Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Greenhouse Design and Construction

By Judy Stevens

When you build a greenhouse for your hobby garden, there are several things that need to be considered before construction.

Primarily, greenhouse construction is a skill in it's own right. Hiring a construction company that claims to have built a few greenhouse structures could be trouble. Greenhouses are unique and costs can be high so you will want them to be constructed by a true professional greenhouse builder. Working with a general contractor on a greenhouse could be the most basic cause of problems with greenhouse construction. There are special tools, and greenhouse pieces that are completely unique to the greenhouse builder. Working with glass or polycarbonate is also craft honed by only greenhouse builders familiar with the greenhouse construction process.

Also, the greenhouse builder needs to be knowledgeable in all facets of the greenhouse process, from the design, to the manufacturing, to the building. In the planning a greenhouse builder will know how to place your vents, doors, what type of misting systems to use, if a humidifier is necessary or if your greenhouse needs full sun or partial sun. The greenhouse builder will have special regard to the joints clips, and special features that can or can not be used on the greenhouse.

Third, greenhouse construction needs to be done with a knowledgable team of crew, workers, manufacturer, and owner all working together to make sure all of the parts and pieces arrive at the site early and ready for installation. This will move smoothly but could be a major problem if not installed by knowledgable craftsmen. Imagine missing a piece only to learn the part came from China, and will take two weeks to be delivered. This can be costly and the project hindered.

Fourth, a qualified greenhouse construction crew will know more than a general contractor when planning a greenhouse. Many details are considered such as the air flow of the greenhouse, how size of structure affects the life of the plants, climates and issues that may arise with the certain manufacturers of the equipment used. A professional greenhouse builder will work with architects, engineers and landscape designers well before you get to the ordering process.

Thus, there are many things to consider in greenhouse construction and your greenhouse builder should be able to explain the process with you from start to finish. This will ensure a lifetime of gardening pleasure.

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