How To Design A Metal Greenhouse For Your Needs

Designing a metal greenhouse building to suit your needs is a highly fulfilling project offering numerous possibilities for creating your flourishing garden retreat. Envisioning your ultimate greenhouse requires proper planning and design, including deep research on factors such as location, size, layout, and interior space. So, why should you pick metal as a material? Let’s see.

Design Considerations For Metal Greenhouse Building

Location & Placement

Choose a location with good drainage. If your land does not have good quality soil, you can dig and add quality soil before laying the foundation. The area must have ample sunlight throughout the day. A facing location is best for the greenhouse. Make sure no obstructions, like trees or buildings, can potentially block the sun.

Factor in the proximity of the water source, access to maintenance, and electric lines for the aquaponics system. Next is the foundation, which must be at least one foot deep to bear the load and prevent frosting during winter.

Size & Layout

How much space do you have? Do you want a metal greenhouse building for personal or agricultural use? What do you want to grow? Answering these questions will help you decide on the size and height of the steel building. When planned correctly, small areas can also yield healthy plant growth.

If you have limited space, go for a layout with vertical farming to maximize the space used. Leave some room for future growth inside your greenhouse. This will allow you to easily plan for future expansion.

Ventilation & Temperature Control

Install vents, such as cross/ roof/ side vents and louvers, for air circulation. You can also use fans. Consider automatic vent openers for temperature and humidity regulation. A light system can supplement natural light.

Shade cloth can prevent excessive heat during hot summers. Garden shade cloth labels shade percentage. Opt for one that suits plants well. For instance, heat-loving fruits & veggies need about 30% shade, and tropical plants like orchids, herbs, etc., generally like 50% shade. Choose materials like knitted, woven, burlap, etc., for shade.

Materials & Components

Material: Go for structural steel, which is galvanized. It is strong and rust-proof.

Frame: You can opt for 12 gauge steel frames for a long-lasting and robust structure.

Panels: Metal panels (if needed) can be 22 or 24-gauge. Various transparent panels are preferred to be in the light and trap heat inside the greenhouse.

Glazing: Choose appropriate glazing material for insulation and UV protection. Some of them are given below for your reference:

Make sure they are properly sealed and joined, especially from edges, to prevent drafts and retain temperature stability.

Customizable Steel Greenhouses

Metal buildings are highly versatile and customizable. You can add various features based on your climatic zone and plants’ specific needs. For example, you can add benches, shelves, and furniture to organize tools, budding, and seeds. Further, by adding sensors, you can monitor environmental conditions inside.

A steel structure can be up to 300 feet wide without internal columns and 80 feet or more in height. This will give plenty of room for plants to grow and nurture.

Troubleshooting Common Issues With Metal Structures While Designing

When you decide to grow your garden with steel buildings, there are some common issues that you might come across. Let’s check them out one by one.

1. Flimsy Panels: Most people assume that metal panels are flimsy. That’s true for small sheds with aluminum panels, not structural steel. Steel is 25 times stronger than wood and can bear more weight, making it perfect for holding polycarbonate and glass panels.

2. Rust Issues: Some imagine that metal will start to rust. With galvanized or weathering steel, rusting issues are fixable. In addition, they do not need frequent re-painting for maintenance.

3. Cookie-Cutter Looks: There are many designs and styles of metal buildings to choose from. There is no need to settle for that dull industrial look. Try classic and timeless colors such as white or black. You can also select color options like muted green, greys, or bold blue.

Advantages Of Using Metal For Greenhouse Construction

Stylish & Reliable

Metal buildings come in various shapes, sizes, heights, and roofing styles. You can pick one that brings ample sunshine into your greenhouse without too much heat. Opt for a clear span design that has no internal supporting columns or walls. There is no obstruction, so you get the freedom to design the floor plan as per the plant type, size, and specific requirements.

Metal is a sturdy material. Once high-quality steel buildings are installed correctly, they can last for decades with minimal care. Metal does not attract insects or termites that can ruin your greenhouse. Make sure the structure is sealed correctly to prohibit entry of ants and spiders.

Structural steel is resistant to the following:

• Pests
• Fire
• Weather
• Rot & decay
• Bending, cracking, or twisting
• Molds & mildew

They are easy to insure. In fact, you can get up to 30 to 40% less on insurance premiums. So, what are you waiting for? Check out some of the metal greenhouse building designs.

Maximize Efficiency

You can install automatic water pipelines, such as drip or trickle irrigation, bottom watering, overhead sprinklers, etc. This will reduce the pain of manually carrying water. Since metal structures are pretty open, they will bring in natural light and reduce the use of power. For artificial lighting, you can opt for fluorescent, LED, or high-intensity discharge (HID) lights.

All this will increase the yield and help grow revenue.

Eco-Friendly & Durable

Steel is 100% recyclable. It can be reused multiple times without losing strength or durability, so its chances of ending up in a landfill are minimal. Moreover, with advancements in steel production, over 90% of the water used is returned to its source cleaner. Metal also does not emit toxic VOCs that can harm plants and workers.

Metal buildings can be engineer-certified to withstand harsh weather conditions such as speedy wind, snow load, or seismic activities. They are also highly durable and prevent weather and pests from damaging plants.

Benefits Of Hiring A Professional For Design & Installation

Greenhouses are usually large designs that need a lot of work, which can be tedious for individuals. You will need to fix the polycarbonate or glass panels on the frame correctly. Any fault in installation can compromise the entire structure. Hence, it is best to opt for a professional crew. We offer delivery and installation, which are included in our quote, so you don’t have to go through any hassle. Just prepare your base, and we will be ready for the rest.

Forge Your Dream Greenhouse With Viking Steel Structures

Harness your creativity and passion for gardening in your very own sanctuary. Plan your sustainable haven where you can nurture plants and create a greenhouse that meets & exceeds your expectations. From design to delivery, we have you covered. Call us now at 877-801-3263!