Replacement twinwall (?) polycarbonate sheets

Yorkie1

The twinwall (?) polycarbonate panel in the opening vent in my greenhouse roof has disappeared in the winds, and I'm not holding out much hope of finding it on the allotment site!

Can anyone recommend a supplier for replacement panels, please? There's so much choice out there. And anything I need to look out for when deciding what to buy?

Thanks.

Lorian

Depends how much and how big you need. Wickes generally keeps some in stock

Yorkie1

Thanks @Lorian someone else has suggested Wickes too. I've been up to measure the space, and assume the thickness is the same as elsewhere in the greenhouse. Guess what I'll be spending time on tomorrow!!

Lorian

Watch how you cut it,anything with a rough saw blade will splinter it to bits

Yorkie1

Ah thanks. Sharp Stanley knife blade?

Have also just seen a tip in one of the reviews to put masking tape over before using the Stanley knife, and to sand it down lightly afterwards. Even I can manage that!

Both Wickes and B & Q have some in stock. Spoilt for choice 😊

Farway

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82180507#Comment_82180507

Fine toothed hacksaw if you have one. Not tried, but a tip I have seen for cutting laminates / perspex is to stick sellotape or similar along the cutting line to help prevent splintering.

Anything on YouTube?

Yorkie1

That's a good idea @Farway - never occurred to me! Thanks.

I have a hacksaw too, though not sure what fine-ness the blade is.

Ganiani

I’d start by checking with the greenhouse manufacturer, as they may be able to supply a replacement panel cut to the right size. If that’s not an option, some UK greenhouse specialists and plastics suppliers sell twinwall polycarbonate sheets that you can cut to fit yourself. Just make sure you measure the thickness as well as the length and width, and check how the panel is secured in the roof vent. It’s also worth checking the UV protection and making sure the replacement is suitable for greenhouse use. Given the wind managed to take the original panel, I’d have a good look at the clips and fixings too before fitting the new one!

Yorkie1

Thanks @Ganiani I've sourced some from Wickes, which I think should be the right thickness as well as width, but will have to cut it to length. I've got some araldite and duck tape as well as some greenhouse clips. Hopefully, between them, they will keep it in place firmly!

Unfortunately I've no idea of the manufacturer, otherwise that would have been a useful route to go down.

Ganiani

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82182144#Comment_82182144

Sounds like you’ve got most of it covered! The clips should hopefully do the main job of keeping the panel in place, especially if you can secure it at several points around the edges. I’d just be a little cautious with the Araldite and make sure it’s suitable for polycarbonate, as some adhesives can damage plastics. Hopefully the Wickes sheet fits well once you’ve cut it to length, and you won’t have to deal with another missing panel after the next windy spell!