One of the main purposes of a greenhouse is to provide a controlled environment, or a safe haven if you will, to allow the cultivation of a variety of plants regardless of weather conditions and season. When designing wind–resistant greenhouses, it’s crucial to understand that aside from snow, wind could be said to be one of the most critical elements of weather that could cause irreversible damage to greenhouse properties, which makes wind threats an extremely important factor to understand and cope with.
Since greenhouse structures are mostly covered by large areas of glass or plastic glazing materials, some of which are inter-connected to span a large area, but are normally not built with as deep a foundation as your standard brick and mortar housing, creating wind–resistant greenhouses becomes quite a challenge.
Since each area has its own evaluation of wind effects and wind scale according to their own National Weather Service agency, it is hard to define “high wind conditions”; we would suggest using the Beaufort Wind Scale as reference. Typically speaking, Beaufort No. 7 (wind speed 51-61kph / 32-38Mph) and above is considered a high wind threat. During high wind, loose objects tend to blow around, smaller tree limbs and power lines could break, and create moderate threat to automobiles and boats on lakes.
| Beaufort Wind Scale | |||||
| Beaufort Number or Force | Wind Speed | Description | Effects Land / Sea | ||
| Mph | km/hr | knots | |||
| 0 | <1 | <1 | <1 | Calm | Still, calm air, smoke will rise vertically. Water is mirror-like |
| 1 | 1-3 | 1-5 | 1-3 | Light Air | Rising smoke drifts, wind vane is inactive. Small ripples appear on water surface. |
| 2 | 4-7 | 6-11 | 4-6 | Light breeze | Leaves rustle, can feel wind on your face, wind vanes begin to move. small wavelets develop, cress are glassy. |
| 3 | 8-12 | 12-19 | 7-10 | Gentle Breeze | Leaves and small twigs move, light weight flags extend. Large wavelets, crests start to break. some whitecaps. |
| 4 | 13-18 | 20-28 | 11-16 | Moderate Breeze | Small branches move. raises dust leaves and paper. Small waves develop, becoming longer, whitecaps. |
| 5 | 19-25 | 29-38 | 17-21 | Fresh Breeze | Small trees sway. White crested wavelets (whitecaps) form, some spray. |
| 6 | 25-31 | 39-49 | 22-27 | Strong Breeze | Large tree branches move, telephone wires begin to “whistle”, umbrellas are difficult to keep under control. Larger waves form, whitecaps prevalent, spray. |
| 7 | 32-38 | 50-61 | 28-33 | Moderate or Near Cale | Large trees sway, becoming difficult to walk. Larger waves develop, white foam from breaking waves begins to be blown. |
| 8 | 39-46 | 62-74 | 34-40 | Gale or Fresh Gale | Twigs and small branches are broken from Gale or Fresh Gale trees, walking is difficult. Moderately large waves with blown foam. |
| 9 | 47-54 | 75-88 | 41-47 | Strong Gale | Slight damage occurs to buildings, shingles are blown off of roofs. High waves (6 meters), rolling seas, dense foam, Blowing spray reduces visibility. |
| 10 | 55-63 | 89-102 | 48-55 | Whole Gale or Storm | Trees are broken or uprooted, building damage is considerable. Large waves (6-9 meters), overhanging crests, sea becomes white with foam, heavy rolling, reduced visibility. |
| 11 | 64-72 | 103-117 | 56-63 | Violent Storm | Extensive widespread damage. Large waves (9-14 meters), white foam, visibility further reduced. |
| 12 | 73+ | 118+ | 64+ | Hurricane | Extreme destruction, devastation. Large waves over 14 meters. air filled with foam, sea white with foam and driving spray. little visibility. |
There are a couple of points to consider when building greehouses that can withstand high winds or extreme weather conditions.
Building a greenhouse that can withstand harsh weather conditions requires careful planning and consideration of multiple factors. For those interested in wind–resistant greenhouses, we’ve compiled a comprehensive guide covering eight essential aspects. Let’s explore each factor in detail:
Location and orientation are very important and have to be carefully planned ahead, as once the construction starts, it is almost impossible to make any changes.
Nothing beats a strong foundation, as it is the groundwork of a structure which provides stability and support and is a vital part of any building – essential for preventing damage and collapse.
(Read more: How to Build a Green House? Expert Instructions and Insider Tips)
With the advancement of computer aided drawing and building technology, it is now possible to simulate and verify structural designs through trial and error in advance without having to actually build anything.
The structural designs aforementioned can also be enhanced by using strong and durable materials such as galvanized steel or aluminum. Other materials such as wood or can be reinforced with steel inserts or by simply adding thickness. The strength of the structure can also be fined tuned using different thicknesses or designs.
Since skylight cladding material takes up the majority of the greenhouse covered area, the strength it is able to provide, or in other words, the force that it is able to withstand, is of upmost importance. Polycarbonate or glass panels are definitely among the top of the recommended choices.
(Read more: Green House Roof Materials: Why Polycarbonate Is the Best?)
Any opening, such as doors or windows, should be closed or sealed when not in use, especially when the wind is high. Using reinforced doors or windows which are installed on reinforced hardware, such as hinges and latches, will further prevent them from blowing open and creating a point of entry.
Regular maintenance is the key to longevity, it is advised to periodically inspect the frame, fasteners, and covering materials for wear and tear, before and after storms. It is also important to periodically check for any repair gaps or looseneess to ensure there are no loose elements that could become vulnerable during a wind event.
Smaller greenhouses are typically better suited to withstand high winds due to their lower surface area. If possible, divide a large greenhouse into smaller sections for increased resilience.
By combining these strategies, a greenhouse in a high-wind area can be built to withstand even severe storms while protecting crops or plants.
Constructing wind–resistant greenhouses requires careful attention to multiple factors, from initial planning to ongoing maintenance. A well-built greenhouse is more than just the sum of its parts – it’s about how these elements work together to create a structure that stands strong against challenging weather conditions. Remember, the durability of your greenhouse largely depends on the quality of components used and proper installation methods.
Whether you’re planning a new build or upgrading an existing structure, investing in high-quality materials and proper installation solutions will protect both your greenhouse and the valuable plants within. For more greenhouse construction tips and insights, visit our blog, or explore our specialized fastening solutions designed specifically for securing greenhouse panels.
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