Greenhouse Design
Most people have a particular image in mind when they think about a greenhouse.
The reality though is that greenhouses come in a wide range of shapes and forms.
Greenhouses also differ in terms of the materials used to construct them.
Design types Greenhouses may be Lean-To (where the greenhouse is a 'half' or 'cross sectional' green house whose open end is supported by the wall of an existing building), Even-Span (somewhat freestanding but with one end attached to a building), Window Mounted (small greenhouses that are simply plugged in to a pre-built window slot) and Free Standing (supported by nothing else except their foundation and/or pillars).
Location factor A choice of either one of these 'support' designs is usually one of the first decisions you must make in setting up a greenhouse.
That being said, certain 'support' designs may be impractical due to location or the nature (or absence) of nearby buildings.
For instance, you might prefer a Lean-To greenhouse but the presence of trees nearby may result in so much shade that you will have to rely more on artificial lighting than sunlight to get the plants to grow.
Or the constraint could be the absence of a drainage system close to your preferred site.
Such factors may inadvertently force you to switch to the Even Span or Free Standing designs.
Factoring the seasons Are you putting up a seasonal greenhouse or an all-seasons one? This has to count when choosing your preferred design.
While most greenhouses can be used all year round, there are particular shapes that are not as efficient in temperature control and therefore not suitable for all seasons.
Such greenhouses may damage plants during the warmer months unless extra steps are taken to keep the greenhouse cool.
The impact of the seasons must be a factor.
In any case, setting up the greenhouse involves planning flooring, floor cover, air circulation, cooling, heating, water supply and drainage all of which come into play when determining cooling costs.
If you pick a design with inefficient air circulation, the ease of access and installation of these 'accessories' can determine the overall cost of setting up and maintaining your greenhouse.
Ignoring how all these factors will play out during periods of temperature peaks and dips may lead to disastrous results.
Shape and building material Choice of material is often the last step in greenhouse design.
Material may also be a factor of the greenhouse's shape and frame design.
Among the materials you can use include plastic, fiberglass and glass.
Whether your choice of frame is Post-and-Rafter, A-Frame, Quonset Hut or Gothic, it is important to be clear on this from the onset so you can know how well your building material will sit with your chosen design.
A seasonal and an all-season greenhouse may each require the use of different building material types.
Overall, there is a lot of information you must sift through before you finally settle on a greenhouse design that works.
Take time to assess all options so your final decision is an informed one.
The reality though is that greenhouses come in a wide range of shapes and forms.
Greenhouses also differ in terms of the materials used to construct them.
Design types Greenhouses may be Lean-To (where the greenhouse is a 'half' or 'cross sectional' green house whose open end is supported by the wall of an existing building), Even-Span (somewhat freestanding but with one end attached to a building), Window Mounted (small greenhouses that are simply plugged in to a pre-built window slot) and Free Standing (supported by nothing else except their foundation and/or pillars).
Location factor A choice of either one of these 'support' designs is usually one of the first decisions you must make in setting up a greenhouse.
That being said, certain 'support' designs may be impractical due to location or the nature (or absence) of nearby buildings.
For instance, you might prefer a Lean-To greenhouse but the presence of trees nearby may result in so much shade that you will have to rely more on artificial lighting than sunlight to get the plants to grow.
Or the constraint could be the absence of a drainage system close to your preferred site.
Such factors may inadvertently force you to switch to the Even Span or Free Standing designs.
Factoring the seasons Are you putting up a seasonal greenhouse or an all-seasons one? This has to count when choosing your preferred design.
While most greenhouses can be used all year round, there are particular shapes that are not as efficient in temperature control and therefore not suitable for all seasons.
Such greenhouses may damage plants during the warmer months unless extra steps are taken to keep the greenhouse cool.
The impact of the seasons must be a factor.
In any case, setting up the greenhouse involves planning flooring, floor cover, air circulation, cooling, heating, water supply and drainage all of which come into play when determining cooling costs.
If you pick a design with inefficient air circulation, the ease of access and installation of these 'accessories' can determine the overall cost of setting up and maintaining your greenhouse.
Ignoring how all these factors will play out during periods of temperature peaks and dips may lead to disastrous results.
Shape and building material Choice of material is often the last step in greenhouse design.
Material may also be a factor of the greenhouse's shape and frame design.
Among the materials you can use include plastic, fiberglass and glass.
Whether your choice of frame is Post-and-Rafter, A-Frame, Quonset Hut or Gothic, it is important to be clear on this from the onset so you can know how well your building material will sit with your chosen design.
A seasonal and an all-season greenhouse may each require the use of different building material types.
Overall, there is a lot of information you must sift through before you finally settle on a greenhouse design that works.
Take time to assess all options so your final decision is an informed one.