Greenhouse frame (31 photos)

06-03-2018
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Greenhouse frame: the choice of material and manufacturing features

Greenhouse frame: the choice of material and manufacturing features

When building a greenhouse, many questions arise. It is necessary to know from what material the frame and the coating are made, how to assemble them, and install them on the site. The review has the answers to these questions and the necessary recommendations.

Purpose

Greenhouse comes in different shapes. The construction is made of a rectangular type, in the form of an arch or a pyramid. The frame and the transparent coating are the two main elements that make up the greenhouse. They are made of different materials. Before installing a facility for growing vegetables and fruits, it is necessary to determine these parameters.

The frame of the greenhouse is the supporting part of the structure. It carries the main load of rain and snow. The integrity of the cultivated crop depends on the reliability of the structure. Basic requirements for the greenhouse - this structure should be inexpensive and easy to assemble.

Construction can be entrusted to experienced workers or to make a building yourself.

Greenhouse frame: the choice of material and manufacturing features
Greenhouse frame: the choice of material and features of manufacturing

Types of materials

The frame of the greenhouse is made mainly of plastic, wood and metal.

It is worth a closer look at each of the elements.

  • Plastic profile. This modern material is durable and lightweight. It does not rot and does not give in to corrosion. The material does not require additional and complex processing. Flexible plastic is easy to give any shape. It is usually made of small-sized buildings, because it is not strong enough and bends under great weight. Light plastic frame must be securely fastened to the foundation.
  • Wooden frame. Frames of this material are most in demand. Wood is widely used in the construction of various structures. Material is available everywhere. The design of it turns out light and durable. In addition, the material is inexpensive. Unfortunately, wood also has disadvantages. This susceptibility to fungal diseases and rotting. The wooden frame must be treated with special antiseptics on an organic basis. Otherwise, it will emit harmful substances that adversely affect the crop.
  • Metal construction. The strongest is a frame made of metal. Such a base can be all-welded or consists of individual elements. The metal frame must be installed on the foundation. Otherwise, when interacting with the ground, it will corrode. Such a structure is necessarily primed and coated with paint.
Greenhouse frame: the choice of material and manufacturing features
Metal construction
Greenhouse frame: the choice of material and features of manufacturing
Plastic profile
Greenhouse frame: the choice of material and features of manufacturing
Wooden frame

It is worth considering a few basic metals from which the frame is made.

  • Galvanized profile. Zinc, although light, is not suitable for long use. It is usually used for greenhouses for one season. A year later, this metal is covered with corrosion, and then becomes brittle.
  • Aluminum frame. Aluminum is a lightweight and reliable material. It provides the strength of the structure and can withstand heavy loads. This metal is easily processed, which is a big plus in the manufacture of the structure. It is easy to cut and drill. All elements are easily connected with metal rivets.
  • Steel construction. Steel is a strong metal. The framework turns out steady and reliable. It withstands heavy loads and bad weather conditions. But if there are no special connecting devices during its manufacture, welding works will be needed. It is desirable to coat such a structure with a special composition against corrosion.
Greenhouse frame: the choice of material and features of manufacturing
Steel construction
Greenhouse frame: the choice of material and manufacturing features
Aluminum frame
Greenhouse frame: the choice of material and features of manufacturing
Galvanized profile

How to choose?

First you need to decide on the type and shape of the greenhouse. There are summer and winter buildings. By configuration, they are made in the form of a house, arch, single or dual slope structures. Currently, you can buy a finished greenhouse, but it is cheaper to make it yourself. To do this, you must first select the material for construction.

Greenhouse frame: the choice of material and features of manufacturing
Greenhouse frame: the choice of material and manufacturing features
Greenhouse frame: the choice of material and features of manufacturing
Greenhouse frame: the choice of material and features of manufacturing
Greenhouse frame: the choice of material and features of manufacturing
Greenhouse frame: the choice of material and features of manufacturing

Foundation of the building

The frame must be strong, reliable, withstand fluctuations in temperature, strong gusts of wind and precipitation. It is worth considering the advantages and disadvantages of materials for the profile of the building.

Plastic

This material bends easily and just going. It is perfect for the arched shape of the building.

Plastic is characterized by the following advantages:

  • the polymer bends freely;
  • easy to connect with glue or tape;
  • low price;
  • light;
  • Immune to moisture, mold and fungi;
  • low thermal conductivity.
Greenhouse frame: the choice of material and manufacturing features

The disadvantages of the material include the following:

  • it is inconvenient to attach a film coating to it;
  • cracks from temperature extremes;
  • applies only to small buildings;
  • hard to attach to concrete foundation.
Greenhouse frame: the choice of material and manufacturing features

Tree

Industrial wood in the form of larch or pine is desirable for a frame frame. Oak or beech is quite difficult to handle, because they are expensive for the price. To choose wood for a frame it is necessary without decay. Large knots, chips and cracks should be absent. Humidity of a tree - no more than 20%.

The wooden profile has such advantages as:

  • low cost;
  • it is convenient to mount the coating;
  • simplicity in the manufacture.

    The disadvantages of wood include the following:

    • bends badly;
    • low moisture resistance;
    • subject to rotting and fungal diseases.
    Greenhouse frame: the choice of material and features of manufacturing

    Metal

    The metal frame will last for many years. Even the construction of 25x25 mm profile iron pipes is able to withstand bad weather conditions.

    Metal has such advantages as:

    • reliability;
    • not afraid of high and low temperatures;
    • long service life.

    Among the shortcomings of the material is the following:

    • susceptibility to corrosion;
    • assembly complexity;
    • significant weight of the structure;
    • quite high price.
    Greenhouse frame: the choice of material and manufacturing features
    Greenhouse frame: the choice of material and manufacturing features

    Coating

    The roof of a construction happens from several materials.

    • Cellular polycarbonate is rarely used. It has disadvantages, the main of which is that the material lengthens when heated.
    • In the manufacture of glass coating, too, there are difficulties. Although the material passes light well, but it is fragile, therefore, glass with a thickness of about 4 mm is usually used. This material is quite heavy, so you need the skill to work with it.
    • Popular for outdoor coating film. This is a light and fairly transparent material. It is cheap, so it’s easy to get. The disadvantage is the condensate after stretching the film, formed from the inside, because of this, conditions are created for various fungal diseases that affect the cultivated culture.
    Greenhouse frame: the choice of material and manufacturing features
    Film
    Greenhouse frame: the choice of material and manufacturing features
    From glass
    Greenhouse frame: the choice of material and manufacturing features
    Cellular Polycarbonate

    Important: after weighing all the advantages and disadvantages, it is necessary to determine the materials for the manufacture of buildings.

    Schemes and drawings

    Before manufacturing, you need to take into account the dimensions of the structure, as well as calculate the amount of material required It should make a detailed sketch of the structure. For example, it is necessary to make a drawing for a greenhouse with a width of 2 m and a height of 2.3 m. The plans include a structure with a metal frame under the film.

    The drawing should contain the following frame elements:

    • base;
    • racks vertically;
    • windows;
    • a door;
    • roof;
    • binding;
    • spacers.
    Greenhouse frame: the choice of material and features of manufacturing

    The distance between the uprights is recommended to be designed to 1 m. The gap between the roof beams should be the same size. Opposite roof bars connect. The result is a typical "farm". In places of windows and doors it is necessary to additionally mark the spacers. If the building is large, then you need to add internal metal frame amplifiers. From a profile pipe, any elements are cut, which are then folded into the desired structure.

    Next, you need to calculate the amount of material needed for the coating. Polyethylene film is economically consumed with a length of two racks of about 6 m. For the width of the material’s sleeve is 3 m, and when turning it is 6 m. When the coating is 6x6 m, therefore the film is consumed without waste. If the profile is made of wood, the lower timber will have a greater thickness, in contrast to the vertical racks. When calculating the amount of material for polycarbonate coating, you need to take into account that the sheets are put with an overlap of 3 cm, while their usual length is 210 cm.

    Greenhouse frame: the choice of material and features of manufacturing
    Greenhouse frame: the choice of material and features of manufacturing

    Assembly and installation

                    After drawing up the drawing and the acquisition of the required amount of material, you can begin to manufacture greenhouses. When assembling a structure with your own hands, some tools are required. A shovel, hammer, screws, screwdrivers or screwdriver, level, pencil and tape measure are required. Depending on the materials for construction, you will need scissors for metal, handsaw, nails, bolts, nuts, corners, and more. First, the project must first prepare the site. For this it is necessary to mark a place on the land. Next, you should level the ground and clean the site from debris.

                    Greenhouse frame: the choice of material and features of manufacturing
                    Greenhouse frame: the choice of material and features of manufacturing

                    The next stage is a concrete foundation for construction. It is necessary to fasten the structure on it. Along the perimeter of the marking it is necessary to dig a trench 30 cm wide and install a formwork with a height of more than 10 cm above the ground. If the frame is made of wood, it is desirable to lay roofing material on the foundation for insulation. Now it is necessary to make the base profile, which will later be mounted vertical racks. If the building is made of wood, initially you should join the lower bars 100 mm thick. The design can be strengthened by metal.

                    Greenhouse frame: the choice of material and features of manufacturing

                    Then you should fasten the wooden racks to the sides and corners. Their thickness is about 50 mm. The same bars are suitable for the doorway. Next, you should install the eaves, ridge and door frame. Attach a profile in the middle of the roof, install the remaining elements.

                    Wood must be covered with antiseptic and paint.

                    If the frame is plastic, you can enhance its reliability. To do this, in the joints of elements, you can additionally apply adhesive tape. If the design is metal and without special fastenings, then it is necessary to weld the profile elements together. After assembly, it is necessary to process all seams with silicone sealant, which will protect moisture from ingress. Glass, polycarbonate or film coating should be attached to the fabricated profile. After that, it is worth fixing minor issues.

                    Greenhouse frame: the choice of material and features of manufacturing

                    Recommendations

                    When choosing a frame structure, it is necessary to proceed from one's own skills, the operating conditions of the greenhouse and financial possibilities.

                    It is necessary to adhere to the following recommendations:

                    • for the summer period, you can build a wooden frame without special expenses;
                    • if the base is not installed on the foundation, then the lower thick parallel bars must be well anchored, secured, otherwise the structure may shift or roll over;
                    • it is more convenient to assemble the doorway and the end elements on level ground, and then attach the structure to the main profile;
                    • if cracks appear in the wood, they should be painted over, otherwise the tree will rot from inside;
                    • if the building is located next to your own house, then you can make a greenhouse with a metal profile; such a building is the most reliable and will last a long time;
                    • plastic construction is easy to disassemble and transport to another land;
                    • when building a greenhouse on its own, safety precautions must be observed; if there is no experience with any tool or apparatus, then it is better to contact a specialist, otherwise the construction of the greenhouse may result in injury.
                    Greenhouse frame: the choice of material and features of manufacturing

                    It is necessary to think carefully about what kind of greenhouse to build and what material to make an uncomplicated and inexpensive construction.

                    How to choose the frame for the greenhouse, see the following.