Greenhouse Design

and Construction
Greenhouse structure and parts
Factors to be considered when
designing
Legal and building regulations when
building
This presentation is from Virginia Tech and has not been edited
by the Georgia Curriculum Office.
 Laying the Foundation:
Structural Parts of a Greenhouse

Sidewall: supports the entire weight of the greenhouse.

Consists of the following parts -
side ventilators
side posts
curtain wall
Concrete footer: foundation for the side posts
Eave: area where the sidewall joints connect
Sash bar: bar made of metal or wood that runs from eave to
the ridge, holding glass in place
 Laying the Foundation: cont..
Roof: provides cover. Consists of:
sash bars
purlins
roof ventilators
ridge
Purlin: bar running length of roof that supports the sash
bars, holds bows and trusses upright
roof and side ventilators: allow ventilation during light rain
ridge: peak of greenhouse
shutters: operate like windows to allow air flow
 Greenhouse Shapes
Even-span greenhouse: self supporting with
distance from ridge to eave equal in distance
Ridge & Furrow: two or more even-span
greenhouses connected at the eaves.
Quonset: arch-shaped bows placed in a row.
Appears tube shaped - most common shape
Sawtooth: greenhouse with a vent near the eave of
the lowest side wall that allows for natural
ventilation.
 Greenhouse Shapes cont.
Lean-to: a greenhouse already attached to a existing
structure.
Gothic: Slightly pointed greenhouse covered with
corrugated fiberglass
What if we put the door here and the window
here.
There are many factors to
consider before you build a
permanent structure. It is a lot
of money and time to throw
away if you dont obtain as
many facts as possible before
you build.
Factor 1: Accessibility
Factor 2: Expandability
Factor 3: Markets
Factor 4: Orientation
Factors to consider: cont.

Factor 5: Personnel
Factor 6: Topography
Factor 7: Utilities/water
 What does this mean for
greenhouse management?
It is not as easy as just going outside and building a
greenhouse. There are things to considered just as in any
situation. So remember, depending on your location and
climate, you will have to consider the
shape of design
location
utilities
market
personnel