Greenhouse Structural

Components
Greenhouse Management

Structural Components

Greenhouses are made by assembling different

parts or components.
Each part has a specific role in the overall
greenhouse structure.

This slide shows the basic

components of a greenhouse

Side Posts

Support the trusses and bear the weight of the

greenhouse.
Set in concrete footings.
Typically spaced 10 feet apart.

Curtain Wall

The first several feet of sidewall above the soil line.

Usually made of some solid building material such as
poured concrete, concrete blocks, bricks, or treated
lumber.

Sill

The top of the curtain wall

Eave

Where the sides of the greenhouse join the roof of the

greenhouse.
The top of the sides of the greenhouse.

Truss

Structural component that supports the weight of the

greenhouse roof.
Consists of rafters, struts, and chords.

Purlin

Purlins run the length of the greenhouse.

Keep the roof trusses aligned.

Ridge

Where the roofs come together at the top of the

greenhouse.
Many greenhouses have a ridge vent(s).

Sash Bars
purlin

Run perpendicular to
the purlins.
Attached to the purlins.
Hold the glazing in
place.
Sometimes built with a
drip groove or channel
to catch condensation
that forms on the inside
of the glass panels.

sash bars

Wooden Sash Bar Close-up

Sash bar cap
Glass panels

Sash bar
Drip groove

Aluminum Sash Bar Close-up

Sash Bar Cap

Bar cap

Fastened to the sash bars

with screws.
Functions to hold the
glass panels in place.

Siting a Greenhouse

Topography

Select as level a site as possible.

Amount of land

The general rule of thumb is to purchase at least

twice as much land as the desired growing area.
For example, you desire to build a ridge & furrow
greenhouse measuring 50 feet x 150 feet.

7,500 square feet x 2 = 15,000 square feet = .34 acres

Greenhouse Orientation
N
W

E
S

Depends on latitude and whether the greenhouse is connected or detached.

Single, detached greenhouse:
In northern latitudes an east-west orientation is favored because light
can enter through the sides rather than through the ends of the
greenhouse where it would cast more shade.
Also, because our winds are predominately from the west (blue arrow)
this positions an end wall of the greenhouse into the wind.

Greenhouse Orientation

Connected Greenhouses:

South

An east west orientation is not ideal.

North

Greenhouse Orientation

Connected Greenhouses:

A north south orientation is BEST!

South

North

Windbreaks

Planted on the north and west sides of the

greenhouse.
Help reduce heat loss from the greenhouse.
Greenhouses should be located a minimum of
100 feet away.

Framing Materials

Two basic kinds of material:

Wood
Metal; primarily aluminum or aluminum alloys

Wood

Redwood, cedar, or some other rot-resistant

wood.
Treated wood.

Beware of mercury-based paints and preservatives

because fumes from these products are toxic to
plants.

Aluminum

Lightweight
Strong
Rust resistant
Framing materials can be manufactured
thinner and be spaced further apart allowing
for minimal shading.

Stresses on the Greenhouse

Weight of the framing and glazing.

Snow loads.
Wind pressure.
Temperature; fluctuating temperatures cause
expansion and contraction of framing and
glazing materials.

Headhouse

Head House

Service building with overhead doors.

Used for planting, media preparation and storage,
chemical storage, container storage and office space,
etc.

Headhouse, continued

May also include the heating plant (boiler) and

a cold storage facility.
Should be at least 10% of the total growing
area of the greenhouse.

The End