Rongtai are exported all over the world and different industries with quality first. Our belief is to provide our customers with more and better high value-added products. Let's create a better future together.
Greenhouse Benches
By Nick Ostrovsky
Greenhouse Benches
Choosing a greenhouse bench design, material and layout can be a formidable task considering the scope of options a grower has. It is very important to decide what the primary objectives of your greenhouse are before you either purchase or design and build a bench system. You must consider what type of plant material you will be dealing with primarily. Will you be sowing seeds on large flats or will you be planting into 5 gallon containers? Will you require bottom heat or misting units? Will you be able to grow directly on the floor or do you need a raised platform for working? What bench conformation will be the most efficient in your green house? How much room will you require to maneuver around your benches? Can your benches be fixed into place or will you need to move them around? How large of a budget do you have? This chapter will address these questions that you must consider when thinking about your greenhouse.
Choosing a bench type
The cheapest way to grow plants is on the ground. However, on the ground, accurate temperature control is difficult to achieve, and other problems may complicate growing, including, disease and rot. Benches, therefore, are recommended. There are a variety of bench styles available. When choosing a greenhouse bench design, you must account for many factors; weight capacity, durability, rot resistance, cost, ease of movement, weight, air flow, water flow, appearance, height and inertness etc.
Materials
Regardless of the building materials chosen, benches normally do not exceed 36
inches high or wide when against a wall. Freestanding benches which are not
against the wall may be up to six feet wide to allow work from either side.
Freestanding benches should also not exceed 36 inches high to accommodate
regular work. (1)
Allow air circulation for plants by having an open bench floor. This may be accomplished by a number of materials such as redwood, lath, 14 gauge welded wire fabric, or expanded metal. Be certain enough rigidity is offered to prevent sagging and toppling pots. Regardless of materials chosen for bench construction, a good rule of thumb is to allow support for at least 25 pounds per square foot area. (1)
Wooden Benches
Locust, cedar, redwood and cypress are all woods highly resistant to decay. You
should paint wooden benches with copper naphthenate
or other preservatives (known to be safe around plants) to help decay. When
redwood is chosen, iron and steel will corrode from naturally present decay
inhibitors. Therefore, choose metals such as aluminum, zinc or brass nails,
screws and bolts. Benches may be all wood or in combination with a different
material for the base. Often, expanded metal or welded wire, of one inch or
smaller mesh, are used. While expanded metal is more expensive, it does not sag
like welded wire. Besides decay, wood may warp and often absorbs soils,
chemicals, etc. which cannot be adequately removed. When wood is chosen, higher
maintenance will be required on a regular basis. (1)
Concrete
Some greenhouses have entire concrete poured benches, including the legs
(supports), all at once. These benches are permanent and do not allow for
change later. Concrete benches are durable and will not require additional
treatment to prevent decay such as with wood. They may be reinforced with steel
rods, when poured, for additional durability. You may want to consider drilling
holes in the base of the bench for proper drainage. (1)
Metal
Entire metal or steel benches are used alone or in combination with another
material. Advantages of galvanized metals over wood are the longevity and
resistance to rot and decay. Metal benches may be expensive to install
initially, but can be considered a one-time cost. Also consider the lowered maintenance
costs when these types of benches are used. (1)
Plastic
Although plastics are becoming more common for bench beds, plastic frames are
not always desirable. They are often not as durable or able to support as much
weight as other benching materials. Prefabricated plastic benches can be
purchased which are lightweight and, thus, portable. These are also available
mounted on rollers, making them particularly convenient for moving around. Also,
maintenance on plastic benches is again considerably less than for wood. (1)
Pallets
Another portable bench system can be inexpensively constructed by placing
pallets on cement blocks for support.
(1)
Bench Supports
Cement blocks are commonly used to support bench tops, particularly if they are
not intended to be permanent. Permanent benches may also be supported in this
fashion. Additionally, steel poles can be used for bench support. Plastic bench
supports can also be used, but again, they are often not as strong. When wooden
supports are used, it is especially critical to chemically treat them for
decay, at least the area which will be submerged in the soil. The same
preservatives which may be used on the growing surface of the benches are
appropriate. Also, by pouring concrete footings, the structural integrity of
the bench supports may be reinforced. (1)
Where to buy a bench
You can buy benches at a number of greenhouse retailers (both commercial and retail), See list below. You can also purchase (or acquire for free) bench building plans. See list below. It is important to note however that some plans require a significant amount of carpentry skill.
(1)
American Plant Products and Services, Inc.
N.W. 10th
Street
Oklahoma City, OK.
(405) 787-
AQUA-HORT SYSTEMS, INC.
P.O. Box
Oklahoma City, OK.
(405) 521- US: 800-446-
Growers Intl. Inc./Div. of
Sharp & Son, Inc.
P.O. Box 10
Schulenburg, TX
(409) 743-
Growing Systems, (M, W)
N. Weil
Milwaukee, WI.
(414) 263-
Metalex, Inc., (M)
Artiaus Pkwy
Libertyville, IL.
(312) 362- US: 800-323-
Nexus Greenhouse Systems Corp., (M)
Leroy Dr.
Northglenn, CO.
(303) 457- US: 800-2-BUY-NEX Fax: (303) 457-
Rough Brothers
P.O. Box
Cincinnati, OH.
(513) 242- OH: 800-543- US: 800-543- Fax: (513) 242-
Sharp & Son, Inc.
900 Lind Ave. SW
Renton, WA
(206) 235-
Westbrook Greenhouse Systems, Ltd. (M)
P.O. Box 99
Grimsby, ON Canada L3M 4G1
(416) 945- US: 800-263- Fax: (416) 945-
Structural Plastics Corp.
Lippincott Blvd.
Flint, MI
(313) 743- US: 800-523- Fax: (313) 743-
Dramex Intl., (M)
20 Fasken Dr.
Rexdale, ON Canada M9W 1K5
(416) 675- Fax: (416) 675-
B & C Mortensen Wood Products
Rt. 4, Box
Oldtown, ID
(208) 437-
Barlow Tyrie, Inc., (M)
/230 Glen
Ave.
Moorestown, NJ
(609) 273- US: 800-451-
Southeastern Wood Products Co.
P.O. Box 113
Griffin, GA
(404) 227-
Websites
Agra-Tech Systems: http://www.agra-tech.com
BartlettBench and Wire: http://www.quikpage.com/b/bartben
JancoGreenhouses: http://www.jancoinc.com
Keeler-Glasgow: http://www.keeler-glasgow.com
Nexus Corp.: http://www.nexuscorp.com
Rough Brothers Inc.: http://www.roughbros.com
Stuppy Greenhouse Manufacturing: http://www.stuppy.com
X.S. Smith Inc.: http://www.xssmith.com
Bench Plans
Figure 1 Basic wooden bench plan.
Free plans: http://www.freeplants.com/free-potting-bench-plans.htm, http://www.hobby-greenhouse.com/BENCH2.JPG
Bench layouts
The internal bench layout of greenhouses depends upon many factors. Benching systems vary but usually are of the fixed or 'movable type. The fixed longitudinal bench is the most traditional system and by its very nature demands the most labor for handling the crop. With long narrow aisles a worker has to travel long distances before they can exit the aisle. (2) (1)
Peninsula benches provide for a wide center aisle and fixed benches with short narrow aisles between them, perpendicular to the sides of the greenhouse. With this system it is possible to use transport carts in the wide center aisle, the distance for a worker from any point in the greenhouse to the center aisle is short. The wide center aisle also provides for the passing of plant material and pots easily. (2) (1)
Lastly, non-stationery benches, which provide even more growing space, are gaining popularity with growers. Movable benches, known as rolling benches, can increase efficiency up to 90 percent of the floor space. Bench platforms are moved by a crank at the end of the bench from side to side. Some can be moved by hand by sliding the benches over the top of long steel poles. Aisles are created where the grower wants to work at any given time. Rolling benches are easy to move by practically any laborer, which is an added bonus. Movable benches, however, are not appropriate in a setting where plants must be accessed frequently. (2) (1)
Figure 2 shows the different types of greenhouse bench layouts.
Peninsula
For more information, please visit Greenhouse Benches Metal.
Longitudinal
Moving
Figure 2. Greenhouse bench layouts.
Bench Space Efficiency
Benching efficiency is defined as the square feet of bench space to the entire
greenhouse floor area. This number is expressed as a percentage.
Examples: A grower chooses a longitudinal bench arrangement in a greenhouse 30' x 80' or square feet of floor area. He decides to use 3-foot wide benches and 2.5-foot wide aisles and allows four feet at the end of the benches. The greenhouse has a benching efficiency of [5(number of benches) x 72(length of each bench) x 3(width of bench)]\ (30 x 80 greenhouse dimensions) x 100 = (/) x 100 = 45%.
However, if the benches were widened to four feet and 74 feet long, allowing a three-foot turn around rather than four feet as before, efficiency could be increased to 49 percent [(4 x 74 x 4)/(30 x 80) x 100 = 49%]. To further increase efficiency, the benches could be widened and the aisle widths reduced. Table 1 shows the space utilization for various benching schemes. (2)
Table 1 Space Utilization for Various Benching Schemes
Longitudinal Benches
67%
Peninsula Benches
74%
Movable Longitudinal Benches
82%
Movable Peninsula Benches
86%
Transportable Benches
93%
Floor System
90-92%
References
1. Michael A. Schnelle, Greenhouse Floors and Benches. Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service, OSU Extension Facts. Found at:
http://pearl.agcomm.okstate.edu/hort/greenhouses/f.htm
2. US Global Recourses,
Technical Library: Benches.
Found at:
http://www.technical-library.usgr.com/tl_benches1.html
3. Hobby Greenhouses. Found at:
http://www.hobby-greenhouse.com/BENCH2.JPG
The quality of a greenhouse plays a major role in an operation&#;s success. Still, growers are often so focused on the equipment that goes inside their structure, that they overlook the building materials used to actually construct the greenhouse. This can become a costly mistake, as growers may have to replace certain aspects of their structure sooner, or the quality of their harvests can suffer.
Whether growers are building out a completely custom greenhouse or choosing between various greenhouse kits, it&#;s important they get a structure that employs the highest-quality greenhouse materials possible. This will not only help increase the lifespan of their greenhouse, but also facilitate a superior growing environment that allows them to produce healthier, more robust crops.
With all the different types of greenhouses out there, it&#;s only natural that operations have questions about their potential growing setup. Below, we answered five of the most common inquiries we get regarding greenhouse materials, so growers can make a detailed plan before obtaining their structure.
While there are several types of cladding for greenhouse growers to choose from, polycarbonate is generally going to have the most positive impact on their crops over time. Greenhouse film and glass are also viable options, but growers looking to incorporate the best greenhouse materials will want to opt for a multi-layer greenhouse plastic, like twin-wall polycarbonate.
This greenhouse covering material offers a number of benefits that improve both the quality of a structure and the crops being produced. To start, twin-wall polycarbonate sheets possess a high R-value, which means they provide excellent insulation. By bolstering their structure&#;s insulation with the right greenhouse materials, operations can more easily maintain interior temperatures, as well as lower their overall utility costs.
Polycarbonate also does a great job of providing crops with optimal amounts of light. With access to high levels of light transmission and diffusion, greenhouse crops can grow exponentially, leading to larger yields each growing cycle.
When steel is galvanized, it means it has gone through a process where it is applied with a coating of zinc. This coating extends the life expectancy of steel by providing additional rust protection, allowing it to withstand corrosive environments and harsher weather.
As a greenhouse frame, galvanized steel offers one of the best greenhouse materials available to growers. Since operations will ultimately want to end up with a long-lasting structure, it&#;s important for them to build their greenhouse using strong components, like galvanized steel or aluminum.
GrowSpan employs galvanized steel for the frame of several structures, including the Series Commercial Greenhouse, which features a triple-galvanized steel frame. To learn more about the S and its greenhouse materials, click here.
request a catalog
Two effective greenhouse flooring options are poured concrete and gravel. Despite not being one of the most prominent greenhouse materials that growers think of, the type of floor they use can have a considerable impact on the overall quality of their structure.
Poured concrete is easy to clean and walk on, which can help reduce maintenance requirements and make it easier to retain healthy crops. If poured properly, a concrete floor should also assist with draining away excess water after irrigation.
Gravel is a more cost-effective flooring option, but it can be just as effective for commercial operations. Gravel offers adequate drainage and requires limited cleaning. When growers cover their gravel floor with a weed cloth, they can also help prevent any weeds from popping up inside of their structure.
If operations want a greenhouse with a gutter-connect design that allows for future expansion, gravel flooring can simplify that process and help lower the overall cost. No matter what growers choose, it&#;s important the greenhouse materials they use for their floor promote sufficient drainage and help prevent weeds and pests from entering the structure.
A high R-value cladding, like twin-wall polycarbonate mentioned above, will encourage effective heating, but growers will also want to complement their greenhouse materials with a high-efficiency heating system. The right heater can go a long way towards maintaining a uniform growing environment and saving on utility costs.
The Modine Effinity 93 Condensing Unit Heater offers one of the most efficient heaters on the market. This past blog provides more details on this model, as well as additional information about R-value and establishing a successful winter greenhouse.
For commercial growers with large greenhouse bays, installing multiple heaters in opposite corners of their structure can also help optimize heating. As opposed to using one heater for the entire greenhouse, this will distribute heat more evenly and allow growers to achieve their ideal temperature range faster. Subsequently, operations can limit energy consumption and reduce their monthly expenses.
Growers can also look to incorporate a heating system directly into certain greenhouse materials, like the foundation. This can be done through radiant heating, which is typically installed under concrete flooring, with the goal of heating the room from the bottom up.
Although this depends on the quality of the greenhouse materials being used, growers can expect a structure with the right components to last years without breaking down.
In both single-layer and twin-wall, GrowSpan&#;s polycarbonate plastic sheets feature a ten year warranty. To potentially increase the life expectancy of these greenhouse coverings, operations can treat their polycarbonate panels with a UV protectant that helps prevent fading or discoloration.
The frame should last even longer than the cladding, particularly if growers utilize galvanized steel. With a custom GrowSpan greenhouse, frames can also be engineered to match each operation&#;s individual location and climate. This will ensure growers have the ideal greenhouse materials for their local requirements, allowing the structure to withstand just about any extreme weather, so they can continue their growing season year-round.
Operations are likely to have a long list of questions when looking for their ideal growing structure. Above are just answers to some of the most common inquiries about greenhouse materials, so call or REQUEST A QUOTE today to learn more.
When a grower searches for their ideal covering material, they should bear in mind the types of crops they will grow, the climate they live in and the placement of their greenhouse.
Read More
Whether it&#;s an established business looking to improve production or an operation that&#;s just starting out, greenhouses can help any grower sustain long-term success.
Read More
The company is the world’s best 358 security fence manufacturer supplier. We are your one-stop shop for all needs. Our staff are highly-specialized and will help you find the product you need.