The main features of a glass greenhouse, advantages and disadvantages. The sequence of building a greenhouse, the necessary tool, a set of preparatory work. The choice of glass for construction, useful tips and tricks. A glass greenhouse is a glazed structure with a metal or wooden frame that allows you to harvest regardless of the season and weather conditions. It is not difficult to make it with your own hands, while observing a certain sequence of actions and elementary construction requirements. Particular attention should be paid to the materials used.
The main advantages and disadvantages of a glass greenhouse
Glass greenhouses are the best solution for a summer cottage. Their main advantage is the ability to maintain a favorable internal microclimate, providing the opportunity to harvest throughout the year. It will not be difficult to heat such structures in the winter by means of special or traditional stoves.
Glass greenhouse structures are classics of dacha farming, because they have the following advantages:
- Possibility of year-round operation;
- Reliability and durability;
- Ease of maintenance, keeping the surface clean;
- Ideal light transmission, which is essential for growing plants;
- Optimum thermal insulation performance;
- Relative ease of repairing the structure, replacing damaged areas;
- Excellent resistance to external influences;
- Inert towards various chemicals used for greenhouse maintenance and crop treatment;
- Safety during heating, cooling of the structure in terms of the release of harmful components;
- The ability to use tempered, high-strength or reinforced glass, thanks to which the structure is able to survive almost any kind of bad weather.
Despite the constantly improving construction technologies, glass greenhouses also retain a number of disadvantages:
- The need for the mandatory construction of a high-quality foundation for capital construction.
- Application of relatively expensive materials.
- Requirements for the reliability of the frame, which will be exposed to constant increased pressure, for example, for 6 mm glass per 1 m 2 accounts for 15 kg of weight.
- The production of glass greenhouses should be carried out taking into account the susceptibility of the structure to shock and mechanical stress.
- The limited design solutions, since the features of the structural elements allow the construction to be carried out only as a "house".
- A high degree of heating and cooling, which can have a negative effect on plants during daily temperature extremes.
Glass as a material for a greenhouse has excellent thermal conductivity and excellent operational characteristics, which makes it much more interesting than other proposals. It, in comparison with polymers, is not difficult to fix on the frame, which is quite realistic to do on your own. The complexity of the process is insignificant. It is often possible to do without the help of greenhouse construction specialists.
Glass transmits light many times better than plastic, plastic wrap and other polymer materials, which will have a positive effect on the development of plants.
Glass greenhouses are more resistant to the external influence of snow on them in winter. It is worth considering that in any other structures there is a risk of material deformation and damage. Glass greenhouses, in the event of forced repairs, will require minimal investment and time to restore normal conditions.
They are ideal for continuous cultivation of crops, even in the cold, with special internal heating.
Glass greenhouse installation technology
The main factor in the construction of a greenhouse is the right choice of location for it. In addition, it is necessary to dwell on the specific dimensions of the structure, choose a suitable drawing and purchase high-quality building materials.
Preparatory work
Success in growing plants, in particular the size of the crop, depends on the chosen place for the greenhouse.
In this aspect, attention should be paid to the key factors:
- The orientation of the greenhouse, which influences the uniform heating of the inner space, and the elimination of undesirable effects, for example, excessive moisture, winds, etc.;
- The illumination of the site, since most plants do not like shade and will strive for light;
- The presence of natural protective barriers, including shrubs, trees, etc.;
- The specificity of the relief of the dacha allotment, the fertility of the soil, where the emphasis should be on flat and moderately dry land;
- The remoteness of power supply and water supply, since maintenance of the farm will require lighting and an irrigation system.
An illiterate and ill-considered approach to the placement of a glass greenhouse can lead to the destruction of the structure and poor growth of the planted plants.
Important! The need for a drawing is caused not only by determining the size of the structure, placing it on the site, but also by the ability to calculate the amount of required building materials, the estimated corresponding costs.
Glass greenhouse design
To achieve the best result in the construction of a glass greenhouse, a pre-developed or selected suitable project will allow. On average, the following dimensions of the structure are chosen: length - up to 7 meters, width - 3.5 meters, height - no more than 2.2 meters. The presence of a sufficient allotment area will allow you to build a larger-scale glass greenhouse with your own hands for the required tasks.
It is first necessary to decide on the shape of the future structure. Since the possibilities for glass deformation are limited, this leaves a corresponding negative imprint on possible design solutions. The best choice would be a classic rectangular or multifaceted structure.
Depending on the needs, the following greenhouse options are distinguished:
- They have straight side walls, with glazing to the ground, which makes it possible to grow plants in a greenhouse bed.
- Buildings attached to the wall, due to which it is possible to achieve a more favorable microclimate, relatively free-standing structures, and to ensure the rational use of the lands of the summer cottage.
- Rounded design, where the gardener's working area is the central part of the structure.
- Dutch type with enlarged straight and inclined glass frames, suitable for growing crops in a greenhouse bed.
The room can have a single-pitched, gable or multi-pitched roof, which has a pyramidal shape. Some options have more than four faces.
The least costly and most profitable solution will be to use a typical project. It is enough for a summer resident to put down the required dimensions on the drawing, taking into account the specifics of the site and proceed to the stage of purchasing materials.
It is especially necessary to take a responsible approach to the process of organizing the foundation, since, due to the significant mass of glass, it will be seriously affected. As a standard, its height is chosen at least 400 mm. It is preferable to make a foundation based on concrete slabs or a strip type, which will ensure a stable position of the greenhouse.
An affordable, reliable and practical greenhouse frame can be built on the basis of a wooden beam with a cross section of 50 * 50 mm. In its absence, the use of a metal profile is allowed. The recommended spacing of the structure uprights is up to 800 mm, selected taking into account the thickness and dimensions of the selected glass. Attention should be paid to structures made on the basis of wooden frames, aluminum glass units, and different frame sizes.
Important! The angle of inclination of the slope is critical, the value of which should be at least 15-20 degrees. Otherwise, there is a high probability of accumulation of precipitation, in particular snow, which will lead to the destruction of the structure.
Choosing glass for a greenhouse
Covering the greenhouse with glass should be carried out taking into account the maximum load on the structure, its specifics.
In your choice, it is recommended to adhere to the following rules:
- Traditionally, a material is selected for glazing within the range of 3-6 mm, which depends on the chosen spacing of the supports, the grade of the components used.
- The side walls of the building may be trimmed with single glass up to 2.5 mm thick or double glass up to 3.5 mm, with dimensions not exceeding 600 * 600 mm, since the material is fragile and not strong enough for use in other parts of the structure.
- The use of laminated glass is allowed in any part of the greenhouse, since it has increased impact strength, relative safety in case of destruction, provided by an intermediate gasket.
- The use of display glass with a thickness of more than 6 mm will require a high-strength frame, reliable fastening and reinforced supports.
- Equipping the greenhouse with hardened elements is beneficial due to their high strength, which turns out to be more than 4 times higher than in the conventional version. Such glass is absolutely safe, since it is difficult to break it, and when critically exposed to it, it breaks down into small fragments that are not capable of causing injury. It is necessary to understand that collecting them from the ground will not be an easy task.
Some manufacturers offer a material with excellent heat reflecting and heat absorbing properties. The special coating reduces heat losses and has a reinforcing effect.
When choosing glass for a greenhouse, the emphasis should be on its area of application and purpose. In particular, for the cultivation of tropical crops, it is recommended to choose a triple bag, while for agricultural crops in our latitudes, the usual option is suitable. Some situations allow the use of used frames. Fulfillment of optimal conditions may require the use of double-glazed windows, which will entail additional costs.
In this aspect, we are talking about the following options:
- Single-chamber bags with an air gap, which provides good thermal and sound insulation with low weight and an affordable price;
- Two-chamber offers are distinguished by double glazing and air gaps, due to which their thermal performance and weight are increased;
- Heat-saving double-glazed windows, where the free space is filled with an inert substance that reduces thermal conductivity;
- Energy-saving designs with a special protective coating that provide one-sided penetration of light and heat.
The owner of the allotment has the right, at his discretion, to choose the version of the greenhouse, where expensive or affordable materials will be used. The decision made directly affects the conditions and possibilities of growing specific plants in the greenhouse.
Glass greenhouse assembly procedure
Before starting work, you need to be puzzled by the issue of purchasing tools and equipment. Attention should be paid to the line and pegs, containers for mixing mortar, shovels, trowel, level and other auxiliary elements. Assembling a greenhouse will require a hacksaw for metal and wood, a metal hammer, a screwdriver, a chisel, an electric planer, and a glass cutter.
It is good if the installation is carried out according to the drawing of a glass greenhouse, where the welding points, joints of metal structure elements and the required dimensions are indicated.
Having decided to build a greenhouse with a wooden frame, it is recommended to adhere to the following algorithm of actions:
- The base for the greenhouse is prepared, the soil is leveled and vegetation is removed.
- A cord and pegs are used for marking for the construction of a strip foundation.
- A trench is made 400 mm deep and 200 mm wide, followed by leveling the bottom.
- A construction mixture based on crushed stone and sand is laid, the thickness of the layer of which should be up to 100 mm.
- A wooden formwork is being assembled, with the obligatory observance of the vertical and horizontal planes.
- Reinforcement is made by means of steel reinforcement, welded mesh and anchors.
- A concrete mixture is prepared based on crushed stone, water and sand.
- The resulting solution is poured into the formwork, after which at least 24 hours of time is given for its hardening.
- The foundation is waterproofed by applying roofing material.
- Wood blanks are treated with an antiseptic that prevents the formation of mold.
- The supporting elements of the structure are fixed with anchor bolts to the foundation.
- The bars are milled to the thickness of the glass.
- The whole frame is "strapped" with control of the vertical and horizontal lines of the main elements.
- Fixing metal corners and braces are installed.
- The roof frame is erected by means of beams and rafters.
- Greenhouse doors are hung.
- The glass is cut according to the requirements of the drawing.
- Side elements are installed, with fixation with putty or liquid nails.
- Installation and fixing of glass is carried out by means of wooden slats.
- A complete audit of the constructed structure is provided for the absence of cracks, while the identified comments are eliminated with polyurethane foam.
How to make a glass greenhouse - watch the video:
Having a typical drawing of a glass greenhouse, a minimum budget and a desire, it is quite possible to build a greenhouse on your own. Its main advantage is sufficient functionality and economy. Providing proper care during the operation of the greenhouse guarantees a long service life.
