Structures That Can Stand Up to Storms

By Brian D. Sparks|June 27, 2019

Greenhouse growers are increasingly looking for structures that can withstand harsh weather conditions, from heavy winds to heavy snow. Greenhouse Grower recently asked manufacturers about the greenhouse models they have that fit into this need. Check out the slideshow above and the information below to learn more about what they had to say.

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The GrowSpan Series 1000 Greenhouses are designed to economically produce crops of any kind on a commercial scale. The Series 1000 complements all kinds of growing, including hydroponics and aquaponics, and the arched-roof design minimizes snow, ice, and water buildup, saving valuable time and money. Featuring galvanized-steel frames that ensure durability, these greenhouses are cost-effective, versatile, and energy-efficient.
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GrowSpan Series 2000 Greenhouses work well for bedding plants, modernized vegetable production, hydroponic production, and more. The peak-roof design allows for ventilation during almost all weather conditions. With a 6/12 roof design, any snow, ice, and water buildup will be minimized and air flow will be maximized. Specialists can help design structures with specific sizing and accessories to accommodate a grower’s needs.
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Stuppy’s CS3 is one of the most flexible A-frame greenhouses on the market. Growers can choose from 22-foot to 50-foot wide, and they can configure equipment and growing space however they need with features like 12-foot column spacing and 10-foot or 12-foot sidewall height.
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The PowerHouse from Stuppy has the versatility to be a fully climate-controlled greenhouse or an economical high tunnel/cold frame. It is designed to give growers the strength to protect and sustain crops and yield maximum profitability. Engineered and designed for the commercial grower, the PowerHouse is highly serviceable and efficient. With its 2.40 O.D. columns and bows that slip together by swedging each column, the PowerHouse promotes ease of construction and eliminates water infiltration into the columns.
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Covered with polycarbonate, the Appalachian’s crisp lines and finished details come with a standard 90 mph wind load, and upgrades are available for hurricane-force winds. Its 30-pound roof load handles heavy snow, plus hanging baskets. The Appalachian structure can be installed with its columns set into the ground with concrete footings or plated and bolted to a pre-engineered, pre-poured concrete pad.
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The Nexus Dual Atrium offers outstanding growing conditions with a roof vent opening up to 85 degrees. There are fewer obstructions than other full open-roof style structures, leading to higher light levels. The roof can close in less than three minutes, allowing for total flexibility in cooling and venting. It uses up to 50% fewer rack and pinions with 50% fewer motors than other open roof style structures, leading to lower initial cost, less maintenance, and lower energy consumption. Up to 50% fewer gutters than full open-roof style structures leads to lower initial costs, meaning fewer shadows and fewer condensation points.
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Alquimi and Island AgTech worked with the Sprung team to develop the greenhouse and blackhouse applications to withstand the worst cyclonic wind events.

GrowSpan

“We have two model series, our S1000 and S2000, that can be engineered to withstand nearly any building code and conditions in North America,” says Will Kacheris, a Greenhouse Specialist with GrowSpan, which specializes in greenhouses and growing solutions. “We have these structures in areas ranging from hurricane wind zones up to high elevation, snow-covered mountain tops. These structures are proven through years of grower experience, but we improve the design and integral components such as shade and ventilation plans every year to improve the consumer experience and increase profitability.”

Stuppy

“Practically all of the Stuppy structures will meet or exceed harsh weather condition standards, as we design each project based on the wind/snow load requirements of the project location,” says Mike Kovalycsik, Stuppy’s Regional Sales and Marketing Manager. “Stuppy can provide stamped engineered drawings for permits for most projects.”

The Greenhouse Company of South Carolina

“Our Appalachian, quonsets, and gutter-connect houses have historically withstood the test of time through many hurricanes and snow storms,” says Leigh Dodd of The Greenhouse Company of South Carolina. “We have the ability to customize our frames to fit the grower’s design requirements.”

Nexus/Rough Bros.

”Most of the structures we manufacture are designed to meet the local wind and snow load requirements for that area,” says Greg Ellis, Director of Commercial Sales at Nexus/Rough Bros. “Engineering a structure for heavier wind and snow load isn’t necessarily a different structure, but rather one that utilizes bigger or stronger materials in the steel components involved (i.e., columns, trusses, roof purlins etc.).”

Alquimi Renewables

Alquimi Renewables and its technology group Island AgTech, together with its strategic engineering partner Sprung Structures Ltd, based in Calgary, Alberta, have finalized development of the first fully certified Category 5 hurricane resistant greenhouse and blackhouse applications.

The greenhouse structures have been specifically engineered to secure investment in the first commercial scale protected agriculture production in regions constantly threatened by climate change and cyclonic weather events including hurricanes and typhoons. The company is focused on islands in the Caribbean and Pacific as well as affected U.S. regions. The customized growhouse systems will support all forms of hydroponic classifications, as well as soil-based farming and medical cannabis production.

Sprung has been in operation for more than 100 years, and has built more than 12,000 structures in more than 90 countries using its proprietary stressed-membrane engineering. Many of those buildings were built to Cat5 standards and proved indestructible through actual hurricane and typhoon events.

“In 2017 we introduced a Category 4 rated greenhouse system, but after the hurricane events in the Caribbean in late 2017 our investors and insurance underwriters made it clear that any greenhouse infrastructure needed to meet Category 5 building codes and we’re very excited to have accomplished that.” stated Ralph Birkhoff, one of the founding partners of Alquimi.

Brian D. Sparks is Editor of Greenhouse Grower and GreenhouseGrower.com. See all author stories here.

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