skip to main content

Greenhouses & Garden Structures

Rion Cold Weather Assembly

15 years ago

OK.......I can't it anymore. My base in finished and I want to start the assembly of the greenhouse. There are a few day in the forecast that are going to be sunny and 40 degrees. So I am thinking of starting the process.

My question is has anyone assembled thier rion greenhouse when the weather has been cold? I will have some warm soapy water on hand just so everything slides together smoothly without any damage.

Am I nuts?

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (5)

birdwidow
15 years ago
No, you aren't nuts, just impatient. Calculate the time it will take to assemble and seal it before you start, then double it.

Then wait for weather that will give you the time to assemble the parts, erect the GH and not be forced to quit in the middle of running silicone sealant, because of a sudden cold snap.

Or: Lay in a large enough tarp to cover the entire GH, so if you are forced to stop for weather, you can protect the unsealed parts from the minute airbore debris that can get blown into the tiniest seam and prevent sealant from completely filling it.
web4deb
15 years ago
I assembled my HFGH 10x12 last winter and it was below freezing the entire time. It was worth freezing my buns off! ;-)
Related Discussions
Rion greenhouses
Q
Comments (5)
I've have a Rion 8 x 16 for 3 years now. While I'm much farther north than your location, I do get 60+ mph winds plus a few 100+ degree days. Because the Rion design uses interlocked short lengths of plastic resin for it's structure, I learned the hard way that having a solid base is the secret of getting this design to stand up to wind / snow / whatever. I constructed a base frame out of pressure treated 16 ft and 10 ft 4 x 4's with cross members every 4 feet which was buried with the top surface of the 4 x 4's just above ground level. I very carefully positioned and secured the bottom plastic resin members of the Rion greenhouse to this frame AFTER the Rion was completely assembled ( which required 6 people to lift the entire greenhouse from the inside ! I also added cedar decking on top of the frame crossmembers. The key issue is to make sure that wind / snow load cannot force the Rion framework out of 'square' ... because if any part is allowed to twist or move or 'stretch' the whole structure can quickly be compromised. Also, with the Rion design it's important to make sure that the inside and outside air pressures can't build up a differential. To help in this regard, I added extra wall panel vents ( four total ) and roof vents ( four total ). I also had to replace the roof vent material with solid 1/4" acrylic sheet ... since the roof vents do take a 'beating' acting as 'safety valves' for wind pressure. I Agree with Billala that there's no way that a Rion greenhouse is ever going to survive being made airtight ! So I don't even try ! This means that I can't even think about heating my Rion for plants to survive sustained sub-freezing temperatures. But that won't be as much of an issue for you as it is for me in the 'frozen' north. I am just now moving seedlings into my Rion on the assurance that there shouldn't be any more 'deep' (
...See More
Rion Greenhouse feedback?
Q
Comments (2)
I looked at the Rion GH's last year, when I was trying to decide on a GH and the price was tempting, until I really looked at how they are made and came the some conclusions as has maineman. Nevertheless, if you live in a milder climate than we do (No. Ill & Maine) for their cost and clever design, a Rion could be a good choice for you. It all comes down to intended use. If any GH suits both your needs and budget, it's worth whatever you pay for it. If it won't, it's no bargain at half.
...See More
Rion Greenhouse experience
Q
Comments (24)
I set up my Rion 8x12 "Hobby Greenhouse", the green one, over six years ago (photo below). No structural or deterioration problems, and no panel failures of any sort. The green finish has dulled, much like you get on a fiberglass boat. (The GH was new when the photo was taken.) Living in lower Alabama (sub-tropical), I ordered a custom kit with double doors in both ends, four vents and a shade cloth. This provides great ventilaiton - the secret to keeping it below the melting point. No yellowing of poly panels except in the south-facing doors, which stand open all summer with the unprotected side to the sun. (should have turned the panels around years ago, but too lazy.) Located in lower Alabama, it sees mild winters, hot humid summers, occasional strong thunderstorms, but no hurricanes yet. As noted by others, air sealing is something the factory leaves largely up to you, and it takes considerable observation and ingenuity to plug all the air inlets, somewhat akin to the structural enhancements the Harbor Freighters have to contend with. Also, as noted by others, water sealing is an ongoing process. In my case, I had water leaks under all four vents. I finally cured the leaks by taping all the seams around the vents with Nashua Waterproofing Tape (photo below). The tape has lasted several years now and still looks new, again in a sub-tropical climate. The Rion Hobby Greenhouse looks like a big kid's toy. But it's not. It's made very precisely, and you have to assemble it exactly as the manufacturer intends (but sometimes does not explain very well), perfectly square and level. That pesky stripping that secures the poly panels and the torsion wires across the top look easy, but are particularly tough to get right. Structurally, the greenhouse sort of hangs by it's thumbs, i.e. everything about it contributes to its structural integrity. It helps enormously if you have built many things before taking on a Rion. I would posit that a much of the trouble people have with the Rion derives from their inexperience in building things, or just plain old carelessness and inattention to detail. With all due respect, if you lack building experience, or otherwise have trouble figuring complex things out, you might need to get experienced help in setting up a Rion. Rion Greenhouse: Nashua Tape:
...See More
Happy Rion Owners?
Q
Comments (41)
jbest123: It's on a dead level concrete foundation that's right "on the square" as I mentioned before. It's the design of the Rion itself. The spokesperson is well aware of the problems with spaces where the roof meets the sidewalls and where the caps go on the roof sections. That's why they send that gray sponge with the kits. It's not enough. I had to buy a lot more sponge at Lowe's to fill the gaps.
...See More
billala
15 years ago
I suspect installing all that weather stripping around the wall panels will give you the most grief in cold weather. I suspect the next most difficult task will be getting those #%Â¢@* so-called glazing elements installed on the roof. Both are a pain when the weather is nice. If you have a garage or den with an 8 ft. wide door opening, you could assemble the top inside, then carry it out and install it on the wall assembly. If you have a way to haul it home, I think it would be worth it to assemble the roof in a neighbor's garage, a corner of a warehouse, or whatever you can get so as to have a warm place to do it. If you canÂt do any of that, you could at least assemble the roof pediments and doors inside your house. ItÂs a fairly clean job.
boxcar_grower
Original Author
15 years ago
I could assemble the roof at work and and haul it home in my dump truck. That a good idea. The glazing is what I was worried about the most.

Well I have a bunch of vacation time so if I see a weeks worth of good weather I think I will go for it.

Thanks all
boxcar_grower
Original Author
15 years ago
Well...mission accomplished. The greenhouse is finished and all was done with weather below 40 degrees. The roof elements was the most challenging. A heat gun was need to make things just pliable enough. The weather stripping around the walls went very easy. The door seals also went well.

I used some expanding foam insulation for all those air gaps. It worked perfect. The doors need just a bit of TLC. As others have said the doors are a weak link. I have the new style brackets and the biggest problem is the bottom edges. The weather stripping needs some coaxing to make a good seal. I will add a dead bolt on the out side to give more strength to the other door.

The remaining projects are floor, electricity, and heat.

Related Stories

GREEN BUILDING Insulation Basics: Designing for Temperature Extremes in Any Season

By Mariana Pickering (Emu Building Science)

Stay comfy during unpredictable weather — and prevent unexpected bills — by efficiently insulating and shading your home

Houzz Products: Cool Ideas for Summer Drinks

Just the sight of these beverage dispensers, summery linens and bar accoutrements might cool down your guests

0

KITCHEN DESIGN Kitchen Luxuries: The Wood-Fired Pizza Oven

By Sheridan Interiors, Kitchens and Baths

If you love homemade pizza and are (ahem) rolling in dough, a wood-burning oven may be just the right kitchen investment

FEEL-GOOD HOME Stop That Draft: 8 Ways to Keep Winter Chills Out

By Laura Gaskill

Stay warm without turning up the thermostat by choosing the right curtains, windows and more

HOUZZ TOURS My Houzz: A Prefab Modern Farmhouse Rises in Vermont

By Mary Prince Photography

A prefab borrows from the simplicity of barns to suit its family and the Vermont countryside

BATHROOM DESIGN A Designer Shares Her Master-Bathroom Wish List

By Jennifer Ott Design

She's planning her own renovation and daydreaming about what to include. What amenities are must-haves in your remodel or new build?

MOST POPULAR How to Add a Backyard Shed for Storage or Living

By Mitchell Parker

Need a home office, a playspace or extra room for your stuff? Learn about off-the-shelf, prefab and custom sheds

ARCHITECTURE Modern or Contemporary Architecture? The Interiors Edition

See how one expert distinguishes between two popular camps of interior architecture. Do you agree with his choices?

DECORATING STYLES So Your Style Is: Swedish

By Lisa Frederick

Fresh faced and cheerful, Swedish style marries casualness and elegance with ease. Could its lighter look uplift your home?

FIREPLACES Updated Woodstoves Keep Home Fires Burning

By Eric Reinholdt, Architect

Better technology means more efficiency than ever for modern woodstoves

Sponsored

More Discussions

Thoughts on this as a greenhouse / sun room?

2

Greenhouse Orientation, which way to angle an odd shape?

0

Gazebo structure help

1