Purchasing a greenhouse is a big decision. During the initial stages of your purchase, there a lot of factors to take into consideration as well. From size and location, to color and layout, the options are endless. At Solar Innovations®, we try to make the process as smooth as possible for you, but here are a few “dos” and “don’ts” you should look out for:
Dos
- Look for glass transparency and insulated glass to help keep the sunlight coming into your structure as regulated as possible. Sunlight is going to reflect into your greenhouse and reflect heat back into the plants, so make sure the glass is solar passive to eliminate some of those more harmful rays.
- Keep fans in mind. Ideally you want 24/7 air circulation in your structure to prevent plant disease and help with insect control. Fans also control heat and help out with proper ventilation.
- Despite the aesthetic appeal of wood, consider a metal structure instead. Over time, wood can warp and deteriorate, so going with an aluminum structure will ensure the longevity of your greenhouse. In addition, Solar offers wood cladding options to give you the aesthetic you’re looking for.
- Think about how much space you may need for lights and watering systems. The design stages of the process will go much smoother if you already have a layout in mind. Also consider an area for hanging baskets to help filter sunlight for plants that may need shade.
- Consider adding solar hot water panels to your greenhouse, not only for the energy efficiency, but also for the health of your plants. When your greenhouse temperatures rise, the plant root temperatures also increase. When this happens, watering your plants with cold ground water can shock the roots and cause damage. By adding the solar hot water panels, you can warm the water before it hits the roots of your plants.
Don’ts
- Try to avoid single pane glass or a thin based poly as a replacement for the glass on your structure. While these are cheaper options, these are not the best options for your plants. Sometimes you can lose the proper sunlight and solar rays, leading to needing more artificial lighting. Adding more artificial lighting will use up more energy and you could lose money in the long run due to lack of efficiency.
- Don’t put a cover on the outside of your greenhouse. Not only can this hurt and scratch the glass, it also requires a lot of cleaning.
- Don’t use any type of sunblock to keep sunlight out of your structure. While it does keep a certain amount of sunlight out, you can’t control the lighting getting into your greenhouse like you can when using shades. The sunblock could also wash off over time and become splotchy, adding spottiness to your glass.
- Most importantly, if you are unsure about what size greenhouse you need, don’t stress. Solar Innovations® will work with you every step of the way to ensure you get the proper space you need for any purpose.
For more information about any of Solar’s greenhouses and glass structures, read here.