Help! - The 'Name that Greenhouse' Challenge

Hi there,
I inherited a rundown greenhouse when we moved here a few years ago. I've always wanted one though so have fixed it up as best I can. I love it!

Thing is, despite screening of the windows and opening the door/windows etc it still gets too hot in the Summer for the precious tomatoes, and so I need to add at least another roof vent - but I have no idea what kind of greenhouse this is and so do not know what kind of vent might fit. I also can't get spare parts of other kinds either until I know the make. There is a patch above the door that on v. careful inspection says 'Crittall Luminair, Evesham, England', but Crittalls don't seem to do greenhouses as such when I Googled.

The overall dimensions are 8 feet wide and 12 feet long, and the centre-to-centre distance between vertical struts holding the glass seems v. close to 62cm. I've pasted some pics below in the hope one of you can help - any suggestions would be really appreciated!

I'm no expert, but I love this greenhouse and would like to keep it properly maintained:


At the moment there's one vent on each side:


This is a closeup of the ridge, giving an idea of the type of hinge the roof vents must use:

 

You're right hard to find Critall as a manufacturer just wondering if some company like halls make them under licence the vents look very similar on their aluminium range,try a walk round the garden centers see if there's anything that would fit, you can get louvre vent kits that will fit any standard 2x2ft opening these can be fitted with automatic openers,you are desperately short of ventillation I can't see any side vents in the picture the more ventillation the better, also try and put the vents on opposite sides to create airflow,use shading in the height of summer to help keep the temperature down.

 

Thanks walnut & shiney, I think I'll take you advice on taking a look at some Halls greenhouse fittings, louvres and actually getting in touch with Crittalls. `if I have no luck I could always remove the odd side pane during the summer months I guess. I was thinking of actually making a roof vent too, but we'll see!

Thanks again,
midwch

 

Midwich, Crittals used to make greenhouses many years ago. But, having said that you should have no trouble getting extra vents for it. It looks as if you have standard 24" x 24" glass in the roof so I don`t see a problem. Go to your local greenhouse supplier and ask them. In a 12ft greenhouse you need four roof vents and, I would suggest, a louvre vent in the end in the wall .

 

Thanks for all the information, daitheplant - good to know I can stop looking for Crittalls as such. The panes are generally 24" x 18", but I guess that's a minor matter really - it's the hinging I'm more concerned about, and I don't know of any decent greenhouse suppliers around here (North Yorkshire - anyone any ideas?). Is that hinge mechanism standard, or is it like at least some kinds of greenhouse? I bought an AGL roof vent recently, and its mechanism was pretty different and didn't work.

I'll definitely work towards your target number of windows, from my experience so far you must be absolutely right.

 

Midwich found out that critalls went bust a few years ago nobody took them over, you can still find bits and pieces for critalls on e-bay otherwise you are going to have to compromise.

 

Ah, thanks very much for this, a bit sad really. I need to be able to check out the details of other types of roof vent, but can't find the info - cross-section of the hinge mechanism etc. Most sites don't provide this level of detail though - do you know where I could get this, or do you have a best bet on the type of vent that might fit, that I could start with?

PS will keep looking on Ebay too.

I think you're right on the windows topic - I found their website and the focus is on steel windows, with zero mention of greenhouses anywhere, even using Google's 'site:' feature to specifically scour their site.

[ 05. April 2008, 11:04 AM: Message edited by: midwich ]

 

Midwich, look for a make called Julianae, their Hidcote and Acorn models use a very similar vent structure.

 

Thank you so much - I'd never heard of this make, I'll begin investigating immediately.

EDIT: from what I've found so far I think Eden do the Hidcote and Acorn models, I've found their site and I guess I'll start with them. If I find compatible parts with Crittalls greenhouses then I'll post the information here, as it might be a help to others

[ 06. April 2008, 08:00 AM: Message edited by: midwich ]

 

Shiney that Critalls is a different company they do windows for industry the greenhouse division is shut down, i've seen quite a few posts off people seeking parts for their greenhouses and running into the same problem as Midwich.

 

I reckon its a Halls greenhouse.
I was at the local Tip yesterday...looking for a piece of glass for mine and there was a window panel....dont know where you are, but i am in the south. You are welcome to it ( minus the glass!) if not, keep an eye out at your local tip or try freecycle.....

 

Midwich you are right, it used to be Eden who made those models, but they were bought out by Julianae about 10 years ago.