Tips on covering a green house
To many people building a greenhouse can seem like an impossible task, not knowing what to do first or whether their greenhouse will succeed. With this dilemma what should one do? The answer is having a plan, for as it is said "failing to plan, is planning to fail". To make your dream of having a greenhouse a reality you need to have a greenhouse plan. This article seeks to give you some tips on what to consider when planning building your greenhouse, specifically the covering and framing materials.
Some factors to be considered to choose a good covering is its ability to trap the most amount of heat inside, as well as its life span. The different choices for greenhouse covering include regular glass, fiberglass, double-wall plastic, and film plastic. Start by checking the R-Factor and U-Value of the greenhouse covering, the region of the country you live in and the price. The colder the region the higher R factor you will need and lower U Value. You can get away with some lower insulated values and higher heat loss in areas that have a more temperate climate. Also, take a look at the warranty period that is offered on the material. You don't want to have to replace the material frequenly if you can avoid it.
Without establishing the material you will be using to cover the frame before you build, you can not design the framework. Most people recommend trusses and frame to be no more than 24" apart and no less than 16" but that will depend on the greenhouse covering material that your select, so check with the company before starting to build. You can use PVC tubing, aluminum, wood and steel to construct your greenhouse. Learn the pros and cons of each to make sure you chose the best frame material for your greenhouse.
