When beginning a greenhouse project, the first consideration to make is how much space you have. If you are a homeowner and have a decent yard to work with, then a medium sized greenhouse is usually best. There are also small and even miniature green house building options for people who have less space or who do not think that they can utilize all of the space in a medium sized building. There are also larger greenhouse building options available, but unless you have an over abundance of free space and serious dedication, it is better not to start out with something larger than what you can handle.
The next consideration to make when beginning any greenhouse project is what materials you would like your greenhouse building to be constructed from. Traditional greenhouses were constructed mainly from glass and metal. Now there are a myriad of other options available, leaving it up to you what materials you use. For example, in terms of the type of frame your greenhouse building is constructed from, your options include the following:
- Aluminum or other high quality, maintenance free metals offer greenhouse frames that can withstand a great deal of weather without rusting. Aluminum is especially popular because these frames can be combined with a variety of different coverings, including traditional glass, polycarbonate and plastic.
- High Quality Woods like Red Cedar are ideal for dry climates or for people who want aesthetically pleasing greenhouses. Wood is naturally an insulating material, absorbing heat during the day and then releasing it when it is most needed. Wood is capable of rotting, however, which means that it requires a level of care beyond what other frame materials may need.
- Plastic or PVC greenhouse frames offer simple assembly without much expense. These greenhouse building frames are also the easiest to move. The one thing that you need to understand though is that these greenhouse frames must be anchored down in areas with high winds, as they are light weight and can be tipped over or pushed around in heavy weather.
The third and final consideration to make when it comes to choosing the features for your greenhouse project is what material to cover the framework with. You essentially have three primary choices here: Glass, Plastic and Polycarbonate.
Glass Greenhouse: Glass is the most ideal covering from greenhouse projects which is why it has been the traditional choice for so long. However, glass is not the economical choice and people who are working on a budget may be limited to other alternatives.
Plastic Greenhouse Covering: Plastic is a sturdy and versatile material for green house building covering, but it does not offer the same level of clarity that polycarbonate or glass offer, so visibility is largely limited.
Polycarbonate Greenhouse Covering: This is an inexpensive option, and provides clarity close to what is offered by glass. Unfortunately, polycarbonate coverings need to be replaced regularly as they are not as sturdy as other materials.
Author: Whitey Segura
Greenhouse building is something you need to know about before attempting any greenhouse project. Stop in at Types of Greenhouses so you can make the right decision.
Brought to you by Organic Gardening Articles. Photo from Mini Greenhouse Kits
I have had many gardens before but have never attempted to use a greenhouse. They always seemed like so much extra work, having to manage both the plants and the building. I had not thought about the different building material options though. Although the red cedar needs some care and upkeep it sounds like it would make a beautiful structure frame. Also, I had no idea polycarbonate was a less sturdy option than plastic.
ReplyDeleteIs it difficult to set up a greenhouse once the structure is up? How hard is it to rig all the water hoses if someone wants automatic watering?