Novagric > Greenhouses  >Materials and structures

Greenhouse materials and structures

The greenhouse structure must withstand the weather conditions and the equipment to be installed inside. Therefore, the design phase is very important to get the right structure for your needs.

Regardless of the type of greenhouse, the structure must always be:

  • Lightweight and resistant.

  • Easy to preserve and maintain.

  • Expandable.

  • Adaptable and modifiable to roofing materials.

  • And occupy the surface optimally.

Basic elements of the greenhouse structure

They fix the structure to the ground. Their dimensions depend on the type of soil and the stresses they have to withstand.

They carry the greenhouse cover. Their dimensions depend on the design of the greenhouse and the stresses they have to withstand.

They carry the greenhouse covering material. The shape of the arches is designed to capture the maximum amount of solar radiation (depending on the climatic conditions of the terrain and the roofing material). They are composed of ridge arches, cultivation bar, pendolons and front reinforcements.

They evacuate rainwater. They evacuate the volume of water depending on the development of the sheet metal from which they are made. To withstand the environment and continuous contact with water, Sendzimir Z-275 type galvanising and watertight joint systems between channels (silicone, rubber washers, etc.) are used.

They are installed in the greenhouse to absorb part of the stresses of the pillars. They are of two types:

  • Perimeter reinforcements: These can be vertical or diagonal.
  • Internal reinforcements: These are K-shaped reinforcements or St. Andrew’s crosses.

They allow the correct ventilation of the greenhouse. Depending on the ventilation needs of the greenhouse and the direction and intensity of the wind, there are four types:

  • Cenital 1/3 Arc
  • Cenital 1/2 Arc
  • Supercenital 1/4 Arc
  • Butterfly

Thus, you can maintain the climatic conditions in your greenhouse manually or automatically by means of geared motors to open or close the window precisely and quickly.

Prevents the risk of falling during greenhouse construction and maintenance. The Provisional Provisional Protective Edge Protection System (SPPB) developed by Novagric is placed in the side channels of the greenhouse to prevent accidents. The B-Safe safety railing complies with the UNE EN 13374:2013+A1:2019 standard for CLASS B.  It provides resistance to static and dynamic loads. In addition, it stops an operator in the event of a fall and prevents them from slipping if they walk on an inclined surface of up to 30º (no height limit).

It allows the crops to be trained and is made of wire.
All the structures of the greenhouses developed by Novagric comply with the European standard UNE-EN 13031-1, according to the requirements of the ISO 9001 and 14001 standards with which we have been certified since 2000.

invernadero-novagric-perfiles-1 Archs Trusses Evacuation channels Pillars Zenith windows Grid Reinforcements Fall protection Supports

Greenhouse arches

The arch is the part of the greenhouse structure on which the roofing material rests. It is only installed in multi-tunnel greenhouses (all other greenhouses have a flat roof structure).

Types of greenhouse arches

It has a greater capacity to capture solar radiation. In addition, it evacuates condensation from the roof better and accommodates a larger volume of air.

They improve light transmission (oriented towards the zenithal position of the sun). During the winter months, they evenly distribute solar radiation. Structures with asymmetrical arches and a lower southward slope increase the intercepted radiation by 5-6%. Structures with asymmetrical arches with a steeper southward slope have an increase of 10%.

They have a greater capacity to capture sunlight than round arches. In addition, their shape allows them to absorb a greater volume of air, and they evacuate condensation from the roof better.

Greenhouse netting

Greenhouse nets are usually enclosing nets. There are greenhouses covered with this material (shade netting type) or as a secondary material (anti-insect netting) which acts as a fixed enclosure.

USE: Prevents the entry of harmful insects (such as thrips) and prevents the exit of beneficial insects in biological control crop systems.

SPECIFICATIONS: Depending on the degree of ventilation and the type of insects (that you don’t want to let through) different grid thicknesses are used, usually 20×10 threads/cm2 and 16×10 threads/cm2. The smaller the grid size, the less insect intrusion and the lower the ventilation capacity.

ADVANTAGES: They can be placed in perimeter, front and zenithal vents. In many cases they act as fixed vents.

Malla anti-insectos

USE: They prevent weeds from proliferating and keep the soil clean.

SPECIFICATIONS: Depending on the colour, they have more accentuated properties. Thus, the black ones provide more heat and the white ones reflect more of the sun’s rays. Therefore, the colour is chosen according to the growing cycle and the properties that best suit your needs.

ADVANTAGES: As it is porous, it allows water to drain away and avoids puddles and problems.
derivatives (fungal diseases).
Malla anti-hierba

Use: Protects tree crops from atmospheric phenomena (hail) that seriously damage production.

SPECIFICATIONS: The grid size is usually 4×4 threads/cm2 and 2.50 x 3 threads/cm2.

ADVANTAGES: Can be used as a windbreak in younger plantations.
Malla anti granizo

Use: The most suitable ones are chosen for the needs of each type of crop during its development.

SPECIFICATIONS: Most are black or aluminised, but other colours are available.

ADVANTAGES: Shading nets are very effective (together with ventilation) in lowering the greenhouse temperature while promoting plant transpiration.
Malla anti sombreo

Greenhouse profiles

The main function of the greenhouse profiles is to fix the enclosure (plastic, mesh or polycarbonate) and to reinforce the structure.

Types of greenhouse profiles

Depending on the type of greenhouse, a set of profiles or other fastening materials is used.

Ridge line

Profile ‘H’

Sideline

Profile ‘H’

End line zenithal window

Profile ‘H’

Sideline

Square profile

Support line zenithal window

Profile ‘H’

Sideline

Profile ‘H’

Line in channel

Profile ‘C’

Sideline

Square profile

Characteristics of greenhouse profiles

The dimensions of the profiles are standard, but vary according to the conditions of the greenhouse project.

Dimensions: 34 x 32 x 1,5 mm

Galvanised: continuous type, sendzimir Z-275

Attachment to plastic or mesh: PVC clip

perfil H

Dimension: 26 x 18 x 1,2 mm

Galvanised: type continuous, sendzimir Z-275

Attachment to plastic or mesh: PVC clip
Perfil C

Dimension: 25 x 25 x 1,5 mm

Galvanised: continuous type, sendzimir Z-275

Fixing to plastic or mesh: self-drilling screws
Perfil Cuadrado

Dimension: 35 x 35 x 1,5 mm

Galvanised: continuous type, sendzimir Z-275

Attachment to plastic or mesh: self-drilling screws
Perfil en M

Plastics for greenhouses

The most commonly used material for greenhouse enclosures is plastic. It protects the crops from climate variations and maintains an ideal temperature for their growth. There are different plastic materials for greenhouses depending on the needs and characteristics of the farm. For example, 3-year thermal plastic (widely used in greenhouses) has the following characteristics:

Types of greenhouse profiles

Depending on the type of greenhouse, a set of profiles or other fastening materials is used.

There are different plastic materials for greenhouses depending on the needs and characteristics of the farm. For example, 3-year thermal plastic (widely used in greenhouses) has the following characteristics:
LDPE film manufactured in three-layer (co-extrusion) in translucent white:

  • > Outer layer: resistant and non-stick. It has additives against UV radiation.
  • > Middle layer: high EVA content for thermicity.
  • > Inner layer: light diffusing and pesticide resistant co-stabilisers
capa-invernadero

Main types of plastics used in greenhouses

The dimensions of the profiles are standard, but vary according to the conditions of the greenhouse project.

Low density PE (LDPE): for greenhouse roofing.

PE linear low density (PELBD): for mulch and small tunnels.

High density PE (HDPE): for containers, irrigation and drainage.

Polietileno PE

EVA plastics are widely used in roofs, double roofs (as thermal screens) and for the protection of low tunnels. In addition, it has better mechanical strength than PVC.
Copolímero etileno vinilacetato

It is a rigid plastic to which plasticisers are added to make it more flexible and to use it as a film for greenhouse coverings. It is sensitive to cold, dust deposition and fades over time.
Policloruro de vinilo

It is a rigid plastic to which plasticisers are added to make it more flexible and to use it as a film for greenhouse coverings. It is sensitive to cold, dust deposition and fades over time.
Policarbonato

Characteristics of different types of greenhouse plastics

Transp. light (%)  Transp. IR (%) Transm. Hot (W/m2°C) Density (g/cm3) Anti-drip Anti-dust
PEBD 90 62-65 8-9 0,91-0,93 NO YES
PEAD 90 62-65 8-9 0,96 NO YES
EVA 90 11 6-7 0,92-0,93 NO NO
PVC 90 20-30 7-8 1,16-1,5 YES NO
PC 75-83 0 4-4,8 1,2 YES YES

The greenhouse structure is manufactured with the materials that best suit your needs.

The most commonly used material for greenhouse enclosures is plastic. It protects the crops from climate variations and maintains an ideal temperature for their growth. There are different plastic materials for greenhouses depending on the needs and characteristics of the farm. For example, 3-year thermal plastic (widely used in greenhouses) has the following characteristics:

Materials according to their use in greenhouse structures

Pillars, supports and reinforcements

Wood, galvanised steel, iron and aluminium

Belts and beams

Galvanised steel, iron and aluminium

Arcos

Galvanised steel or aluminium

Foundation supports or bases

Concrete

Fastening of the cover

Galvanised wire or galvanised steel or aluminium profiles

Channels

Galvanised steel or aluminium

Grid

Galvanised steel or aluminium and galvanised wire

Materials used in the greenhouse roof

Plastic films

Of polyethylene, ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer and polyvinyl chloride and multilayer plastics

Rigid plastics

Of polymethyl methacrylate, polycarbonate and polyester

Glass

Printed glass

The most important properties defining the cover are:

  • > The transmission of solar radiation
  • > Transparency to infrared or thermal radiation
  • > The heat transmission of the materials of which it is composed
Plásticos de invernaderos

Greenhouse safety

Under handrails, leave the above and under security, put this:
Novagric develops approved safety systems to prevent the risk of accidents in high-rise greenhouses.

Temporary edge protection systems such as B-SAFE or lifelines guarantee:

  • Adequate integration in the greenhouse
  • Easy installation and maintenance
  • ⁠Prevents people and materials from falling from different levels
  • Resistant to static and dynamic loads
  • Efficient and economical design
  • ⁠Certified by the TECNALIA technology centre.
  • Complies with the edge protection regulations according to RD 1627/97: annex 4, part C.
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