Setting up and building a greenhouse has become one of the most lucrative jobs. In this article, we introduce you to different types of greenhouse structures.

Setting up and building a greenhouse has become one of the most lucrative jobs. For this reason, this work has attracted a lot of attention. As a result, many people intend to build a greenhouse, but they do not have enough knowledge and information about this issue.

To build a greenhouse, you need to go through some steps. These steps include knowing the types of greenhouses, obtaining permits, estimating costs, purchasing suitable equipment, and many other things. Stay with us to check each of them.

Classification of types of greenhouse structures

Greenhouse units are classified based on the following:

Ability to move

Greenhouses are divided into 2 permanent (fixed) and temporary categories in terms of portability. Fixed greenhouses cannot be moved after construction and usually their skeleton is made of metal and glass.

Temporary greenhouses can be moved. The skeleton of these greenhouses is light and simple and is usually made of galvanized iron and in some cases of wood. More plastic is used in their cover. In general, its structure should be in such a way that it can be collected and transported if needed.

Skeleton material

Greenhouses are divided into two categories, traditional and industrial. Traditional greenhouses are mostly made of wooden body and plastic cover. The cost of building this type of greenhouse is low, but it is not possible to manage the temperature and humidity accurately.

The skeleton and frame of industrial greenhouses are usually made of metal. You can plant and harvest the best crops by equipping these greenhouses with greenhouse equipment.

The shape of the building

Greenhouse structures are divided into 2 simple and compound categories in terms of building shape. Simple greenhouses are single and separate, and they are divided into 4 categories:

• One-sided greenhouses
• Semi-double sided greenhouses
• Double sided greenhouses
• Curved greenhouses

The construction of compound greenhouses is done by putting several simple greenhouses together, and they are divided into 3 categories based on the shape of the halls:

• Finger greenhouse
• comb greenhouse
• Ups and downs greenhouse or atmosphere and ridge

Temperature and humidity

Greenhouses are also divided into 4 categories based on temperature and humidity:

• hot greenhouse
• hot and humid greenhouse (propagation)
• Temperate greenhouse
• cool greenhouse

Application

Greenhouses are divided into 4 categories based on their use:

• Educational greenhouse
• Research greenhouse
• Recreation and entertainment greenhouse
• Commercial or industrial greenhouse

Obtaining a license to establish a greenhouse

After checking each one and choosing the type of structure to build, you should start the work of getting permission. The authority that issued this license is the Agricultural Engineering and Natural Resources Organization of the Islamic Republic. For more information and to apply for a license, you can visit the country's national license website at g4b.ir.

Cost estimation

Certainly, one of the most important parts of building a greenhouse for a person who intends to do it is estimating the costs. The main greenhouse costs include the following:

• Purchase of land for construction
• Costs related to the construction of the structure
• Licensing fees
• Supplying water, electricity and necessary energy
• Buying seeds, seedlings and different fertilizers
• Purchase of devices and equipment needed for the greenhouse
• Recruitment of human resources
• Facilities needed to build a greenhouse

The construction and operation of a greenhouse requires various facilities, including water, electricity, and heating systems, which we will examine below.

Suitable place to build a greenhouse

The land you choose for construction must have easy access, its soil must be of good quality, and it must not be located on steep slopes. If the soil of the land you choose is not suitable, you will have to transfer the soil.

Sufficient and quality water

Certainly, one of the most important requirements for building a greenhouse and using it is water supply. This water can be supplied from a well, city water, spring or river. Note that river and spring water may be pathogenic and threaten the health of greenhouse crops.

Determine the amount of water needed according to the size of the greenhouse and the type of product, and be sure to consider the salinity of the water according to the type of product. In general, before using a water source, you should test it.

Electricity supply

Since greenhouses are usually built outside the city, supplying them with the electricity they need with city electricity has its own problems. On the other hand, city power failure can damage the greenhouse equipment and products. Therefore, the electricity of the greenhouse is usually provided by a generator or electric motor for the greenhouse.

Greenhouse ventilation

One of the things you should consider when building a greenhouse is its ventilation system in the building. The roof windows and holes that are installed in the greenhouse help to exchange air with the outside environment and make the temperature and humidity uniform throughout the greenhouse environment. Ventilation fans also circulate the air in the greenhouse environment.

Provide necessary equipment

Adjusting the temperature and humidity of the greenhouse are the most key factors that affect the quality and health of the products. For this reason, you should consider choosing and using equipment such as heating and cooling devices in the construction of the greenhouse.

light supply

Cities that have cloudy weather most of the time cannot benefit from natural sunlight in greenhouses. As a result, people in these cities need to equip the greenhouse with an artificial light system.

Greenhouse cover

Another thing to consider when building a greenhouse is the greenhouse cover. You should choose the cover of the greenhouse according to the type of product and the climate of the place where the greenhouse will be built. In the following, we mention a number of types of greenhouse covers:

• Glass greenhouse cover
• Polycarbonate greenhouse cover
• Plastic greenhouse cover
• Fiberglass greenhouse cover
• Polyethylene greenhouse cover

supply of carbon dioxide

Plants need carbon dioxide gas for growth and photosynthesis. This gas is naturally present in the air, but sometimes its concentration is not enough for all greenhouse plants. For example, in the winter season, when the air vents are closed due to the cold air, a little carbon dioxide enters the greenhouse.

In this situation, we have to produce this gas artificially. Carbon dioxide gas production has 2 hot and cold methods. The hot method is actually burning oil and natural gases (propane and butane). Of course, these oil and gases are burned with special generating devices and generators.

In the next method, which is called the cold method, liquid carbon dioxide is injected by gas generating devices. This method is more expensive than the previous method, but because of its many advantages, it is usually used by greenhouses. Here are some of the advantages of using this method:

In this method, heat and humidity are not produced, and as a result, the temperature and humidity of the greenhouse do not change.
It is more accurate to manage the concentration of carbon dioxide using this method.No specific impurity is produced and as a result, the products are not harmed.

Different types of crops

Be sure to choose the type of vessel you want to use in the greenhouse before building the greenhouse. Some factors in the greenhouse depend on the type of crop. For example, growing conditions in hydroponic culture are different from soil culture.

Which meterage is more economical to build a greenhouse?

Now that you are familiar with the facilities required for a greenhouse, you may be wondering what is the most cost-effective area for setting up a greenhouse. If you want to get the profit from this work faster, we suggest that you start building your greenhouse with an area of ​​more than 5,000 square meters and less than one hectare.

What are the advantages of building an industrial greenhouse?

The construction of industrial greenhouses has many advantages for the owner of the greenhouse and of course the consumers of its products, some of which are mentioned below.

By building an industrial greenhouse, you can grow any product at any time of the year.
Setting up an industrial greenhouse and using it instead of traditional methods significantly reduces water and energy consumption.
In the field of agriculture, greenhouse cultivation will bear fruit sooner and as a result, you as an investor in this field can receive the profit of your investment sooner.
Plants and their products in greenhouses are safe from extreme cold and heat and of course pests and as a result they are not damaged.
The quality of greenhouse products is much higher than traditional agricultural products.
Since the greenhouse space is closed, you will not need pesticides to protect the plants from pests, and as a result, you will harvest a healthier crop.