FOUNDATION ASSEMBLY

It is easier to align and square the shelter foundation if you first attach base plates and lower purlins to a 2" x 6" pressure-treated steel plate. You will need a minimum of four 3/8" lag bolts (1 ¹/2" or longer) per base plate The preassembled seal plate can then be anchored to your concrete foundation, or simply lag bolted to the pressure-treated timber foundation of choice.

NOTE: AFTER LAGING THE FIRST CORNER BASE PLATE, SLIDE THE FIRST PURLIN INTO THE ANCHORED BASE PLATE TO DETERMINE CORRECT SPACING FOR THE NEXT BASE PLATE.

The foundation of choice is a concrete slab or concrete footing, such as a house style foundation. A pressure treated 6" x 6" timber or railroad tie (sold separately) can also be used, however, this type of foundation must be permanently anchored to the ground using earth/ground anchors (like our Eagle Foot Anchoring System).

Once you have anchored one straight and level line of base plate and purlins to the foundation, measure 14' across (12' across for Agricultural Shelter) and install the second set of plates and purlins. Measurement is taken between inside edges of base plate uprights.

HINT: Do not anchor down the second line of plates and purlins until you make sure the two lines are square. this is easily accomplished using the diagonal measurements (from corner to corner if squared the measurement will be the same).

Return to Shelter Page

FRAMEWORK ASSEMBLY

Working from the foundation up, begin assembling the shelter framework. First, install the short heavy-duty vertical tube over the top shaft of each base plate, then install the second row of purlins on both sides and tie a safety rope from end to end to secure into place.

CAUTION! The Weatherguard™ Plus Round Top Shelters frame design is flexible. Please be aware that overhead parts and/or pipes can come loose and fall during assembly. DO NOT allow children on or around the assembly site when erecting your shelter or greenhouse. And ALWAYS pay attention overhead for safety! Using the safety ropes supplied to firmly tie each arch together will hold all fittings and purlins in place. After assembly, safety ropes must be left tied in place for added wind stability.

Next, using T-fittings for the front and rear shelter ends and cross fittings in the middle, begin forming the arches and inserting the remaining purlins. Each arch requires 4 curved pipes with either 4 cross fittings or 4 T-fittings. Make sure as each arch is completed that you securely tie your safety rope(s) between the previous arch.

Return to Shelter Page

INSTALLING THE ROOF SKIN PANEL

NOTE: PLEASE TAKE GREAT CARE WHEN HANDLING THE ROOF SKIN TO PREVENT SCRATCHING OR PIERCING DURING INSTALLATION. PLACE A GROUND TARP UNDER TEH ROOF SKIN DURING ASSEMBLY. DO NOT WALK ON THE MATERIAL AT ANY TIME.

CAUTION! LACING THE GROMMETS TOO TIGHTLY CAN DAMAGE THE COVER!

Unfold the roof skin with finished seams facing up and lay it next to the bottom purlin on one side of your shelter. Center the roof skin so approximately 6" of material extends beyond both ends of the framework. Using the supplied lacing rope, lace the bottom edge of the roof skin through the reinforced grommets to the bottom purlin. The space between the roof skin and bottom purlin should be between 1/2" to 1".

Now you are ready to lay the roof skin over the arch framework. Keeping the roof centered, VERY CAREFULLY lay the roof skin over the frame.

Once cover is pulled over the frame's otherside, lace the bottom grommets to the lower purlins, starting from the middle, as on the first side.

Return to Shelter Page

INSTALLING THE SOLID END AND DOOR PANELS

Using the supplied elastic cords, begin attaching the solid end panel and door panel to the framework, working from the top center of each panel.

NOTE: WHEN STORING LARGE ITEMS (E.G. BOATS, TRUCKS, TRACTORS, ETC.) REMOVING THE DOOR PANEL WILL HELP TO AVOID POSSIBLE DAMAGE TO THE DOOR.

Return to Shelter Page

TIGHTENING THE FOUR RATCHETS ON EACH CORNER BASE PLATE

Using the four ratchets supplied, install one on each corner base plate.

A flat webbing rope extends from all 4 corners of the roof skin. Insert the webbing into the ratchets and slowly begin tightening each corner, alternating between the 4 corners and tightening a little at a time. As you tighten the ratchets, the 6" roof skin flap will fold over the framework ends, helping to secure your galvanized steel framework together.

CAUTION! DO NOT OVERTIGHTEN THE RATCHETS! TIGHTEN ONLY UNTIL THE SKIN FOLDS OVER THE FRAMEWORK BY APPROXIMATELY 6". THE ROOF MATERIAL IS INTENDED TO DRAP OVER THE FRAMEWORK ONLY – IT IS NOT DESIGNED TO BE STRETCHED. ADDITIONAL RATCHETING WILL ONLY STRETCH THE POLYETHYLENE MATERIAL, THINNING AND WEAKENING THE ROOF SKIN AND POTENTIALLY VOIDING THE WARRANTY.

Return to Shelter Page