Greenhouse Planning Guide
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Greenhouse Planning Guide Plan Your Perfect Greenhouse Environment www.solarinnovations.com 1

Things To Consider At Solar Innovations, Inc,. we realize that you may only purchase one greenhouse in your lifetime. We understand that it is a major investment and that choosing the correct supplier is a vital step in the design process. If you don’t know what to look for or what questions to ask, the process can become overwhelming. The purpose of this panning guide is to provide you with the knowledge and experience we have gained over decades of greenhouse design, manufacturing, and installation. Solar Innovations, Inc.’s LEED Gold Certified corporate office and manufacturing facility...

Seasonal Greenhouse Growing While planning your future greenhouse, one of the most important decisions is choosing what plants you wish to grow and what time of year you wish to grow them. These factors will help determine which type of greenhouse will best meet your needs. Remember, each greenhouse and grower are unique. Season Extension Non-thermal Aluminum with Monolithic Glazing This system is ideal for spring and fall gardening, when heating and cooling are not a concern. A non-thermal greenhouse is suitable for a hobby gardener who uses the structure primarily for extending the start...

Functional Greenhouse Types H obby Hobby greenhouses are perfect for those enthusiasts whose collection has outgrown their window sill, but are not ready for a sizable structure. These greenhouses are designed to meet the needs of entry level gardeners. While 300 plants would overwhelm this type of greenhouse, it is perfect for the gardener who wishes to start a few trays of seedlings in the spring or overwinter potted deck plants. Hobby greenhouses typically feature simple configurations and only include a door, windows, roof ventilation, and possibly a greenhouse bench. These structures...

Functional Greenhouse Types Resea rch Research greenhouses are primarily used in agricultural extension departments, universities, medical research facilities, biotechnology labs, and commercial agricultural research. They allow for meticulous control over propagation, growth, and the environmental conditions needed for precise experimentation. Multiple zones can be incorporated into the greenhouse allowing separate research projects in each room. By incorporating independent zones, cross contamination is reduced and each zone can maintain specific growing conditions and control systems....

Functional Greenhouse Types Dual Function: Plants and People A dual function greenhouse is dedicated to both plants and people. In a dual function greenhouse, growing areas can line the walls or be arranged in groupings to reserve space for other activities. Additionally, plant stands and vertical growing, like plants hung from a ring and collar, can maximize growing areas. The greenhouse may incorporate space for entertaining complete with a sitting area and table. The gardener may also use the room for various leisure activities and is only limited by their imagination. A sitting area...

Functional Greenhouse Types Garden Windows Garden windows are the perfect solution when space is so limited that there is no site for a full greenhouse structure. Similar to a greenhouse, but on a smaller scale. The window’s size is determined by the customer’s need and Solar Innovations can custom manufacture any size and shape to fit. These windows are often a reasonable alternative in residential areas where communities do not allow greenhouses. If the gardener does not have enough plants for a greenhouse, yet too many for the window sills, raising plants in a garden window becomes a...

Functional Greenhouse Types Atrium Atrium greenhouses are a blend of traditional construction and greenhouse design. They originated in ancient Rome as open air courtyards but today are enclosed structures with a glass roof, traditional construction framing, and large windows which create the greenhouse environment. Atriums can serve multiple purposes including: dining, entertaining, art, and retail. Many atriums are decorative and follow classic styling. There are often columns lining the traditional walls, finials and ridge cresting adorning the skylight, and grids added to the windows....

Plant Specific Greenhouses C itrus A citrus greenhouse is a structure where tropical and citrus trees are grown. The original name was an orangery, which featured cement or brick walls with windows. Today, a citrus greenhouse is all glass or aluminum. Solar Innovations, Inc. can design citrus greenhouses for specific growing temperature ranges to foster trees such as oranges, mangoes, papaya, guava, kumquats, and an assortment of tropical plants. Citrus greenhouses are typically decorative in nature with traditional styles featuring ridge cresting and finials. Decorative grid work is...

Greenhouse Styles Eng l ish An English greenhouse has a specific style and is the epitome of traditional, classical appearance. Highly ornate and decorative, English greenhouses are a beautiful and functional addition to any home or business and immediately draw attention. An English greenhouse may include the following decorative elements: dormers, ridge cresting, finials, grids, masonry base walls, or raised panels. Pilasters may also be added to a greenhouse’s exterior for a more formal appearance. A Palladian arch and historically designed gutters are also attractive additions. The...

Greenhouse Configurations Designs to Fi t A ny C u s to m e r ’s Ne e d s Our product line does not feature a standard line of pre-fabricated models waiting in the warehouse. Your greenhouse will be built to your exact specifications. To get started, it is helpful to determine the overall shape of your structure that may help as you begin to design your greenhouse. Straight Eave Double Pitch Double pitch is a classic shape for greenhouses and is the most common configuration for free-standing units. It provides a uniform space that is tallest at the ridge. This configuration features the...