Greenhouse farming is a popular alternative method of farming.
To get started, it’s important to understand the different types of greenhouses available.
Greenhouses come in various shapes, utility options, covering materials, and structural materials. They cater to different needs, from large commercial operations to small kitchen gardens or indoor setups. Choosing the right greenhouse depends on your specific requirements, budget, and convenience.
In this article, we will focus on showcasing the different types of greenhouses.
Please read the article until the end. We hope it will provide valuable knowledge and inspire you to sign up on this site for more informative articles like this.
Here is a detailed overview of some easy-to-build and cost-effective greenhouse types.
What Is A Greenhouse?
The greenhouse, also known as a glasshouse or hothouse, is designed to create a controlled environment for plants to grow.
The transparent walls and roof allow sunlight to enter the greenhouse and trap solar radiation, leading to an increase in temperature inside the greenhouse.
This is known as the greenhouse effect.
The greenhouse effect helps to create a warmer climate within the greenhouse, even in colder external conditions.
This enables plants to thrive in a protected and regulated environment.
The controlled climatic conditions inside the greenhouse include temperature, humidity, light exposure, and sometimes even CO2 levels. These conditions can be adjusted and maintained according to the specific requirements of the plants being grown.
By creating a stable and favorable environment for cultivation, different types of greenhouses offer several benefits.
It allows for year-round plant growth, protection from adverse weather conditions, and the ability to grow plants that are not typically suited to the local climate.
Different types of greenhouses are used for a variety of purposes, including commercial crop production, research and experimentation, and home gardening.
Overall, the greenhouse serves as a controlled space that harnesses sunlight and creates a microclimate conducive to plant growth, providing an optimal environment for plants to thrive and reach their full potential.
Types Of Greenhouses And Their Pros & Cons
Several types of greenhouses can be segregated depending on the budget, shape, structure, covering materials, utility etc.
Based on Budget / Cost:
Low-Technology Greenhouse
Common Structure
> Less than 3 mt. in total height
> Tunnel house type.
Pros
> Basic safeguards from pests and bacterial attacks.
> Low or no cost involved.
Cons
> Relatively small number of users.
> Poor ventilation
> Poor quality.
> No automation
Medium-Technology Greenhouse
Common Structure
> Characterized by vertical walls.
> Height more than 2 mt and less than 4 mt. and total height less than 5.5. Mt.
> Facilitates either roof or walls.
> Use clad with either single or double-skin plastic film or glass.
Pros
> Better ventilation
> Medium automation.
> Reasonable economic and environmental basis.
> Crop production is higher than that of open fields.
> Increases efficiency of water use.
> Can use non-chemical pesticides and disease management strategies
Cons
> The full potential of a greenhouse is difficult to attain.
High-Level Greenhouse
Common Structure
> Wall is 4 mts and height is 8 mts from ground level
> Cadding with double/ single layer plastic film, polycarbonate sheeting/ glass.
Pros
> Excellent crop production and environmental performance.
> Proper roof and sidewall ventilation.
> Automated environmental control
> Environmental and economic sustainability.
> Impressive looking.
Cons
> Capital intensive.
> Recurring cost intensive.
Based On Shape:
Lean-To Type
Common Structure
> Applicable when it is placed against the side of an existing greenhouse.
> Roof should be extended with covering material and exposed sides should be properly covered.
> Should be south-facing for sun exposure.
> Width should be 7-12 feet and length should be according to the adjacent greenhouse.
Pros
>Least expensive as electricity, water source and heat control is available.
> Uses sunlight
> Minimal use of roof support.
Cons
> Limited space.
> Limited ventilation
> Limited light
> Temperature control.
Even-Span Type
Common Structure
> Constructed fully on the ground.
> Two equal widths and pitch of roof slopes.
> Small-sized and attached to the gable end of the main house.
> 2-3 rows of plant benches.
Pros
> Heat consuming.
> Air ventilation is good.
> Best option for winter.
Cons
> Costs more than lean-type.
Uneven-Span Type
Common Structure
> Roofs of structure differ in width.
> Adaptable for side slopes of hilly areas.
Pros
> Suitable for hilly and undulating terrains.
Cons
> Rarely used
> Not adaptable for automation
Ridge & Furrow Type
Common Structure
> Two or more A-frame greenhouse structures connected with each other along the length of the eave.
> Side wall can be eradicated so that a large interior becomes available.
Pros
> Reduces labor
> Minimizes the price of automation.
> Upgrade personal management
> Less consumption of fuel.
Cons
> Snow cannot slide off the roofs but melts away.
Sawtooth Type
Common Structure
> Same as ridge & furrow type(resembles sawtooth)
> Adding natural ventilation.
Pros
> Allows more natural ventilation
> More air mass than a flat roof. A larger air mass is good for plants.
> Reduced condensations and drip.
Cons
> Requires more installation time and skill.
> Very expensive.
Quonset Type
Common Structure
> Polythene is used as a covering material.
> Useful for small isolated cultural areas.
> Curved shape
Pros
> Lower height makes it easier to set up and cover.
> Curved shape gives it more strength to withstand snow or wind.
> Not so expensive.
Cons
> Need more monitoring and care because the plastic tarp/film may tear easily
> Shorter lifespan.
Based On Utility:
Active Heating System Type
Common Structure
> To save the plants from cold bites at night.
> Can use double-layer polyethylene, thermo pane glasses, etc.
> Heating systems like unit heaters, central heat, radiant heat, and solar heating systems can also use.
Pros
> Extended growing season.
> Possible to grow tropical plants in cold regions.
Cons
> Higher installation cost.
> High maintenance cost.
Active Cooling System Type
Common Structure
> To save plants from excessive heat during summer.
> Use evaporative cooling pads like fans, fog cooling, etc.
> Sometimes allows 40 % to 100% roof opening.
Pros
> Possible to grow high-altitude plants in desert/hot regions.
Cons
> Higher installation cost.
> High maintenance cost.
Based On Construction / Structure:
Wooden Framed Structure
Common Structure
> Span is less than 6 mt.
> Sde posts and columns made up of wood.
> Pinewood and timber are used as they are good in durability, machinability and strength.
Pros
> Possess good strength
> Heat insulation is good.
Cons
> Good quality timber can be very expensive depending on your country.
> High painting cost to make it fire resistant.
Pipe Framed Structure Type
Common Structure
> Span is around 12 Mts.
> Side posts and columns are made up of pipe
Pros
> Easy to Install.
> Can be cheap depending on the material.
Cons
> Needs more monitoring and care.
> Cheaper material does not last long.
Truss Framed Structure Type
Common Structure
> Span is greater than or equal to 15 Mts.
> Flat steel, tubular steel, and angular iron are welded together to make the truss structure.
Pros
> High load-bearing capacity.
> Durability.
Cons
> Installation requires high skill if not pre-fabricated.
> Expensive
Based On Covering Materials:
Glass
> Glass is used as covering material
Common Structure
Pros
> Greater interior light intensity.
> Higher air infiltration rate.
> Lower interior humidity.
> Excellent disease prevention quality.
Cons
> Fragile.
> Need to use with more care.
Plastic Film
Common Structure
> Polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene, polyester, etc are used as covering material.
Pros
>Popular, cheap and less heating cost.
Cons
> Short lifespan
Rigid Panel
Common Structure
> Polyvinyl chloride rigid panel, fiberglass-reinforced panel, acrylic, polycarbonate rigid panel are used as covering material
Pros
> Provides more uniform light intensity
> Resistant to breakage
> Durable
Cons
> Panel attracts dust
> Algae forms on the panel.
Miscellaneous
Indoor
Common Structure
> Very small to fit right inside your home. Usually made of wood, metal or Plastic frame. Uses plastic sheets or glass as covering material.
Pros
> Easy to carry anywhere to get better sunlight.
> Completely made for you. Just buy it online or from the market and you are ready to use it.
Cons
> Size limitation
> Can easily lose moister and temperature.
Geo Dome
Common Structure
> Geodesic dome shape.
> Fames are usually made from wood or metal.
> Glass and Plastic films are mainly used.
Pros
> Greater sunlight absorption.
> Good for structural integrity if properly made.
Cons
> Expensive.
Cold Beds & Cold Frames
Common Structure
> Flat bed type. Has a bed and a lid.
> Bed can be made of brick or wood.
> Lid should be transparent.
Pros
> Best for lawn
> Perfect if you already have a raised bed garden or a potager garden. Then you only have to build the lid.
Cons
> Small height makes them vulnerable. A wrong step and they are damaged.
> Snow can accumulate on them and restrict sunlight.
Aesthetic
Common Structure
> Then the main focus is to be aesthetically pleasing.
> Design is most important. You can use any suitable material.
Pros
> Can be used for decoration and landscaping.
Cons
> Can be expensive with respect to its functionality.
Conclusion and Take Away!
I hope you enjoyed the discussion on different types of greenhouses. If you have any questions let me know in the comment section below.
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- Reference:
- Source 1: USBG PDF
- Source 2: Research-Gate
Misty S is the founder and lead writer at GrowOrganicGreens.com, a comprehensive gardening resource dedicated to helping people cultivate beautiful and sustainable gardens. She has a Master’s degree in Economics and specialized studies in agricultural economics, horticulture, and soil science. Drawing from her extensive knowledge and experience, Misty shares practical gardening tips on soil preparation, organic manure composting, fertilizers, plant care, and indoor gardening, making her advice accessible and helpful to gardeners of all levels.
Despite having an high-demanding 9-5 job, Misty dedicates her personal time to researching and exploring various gardening topics. Her keen interest in gardening has grown into a passion, driving her to help new gardeners and anyone interested in starting their gardening journey.
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