The contractor just called to say the roof panels are in. I have all of these people coming tomorrow so they will deliver on Wednesday morning. We are getting ever closer.

I just went out to take a couple of pictures. The first shows the framework where the polycarbonate panels will go. The second shows a 1 inch square aluminum piece I had added for hanging the Vandas. I hope to add more for the plants that don't like so much light.

Jim

What a well designed orchid pool house. Keith Tibbetts (from the article) should take some ideas when he builds his pool.

It will be GREAT!

The first of the polycarbonate roof panels has just been installed. Here is a quick look. They claim 80% light transmission and 100% UV protection.

Jim

Oh very cool, Jim!!! Does this mean a light at the end of the tunnel.....

Looks great!

Fantastic, Jim!!

Twelve feet of roof is now in place.


This is the shadow line this new roof is casting. I think the orchids will be fine if I can keep the heat down.


A close up of the panels.


A look from afar.


Jim

I think you will be very happy with it.

Just gorgeous. Love that "afar" shot!!! Jealousy!

Looks great, Jim!

Jim,
how much light does the polycarbonite filter...looks like a lot from that picture!

Lindsey, the literature says it filters out 20 % of the light and 100% of the UV light. I agree that shadow was impressive. I'll just have to experiment once I get the orchids into place.

As luck would have it, they found 5 of the panels were damaged in shipment and we sent them back to the company. No word yet on how long it will take to get replacements.

Jim

Well, everything has come to a halt. The roof panels are about 4 X 12 feet each and came stacked and rolled up like carpet.


Some strong, over zealous moron at the local distributorship put steel bands around the rolls and managed to break the edges of 5 panels. That prevents them from sealing so they have to reorder. The news is that it will be a new run and the color may be off a little. Therefore, they will reorder the whole project, take down what has been installed, and start the panel installation from scratch. They estimate the new shipment arrival at about the 6th of July. The general contractor is furious, called the manufacturer directly and the local distributor is being bypassed. This project was to be completed the first week of May. On the bright side, I think the contractor is dead set on doing quality work and is not about to compromise. Here is what is up there now.


Note the exhaust fan. It automatically kicks on at 90 degrees, a temperature that is adjustable, and it has a manual override switch in case I want to shut it off in the winter.


Note the shadow on the floor and wall caused by the roof panels.


Here is a look at the rain barrel setup. I put a splitter on it so I can get water outside or from the tap we put through the wall. Having fresh rainwater right inside the greenhouse will be a big plus.


Jim

That's going to be marvelous when they (finally) finish it!

regarding the damaged panels - it is never straight forwards, isn't it....

Jim ,
It IS going to be fabulous!!
You WILL NOT have a frost before it's done...it may even be cooler while the roof is off
and how lucky you are to have an apparently conscientious contractor...how rare!

Jim, it will be a showplace....already gorgeous!

Jim, my clear tarp from ebay claims 100% protection from UV but is UV what burns them? I'm trying to decide if I should get a second tarp for the cyms. which need high light but always burn even through my screen cloth.