Rion Greenhouses: Frequently Asked Questions and Assembly Hints
1) How strong is the Rion greenhouse?
Answer: Europe's standards are higher than those in the US, and the TUV Europe testing lab which is equivalent to UL has tested the product and certified it as being strong and safe. We have a photo of a RION greenhouse buried under 23 inches of snow. The incredible strength of the greenhouse comes from its excellent engineering and the high quality of plastics used. 2) How much wind can the Rion greenhouse withstand?
Answer: Much depends on the location and what sort of wind velocity your region can get. We do know from customers that the units have withstood wind gusts of up to 80 mph winds without damage. Even in very bad windstorms, the worst that can happen to your greenhouse is that some of the polycarbonate panels are blown out which are very easy to replace. (Hint-mark your panels so that, if this should happen, you know which way they go back on the greenhouse with the UV coated side facing outwards. 3) What is their snow load capacity?
Answer: The load capacity is roughly 110 lbs. We have seen them with as much as 23" of snow. Never the less, we do recommend that you brush the snow off the roof whenever it gets over a foot. 4) How does the unit ship to me?
Answer: The greenhouse is usually shipped via UPS in 3 or more boxes (depending on the size of your greenhouse), and not by a common carrier - unless your order is very large. 5) Why should I buy a RION greenhouse?
Answer: The Rion greenhouse is the most durable, and best-designed greenhouse on the market. In addition, the exceptionally attractive structure with its dark green color frame makes it a great asset to any home or garden. It is the easiest greenhouse unit to assemble, the best insulated product in its class, and above all it is the best value for your money--professional quality at a hobbyist price.
ASSEMBLY QUESTIONS
6) Where should I locate my greenhouse?
Answer: The selection of a site involves taking into consideration three importantly factors: 1) the most desirable location should be shaded by deciduous tree(s) or lacking shade draped with an external shade cloth over the greenhouse which is attached to the foundation; 2) the site should also be sheltered from the wind by a tree(s) or some other barrier; 3) the site should be level and allow for good drainage.
7) How do I secure the greenhouse?
Answer: The greenhouse needs to be attached to some sort of foundation, in order to keep it secure, and it should be preferably something heavy/solid. See your assembly instructions on page 4, which offers three different foundation options. 8) Do I need to buy your base frame?
Answer: No, but we do recommend some sort of base. Many people prefer to build their own using 4" x 6" treated lumber. Rion, specifically developed a base, and we feel it is your best option. This base is made of heavy-duty plastic with a honeycomb like design and it is closed U-shaped. When the base is filled with dirt, it will not move (nor will the greenhouse), and no other stakes etc. are necessary.
9) Should I build a concrete pad?
Answer: We personally do not recommend putting your greenhouse on a concrete slab, due to the possibility of drainage problems creating wet, slippery floors and, worse, frozen floors in the winter. Concrete also tends to hold onto extreme heat and extreme cold. We suggest that you instead have free draining floor using mulch, straw or pebble stone, or even just dirt (put flag stone etc. in the middle for a path).
10) You say it is easy to assemble, but how easy it is really?
Answer: The RION greenhouse was engineered very carefully to allow for easy assembly, and compared to other greenhouses on the market, it is much easier to put together. The structure is erected using a "Push and Fit" system, (the parts simply slide together) and virtually no tools are required except for the base assembly. 11) How long will the assembly take?
Answer: With two people working on the assembly it should take about 8 hours (Easy Greenhouse 8'' x 8''), about half the time it takes to assemble a similar greenhouse of a similar size made from wood or aluminum. 12) I purchased a louver window accessory, where does it go?
Answer: The window goes on the back wall of the greenhouse, which can handle up two units (instead of the PN9 windows). They can be installed later, after the assembly has been completed. 13) I don't understand how the roof cable goes on (page 12)
Answer: Make sure all the profiles are connected to the #5A connector. Once connected, you will see a narrow channel on the bottom of the #5A connector about 1/42 diameter, and you will need to squeeze the eye of the cable and insert it into this channel and pull it out the other end. 14) I can't get the #RD1s into the groves of the profile.
Answer: This is the hardest part to assemble - below are some suggestions.
Use soapy warm water.
Push the RD1 down using the palm of your hand, while your fingers are holding on to the back of the E2 profile, using rolling downward motion to get the RD1 in to the grove of the E2 profile.
Requires two people (and be careful): Using a plastic clamp, gently squeeze the E2 profile, which will cause the groove in the front of the E2 profile to open up, allowing the RD1 to slip in. 15) I am missing a #PN40A polycarbonate roof panel:
Answer: Where did you put your first two roof windows? They can only go in either the front or the back sections of the greenhouse. If you put your roof vents somewhere else then you will not have enough PN40A panels.
16) I bought extra roof vent windows, but they don't seem to fit in the middle sections:
Answer: They were designed only for placement in the front and/or back sections (first two roof windows), However, if you wish to install additional roof windows, you can put them in the middle sections. You will need to trim about a 1/4" off the two sides. This is easy to do with a utility knife. (See page 14). 17) I am having trouble pushing the PN1 (side windows) into the bottom groves using the GF sealer:
Answer: You may have received a 2007 unit with an older U-shaped bottom sealer, which some people find it to hard to use. As this is over-kill, we no longer use it, and you do not need to use it either. Usually there is enough GF sealer, the same material used around the other 3 sides of the panels to also use at the bottom. If not we can send out more material. (See page 19).
18) Keeping your roof vent windows secure?
Answer: We recommend that you purchase the automatic window openers to better secure the roof vents in extreme weather. Again, when setting up your site, please take into account the storm patterns in your area. Please note that the manufacturer's warranty does not cover wind damage to roof vents.
Sincerely
Customer Service | 
