Types Of Greenhouses (by Carlos Mazzarelli)

A greenhouse is a structure with a glass or plastic roof and side walls that is used for the production of ornamentals and food crops and may be used seasonally or year round. The closed environment of a greenhouse has its own unique requirements, compared with outdoor production. Pests and diseases, and extremes of heat and humidity, have to be controlled, and irrigation is necessary to provide water. Significant inputs of heat and light may be required, particularly with winter production of warm-weather crops. Greenhouses for commercial production can be classified as free-standing or gutter-connected .A free-standing greenhouse can have a Quonset (hoop), gothic or gable roof shape. The Quonset is usually the least expensive and is available in widths up to 36'. Gothic designs have higher light transmission and shed snow easier. Gable designs may use trusses to span a width up to 60'.A gutter-connected greenhouse is a series of trusses connected together at the gutter level. Individual bays vary in width from 12' to 25' and have a clearance of 8' to 16' to the gutter. Bays can be put together to get any width of greenhouse desired. Greenhouses can be made any length. Standard lengths that utilize glazing materials to advantage are 96'and 144'. All greenhouses are modular with frame spacing of 4' or 5' for hoop houses and 10' or 12' for gutter-connected designs. Most greenhouses are built of galvanized steel tubing and are available from many manufacturers throughout the U.S. Steel makes a strong frame to carry snow and wind loads and still allow about 80%of the light to enter. Most greenhouses are covered with a plastic glazing. Low-cost polyethylene film or covering applied as an air inflated double cover will last 4 years. Anti-drip agents and infra-red inhibitors are added to give better service and reduced heat loss. Semi-rigid structured sheets of polycarbonate or acrylic are more permanent and have a life of at least 15 years. Tempered glass is used for crops requiring high light levels. The following is a short review of the advantages of the different styles of structures:

Free-standing Greenhouses 

  • Easier to provide separate environments as each house is controlled by its own heating/cooling system. One house can be run warm for propagation and the next one, cooler for growing. 
  • Individual houses can be shut down for periods when not in use saving energy. 
  • Best suited for heavy snow areas as multi-span houses need heat to melt snow from the gutters. 
  • Good for non-level sites. 
  • Individual houses are easier to build and maintain.

Gutter-connected Greenhouses 

  • More cost effective for areas greater than 20,000 sq ft.
  • Reduced heating costs as surface area to floor area ratio is less. Heating costs can be as much as25% less due to reduced glazed area.
  • Less land is needed. About 30% more growing space can be placed on the same amount of land area.
  • Heat can be centralized.
  • Open-roof designs that eliminate fans and reduce electricity use are available. 

Production Systems 

In addition to the greenhouse style, there are a variety of production systems used inside the greenhouse. Some crops are grown in containers on benches, such as many spring ornamental crops, while others are grown in the soil in the ground such as cut flowers or vegetable crops (i.e.. tomatoes, lettuce). Some crops are grown in containers or bags of growing media that are placed on the ground (tomatoes). Some greenhouses have soil or gravel floors, some have concrete floors and some have a combination. All of these differences contribute to best management practices that will vary according to the greenhouse and systems used for production.

Reference: Bartok, J.W., Jr. 2005.Selecting and Building a Commercial.

 

Greenhouse

 

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