Exaco Riga XL VI User manual

Riga XL VI

Assembly Guide

January 31, 2013

Exaco Trading Co.

10203 Metropolitan Drive

Austin, Texas 78758-4944

512-407-8500

ABOUT THIS DOCUMENT

This document is an Assembly Guide intended for persons who

have a moderate level of experience building small structures.

It is specific to the six-meter Riga XL VI, but can be applied to

Riga XL models of other lengths. If you are an experienced Riga

greenhouse builder, this is the guide for you. Keep these pages

for reference as you proceed with your assembly project.

If you lack experience, or if you wish to approach building your

Riga XL with all uncertainties resolved, you should download

and study the Riga XL Owner’s Reference Manual. It is

enhanced for online reading and is packed with valuable

information that can be otherwise gained only from experience.

Once you understand the details you can refer to the Assembly

Guide throughout your project to assure a trouble-free

experience and optimum results.

Download the Riga XL Owner’s Reference Manual

http://exaco.com/rigamanual/RigaXLRefManual.pdf

Table of Contents

ABOUT THIS DOCUMENT .............................................................................................................................. 2

Download the Riga XL Owner’s Reference Manual .............................................................................. 2

INTRODUCTION............................................................................................................................................. 6

Welcome to the Exciting World of Riga XL Ownership............................................................................. 6

Riga XL Models.......................................................................................................................................... 6

Available Options ...................................................................................................................................... 6

Tools and Additional Materials You Will Need ......................................................................................... 7

Mandatory tools and materials............................................................................................................. 7

Recommended additional tools............................................................................................................ 7

Recommended additional materials..................................................................................................... 7

Tools and materials included in the Riga XL Essentials Kit.................................................................... 7

RECEIVING INSPECTION ................................................................................................................................ 8

Take Inventory .......................................................................................................................................... 8

Box 3: Small Parts..................................................................................................................................... 9

Box 2: Window and Door Profiles .......................................................................................................... 13

Box 1: Profiles for Gables ....................................................................................................................... 14

Box 4: Long Profiles................................................................................................................................ 15

Arch Bundles 1 and 2: Curved Profiles................................................................................................... 16

Glazing Bundles 1 and 2 .......................................................................................................................... 17

Options and Accessories .........................................................................................................................19

Aluminum foundation frame .............................................................................................................. 19

Shelf kit ............................................................................................................................................... 20

Door extension kit............................................................................................................................... 20

Adjustable hanger accessory kit?........................................................................................................ 20

SITE PREPARATION...................................................................................................................................... 21

Foundation.............................................................................................................................................. 21

Greenhouse dimensions .....................................................................................................................21

Substrate elevation ............................................................................................................................. 21

Pier and beam foundation ..................................................................................................................21

Stem wall foundation.......................................................................................................................... 22

Concrete slab foundation.................................................................................................................... 22

Aluminum foundation frame .............................................................................................................. 23

Isolation membrane................................................................................................................................ 23

STEP-BY-STEP ASSEMBLY GUIDE................................................................................................................. 24

Summary of Assembly Steps................................................................................................................... 24

Steps 1 and 2: Assemble the roof windows and doors...................................................................... 24

Steps 3 through 10: Build the first gable............................................................................................ 24

Steps 11 through 16: Build the roof and side walls. ..........................................................................24

Step 17: Build the second gable and join it to the side walls.............................................................24

Step 18: Anchor the greenhouse to its foundation. ..........................................................................24

Steps 19 through 23: Finish the interior and exterior........................................................................ 24

Locations of Frame Components ............................................................................................................25

Step 1 Roof Windows............................................................................................................................. 26

Step 2a Upper Doors.............................................................................................................................. 27

Step 2b Lower Doors.............................................................................................................................. 28

Step 3 Gable Floor Profile and Vertical Door Profiles ............................................................................29

Step 4 Lower 980 x 944 mm Glazing Panels (1 & 2 of 4)........................................................................ 30

Step 5 Lower Crossbars (1 & 2 of 5m)....................................................................................................31

Step 6 T-connectors and Upper 980 by 944 mm Glazing Panels (3 & 4 of 4) ........................................32

Step 7 Vertical Middle Profiles............................................................................................................... 33

Step 8 T-connectors and Upper Crossbars (3, 4, & 5 of 5).....................................................................34

Step 9 Curved & 5-sided Glazing, Straight, K, and Slanted T-connectors .............................................. 35

Step 10 Edge Stay Bars with Pressed-on Plastic Corner Connectors ..................................................... 36

Step 11 Load Screws in the Curved Center Profiles............................................................................... 37

Step 12 Prepare the Floor Profiles, Crossbars, and Roof Beam............................................................. 38

Measure and mark the floor profiles and roof beam reinforcement bar........................................... 38

Prepare the side floor profiles ............................................................................................................ 38

Temporarily prepare the south gable floor profile.............................................................................38

Prepare the roof beam reinforcement bar ......................................................................................... 39

Prepare the window opening crossbars ............................................................................................. 39

Step 13 Set the Floor Profiles................................................................................................................. 40

Step 14 Install the North, East, and West Mounting Brackets .............................................................. 41

Step 15 Set the Roof Beam ....................................................................................................................42

Step 16 Assemble the Side Walls ........................................................................................................... 43

Introduction to Step 16....................................................................................................................... 43

The Window Installation Rule............................................................................................................. 43

General instructions for Step 16......................................................................................................... 44

Step 17 Assemble and Set the Second Gable ........................................................................................ 50

Step 18 Install the South Gable Mounting Brackets .............................................................................. 51

Step 19 Install the Lateral Supports .......................................................................................................52

Step 20 Install Interior Seals .................................................................................................................. 53

Step 21 Apply Exterior Sealant............................................................................................................... 54

Step 22 Hang the Doors .........................................................................................................................55

Step 23 Install the Window Openers ..................................................................................................... 56

INSTALL OPTIONS........................................................................................................................................ 57

Install the Optional Shelving ................................................................................................................... 57

Install the 500 Millimeter Door Extension Kit......................................................................................... 58

Assemble the Aluminum Foundation Frame .......................................................................................... 59

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION ................................................................................................................. 61

All About Anchoring ................................................................................................................................ 61

About installing mounting brackets.................................................................................................... 61

Reasons to install mounting brackets in Step 14 ................................................................................61

Reasons to defer mounting bracket installation until Step 18 ........................................................... 61

Installing temporary anchors .............................................................................................................. 61

Anchoring to Concrete: A Special Case .................................................................................................. 62

The problem........................................................................................................................................ 62

The solution ........................................................................................................................................ 62

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS................................................................................................................ 63

What is the Riga XL Essentials Kit (REK)?................................................................................................ 63

Why are ratcheting cargo straps recommended? ..................................................................................63

Why are additional M6x12 cap screws recommended? ......................................................................... 63

Why would anyone want extra lateral supports?................................................................................... 63

Why UNC ¼-20 cap screws instead of M6 in the windows, and why extras?......................................... 64

Why #10 x ¾ inch pan head and #8 x ¾ inch flat head Phillips screws? .................................................64

Why preload extra M6x16 screws in each edge stay bar?...................................................................... 64

Why must a window’s installation path be free of glazing and vertical profiles? .................................. 64

What is a roof beam fitment tool?.......................................................................................................... 65

What if a roof beam fitment tool is not available?................................................................................. 65

What is a medium modulus neutral cure silicone sealant? ....................................................................66

INTRODUCTION

Welcome to the Exciting World of Riga XL Ownership

Congratulations on your wise decision to acquire a Riga XL greenhouse. You have chosen the finest

personal greenhouse available.

This manual will guide you through all aspects of Riga XL ownership with special emphasis on assembly.

Please read it thoroughly, even before you unpack your shipment, and refer to it throughout the

assembly process. If you follow the instructions and use the recommended tools, you should be able to

easily assemble the greenhouse by yourself.

Riga XL Models

All Riga XL models are identical in width and height but there are five different lengths. The model

variations are identified by a Roman numeral suffix equal to the number of 1-meter length sections for

that model.

The Riga XL VI is the standard 6-meter length and is the subject of this manual. Available by special

order are the smaller Riga XL IV and Riga XL V, which are 4 and 5 meter lengths respectively. Also

available by special order are the stretch models Riga XL VII, Riga XL VIII, and Riga XL IX, which are 7, 8,

and 9 meters long respectively.

The models differ only in the lengths of the horizontal side profiles, the number of side glazing panels

and curved center profiles (arches), the number of roof windows and window openers, and the

quantities of supporting fasteners and seals. The horizontal side profiles for all models are one piece

except those of the Riga XL IX which are two pieces spliced near the center. The IX model includes a

robust welded aluminum truss for additional support of the roof beam at the splice.

Available Options

Three options and an accessory kit are manufactured for the Riga XL.

A shelving kit to be installed along one wall.

A door extension kit to lower one door if the greenhouse is built on a stem wall.

An aluminum foundation frame to use if you want your greenhouse at grade level.

Adjustable hanger accessory kit provides attachment points for plant support.

Two shelving kits are required if you want shelving on both sides, and two door extension kits are

required if you want both doors lowered into stem wall openings.

Tools and Additional Materials You Will Need

Mandatory tools and materials

8-foot step ladder

#2 Phillips screwdriver

Bubble level 2 to 3 ft. long

Powered screw driver with #2 Phillips bits

Rubber mallet

28 anchor fasteners appropriate for your foundation substrate (must fit 3/8” hole)

Material to erect temporary bracing for the gables and roof beam

Recommended additional tools

10 millimeter socket wrench or nut driver

6-foot step ladder

Work table

At least three sawhorses

Rubber mallet

Industrial quality scissors to cut seal material

At least four clamps such as Irwin “Quick Grip”

Two adjustable hanger accessory kits

Window screen bead roller to help press in window and door seals

10-foot length of ½” EMT electrical metallic tubing (conduit) to use as a window prop

Recommended additional materials

Membrane to isolate the aluminum floor profiles from the foundation substrate

Roll of 1-inch “Scotch blue painter’s tape

Thread lubricant for self-tapping screws (a wax crayon will do)

Additional M6 stainless cap screws of appropriate length for future attachments to profiles

8 tether cables for window uplift restraints

Tools and materials included in the Riga XL Essentials Kit

10 millimeter combination wrench

Metric measuring tape, 6 meters or longer

Two 10.1 fl. ounce tubes of medium modulus neutral cure clear silicone sealant

Roof beam fitment tool

Marking pen, such as Sharpie®

At least two ratcheting cargo straps, 1-inch wide x 20 ft. long with double J-hooks

16 UNC ¼-20 x ¾ inch stainless cap screws with nuts, and 24 ¼ inch stainless flat washers

Stainless self-tapping Phillips pan head screws; four #10 x ¾ inch and four #8 x ¾ inch

Drill bits; one each #31 (0.120 inch) and #27 (0.144 inch) for door holders

Four pieces of double sided mounting tape, ¾ by 2 inch, for door holders

36 M6 x 8 mm stainless cap screws

RECEIVING INSPECTION

Your Riga XL came all the way from Germany without damage, but domestic motor freight will expose it

to more serious hazards. Have a camera ready when your Riga XL is delivered and carefully inspect the

packages for damage before the delivery driver leaves. The polycarbonate panels are most vulnerable; a

gentle kiss from a fork lift tine can do serious damage.

Photograph any damage and describe it on both your copy and the driver’s copy of

the Bill of Lading. This evidence will be needed to file an insurance claim.

Immediately notify Exaco Customer Service at (877) 760-8500 or (512) 407-8500.

Take Inventory

One of the most helpful things you can do to make your project go smoothly is to carefully inspect and

inventory the materials in your shipment. This will familiarize you with the parts and give you time to

replace any that are missing or damaged before you start construction. An illustrated check list is

provided in this section to help make inspection easy and accurate. Report any shortages or damage to

Exaco Customer Service within 30 days.

Your Riga XL VI will arrive on a very long pallet. Bound to the pallet are two large flat bundles of glazing,

two curved wrapped bundles, and three long boxes. In addition to the pallet is a very long cardboard

tube containing a fourth long box. If you ordered any accessories you will receive additional boxes or

bundles. Some accessories, such as heaters, ventilators, and solar lights, might be shipped separately.

Start your inspection with Box 3 and continue with Box 2 and then Box 1. Inspect Box 4 last. Then open

and inspect Arch bundles 1 and 2 and finish with the Glazing bundles.

Components are identified by Pos. numbers. The extruded aluminum components are referred to as

profiles. Some of the extruded parts are referred by more specific names, such as edge stay bar,

crossbar, lateral supports, roof beam, and reinforcement bar.

Box 3: Small Parts

Box 3 contains the small parts, most of which are fasteners. Several sizes of screws may be mixed in a

single bag. Sort and count them, then put each size in an individual marked bag. Count carefully; extra

screws are rarely provided.

Illustration

Identifier and

description

Quantity expected

and where used

Quantity

received

Pos. 6.7

Hold-down mounting bracket

Not used if assembling on an

optional aluminum

foundation frame.

8 for gables, 10 for side walls

Fasten vertical profiles to floor

profiles and anchor all to

foundation

Pos. 100

Plastic corner connector,

black

1 at each floor profile corner to

join profiles with edge stay bar

Pos. 101

Straight connector plate

Gables, fasten crossbars above

doors

Pos. 102

Slanted T-connector plate

Gables, fasten edge stay bars to

vertical door profiles

Pos. 103

T-connector plate

Gables, fasten lower crossbars

between vertical door and middle

profiles

Pos. 104

K-connector plate

Gables, fasten vertical middle

profiles and crossbars to edge

stay bars

Pos. 105

Floor profile connector

Floor profile, connect inside

corners

Pos. 107.12

Set of M6 x 12 mm hex head

cap screw with nut

188

92 for gable connector plates, 16

for gable mounting brackets, 44

for floor profiles, 28 for side wall

arches, 8 for window crossbars

Pos. 107.16

Set of M6 x 16 mm hex head

cap screw with nut

8 for gables, 2 for side wall arches,

8 for window crossbars

Pos. 108

M6 flat fender washer

Used under M6 nuts that fasten

lateral supports to curved profiles

Illustration

Identifier and

description

Quantity expected

and where used

Quantity

received

Pos. 110

Insulation seal, 6 x 8 mm

thick shipped as dual-strand

coil. Separate the strands

and cut lengths to fit.

1 dual-strand coil

Install in gap inside greenhouse

between glazing and floor profile,

20 places.

Pos. 111

Phillips head screw, 4.2 x 13

mm pan head

4 for roof beam end cap cover

plates, 8 to fasten gable profiles

to floor profiles

Pos. 112

Phillips head screw, 4.2 x 60

mm flat head

Caution! Do not confuse

with Pos. 142 which is a 4.2

x 50 mm pan head screw.

8 on each of 2 top and 2 bottom

doors, 8 on each of 4 roof

windows

Pos. 113

Phillips head screw, 4.8 x 16

mm pan head

Fastens floor profile corner

connector covers (Pos. 116) 4

places

Pos. 114

Roof beam end cap cover

plate

Covers and retains the roof beam

ends

Pos. 115

Connector plate

NOTE: Might be bundled

with large connector plates,

Pos. 101 through 104.

Retains crossbars under roof

windows

Pos. 116

Floor profile corner

connector cover.

NOTE: Might be bundled

with large connector plates,

Pos. 101 through 104.

Reinforce floor profile corners

Fasten with 4.8 x 16 mm Phillips

pan head screw (Pos. 113)

Pos. 117

Phillips head self-drilling

screws, 3.5 x 13 mm pan

head

Fastens K-connectors & slanted T-

connectors (Pos. 102 & 104) to

edge stay bars

Pos. 126, Pos. 138, Pos. 153

combined

T-seal, cut from coil as

required to fit

1 coil

Weather seal for roof windows

and doors

Pos. 127A

Plastic corner connector,

black, used at upper left and

lower right window and door

corners

2 for each of 4 roof windows

2 for each of 2 bottom doors

1 for each of 2 top doors, upper

corners only

Table of contents

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