Does it work to remove greenhouse glass panes for ventilation?

[Susan Band]

Good idea Cliff. A lot of companies are making smoking shelters now a days 
Susan

[David Nicholson]

David, I think using non toughened glass gives you more flexibility in removing individual panes without impinging on the rigidity of the structure. (ie taking into account an 8x6 aluminium house the side elevation would give you 12 individual panes of non toughened glass per elevation and you could take out a few of these as well as adding some louvre vents. Toughened glass would give four very large panes per elevation) Or have I confused you further?  

[Darren]

We have a lot of bike sheds similar to that 'trolley shelter' design on campus and like you Cliff, have wondered about them.

[newstart]

No David that is a fantastic answer thanks! On a cold or mild summer day it would still give good ventilation if you closed down the other vents then. My idea I think would have less flexability probably. Also its pritty costly for toughned glass which you probably dont need. I will be getting an 8 x 6 as well.

[newstart]

Just had a quick look at the trolley shelters on net they are £2500 so yes a little expensive and may not be that flexable for various needs a greenhouse could give probably. Anyway I shall await the answers for the shading in summer over Mesh to the wood connected to aliminium frame. Hope I am not imposing to much. It seems everyone is enjoying answering and I am of course very greatful.

[Maggi Young]

£2500 ??  good grief, you can buy several off the peg aluminium houses for that money!

[David Shaw]

I like the look of some of the bus shelters we see around here (and we know that they are well ventilated!) but I gues that they would be even more expensive.

[David Nicholson]

No David that is a fantastic answer thanks! On a cold or mild summer day it would still give good ventilation if you closed down the other vents then. My idea I think would have less flexability probably. Also its pritty costly for toughned glass which you probably dont need. I will be getting an 8 x 6 as well.

David, just to give you an idea in my 8x6 with non-toughened glass in autumn/winter/early spring I have:-
one pane removed from each of the door and end elevations both openings covered with good grade plastic mesh.
one louvre vent kit in each side elevation always open at maximum.
two roof vents, one each side, on automatic openers set to be closed (as far as these can be set!) only when it is really frosty (it's just a question of trial and error to get them right).

From late Spring and through what passes for summer here, in addition to the above I have
the door open all the time with a home made mesh screen as an inner door.
an additional pane removed from the end elevation
and an additional pane removed from each of the side elevations.

Being a devout exponent of the "Heath Robinson" style of DIY I have had numerous attempts at making frames to hold mesh to replace panes. None of them have existed for more than a few days without collapsing and thus causing much mirth to my other half

[Susan Band]

I use clear silicone sealer to repair any broken glass. Perhaps you could use this to glue  mesh onto the inside of the openings, you would have to allow for the glass to be replaced.
Susan

[David Nicholson]

Good idea Susan, Heath Robinson didn't tell me that!

[Maggi Young]

David, if you want greater coverage, whether against bugs orsun or wind, than the weldmesh provides, then it is simple to "sew" wind mesh over the rigid frame of the weldmesh ...... seeemples.... as the TV aristocratic meerkat says!!

[David Nicholson]

Why don't I have all these ideas   Thanks Maggi.

[Maggi Young]

Why don't I have all these ideas   Thanks Maggi.

 bless you, David, it is the lack of good Scots blood, I fear!! 

[derekb]

I remove one row of glass above bench high both sides of the greenhouse with my Disa in it comes out in late March and I put it back the end of October.

Derek

[David Shaw]

David, I took four lengths of wood, about 1/2" square, and made a simple frame the size of a glass pane. I covered this with the wind mesh that Maggie just mentioned then nailed similar width wooden lathes over the mesh and into the frame. The lathes overlap the joints in the frame making it quite sturdy. I then used horticultural wire to 'tie' the frames to the aluminium support. These frames have formed the back wall of our new greenhouse permanently for three years without any maintenance at all.