Greenhouse PlansBlueprints for the greenhouses illustrated in this information sheet are available from the Mississippi Cooperative Extension Service. Request copies by plan number from your county Extension office or write James G. Thomas, Leader, Extension Agricultural Engineering, Box 9632, Mississippi State, MS 39762. Plans offered are adapted to hobby greenhouses, since larger greenhouses are of optional length.
Plan No. 5941. A two-page plan from which a greenhouse or coldframe can be built from preservative treated 2-by 2-inch wood framing. Dimensions are 5 feet by 7 feet 8 inches. The greenhouse stands 7 feet 8 inches at the front and 5 feet by 7 inches at the rear. It has door and roof vents. The sloped roof can be raised 1 foot 4 inches at the front and 3 feet 4 inches at the rear for additional ventilation; framing is covered with polyethylene.
Plan No. 5946. A one-page plan for an 8-foot 6-inch-wide by 12-foot-long portable greenhouse built with wood framing and a polyethylene cover. The gothic arch is 7 feet at the ridge with the arches formed by two ¼-inch by 4-inch by 8-foot bands of exterior-type plywood. The greenhouse is anchored to the ground by 2-by 4-inch stakes at each corner and door frame. The lower portion of the greenhouse is framed with two 1- by 8-inch strips of wood. The 2-foot by 5-foot 4-inch doors are detailed. There is a triangular vent flap above each door. The ridge boards are cut from 1- by 10-inch lumber on a 30-degree angle. Faste ning the structure together with galvanized wood screws is recommended.
Plan No. 6029. A two-page plan for a 23- by 48-foot or 96-foot wood frame greenhouse covered with polyethylene or rigid fiberglass. The gable design house stands 6 feet 3 3/4 inches at the eave and 112 feet at the ridge.
Plan No. 6094. A four-page plan for a 16-foot- and 26-foot-wide gable-style greenhouse of optional length. The 16-foot-wide house is constructed of 2 by 4 rafters and studs. The 26-foot- wide greenhouse is constructed of 2 by 6 rafters and studs in the sidewalls and by 2 by 4 studs in the end walls. The cover is poyethylene. Details are provided on bracing, doors, gussets, concrete piers, heating, and ventilating.
Plan No. 6097. A three-page plan for a tri-penta greenhouse. The floor plan consists of a pentagon with 9-foot 8½-inch sides. The structure stands 13 feet 9 inches at the center peak. The 2 by 4 wood frame is covered with polyethylene. Details are provided for anchor joints, aerial joints, doorway and door, benches, and covering. Only experienced carpenters should attempt to build this greenhouse.
Plan No. 6163. A one-page plan for six styles of greenhouse benches. Bench materials include welded wire fabric and wood.
Plan No. 6181. A two-page plan for a 10-foot-wide by 12-foot-long greenhouse built with a wood frame and a fiberglass or two-layer poyethylene cover. The plan incudes details on benches, materials, and environmental controls. The house has a 2-foot 6-inch by 6-foot 3-inch door at one end.
Plan No. 6217. A two-page plan for a 20-foot wide quonset-style greenhouse of optional length. End framing is of 2 by 4's and 2 by 6's. Bows are 3/4-inch conduits set in 1-inch pipe sunk in the ground. The polyethylene or fiberglass covered house stands 8 feet 6 inches at the ridge. Details include a bill of materials, a conduit bender, air inlet deflector, and a basic floor plan.
Plan No. 6222. A three-page plan for a pipe frame quonset greenhouse. The house is 96 feet 10 inches long, 28 feet 6 inches wide, and 11 feet at the ridge. Frame arches are 1 1/4-inchh pipe. Cover is double layer polyethylene. Details include foundation corner, end wall head, inside frame for tomato vine support, tie-down cable anchor, inflation apparatus, and horizontal evaporative pad. Construction Wood. All wood used in greenhouse construction should be a rot-resistant wood (such as redwood). Pine and fir pressure-treated with a water-borne salt-type pressure preservative can also be used. Of the chemical wood preservatives, only copper naphthenate and wolman salts can be used in greenhouse construction. Wood preservatives (creosote and pentachlorophenol) give off fumes that are toxic to plants. Greenhouse Covers. Many different materials are available for covering greenhouses. Glass is expensive, and little is used in the Southeast. Three plastic film materials are in use as greenhouse covers. Polyyethylene (PE) film has been used in large quantities for several years. It has high light transmittance, except in the ultraviolet region of the spectrum, and is transparent to infrared or long-wave radiation. Its chief disadvantage is its lack of durability. There are ultraviolet-inhibited (UV or weatherable) PE's that will last longer. Copolymer films will last 4 years, and some of the most recent products may last even longer. Infrared transparency can result in significant radiation cooling if there is not condensation on the film. The latest PE film introduced is infrared-blocking and, thus, has a lower rate of heat loss to clear skies. The majority of greenhouses constructed recently have used copolymer films. PE film is available in thicknesses of 1/8 mil or more (1 mil= .001 in) and in widths up to 50 feet folded or 16 feet unfolded. For a double-layer application, use 4 mil PE on the inside and 4 or 6 mil PE on the outside. Use 6 mil for single-layer applications. Use only unfolded PE, if possible, because film will fail first at the folds. You may want to replace PE film annually where high-light-requiring plants are grown. Polyvinlyl chloride (PVC) is available as a film or as a rigid panel. PVC films last 4 to 5 years if properly maintained. PVC with an ultraviolet inhibitor has lasted up to 4 years. One disadvantage of PVC film is the difficulty in keeping it clean to maintain high light transmittance. Static electricity develops on PVC and tends to attract dust. PVC is available in 2/3-mil thicknesses and in widths of 36 to 72 inches (the narrow width is a disadvantage in covering large areas). Rigid panels of PVC are inexpensive, easy to apply, and, when new, have high light transmittance. PVCs' light stability is affected by heat build-up in the panel. If they are carefully applied and partially shaded during hot weather to prevent heat buildup, they will provide good service. They are available in 24- to 36-inch widths and in lengths up to 24 feet. Polyvinyl fluoride (PVF) film is tough, durable, ultraviolet resistant, and has high light transmittance, but is has a low transmittance for radiation form ambient temperature sources. It is available in widths up to 120 inch Fiberglass (FRP) is also used as a greenhouse covering. Corrugated panels are in sizes up to 24 feet long with widths of 4 feet. Panels are flexible enough for use with various types of structure. Life expectancy of FRP is 5 to 10 years, depending on quality. The major disadvantage of FRP is that it deteriorates, losing light quality; the panels become etched and pitted, exposing the glass fibers. The fibers collect dust and fray, causing the panel to darken. Clear FRP is recommended as a greenhouse covering. To save energy, consider covering your greenhouse with two layers of polyethylene, inflated and separated by a layer of air. This technique reduces heat loss and the amount of fuel used. A layer of polyyethylene over corrugated or flat fiberglass also reduces heat loss and fuel use.
By James G. Thomas, Leader, Extension Agricultural Engineering, and Dr. David H. Tatum, Horticulturist Mississippi State University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, or veteran status. Information
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