The strength and durability of Solexx is a huge advantage over cheap greenhouses. Solexx greenhouses are popular in Alaska, Colorado, New England and many other snow prone locations.

We decided to put Solexx to the test ourselves, to help give our customers a visual of the strength of Solexx. Since snow weight varies depending on whether it is wet or dry snow, we decided to use Coir Blocks (each weighs about 11 pounds) as the weighted object to place on Solexx. (Note: The design of the greenhouse frame determines a greenhouse’s snow load capability; however, Solexx reduces the risk of collapse in snow and ice.)

A Solexx panel was cut to 4×4 and screwed onto a steel frame. The screws were placed 6 inches apart. The frame was raised off the ground by attaching it to an open wooden raised frame.

We measured the deflection (how much the panel sags where there is no support directly underneath it) on the underside of the panel. With nothing on it, it was about 1”.

We then started loading coir blocks onto the panel one by one, placing 16 blocks on each row until they stacked over 11 rows high (each row is about 6″ tall). The full pallet of coir blocks was placed on the panel, a total of 180 blocks, 2023 pounds! The deflection of the panel was 2 3/8” when loaded with the blocks.

The blocks were left on the panels for 6 days. We took the coir blocks off the panel and made observations. When the weight was removed, the deflection of the panel was 2”. The screws were not torn and the panel remained in near perfect condition. After another 5 days we measured the deflection again. It was 1 5/8”. So as the weight was removed, the greenhouse panel slowly began to regain its original form.