On the basis of structure/shape

Master Protected and Precision Horticulture – Notes, Case Studies and Practical Insights – with Rahul

a. A lean-to-type design

Best use of sunlight and minimizes the requirements for roof supports.
Found mostly in the retail industry
Used when the greenhouse is placed against the side of an existing building
The roof of the building is extended with appropriate greenhouse covering material and the areas is properly enclosed.

b. Even-span and Uneven-span Greenhouse

An even-span roof slope is of equal shape and size (width).
The design for even-span is used for the greenhouse of small size, and it is constructed on levelled ground
For single span type, the span in general varies from 5-9 m, whereas the length is around 24 m. The height varies from 2.5-4.3 m.
An un-even span greenhouse has roofs of unequal width, which makes the structure adaptable to the side of a hill.
Un-even span type of greenhouse is constructed on hilly terrain. The roofs are of unequal width; make the structure adaptable to the side slopes of hill.
This type of greenhouses is seldom used now-a-days as it is not adaptable for automation.

TYPES OF GREENHOUSES

c. Ridge and furrow greenhouse

Design of this type use two or more A-frame greenhouses connected to one another along the length of the eave
The eave serves as furrow or gutter to carry rain and melted snow away
The side wall is eliminated between the greenhouses, which results in a structure with a single large interior
Consolidation of interior space reduces labour, lowers the cost of automation, improves personal management and reduces fuel consumption as there is less exposed wall area through which heat escapes.
The snow loads must be taken into the frame specifications of these greenhouses since the snow cannot slide off the roofs as in case of individual free standing greenhouses, but melts away.
In spite of snow loads, ridge and furrow greenhouses are effectively used in northern countries of Europe and in Canada and are well suited to the Indian conditions.

d. Saw-tooth type

Similar to ridge and furrow type greenhouses except that, there is provision for natural ventilation in this type.
Specific natural ventilation flow path develops in a saw-tooth type greenhouse.

e. Quonset-type or pipe framed greenhouse

Pipe arches or trusses are supported by pipe purling running along the length.
These houses are connected either in free standing style or arranged in an interlocking ridge and furrow.
In general, the covering material used for this type of greenhouses is polyethylene.
Such greenhouses are typically less expensive than the gutter connected greenhouses and are useful when a small isolated cultural area is required.

f. Curved roof greenhouse

Curved Polycarbonate Greenhouse - Advance Greenhouses

g. Other types: A-frame type greenhouse, Gothic arch, Geodesic dome, etc.