Greenhouse is a popular option for commercial growers; however, selecting the right greenhouse to buy can be a tough process. This complete guide to buying greenhouses will give you all the information you need to find the right greenhouse setup for you. You can also use it to find the right supplier at the best price.
The Big Questions
A typical greenhouse
The first thing to figure out is what you need the greenhouse for. Is it to provide a year-round growing environment? Or is it to provide an extension to your growing season for a few months? Second, you should think about the ideal environment for your plants to flourish in , and how your environment differs from the plant's natural environment. Third, you should think about how much space you will need and how much space you have on premises. If your operation is forecast to grow, it may be prudent to plan out the space for the next few years. Lastly, you need to think about your budget for this project. Your budget will significantly affect the greenhouse, materials, and accessories you can purchase.
After you have thought through these questions, you can use the tool to the right to get personalized price quotes on your greenhouse from pre-screened suppliers. The sections below help you through each of these questions.
Greenhouse types
There are 3 major types of greenhouses. The term "greenhouse" has traditionally referred to growing spaces with an active environmental control system. It usually has artificially powered heating, cooling, and ventilation equipment. While these are the most expensive type of greenhouse, they can be used to grow year-round.
Heated greenhouse
The second type of greenhouse is a high-tunnel. These are mainly used to extend the growing season and they do not have active environmental controls. High-tunnels use passive ventilation only.
High tunnel
The third type of greenhouse is a low-tunnel. They are similar to high-tunnels in that they only use passive ventilation, but they are much lower to the ground. Low-tunnels are only appropriate for certain types of plants, and they are more economical than high-tunnels.
Low tunnel
Greenhouse components
Common greenhouse components:
- Wire frame
- Insulation / covering
- End walls
Optional greenhouse components:
- Doors
- Vents
- Fans
- Heaters
- Air conditioners
Greenhouse shapes
There are four main greenhouse shapes:
Quonset (also called a hoop) greenhouses are the most common shape |
Gothic greenhouses are popular in regions with frequent snow and rain |
Gable greenhouses have high sidewalls that are used for certain plants |
Gutter-connected greenhouses are made of several greenhouses connected side-to-side and cover a large area to save on environmental control costs |
Materials for wire frames
Greenhouse wire frames can be made from many types of durable materials, each with their own advantages and disadvantages. The important thigns to consider are weight, durability, and price.
- Aluminum: durable and light, but slightly expensive. Provides great longevity
- Steel: highly durable. Heavier but cheaper than aluminum
- Wood: some people choose wood for aesthetic reasons. The recommended wood types for greenhouses are cedar and pressure-treated lumber
- PVC plastic: cheapest and lightest option, but not as structurally durable as other materials
Greenhouse covering
Insulation for greenhouses is provided by covering material (also called glazing). Several options are available:
- Poly film: the most affordable and most common type of covering. It comes in different thicknesses (the thicker, the more heat it retains) and can be double-layered for even greater insulation. It is replaced every 4 to 10 years depending on thickness and quality
- Polycarbonate panels: a more expensive option than film but provides greater protection from rain and snow. It also tends to be stronger and lasts longer
- Glass: the most expensive and provides the least insulation. It is aesthetically appealing but is not as economical
Other things to think about
Once you have figured out the basics, you should also think about the following in your planning process:
- What plants are you looking to grow? (e. g. flowers, vegetables, potted plants, bedding plants, perennials, herbs)
- What is your planned growing period? (e.g. seasonable vs. year-round)
- Where to grow the plants? (e.g. flats, beds, pots, troughs)
- What type of growing system? (.e.g. beds, benches, floor, growing bags)
- How much annual production are you targeting?
- Do you need to apply for government permits?
- How will you finance this greenhouse?
After you have a solid plan in place, you should reach out to greenhouse suppliers to get firm quotes based on your exact needs. You can use the quote request tool on this page to contact the nation's top greenhouses suppliers in one, easy place. Their sales staff will then receive your request and submit personalized quotes to you.
