The preparation.
About the design.
The assembly.
Transport and shipping.
Maintenance.
Placing an order and payment.
Do I need a building permit?
Always check with your local council before ordering or assembling a structure, shed, building. etc. Most councils have no objections for erecting a hobby greenhouse, but please, do check before you place an order.
Which direction should the greenhouse be oriented?
If possible, locate the greenhouse where it will receive at least 6 hours of direct sunlight during the winter months. A good site would also be sheltered from high winds (Fences, natural barriers), close to water, electricity or other amenities, and easily accessible from your home and garden. Avoid a site that is boggy, soft landfill, near a children's play area, or shaded by buildings or trees during the winter.
The door of the greenhouse needs to face East or West so you can get Northern exposure on the long side of the greenhouse. This will provide more heat gain from the sun during the winter. If the northern exposure is restricted, but open to the East, Southeast, Southwest, or West, turn the greenhouse to the winter sun. Keep in mind that the sun is much lower during winter.
What type of surface should I put the greenhouse on?
You could place the greenhouse on whatever you like. Some customers put them on concrete slabs, concrete wall, wood foundation or timber decking but ideally you should do as follow:
- You need to remove all grass, sticks, roots, dirt clogs, rocks, etc. from the area. Make the area 50 cm bigger either side. This makes it so much easier for maintenance later on.
- Level and compress the surface.
- We choose to lay our ground cover (weed barrier) under the base. You can lay the ground cover after completing the base, but our experience is that this way does a much better job to keeps weeds away from the corners of the greenhouse.
- Make sure you use a weed barrier specifically designed for landscaping , do not use a tarp or plastic sheet. The latter doesn't allow water to drain away. A weed barrier allows water to drain through the fabric while keeping weeds from growing.
- Now you could use sand or gravel on top of this. We prefer pavers as they act as a good thermal mass at the same time and are easy to clean. They will soak in the heat during the day and release it slowly over night. The darker the colour the more heat they can attract. This is very important for colder climates. Besides looking stylish they allow good drainage as well.
- To finish, dump some washed river sand over the floor and sweep it into the cracks.
The site is very exposed to high winds, what do I do?
Since the greenhouses are made out of aluminium and polycarbonate, it'll be lightweight but strong. Wind gusts can move or topple over the greenhouse because of its low weight to surface area ratio. This is the reason why they need to be anchored. The anchors are part of the base and are included in the kit. Although they have a very rigid structure they are not designed to be exposed to gale force winds all the time. If you live in a windy and exposed area, eg. near the coast, then we would recommend to grow a hedge into the prevailing winds or simply put up a barrier, such as a fence, facing the prevailing winds. We have plenty of customers living in coastal areas or in exposed areas like on top of a hill. Some of them have made some simple but successful alterations and are happy to share their "secrets". We have dedicated a page on this website to some of our customers solutions. Our greenhouses come with either 4, 6 or 10 mm thick panels. The thicker the stronger the panels are. So if you live in an exposed area then go for the greenhouse with the thickest panels.
Any other useful tips?
Don't rush into the job. Think before you begin, ask opinions of others. Does the rest of the family agree with this particular spot? What do the neighbours think? Will it be alright to get there in the dark? Is the site free from any run-off water? Also check the internet, there's a wealth of information out there.
Where's the design originating from? Where are they made?
As you can read in "About us" our business has links to a European background. Greenhouses are very popular in the Northern part of Europe. Our designs are based on these concepts. They have proven to be a very successful compromise in space, strength, price, being user friendly, etc. We were looking to have them manufactured locally in Australia, however, as part of the globalisation we couldn't compete against the greenhouses made overseas. This is one of the true facts in life; If you want to stay competitive you need to outsource the manufacturing process but have it made to certain standards. If we had the greenhouses manufactured in Australia the quality would have been the same but the retail price would have been more then double! Therefore we have them made in ROC but complying to ISO9001 standards. We are sorry we cannot carry the "Made in Australia" label but I'm sure the bauxite ore for the aluminium must have been originating from Australia anyway.
Are the walls/roof plain or corrugated?
The polycarbonate walls and roof have a smooth and plain finish and are very easy to clean. They are not corrugated. It makes it very easy to remove any stains, snow, bird droppings, etc. Just use some lukewarm soapy water and a soft sponge to clean the surfaces.
What is polycarbonate? Why not glass??
Polycarbonates are a particular group of thermoplastic polymers. Their interesting features (temperature resistance, impact resistance and optical properties) position them between commodity plastics and engineering plastics.
| Benefits of polycarbonate compared to glass |
Other favourable properties |
- Virtually unbreakable, does not shatter in pieces
- Very good thermal insulation
- Light density
- Diffuses light, non scorching "hot spots" to your plants
- Very safe to children and pets
- Easy to repair
- Much better noise reduction.
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- Our polycarbonate sheets are UV-protected and won't age or turn yellow.
- Wide service temperature range (-40 C to +120 C).
- Good fire resistance with no emission of toxic gasses.
- Excellent structural properties.
- Excellent light transmission.
- Light and easy to install, yet strong and durable.
- Smooth, attractive look - opalescent appearance.
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The polycarbonate panels are pre-cut and have protection covers on both sides. One side is UV-treated and therefore it's very important to check the assembly manual. Once the protective covers are peeled off it's impossible to tell which side is what. So, be cautious. The panels are constructed of a two tier channel. This supplies an insulating effect which keeps the temperature more even and provides better growing conditions for your plants. The polycarbonate diffuses the light and is so much better then glass to prevent scorching hot spots.
What's the difference between windows and vents?
Our greenhouses don't have any windows but they do come with roof vents. A window would be on the side. This would be impractical as plants would obstruct it and a roof vent is so much more efficient to get rid of the hot air. Our roof vents can be opened and can be left open in any position. A big asset to automate temperature control is the automatic vent opener.
How is the greenhouse fixed to the ground?
Every kit includes a base. The base is made out of galvanised steel and includes anchor studs. The anchors can be hammered in the ground but a better system is to dig some holes of 30 cm diameter and fill them with concrete as a foundation. Once the base has been put in position and the concrete has set the greenhouse can be clamped onto the base. The greenhouse can be assembled independently from the base. This makes it very easy if you want to move the greenhouse to another location.
What does the base do? Do I need this?
It's true the greenhouse can be put up without the base, though, we highly recommend to use the base as this will prevent the greenhouse being blown away. The base provides a solid anchor point and makes the unit very rigid. It also provides a level and square surface which puts way less stress on the structure of the greenhouse.
Is it possible to hang plants from the frame of the greenhouse?
We don't recommend to do this because the weight adds up quickly, especially after watering the plants. It's way more effective to use staging or tables to put your plants on.
Tell me the difference between the two 244cm x 366cm greenhouses. Both numbers are the same except the more expensive one has a -G at the number's end?
Both greenhouses are identical. They both have an aluminium frame but he more expensive one has a green powder coating. This looks more stylish and most people prefer the looks more then the plain anodised alluminium frame. It's all coming back to your personal preference.
How easy is it to disassemble the unit after it has been erected?
It's only a matter of minutes to detach the greenhouse from the base as it is held in position by clamps. Removing the base might be harder if you used concrete as a foundation. Still, the anchor studs can be unbolted and you can move the whole base at once. So, yes, it is possible to re-locate the greenhouse.
Is it possible to fit a shade cloth over the roof?
Yes, you could do so. Some customers simply throw over a shade cloth, though, if you want to have it fitted for a long time you must make sure the roof vents are able to be opened up. You could make cut-outs in the shade cloth or have the shade cloth suspended from an external structure. Some of our customers bolt external extrusions to the corners of the greenhouse and these are used as supports for the shade cloth.
Does the greenhouse come with any shelving? What's included in the kit?
There is no shelving included in the greenhouses. Every customers has different, requirements and ideas. It would be impracticable to include shelving as most people want to customize their greenhouse.. Currently we are dealing with the manufacturer and are planning to included staging products in our product range.
The greenhouse kit comes in three boxes: One for the base, one for the frame and one for the polycarbonate panels. Included in the kit are the sliding door(s), the roof vent(s), all clamps, brackets, bolts, nuts, extrusions, panels, an assembly manual and some basic tools.
Are the measurements to the inside or the outside of the greenhouse?
Dimensions mentioned are the outside dimensions of the greenhouse frame. The actual length and width is a bit longer or wider as the thickness of the gutter and the doors is not included. So add at least 5 cm to both sides to find the maximum width and add 3 cm to the length.
Example:
A greenhouse is listed as 244 x 366 cm then the width at the ground will be 244 cm but at gutter height it will be 244 + 5 + 5 = 254 cm where the extra 10 cm is the width of the gutters on both sides. The length will be 366 + 3 = 369 cm where the 3 cm is the thickness of the door.
Warning: Please do not start making the foundations before the actual product has arrived.
Why different thickness of the polycarbonate panels? Which one to buy?
The greenhouses come with 4mm, 6mm or 10mm thick panels. As you can see in our catalogue some types of greenhouses are available with different panels. The thicker the panel the stronger they are. Thicker panels can withstand higher winds, it's that simple. They also provide better insulation and there is hardly any difference in transparancy. So, if you can afford it then pick the greenhouse with 10 mm thick panels. Keep in mind that panels of different thickness are not interchangeable. The slots in the extrusions are different.
The kit has arrived, what to do first?
Take your time, don't rush into things. Open up all the boxes and find the table of content in the instruction manual. Now spread out all parts and group them together. Make sure to double check part numbers as some parts are very similar but have minor differences, some will be the same part but mirror view. Tick off all the parts whilst spreading them out. Check out the quantities. If you think some parts are missing or you have too many parts of the same number then please check again. It is very, very rare parts are missing from the kit. It's even rarer parts are not machined properly. We never had to machine parts or make the holes bigger. If you come to a situation like that then please re-check everything. However, we are not living in a perfect world and there’s always a possibility these things could happen. If you have checked and double checked everything and you still think there is a problem then please contact us.
How long does it take to assemble the kit?
How long is a string? Well it depends on many variables. Most people start with the foundation and the base. Whilst the concrete sets they then start assembling the greenhouse inside a garage or big shed. It depends on the model you purchased as the smaller models don't take as long to assemble then the bigger ones. We would recommend to allow one weekend for the landscaping and preparation of the site, the foundation and the base and another weekend for assembling of the greenhouse and positioning it on top of the base. It also depends on your experience. Keep in mind it's not a race and it doesn't matter whether you can do it in one day or two as long as you take your time and double check over and over again. You only want to do this once, so, take your time and do it well. It also helps to wait for the right weather conditions. A bit of wind makes it hard to assemble the big panels on the spot.
What's included in the kit?
The greenhouse kit comes in three boxes: One for the base, one for the frame and one for the polycarbonate panels. Included in the kit are the sliding door(s), the roof vent(s), all clamps, brackets, bolts, nuts, extrusions, panels, an assembly manual and some basic tools.
What tools do I need?
All our kits contain a screw-driver and a small 10 mm spanner but we would strongly recommend to acquire a couple more tools.
What you will need during assembly (but not limited to):
| For the base |
For the frame |
For the panels |
| Shovel |
10 mm socket 1/4" |
Soapy water |
| Hammer |
Ratchet 1/4" |
Silicone spray |
| Metric tape measure |
Screwdriver (Phillips and flathead) |
Stanley knife |
| Steel rake |
Big square |
Pair of gloves |
| Long spirit level |
Step ladder |
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All extrusions and polycarbonate panels are pre-cut and will fit without any alterations.
Help, some parts are missing?
It's very rare parts are missing. The best thing you can do, before you start assembling, is to unpack all parts and spread them out on the floor. All parts are numbered (Small sticker). Group them together. Some parts are near identical, so, compare them thoroughly. If a part is miss-labeled it will show up when you do it like this. Do not remove the stickers until assembly has been completed. Do not peel off the protection sheets of the polycarbonate sheets until the very last moment (This is very important as you won't be able to identify the UV-treated side once the covers have been peeled off).
If you still can't find the part then contact us, forward the part number that is missing and we will send out a replacement part free of charge. We carry plenty of stock.
How many people will it take to assemble the kit?
You will be able to assemble front and pack panels on your own, but for all the rest you will need two people. For the biggest greenhouses it would be great to have a third person just there when the front and back panels are joined together.
What if things are not clear or I run into a problem?
Please feel free to email us at any time. We check our email on a regular base and will respond to it straight away. We understand how frustrating it can be when things are not clear. Don't hold back! You don't need to be an engineer to assemble the kits but you need to be able to handle some very basic tools and be willing to follow the included instruction booklet step by step. Do not skip pages during the process.
I find it very hard to slide the polycarbonate panels in the frame, what to do?
The polycarbonate panels are a tight fit to make sure there are no air gaps between the panels and the frame. Therefore it requires a gentle push to fit them. It helps to use a silicone spray. This kind of spray can be purchased from any hardware or automotive products supplier. This spray will not attack the polycarbonate panels and makes it so much easier to assemble the panels. Please read the safety instructions on the spray-can carefully. Avoid inhaling the spray and always make sure you wear gloves when pushing in these panels.
Can I pick up the greenhouse from your warehouse myself?
All greenhouses are send out from the warehouse. We do not allow pick up from customers as this has caused some serious problems in the past. As some of the boxes are 370 cm long they are very awkward to transport. We had a chap once who had these boxes fitted on his roof-rack and he lost the cargo along the freeway. So, that's one of the reasons we decided to send all greenhouses out at no extra cost at all to any location in Australia. This is a fair solution to our customers and doesn't give any disadvantage for customers who are living in more remote places. When using TNT the goods are insured during transport and so far we haven't had any problems with them at all. We also provide a tracking number so you can see at any time where your order is. We also ask at the time of your order for a contact phone-number. This number is then forwarded to TNT and this can be very handy in case they need to contact you.
Which transport company do you use and why?
We have been using TNT since day one. They offer us a very reliable and fast service anywhere in Australia. Not many transport companies can offer such a service as they don't like the long packages. During the shipping you will be able to track your order and find out at any time where it is. Your order is insured during transport at no extra cost to you.
Are the goods insured during transport?
Yes, your order is fully insured during transport. If you don't like what you see on arrival then do not accept the order or sign of on it.
The greenhouse arrived but some of the boxes are damaged?
Do not sign off and do not accept delivery. The transporter will then send the parcels back to us and we will take care of paperwork and insurance claims. At the same time we will send out a new kit to avoid delays. For any other forms of damage please contact us and we will look for a suitable solution.
What if I'm not satisfied when I receive my order?
If you are not satisfied, notify us within 3 days after you receive your order to obtain return authorization. Returns without authorization will not be accepted. Return authorizations, once issued, are only good for 5 business days. Any return must be in the original packing, in original condition. No alterations to materials, such as starting to install the greenhouse are acceptable. We will not accept any COD shipments. Return shipment costs are your responsibility and we will not refund original shipping costs if any apply. Any item which had free shipping or shipping included in the price will be subject to an additional 15% charge to cover the original shipping costs. Please report any shortages or damage immediately. Damages visible upon receipt should be noted on shipping manifest. Shipments must be open and inspected for shortages and damage within 10 days of receipt of goods. We cannot be responsible for shortages or damage reported after that time. Our liability is limited to the greenhouse or product purchased from us only. We are not responsible in any manner for loss of plants, loss of income, permits, improper installation of product, misuse of product, etc.
In short, if something goes wrong, contact us asap by email. We won't let you down.
How long does it take from the moment of payment has been made until delivery of the greenhouse on my doorstep?
It's depending how your payment was made and on your geographical location. After your payment has been received in our bank account we will then ship out your order. In 99% of the time the greenhouses are delivered within 4 business days. Most deliveries, however, are delivered in 2 business days. Simply put, the more remote you live the longer it takes. We keep you informed and tell you when payment has been received and tell you about what's going on. Keep in mind it can take up to 5 business days to have your cheque cleared.
Could you tell me how much shipping would be for the RC-XXXXX to X in X?
All greenhouses are delivered to your doorstep at no extra cost. This is on the mainland of Australia including Tasmania but not the islands. It doesn't matter how remote you live. You won't be charged extra because you live more remote. We offer equal conditions to all our customers. It's simple and effective! If you live outside this area or on one of the islands then please contact us and we will work it out to you.
Do you ship overseas?
We certainly can, however, the free transport rule does not apply for orders outside Australia. Transport costs will be very high and would be a real deterrent. Customers need to organize their own transport. Once your payment has been received in full and cleared by the credit-card company then we will forward you the pick-up address. We are not liable for whatever possibly can happen during transport and will not provide any refunds at all. Please contact us for more information. Greenhouses need to be picked up within a period of 30 days after payment has been cleared. If greenhouses are not picked up after this period then the deal is no longer valid and payments will not be refunded.
Why is it the vent openers are separately delivered from the greenhouse?
The vent openers are sent out from a different location (Call it globalisation). Vent openers are always sent out by Express Post. This allows overnight delivery for all major cities in Australia (See the terms and conditions for Express Post satchels). This is why they are shipped out separately. We charge $10.00 postage for any two vent openers as we can fit two of them in one satchel.
How do I keep the greenhouse clean?
The aluminium is very weather resistant and will not corrode. The panels can be cleaned with some lukewarm soapy water. Use normal household detergent. Do not use any strong chemical cleaning agents. Do not use abrasives but instead make the dirty area wet and let it soak for a couple of minutes, then you can wipe it clean with a soft sponge.
Does it need any regular service?
We would recommend for once a year to use a silicon spray to "lube" the door and the hinges of the roof vents. It would also be good to give a quick spray with some WD40 on the bolts, nuts and brackets. For the rest, there are no moving parts and it doesn't require not much maintenance at all.
What to do when damaged?
It's aluminium, so it can be welded if needed. On the other hand we keep lots of spare parts and are able to supply them. As the greenhouses are build according to a modular concept many spare parts are inter-changeable and this helps us to keep our stock-levels low. We are also able to help you in providing a quote for the insurance in case of storm damage. We keep accurate details about which customers bought which greenhouse, so, we know exactly what will fit.
Do you keep replacement parts in stock?
Yes we do!
As the greenhouses are build according to a modular concept many spare parts are inter-changeable and this helps us to keep our stock-levels low.
I need some panels, can you supply them?
If you only need a couple of them, yes, that's not a problem. For bigger quantities you're better off to chase them in the local hardware store as it will work out cheaper if you buy them in standard panels.
How to pay?
Paying by bank transfer is the easiest and most convenient way. It's very safe as well. You'll find our bank details here. We also accept payments by PayPal. You can visit PayPal here. Paypal acts as an payment merchant. Your creditcard details will never be revealed (Not even to us). On top of that they protect your purchases up to $3,000.00 (Soon it will be up to $20,000.00). With PayPal, you can pay with a credit or debit card, bank account or PayPal balance. Payment is nearly instant. We will be notified when your payment has been approved and we can then start shipping out your order before the money has been transferred in our bank. There are no fees to pay from your side.
- PayPal enables anyone with an email address to send and receive payments online.
- PayPal uses the world's most advanced proprietary fraud prevention systems.
- PayPal is owned by eBay Inc.
- As a buyer, you can pay for your item online through PayPal without sharing your financial information.
- Fund your payment with your debit card, credit card (Visa, Mastercard, etc), bank account or PayPal balance.
Is my payment safe? I don't trust buying on the internet, what to do?
We are a registered Australian business with a proven reputation. It will be very hard to make a deal if you don't trust the major banks, PayPal or Ebay. Anyway, we realize it's a big step to make an order. We purely do business via the internet to keep overheads low and pass on the profits to our customers. We regularly list on eBay as well. If you trust eBay and you can't find a product which you're interested in then please feel free to send us an email and ask us to put that particular product on eBay. We will do that straight away. Not a problem at all. Making a payment by PayPal provides free protection of your purchase up to $3,000.00 (Soon it will be up to $20,000.00). Also check your current credit card terms and condition. Most likely you will find your credit-card providers offers you free protection as well. If you still don't trust it then why don't you contact us? Sure, we can come to a kind of agreement that satisfies both of us.
Do you keep credit-card details?
No! We never see any credit-card details if you make your payment via the bank or PayPal. These are specialized third party payment merchants and they never forward your private details. The only thing we receive is their approval of payment. Please do not provide your credit-card details over the internet. We won't be able to process it anyway.
When does it take that long when I pay by cheque?
We need to have the cheque cleared by the bank. Most of the time this takes up to 5 business days (Or could even be longer). Once we got the cheque cleared and approved then we can proceed with the order. This has nothing to do with us. You could speed up things by making your payment by bank transfer or paying by PayPal.
Which payment methods do you accept?
In order of preference: Bank transfer (details are here), payment by PayPal (Payment by credit-card Visa, Mastercard, etc)
I haven't got a credit-card, how can I make a payment?
By bank transfer, very simple, secure and effective. Our details are here.
I accidentally paid too much in your account, what now?
Not a worry! We will send you the difference asap by the same method as you did pay us. If we didn't notice, which is very unlikely, then please do not hesitate to inform us.
What about warranty ?
We offer 3 year warranty on the structure of the greenhouses and are very flexible. We have plenty of spare parts and do not make a fuss if you need something.
We do not provide warranty on damage caused by natural disasters, terrorist attacks, theft or any other situations out of our control. Please inform your home & contents insurance to include your newly acquired greenhouse in your insurance policy.
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