A major consideration when buying a greenhouse is the type of frame for your greenhouse as well as other required materials. 

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A greenhouse frame is the basic structure and is vital to the structural integrity of your greenhouse. 

When choosing the material for the frame, consider:  

• The glazing type 
• Type of structure to put up 
• The climate in the area you live in.

The choice of material for your greenhouse frame will determine the effectiveness of your growing operation, the robustness of the greenhouse structure, and how long the greenhouse lasts. 

This is a critical step, making the right choice from the beginning can save you thousands of dollars down the road as well as disappointments due to collapsing, weather damages or other issues resulting from a bad choice of frame. 

In this blog post, we will explore the differences between galvanized steel and aluminum and why we, at Planta, have chosen to frame with galvanized steel instead of aluminum.

Aluminum Greenhouse Frame

Many greenhouses choose aluminum for framing which is a good option but not great. The standout characteristics of aluminum are rust resistance and being lightweight.

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Whereas aluminum is indeed lightweight (hence cheaper to ship) this is a crucial disadvantage especially in areas where weather conditions are tough and require more durability to withstand wind, freezing temperatures and heavy snow loads. Even in areas with better weather conditions, you’d probably want to go with a sturdier greenhouse structure.

One major disadvantage of aluminum greenhouse frames is the cost. They are slightly expensive which increases the cost of acquisition, shipping and construction of the greenhouse.

Galvanized Steel for Greenhouse Frames

What is galvanized steel?

Galvanizing is the addition of a protective layer of zinc on steel to prevent rust. Galvanized steel frames undergo hot-dip galvanization which is best suited for protecting the frames when used in hot, humid, and soil-based environments.

 

Benefits of galvanized steel

1. Galvanized steel is extremely strong and is your best option for greenhouse frames. Combined with the durability of these steel frames, you have a greenhouse that will last your lifetime.

2. Galvanized steel frames are noncomparable when it comes to withstanding strong winds and heavy snow loads. 

For example: 

• galvanized steel can hold up to 360kg of snow load per square meter while aluminum can hold only 70kg of snow hold per square meter. 
• Galvanized steel can stand up to wind speeds of up to 63 miles per hour (100 kilometres per hour).

3. Long-life - galvanized steel frames will last you a lifetime (and even your kids’ lifetime!). It’s that strong.

In conclusion, being a sturdy and low maintenance material, galvanized steel frames allow you to focus most of your attention on gardening operations and maximize your crops, while being confident that your entire greenhouse structure will hold up even the most extreme weather conditions.

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Here are eight things you should consider before you place your order:

1. Where are you located? This fundamental question will help to determine what styles of greenhouses you can choose from. For example, if you are located in an area that receives large amounts of snow, you will want to consider our Glacier series designed with a tall peak that helps repel snow. 
2. What are you growing? By asking this question, you will further determine what style of greenhouse you can choose from. If you are growing taller plants like trellis cucumbers or trees, you would want to look for a greenhouse with a taller center height like our High Sidewall or Super Duty series (Given that the series will work in your location.) Whereas if you are growing smaller plants like lettuce or tomatoes, you will be perfectly fine with our Quonset or Low Sidewall series (Given that the series will work in your location.)
3. What is your goal? When purchasing a greenhouse, most people have a goal of what they want to achieve year to year. Some people will buy a greenhouse for added crop protection against insects, animals, etc., while others will use it to extend their growing seasons into the winter months. By determining your goal, you will figure out what necessary additions will be needed to start your new adventure successfully.
4. What is the terrain of the area? By asking this question, you will determine if any preparation to the ground is needed to accommodate your new greenhouse. We always recommend placing your greenhouse on as flat of an area as possible. If your site is not flat, don’t worry, most customers can level the area; however, it is essential to consider this in advance to plan accordingly!
5. Are there any structure restrictions in your area? Unfortunately, some customers will run into local regulations which prohibit them from installing a greenhouse. We recommend reviewing your local rules BEFORE you purchase your greenhouse to ensure that it meets all requirements!
6. How are you planning on regulating the temperature of your greenhouse? We offer options as simple as shade cloth and rollup sides for the home gardener on a budget. However, we also offer exhaust fans, shutters, heaters, etc., for the growers who would like more automation in their house! When contemplating how you will control the temperature in your house, make sure to consider if you will be able to run electricity to the house because this will help determine which options you can consider.
7. What is your plan for irrigation? Irrigation is a crucial component of any garden, so you need to make sure you have a plan in place! The location of your greenhouse will determine what irrigation options you will have. You need to consider how close the greenhouse will be to your water source. If you are running water a long distance, you may need to consider installing a pump or looking to see if you can install a gravity-fed irrigation system.
8. Are you purchasing with an NRCS grant? All of our greenhouses are NRCS approved in the state of Tennessee; however, some states’ requirements do vary. We recommend reaching out to your local NRCS agent to get a list of their requirements to double-check that our houses are approved in your state.