for Alton, Robinson, Eden, Elite, Growhouse, Cambridge, Hartley, Jansen, Gilbert Ash... you name it, we do it! (Freestanding, lean-to, octagonal, Victorian etc.)

Illustrated below is our new Ventishade which consists of a top shade from ridge to just below vent level, supplemented by a standard 6' (1800mm) or 8'2" (2500mm) drop shade, from vent level downwards, which you can roll up manually as required. This enables the free flow of air through the vents. Anchor points are installed at ridge, two at vent level, one at eaves level and at the extreme bottom corners of the shade (as tensioned). Further anchor points can be installed as required so that the rolled-up shade can be locked at any desired position from vent(s) to ground.

We still do our original 1800mm and 2500mm Koalashades which are dropped straight from ridge down roof and side. All shades are secured by rubber tensioners, looped through the shade eyelets, then through nylon anchor loops which are attached to the framework, using your own screws. For aluminium structures these will be self-tapping screws (often existing, capping screws). Use (preferably brass) wood screws for timber buildings. For Ventishades, we suggest you loop two tensioners through each other to form a double loop at vent level, if necessary, to allow multiple vents on larger greenhouses to rise freely. We can also do non-door end panels to suit.

All shades are constructed from a 70%+ shade factor knitted UV-stabilised polymer, which is finished - sewn in triple thickness material - to your specified length, with brass eyeletting in each corner. The lengths (top and bottom) of each shade (unless the depth is modified) incorporate continuous knitted eyeletting. This can be used for fixing at any point along the lengths, for the securing of additional shading below, or cording from end to end for extra security.

Summer and Winter. Both Koalashade and Ventishade represent the most useful and versatile form of greenhouse shading available. In high Summer none is more effective in preventing excessive heat build-up and, in Winter, frost penetration. However, the shading factor of this superior, denser material greatly exceeds that of normal flimsy greenhouse netting. Shading of the roof areas is never a problem; but carefully consider light factors when covering the sides - Summer and Winter. Lighter shading for the sides can be used. If your greenhouse is situated broadside on to the sun, we suggest that you simply use Ventishade / Koalashade down that roof and side. For greenhouses situated North/South we suggest two 6' or 8' Koalashades (one each side of the ridge), or the equivalent Ventishades, depending, of course, on the width of your greenhouse. We manufacture complete sets of shading for orchid growers.

If the shade is not required during the Winter, it can be washed in cold water in a washing machine and neatly packed away for the next season.

Victorian and other shaped greenhouses. We can supply roof shades shaped around porch areas for Cambridge, Hartley, and other Victorians. We also supply for octagonals and hip-roof greenhouses (such as those of the Robinson Riviera range). Simple diagrams with measurements are required.

How to use the tensioners. First cut off bottom two 'nobbles'. Keep. Feed tensioner end through hole and at the appropriate tension pull sideways into slit. Take the cut-off section and insert one nobble through the vacant hole to lock.

How to put on the Ventishade. Screw the cup hook supplied into a 6' or 8' length of wooden dowel. Feed one top rubber tensioner into the appropriate nylon loop, and lock. Hooking the cup hook through the top eyelet in the opposite end of the shade, walk to the other end of the greenhouse holding the shade aloft. Removing the cup hook, feed a tensioner through the eyelet and the appropriate nylon loop, and lock. (See photograph below.)

TIP: The roll-up facility can be enhanced, on longer greenhouses in particular, by the use of round electrical conduit (which can be obtained, with connectors if necessary, from your local B&Q). This is attached by looping plastic ties through the knitted eyeletting along the bottom of the shade. If desired, this can be further enhanced by filling with sand or other appropriate material and plugging the ends to form a heavier 'tumble' facility.

Prices

As a general guide, Ventishade prices are £10 (in total for both shades) per foot length for 6' drop lower shades and £12 per foot length for 8'2" lower shades, including delivery.

Prices of original Koalashades are £5 per foot length for 6' drop and £8 per foot length for 8'2" drop, including delivery. 20% discount for two!

For your reassurance. For over twenty years we were the exclusive manufacturers and suppliers of greenhouse shading for Alton and Robinson, and Cambridge Varsity and Victorian glasshouses. These products were designed by us. In 2006 we decided to concentrate on direct mail order business only and licensed another company to produce / supply Koalashade to Alton / Robinson.

If you have any questions, or wish to order, please call us on 01604 842220. (If we are not available, please leave your name and number only and we will call you back as soon as possible.)