Designing a Greenhouse
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by: JonathanMiranda | Total views: 31 | Word Count: 587
While the term "greenhouse" may conjure up images of a complex glass building, greenhouses can be as different as the plants they nurture. There are a variety of options to consider when you design a greenhouse, including the shape, type and materials you prefer - and that will work best in your home climate.
Design Types:
Freestanding greenhouses are unsupported and stand alone in a yard or garden, while Even-Span and Lean-to models are partially supported by another building. Window mounted mini greenhouses can be installed directly into a window of your home, though space many be limited. Choose the type of greenhouse that is best for you by examining your existing lawn and garden area to determine the ideal placement. You should also consider the cost of running electricity or water to a freestanding greenhouse; this is an often overlooked budget item that needs to be included to get an accurate idea of cost.
Location:
Deciding "where" to put your greenhouse is just as important as choosing the design type and construction materials. Evaluate the existing features of your yard and home to see how well a greenhouse can be incorporated. If you want to build one of the supported designs, like a Lean-to or Even Span, then look carefully at the walls of your home or barn to find the ideal spot.
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.
Seasonal Issues:
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:
The materials for your greenhouse include the items used to form the walls and will affect the finished look of the structure. Popular materials include glass, plastic and fiberglass. The type of material you choose may be influenced by the greenhouse's frame type and shape and should be considered with those details in mind.
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.
About the Author
To learn more about Greenhouse Design. Please visit Jonathan Miranda's site where you can find out all about Greenhouses. How to build greenhouses, where to buy them and more.
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