhouse will turn out to be practical, functional and attractive.All these characteristics have a positive effect on the quality of the plants grown in the greenhouse.