Most greenhouses are formed to protect the plants and crops. Many plants, crops, and herbs entered the endangered zone in the last few years. Their increase in yield and protection placed them in greenhouses. Also, the greenhouses protect sensitive plants from environmental hazards like extreme low and high temperatures. Greenhouses are also called shelter houses for plants to protect. Thus, we also get the new yield without chemicals, colors, etc. build a greenhouse The temperature inside the greenhouse is different from the environment. We feel cooling effects and refreshes in our minds whenever we enter the greenhouse. So, you also want to build a greenhouse to get your favorite yield or protect the plants. This article will guide you to make a greenhouse step by step.
Table of Contents
Structure of greenhouse
The greenhouses are formed to protect the plants from environmental hazards like extreme low and high temperatures, rains, winds, etc. Thus the material is also used that is environment proof and stops the ultraviolet rays harmful to plants. So the structure or frame is the main element to support the greenhouse. Structures are classified into two large groups: rigid structures and aerodynamic structures.
The rigid structures are straight lines and rods resistant to air currents. The aerodynamic structures have curved roofs and walls that allow them to dislodge the winds that affect them more effectively. The structure is formed and looks like pillars, struts, and columns; in addition, the overload that environmental factors will create on the structure must be taken into account ., such as the winds and rainfall, so that we can be sure that the columns will hold and the greenhouse will not collapse.
Other important elements apart from the struts are the pieces that support the roof, which generally have the shape of an arch in greenhouses with curved lines or triangles in those with straight lines, although this is not always the case. These pieces are joined at the top with others known as stringers or straps, which can be the same material as the struts or a lighter or thinner one. You have to be very careful that the beams do not have edges because these could cut the plastic, and it would have to be replaced with a new one.
Types of greenhouses
The greenhouse types are defined as the elements and shapes used to make a greenhouse. And also ordered them in a group or category so that their study and analysis with different aspects. Generally, all greenhouse designs can be classified into some categories. Below we will mention what the most common greenhouse classifications are:
- By size
- By the arrangement or location of the structures
- By the shape or external profile
- By construction material
- By night thermal regime
- By the period of useful life
- By characteristics of environmental control
- By social orientation
- By technological levels
How to build a greenhouse
The greenhouse is a good way to grow your favorite vegetables, fruits, and plants safely without preservation and dyes. Also, growing unseasonal plants can make it easier if you love the garden.
Requirements
- Wood Ribbons
- Plastic
- iron pipes
- Concrete
Instructions
First of all, decide the size of the greenhouse so that you can calculate the material you need for construction according to it. I suggest you select where the sun can remain for more time and thus plants can grow properly.
To build the greenhouse facing south, the plants will receive more hours of sunlight. Then the ground must be leveled as necessary, and the foundations of our greenhouse must lay with iron and concrete pipes so that everything well fix.
Greenhouses allow the creation of artificial microclimates, where we can control the environmental parameters according to what the crop requires. The central element in creating these microclimates is the roofs, presenting different characteristics depending on the construction material.
A material used as a cover must be relatively translucent to allow the passage of light in the amount that the crop, in turn, requires. It must also contribute to maintaining an appropriate temperature inside the greenhouse and protecting the crop from environmental factors such as hailstorms and winds.
The roofing material often determines the type of structure, that is, the shape and dimensions of the greenhouse. The physical, mechanical, and optical characteristics of the roof will determine the climatic conditions inside the structure. In this sense, the most appropriate materials for roofs are those that contribute to achieving the following effects:
- Good transparency to solar radiation.
- Goods shelter, protection, and umbrella effect.
- Good heat retention at night.
- Good thermal performance.
On the other hand, they must be materials whose physical characteristics remain unchanged for several years to guarantee a long useful life. The best are those that combine the thickness and flexibility of plastics with the optical properties of glass. The problem is that the materials that meet these requirements are usually very expensive, with glass and polycarbonate. Plastics are cheap and light, but their resistance is lower, so their useful life is short.
Among the main materials used in the world as greenhouse covers are the following:
- Single and double glass
- Alveolar polymethacrylate (PMM)
- Alveolar, greca, and corrugated polycarbonate (PC)
- Polyester with fiberglass (PERV)
- Polyvinyl chloride (PVC)
- Ethyl-vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA)
- Polypropylene (PP)
- High-density polyethylene (PEAD)
- Low-density polyethylene (LDPE, PELD)
One of the first problems that occur when planning to make a homemade greenhouse is the availability of resources such as drinking water and electricity, without which any project would be practically unfeasible.
This is used to start the irrigation pumps concerning electrical energy. Although it is possible to use pumps that burn fuel, it is not recommended because the costs would rise quite a bit. In addition to the pumps, the solenoid valves also require energy for their opening and closing. We can mention with lesser importance the measurement devices, temperature, and relative humidity, without which it is possible to produce. Still, we are working blindly because both are extremely important parameters for excellent production.
Air heaters also work with electricity, and if you are in an area with low temperatures at a certain time of the year, then their installation is essential for the survival of the crop. In all this respect, there is good news. The first greenhouses have already begun to develop that are covered with photovoltaic panels capable of producing electricity without damaging the crop due to excessive shading.
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