During the energy crisis during the 1970s, many houses were built with 8-foot-high greenhouse boxes to conserve energy. Today, 12 feet is the minimum height for most houses.
Most of the time, clients are concerned with the overall square footage of their greenhouse. However, it is important that the height of the structure is also taken into account to achieve the ideal internal temperature control. So what is the ideal height for a greenhouse?
5 feet is ideal for low-growing plants. If you want to grow tall plants, you should have an upper roof pitch of 6 to 7 feet. This will allow you to have a roof that’s around 27 degrees.
One thing that stands out about the pre-90s was the short sidewalls and under-gutter height on most greenhouse structures. These were usually used for taller buildings.
The main reason for building shorter greenhouses was that they were more energy-efficient and had less space to heat. Also, if you didn’t plan on heating your plants in the winter, then a shorter structure would be stronger.
Importance of Greenhouse Under-Gutter Height
When I used the term Dark Ages to describe the height of greenhouse plants, I was not being facetious. In North America, the standard height for commercial greenhouse crops is 16 feet.
With the endless construction of greenhouse structures, builders continue to raise the roof to provide a more bountiful and healthy environment for their crops.
When compared to standard greenhouse height, increasing the greenhouse’s air volume allows the plants to regulate their temperature fluctuations. This allows them to grow in a more healthy environment. Another benefit of taller greenhouse plants is that they can use more ventilation.
Having the right height curtains can also help prevent employees from accidentally ducking between the energy curtain wires. Having the right height also allows for easy installation of solar shade systems.
Although we often recommend building taller, every greenhouse individual has their own unique growing conditions. The height of their structure can also affect their crop’s success.
Related: Can You Sleep In A Greenhouse?
Understanding Greenhouse Structures Height
The height of a greenhouse structure is very important for the stability and natural ventilation of the facility. Generally, structures with walls that measure at least 4 meters high should be constructed to maximize the use of natural ventilation.
A taller greenhouse structure can provide a more uniform and stable growing environment for crops. It avoids trapping warm and humid air around the plants.
Many of the problems that arise in greenhouse crops are caused by the management of the growing environment. The capacity to manage heat and other problems associated with greenhouse production has been greatly improved by increasing the greenhouse height.
The height of a greenhouse structure also helps control pests and diseases that damage plants.
Although some crops can be grown in lower-profile greenhouse structures, taller ones are more versatile and can handle a wider variety of crops.
Gutter Heights
This design flaw allows plants to grow overhead while also allowing them to use the same hanging basket systems that are used for enclosing equipment below. In addition, taller greenhouse walls allow for more hanging basket systems.
With a Nexus-trussed roof system, the height of the gutter should match that of the roof system to provide the same inside clearance. However, make sure it’s not necessary when the weather gets unfavorable.
Some greenhouse styles have energy-style trusses. These sections have bottom chords that can extend to a depth of up to 3 feet below the gutter height.
When comparing the heights of different types of greenhouse frames, be careful to avoid getting confused with the number of gutter heights that will work for your system.
Many large greenhouse builders are actually using these massive structures as both headhouse and shipping facilities.
Since the lights are located on the bottom chord of the truss, they are far away from the plants. This means they can provide a uniform light output and heat distribution.
Even though the exact size of the greenhouse depends on the type of structure that you use, make sure that the roof area is as far away from the plants as possible. This will help minimize shadows and provide better light.
Ventilation
In a wide-span greenhouse, the taller the sidewall, the better the ventilation it provides. For instance, a standard Nexus Vail A-frame structure has a 24 foot peak height.
This design feature allows for a large attic. As an example, imagine that your house has an atrium-style open roof vent. This ventilation feature will allow air to escape from the house while the winds blow over the vents.
When compared to a traditional Venlo-style house, the height difference between the peak and the gutter heights is significant.
When used with mechanical cooling systems, the heat from the plants is pulled away from the greenhouse and into the attic. The cooler air coming from the cooling system then helps.
Related: Can You Use Greenhouse In Winter?
Door Height
Where does the sweet spot between being able to pay the monthly loan and building the perfect greenhouse facility come from? At Nexus, our sales team has more than 20 years of experience in the field of greenhouse construction.
The budget is also a factor that influences the design of a greenhouse. While it’s ideal to build a structure that’s as tall as possible, every grower is different.
Having taller and wider doors makes a greenhouse operation easier and less time-consuming. Having this feature also allows for faster transport.
Although overhead doors are commonly used for transporting equipment, they usually require at least 18 inches of clearance. This means that a 10 foot tall door should have a minimum sidewall height of 11 feet.
This design feature also allows for easy access to the outside areas of the greenhouse. However, it also requires the use of a cart or a fork to get through the door.
Heat Rising
Petite greenhouse setups expose plants to warm air, while taller ones regulate the air’s flow and temperature. Ideally, a greenhouse should measure at least 13 feet high to allow adequate ventilation and temperature control.
A greenhouse is an enclosed structure that has some air leaks. The warm air that flows inside is created by the Sun’s rays as they warm the walls of the greenhouse.
The amount of air inside a greenhouse can greatly affect a plant’s temperature swings. Since taller plants can use more air to keep their bodies warm, they tend to remain at a low temperature for optimal growth and longevity.
Functionality
Getting into a greenhouse should be simple since it’s important to avoid hitting the structure’s overhead beams and low doorways. Dwarf fruit trees can also benefit from having a taller greenhouse.
The height of a greenhouse also affects its functionality. For permanent structures, the height should be high enough to support the plant’s growing space and keep it at a steady temperature.
horizontal fans should be installed above the plants to allow air circulation and maintain a balanced temperature inside the greenhouse. However, fans should not be too close to the plants since this can affect their humidity levels and cause improper temperatures.
Before Building Your Greenhouse
When choosing a greenhouse, take into account the size of your space and the environment you want to grow in. This will help you reach the limits of your space much faster.
A budget greenhouse is a great option if you want to expand later on. Make sure that the space at the back of the greenhouse is enough to accommodate the additional equipment.
A standard greenhouse can be made to fit any shape and size. In most cases, it can be made to measure 30 feet wide or 96 feet long.
A greenhouse is a structure that’s made up of plastic or glass walls and its roof. It uses the light from the Sun to warm the soil, plant, and other objects inside it.
