FAQ’s

Solexx Greenhouses and Greenhouse Covering have been manufactured in the USA for over 35 years. We are proud to offer American made products at our headquarters in Salem, OR! What difference does this make to the customer? Our product instructions are written in English with detailed explanations. If you call us with questions, we are easily accessible, knowledgeable and happy to help. Should you need a replacement part, we can easily and quickly get you what you need.

Solexx greenhouses out-perform all other greenhouses in wind. Our composite frame is extremely strong and durable. As long as the greenhouse is firmly anchored, you should not have problems. The combination of a strong frame and flexible paneling works very well in adverse conditions. Because the greenhouse covering attaches over the top of the frame, there are no gaps for wind to twist or push the material through the frame. Many of our customers live on the coast and frequently experience winds of 70 mph or greater. We have had many customers report to us over the years that their greenhouse survived a hurricane with no damage from the impacting tree branches.

Solexx greenhouses are easy to heat; in fact they are the most efficient on the market. The 3.5mm and 5mm twin-walled glazing material provides more insulation than most other hobby greenhouse materials. The cost of heating your greenhouse will depend on the temperatures in your area and the type of plants you plan to grow. Many plants require only a 45-degree nighttime temperature. Heating costs can be reduced by using buckets or plastic jugs of water or by lining the greenhouse with a layer of Visquine or bubble wrap in the cold months. In mild conditions, 5 gallon covered black buckets filled with water will trap the solar energy during the day and release heat for most of the night. If you would like to compare the insulation of different greenhouse materials, you can go to the USDA website and download the virtual grower software to compare energy savings along with other useful growing information,

Very little site preparation is required for your Solexx Greenhouse. You can place your greenhouse on any leveled area such as your lawn, over bare ground, on a gravel base, over a wood deck, on a concrete slab, or a brick patio. We recommend a gravel base and 100% weed barrier for the best drainage. A south facing area is best to get the maximum sun exposure.

Assembling a Solexx Greenhouse takes just a few readily available tools. You will need a screwdriver, variable speed drill, sharp knife or utility knife, tape measure, step ladder,Clear Silicone caulk, caulking gun, clear PVC glue and a level. A greenhouse kit generally will take a weekend for two people to assemble.

Greenhouses are shipped either FedEx of by truck. They will arrive in a few boxes (amt varies depending on kit). Each kit comes with complete written instructions and computer generated drawings. And of course, we’re always here to help with questions.

Solexx is open 8am -5pm, Monday through Friday pacific time. If you would like to see us on the weekend, please call for an appointment. Visiting is a great way to see just how wonderful Solexx greenhouses are! Our factory is located just a quarter mile west of I-5 exit 263 at 3740 Brooklake Rd NE in Salem, Oregon. We’re located on the left. Hope to see you soon!

Solexx panels diffuse the light evenly throughout the greenhouse eliminating “hot spots” and shadows for superior plant growth. This not only prevents overheating during warm weather but also safeguards your plants from sunburn. Diffuse light is critical for optimal plant growth because it reaches all parts of the plant, not just the upper canopy. The additional light exposure substantially boost plant photosynthesis, resulting in more robust, healthy growth. Additionally, plants will not burn under Solexx, making it the ideal choice for both shade and sun-loving plants.

Solexx greenhouses are made with polyethylene. Polyethylene is much more flexible and is easy to cut to any size. Polycarbonate panels tend to be thicker, but have a lower insulation factor than polyethylene. Both materials diffuse light, but polycarbonate diffuses less (because it is more transparent), making the greenhouses much hotter in the summer. Polyethylene is very easy to clean and will not scratch like polycarbonate. Polyethylene does not contain BPA’s that are found in polycarbonate materials.

Solexx panels are very durable. Solexx greenhouses have been undamaged after being covered in several feet of snow and exposed to subzero temperatures for most of the winter. Snow tends to slide right off of the slick paneling material. Unlike many greenhouse materials, our panels will not yellow from the sun or cold.

Solexx panels contain UV inhibitor throughout the material; it is not simply a coating that can scratch or wear off. The covering has a 10 year limited warranty against ultraviolet breakdown. Solexx greenhouses have been in the field for well over 35 years and there has been minimal UV degradation. All plastics do eventually break down when exposed to direct sunlight for extended periods of time; however, these panels are easy and inexpensive to replace.

Solexx paneling can be rinsed or wiped clean without worry of scratching. The panels are impervious to chemicals so you can wash them with a mild soap or a bleach solution. It’s a good idea to do this a couple times a year to keep your greenhouse clean and to maximize light transmission.

Solexx panels are high density polyethylene and have the same recycle number ‘2’ as plastic milk jugs.

For a horizontal installation, we recommend the framing (trusses) that will support your Solexx be placed 16″ – 24″ on center. If installing vertically, we have material for 4′, 5′ and 6′ rib spans. On the perimeter of your structure, we recommend attaching screws every six inches. For your supports, you only need to attach screws about eighteen inches apart. As a general rule, figure that you will need one screw per square foot of paneling. In extremely windy areas, you may want to increase the number of screws you use.

For small projects, H-Channel is used to join the 8′ and 12′ panels together on the long side (another option is to overlap the panels). We recommend caulking the open flutes of the panels with clear silicone caulking to keep bugs and moisture out and maximize the insulation. U-Trim gives the 4’ ends of the panels a nice finished look.

Solexx panels can be cut with a simple utility knife. Because the material is so flexible, it’s also possible to bend it around the curves and corners on a structure.

Solexx panels are available in 3.5mm or 5mm thickness. The 3.5mm panels are recommended in most areas because they provide more light transmission. The 5mm panels are used in colder climates (for added insulation) and for high altitude areas. It is also recommended on many custom structures for added support. Both varieties are available in 4’1″ x 8’1″ sheets and 4’1″ x 12’1″ sheets or continuous rolls.

Make sure your greenhouse is firmly secured. We have a Deluxe Tie-Down Kit with four anchors, one for each corner, to help with this. If your greenhouse is long or in a windy area, consider getting extra anchors for added stability. Next, good ventilation is a must. An exhaust fan is best, but at the least, place vents on each side of the door to let air flow through. And finally, consider getting greenhouse flooring to keep weeds out of your greenhouse.

We suggest placing the heater in the back of your greenhouse, either at the end of the walkway or beneath the bench frames. Leave some space around the heater so the heat can circulate evenly and avoid overheating your plants. Adding a circulation fan will help distribute the heat evenly throughout the greenhouse.

We usually suggest putting the louver at the top of your greenhouse, on the opposite side of the door. Then, add two or more lower vents near the ground, on both sides of the door. This setup helps fresh air flow in from the ground and go up naturally. You can attach a solar-powered opener to the top vent to control the temperature better. Keep the lower vents closed in the winter.