How to design a greenhouse perfectly

How to design a greenhouse perfectly,

The concept of greenhouses and urban farms attracts the interest of investors and city dwellers.

As cities have become stifled by concrete and cement on the one hand, and on the other hand,

transporting agricultural goods from suburbs to cities is costly and negatively affects the environment.

Creating a greenhouse is sustainable; it makes it easier to grow goods and produce food,

and thus benefits the overall quality of life in its context.

Greenhouses come as a versatile approach to farming,

especially in areas with harsh climatic conditions or inside crowded cities,

where tall and massive buildings cast shadows and pollution dominates the landscape.

An ideal example of making the best greenhouses is in the Netherlands,

which is the second largest exporter of agricultural products in the world after the United States.

It is also 237 times larger in land area,

and the secret of the Netherlands’ success is its exploitation of architectural development and innovation to expand food production within cities.

In Westland, or the greenhouse capital of the Netherlands as it is called by National Geographic,

greenhouses are an essential part of the region’s landscape.

 

How to design a greenhouse perfectly

 

Cascading urban farms fill in the gaps between cities, suburbs, and industrial plants.

Greenhouses affect the level of economic and social development of their context.

It can be part of a social movement for sustainable communities,

part of a city strategic plan, or just a simple urban farm implemented by local residents.

All are opportunities to provide access to required plants and fresh food products that enhance the overall quality of life.

There are plenty of spaces to choose from to set up your greenhouse and a variety of planting methods to adopt.

 

How to design a greenhouse perfectly

 

What is greenhouse engineering?

It is an inflamed or inflated structure that incorporates an optimal microclimate that can be partially

or fully controlled to provide plants with optimal growing conditions.

These structures can be covered with transparent or translucent materials according to the needs of the crops,

and they protect plants from changing climatic conditions including wind,

extremes of temperature and humidity.

In addition, greenhouses protect plants from insects and diseases.

Greenhouse structures work exactly the same way as our planet, including the greenhouse effect,

where the structure converts light energy into heat energy.

When sunlight and light enter the structure through glass panels or plastic sheeting,

the plants and things inside absorb it and turn it into heat.

These plants and bodies then release this heat energy,

but the latter is trapped inside the structure, increasing the overall temperature of the structure.

In order to design a greenhouse,

you must specify some important things such as:

Will it be freely attached or will you implement it on an existing structure,

both options have their advantages and disadvantages depending on the situation.

Freestanding greenhouses are great for creating a sustainable space in a space without restrictions;

whether it is a desert or even the middle of the ocean.

However, it can be costly to insulate, so greenhouses come with a solution to this challenge,

as they are connected to the building’s heating and ventilation systems.

Orient your greenhouse in the direction of sunlight.

You have to orient the structure to take advantage of the sun exposure.

In the northern part of the world, greenhouse structures head straight to the south or southeast to catch the early morning sun.

If a north orientation is not available, it will orient the structure to the east and south at the same time.

An important tip is that western orientations are not preferred at all as it can lead to overheating of the structure.

 

How to design a greenhouse perfectly

 

Chassis Dimensions Planning

Greenhouse structures should be in a 3:1 size ratio, which is a good general rule for planning a greenhouse structure.

The reason behind this is to capture the most exposure to sunlight,

these structures must be taller than they are wide, and the length must be directed in the optimum direction.

A good structure needs a good foundation, and there are many different materials and methods for building foundations.

Any of them can be used, as they apply to the construction of other structures,

and the most recent foundations used are concrete piers, attached to the frame of the structure.

It’s easy to overbuild a greenhouse foundation because it only prevents glass and accidental snow loads,

but depending on engineering regulations in the area, your options may be limited.

Take into account the slope of the roof

Because the greenhouse is warmer than the air outside,

a layer of melted ice often forms between the polycarbonate glass and the snow.

This helps the surface to get rid of any snow that has a lot of weight,

and the snow tends to stick more to the double-expanded polycarbonate.

Related to the slope of the roof is the buoyancy slab,

which is the distance between the lowest point of the roof and the ground.

In areas with heavy snow, there should be at least 3 or 4 feet so that snow does not accumulate on the surface of the greenhouse or obstruct any openings.

 

How to design a greenhouse perfectly

 

Selection of framing and glazing materials

All commercial greenhouses today are made of galvanized steel,

and are often designed to be connected in a long chain.

The greenhouse kit is often made of steel,

and the included fasteners and instructions can make assembly very easy.

Galvanized steel has a much longer life than wood and does not require staining, sealing, or much maintenance.

Furthermore, the steel frame often offers less flexibility in construction,

especially when salvaged from other projects.

The structure is well insulated

Insulation is essential especially on the north wall and west wall,

so you should make sure to insulate all walls that you don’t have glass on.

Foam insulation or Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs) work well but it must be sealed and kept dry,

as it is not rated for moisture in the greenhouse.

 

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