Types of covering to green houses
The construction of
greenhouses has been revolutionized by the advent of modern plastics. A range
of possibilities are available that would have been unknown in the past. The
arrival of aluminum made greenhouses available to a wider market after World
War Two.
They were still glazed with glass and comparatively expensive. But the demand for the hobby greenhouse had begun. Commercial greenhouses are still often based on aluminum structures, but the glazing material has changed.
Greenhouses are usually glazed with twin wall polycarbonate these days. This material has the advantage that is cheaper than glass and does not shatter, and provides better thermal insulation than glass.
The air trapped between the two walls keeps warmth from escaping into the outside environment. The use of new materials has allowed new designs of greenhouse structure to be explored.
A greenhouse used to be a rectangular structure often with a pitched roof. This was a practical design and is still widely used. But the dome shaped greenhouse has become increasingly popular.
Often called a solar dome, this type of structure makes the most use of light. Dome shaped greenhouses were constructed out of cast iron in the nineteenth century. They were a great luxury. They were often used as palm houses. Surviving examples are spectacular and rare structures.
At a simpler level the use of plastics has created the possibility of a greater range of temporary structures than was possible in the past. It is possible to build. Even people who have only a balcony or terrace can now have a greenhouse.
They were still glazed with glass and comparatively expensive. But the demand for the hobby greenhouse had begun. Commercial greenhouses are still often based on aluminum structures, but the glazing material has changed.
Greenhouses are usually glazed with twin wall polycarbonate these days. This material has the advantage that is cheaper than glass and does not shatter, and provides better thermal insulation than glass.
The air trapped between the two walls keeps warmth from escaping into the outside environment. The use of new materials has allowed new designs of greenhouse structure to be explored.
A greenhouse used to be a rectangular structure often with a pitched roof. This was a practical design and is still widely used. But the dome shaped greenhouse has become increasingly popular.
Often called a solar dome, this type of structure makes the most use of light. Dome shaped greenhouses were constructed out of cast iron in the nineteenth century. They were a great luxury. They were often used as palm houses. Surviving examples are spectacular and rare structures.
At a simpler level the use of plastics has created the possibility of a greater range of temporary structures than was possible in the past. It is possible to build. Even people who have only a balcony or terrace can now have a greenhouse.