Preparing Your Winter Gardenz Greenhouse for High Wind Warnings

High winds can pose a challenge for any greenhouse, but with proper preparation, your Winter Gardenz greenhouse can remain secure and protected. By following a few key steps, you can ensure your greenhouse withstands stormy conditions and continues to serve as a reliable growing space. Below, we outline essential checks to prepare your greenhouse for high wind warnings, based on Winter Gardenz’s design and foundation recommendations.

1. Secure All Vents and Doors

Before high winds arrive, ensure that all vents and doors are fully closed and secured:

• Vents: Check that all roof and side vents are tightly closed. Open vents can catch the wind, putting stress on the greenhouse frame or causing damage to the vent mechanisms. For automated vent openers, ensure they are disengaged by unwinding the cylinder (you must first remove the pin).  Or if temps aren't expected to rise above 17 C, they should stay shut anyways.
• Doors: Close and lock all doors, including sliding doors in Multizone models. For Multizone greenhouses (e.g., 10x12, 10x16, 10x20, 10x24), verify that the internal sliding door is securely latched, as it runs across a base that requires solid footing support.

2. Inspect T-Head Bolts

The T-head bolts are critical for holding your greenhouse’s aluminum frame together. Loose bolts can compromise the structure’s stability in high winds. To check them:

• Walk around the greenhouse and inspect each T-head bolt, particularly at the corners and along the base.
• Use a suitable tool (typically provided in your Winter Gardenz kit) to ensure all bolts are tight. Pay special attention to larger models (10ft wide or 6ft/8ft wide models 16ft and longer), as these include additional brackets and corner joiners that rely on secure bolts.
• If you notice any missing or damaged bolts, contact Winter Gardenz for replacements before the storm hits.

3. Check the Rubber Beading

The rubber beading secures the glazing (glass or polycarbonate) to the aluminum frame, preventing wind from dislodging panels or creating gaps. To verify:

• Inspect the entire perimeter of the greenhouse, ensuring the rubber beading is fully seated in its channels.
• Look for any signs of wear, cracking, or missing sections. If the beading is loose or damaged, replace it promptly to maintain a wind-tight seal. Winter Gardenz offers replacement beading if needed.
• For Elite Style Series models, which sit on a 600mm tall nib wall, ensure the beading around the glasshouse base (attached with W05A flush mount brackets) is intact, as this area is critical for stability.

4. Confirm Secure Attachment to the Foundation

A properly secured foundation is your greenhouse’s first line of defense against high winds. Winter Gardenz provides detailed foundation plans for standard, Elite, and Multizone models, which you can review at our Foundation Information page. Here’s how to ensure your greenhouse is securely attached:

• Standard Greenhouses: For 10ft wide models or 6ft/8ft wide models 16ft and longer, confirm that the Surface Mounting brackets and 80mm corner joiners are securely fastened to the foundation (e.g., concrete slab or nib wall). For smaller models, ensure the 300mm corner stakes are deeply embedded in the ground and concreted in place, as recommended.
• Elite Style Series: Verify that the W05A flush mount brackets are securely attached to the internal brickwork of the 600mm nib wall, with no loose connections.
• Multizone Models: Check that the base running under the internal sliding door and the 500mm protruding partition wall (for models 16ft or longer) are supported by a solid footing, as specified in the foundation plans.
• General Checks: Whether using flush or surface mount brackets, ensure they are fastened internally (or externally, based on your setup) to the foundation as per Winter Gardenz’s recommendations. If you’re unsure about your foundation’s compliance, consult a local builder or engineer to confirm it meets site-specific building codes.

5. Additional Precautions

• Remove Loose Items: Clear the area around the greenhouse of any loose objects (e.g., pots, tools, or furniture) that could become projectiles in high winds.
• Check Surroundings: Ensure nearby trees or structures won’t fall onto the greenhouse. Trim overhanging branches if possible.
• Professional Inspection: If you suspect any structural issues or if your greenhouse was installed by a third party, consider contacting a Winter Gardenz-approved installer for a pre-storm check. Visit our installers page or contact us for recommendations in your area, particularly for Auckland kitset installations or nationwide architectural greenhouse builds.

Why Preparation Matters

Winter Gardenz greenhouses are designed to withstand tough weather when properly installed and maintained. By securing vents and doors, tightening T-head bolts, checking rubber beading, and ensuring a robust foundation, you can protect your investment and keep your plants safe. For detailed foundation specifications tailored to your greenhouse model, refer to our Foundation Information page.

If you need further assistance or replacement parts, contact Winter Gardenz directly. Stay safe and keep your greenhouse ready for any storm!