The Definitive Guide to Greenhouse Construction

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The efficiency and productivity of a greenhouse operation is largely dependent on the type of growing structure used. Since there are many designs to select from, it is important to become familiar with the advantages and disadvantages of each. The following is a brief discussion of commercial greenhouses and their structural components.


These houses are constructed from arched rafters and usually have solid end walls for additional support. Quonset greenhouses are suitable for the production of most crops, but the growing area is somewhat restricted near the side walls. This reduces efficiency as well as productivity. Ridge and furrow greenhouses are connected at the eave by a common gutter.


Sidewalls may also be vented to provide cooling and insulation. Greenhouses may be constructed from several different materials. Among the most popular are aluminum, steel and wood. Of these three, aluminum is by far the most economical and longest lasting (Greenhouse construction). Aluminum may be extrude in various shapes and thicknesses. This material can then be formed into rafters, side posts and other structural components


If wood is used, it is best to obtain pressure treated lumber that “resists” decay. There are several satisfactory types of this treated wood available commercially. PENTA, however, has been found to give off fumes that can be harmful to plants. Greenhouse coverings must be clear enough to provide optimum light transmission and at the same time be durable as well as economical.

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Glass provides the best light transmission for greenhouse production. However, the structural components required to support glass are costly. Also the initial investment as well as the necessary maintenance has restricted the use of glass houses by Texas producers - Greenhouse construction. Fiberglass is another covering material that is frequently used on commercial greenhouses


The greenhouse construction starts in a workshop, manufacturing arcs, pillars, leads, bars, canals, corners and reinforcements, for the case of chapel, tunnel, asymmetric or tropical and gothic greenhouses. The blackbone greenhouses strcutures or Almeria models are built directly in the project location. Following the chronology of an assembly process type for (multispan, gothic, asymmetrical-tropical) is list below: The first phase of the construction and assembly of a greenhouse is leveling the surface where it is installed, which involves the movement of relevant land to the correct level according to the criteria for the disposal of water and inclinations to improve working conditions in the greenhouse.


If the surface where the greenhouse is installed is too irregular we will require the design and construction of cuts and / or embankments in order to adjust the surface leveling restrictions for the design of the greenhouse. The last phase of earthwork is leveling the ground under the terms of design.


Subsequently the excavation is performed by bits. Greenhouse construction. Receipt of materials on site for later use is made. They are stacked in a construction area adjacent to the greenhouse surface. The tasks performed are the following ones: on the surface in contact with the columns shoes using tar. of the capitals

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(clamping of the plastic film) in the gutters Placement of pillars and foundations. The foundation of the pillars consists of cylindrical concrete footings made in the work. The installation of the pillars is done once poured concrete basement. Previously anticorrosion treatment is performed to the base of the pillars with tar.


Once the pillar is installed, it comes the placement of the capital thereof, and then the gutters are assembled. After installation of the canals, we proceed to the assembly of the trusses. First rising and placing the arches of the cover once they are preassembled in the work place. Mounting the grid on the surfaces of cover and sides, attaching them to the side pillars of the greenhouse and structural reinforcements.


There are two basic types: attached and free-standing. An attached structure may be even-span, lean-to, or window-mounted. A free-standing type is usually even-span (symmetrical roof). A lean-to is built against a building, using the existing structure for one or more of its sides. It is usually attached to a house, but may be attached to other buildings.


It can be as long as the building it is attached to. The advantage of the lean-to is that it usually is close to available electricity, water, and heat. The lean-to has the following disadvantages: • Limited space. • Limited find more info light. • Limited ventilation and temperature control. The even-span is the standard type - the one people generally visualize when they think about greenhouses.

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It can accommodate 2 or 3 rows of plant benches. The cost of an even-span is more than the cost of a lean-to type, but it has greater flexibility in design and provides for more plants. Because of its size and greater amount of exposed glass area, the even-span will cost more to heat.


It is like an even-span except that a free-standing is set apart from other buildings to get the most sun. It can be made as large or small as desired. The lowest cost per square foot of growing space is available in the even-span 17 to 18 feet wide. It will house 2 side benches, 2 walks, and a wide center bench.


A separate heating system is necessary unless the structure is very close to a heated building. The free-standing structure is more easily adapted to the builder's ideas of location, size, and shape than why not try this out an attached type. It also provides more light, but requires more heat at night due to the additional glass.


Poor grades of fiberglass will discolor and discover here the discoloring reduces light penetration. Using a good grade, on the other hand, may make your fiberglass as expensive to build as a glass one. If you select fiberglass, choose the clearest grade. Do not use colored fiberglass. Plastic is increasing in popularity for these reasons: • Building cost per square foot is generally one-sixth to one-tenth the cost of glass • Plastic can be heated as satisfactorily as glass greenhouses.

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The strength of the corrugates provides maximum wind and snow protection. The trapped air space in the panels provides optimal solar heat collection with a 2. 5 R insulation factor in the 3. 5 mm panels and a 3. 0 R insulation factor in the 5. 0 mm panels. These UV protected, double-walled high density polyethylene panels are mildew, water, and chemical resistant and will not yellow.


Common structures of frames are as follows: In building an A-frame structure, consideration must be given to the placement of cross rafters (supporting members). Cross rafters should be placed at least one-third of the distance down from the ridge on the outer rafters. Otherwise, working around the cross rafters to apply an insulating layer of plastic will be difficult.


This structure requires accurate carpentry, and building costs are higher than for other frames because of the added lumber and labor needed to build the panels. Advantages of panels are that they can be quickly installed and taken down and stored during the summer; this will increase the life of the plastic panels.