GREENHOUSE STRUCTURES

Greenhouse | Ms. Barnes

 4 MAIN STRUCTURES
1. GUTTER CONNECTED
4 MAIN STRUCTURES

2. FREE STANDING QUONSET

4 MAIN STRUCTURES
3. SINGLE GABLE STRUCTURES
 4 MAIN STRUCTURES

4. LEAN- TO
 1. Gutter connected
• May or may not be an
internal wall below the
gutter
• Structure without
internal walls is more
efficient.
• May have gabled roof Photo courtesy Atlas Manufacturing Inc.

or curved arch.
 2. Quonset
• Most common type of detached greenhouse.
• Arched rafters and solid end walls
• Restricted growing area near side walls
reduces efficiency

and productivity.

Photo courtesy Atlas Manufacturing Inc.

3. Single gable

Staff photo/Nancy Crombie

Key parts of a greenhouse
structure
 Key parts
• Rafters – primary roof support
• Purlins – horizontal supports between rafters
• Side posts/columns – vertical supports
• End walls and side walls – enclose the
structure, may be vented
Framing materials
 Materials used for rafters, purlins and
side posts
• Aluminum: most economical and longest
lasting; extruded in various shapes and
thickness
• Wood: Deteriorates quickly in moist
environment; pressure-treated lumber
resists decay.
• Steel: Stronger, heavier and more costly
than aluminum; potential for rust.
Covering materials
The function of greenhouse coverings

• Clear enough to provide light transmission

• Durability
• Affordability
• 3 most common:
• Glass
• Fiberglass
• Polyethelene (PE) film
 Glass as a covering
• Best light transmission
• Costly structural supports
• High initial cost
• High maintenance costs
• Limited use

Photo © 2009 Nancy Crombie, UBP

 Fiberglass as a covering
Advantages Disadvantage
• Rigid • Susceptible to breakdown
• Extremely durable by ultraviolet (UV) with
• Less extensive structural reduced light transmission
supports than glass and life span as short as
five years

Staff photo/
Nancy Crombie
 Polyethylene (PE) film
• Common covering: double
sheets of PE film inflated with
air.
• Not rigid, but provides needed
support for normal operation
• Lasts about two years
• Initial low cost, but high
replacement and maintenance
costs
• Less costly support structures
• New polycarbonate and acrylic
materials are being developed. Photo courtesy Atlas Manufacturing Inc.
Heating requirements
Heat needed for year-round production

• Solar heat is not enough for

year-round production.
• Coal, oil and gas are most
common energy sources
• Choice of energy source is
based on cost and local
supply and demand.

Staff photo/
Nancy Crombie
 Heating with gas
• Burns efficiently
• Toxic fumes must be vented
• Heat often distributed through polyethylene
(PE) vent tubes
• Heating tubes placed under plant benches
will improve heating efficiency.
 Using boilers with hot water or steam
heating systems
• More common in northern areas than in the
southern states.
• Hot water for "under pot heating“ is effective
and efficient. Heat radiated from tubes is
absorbed by pots placed directly on them.
• Media in the pot is maintained at a constant
temperature, improving plant growth and
reducing energy costs.
 Controlling heat levels
• Place thermostats and environmental
controllers at plant level.
• Have an appropriate number of sensors
throughout the production area.
• Thermostats should out of direct sunlight
and facing north or in a protected location.