A-Frame Retractable Roof Greenhouses

Professional Greenhouses for professional growers

A-Frame retractable roof greenhouse can be used in virtually all climates for all crops since they can be designed to protect crops from extreme levels of snow, rain, wind, hail, heat and insects while still allowing crops to benefit from the natural outdoor environment when conditions permit. The range of environmental control possibilities goes far beyond the retractable roof. Complete flexibility can be achieved through the addition of roll up sidewalls and retractable curtains that can be used for:

Light and temperature control
Photoperiod control
Insect exclusion
Additional heat retention

Back to Retractable main page

Gothic Arch Greenhouses

More About Multi Greenhouses »

Conventional A-Frame Greenhouse

5/12 roof pitch
Truss designs for up to 70lb/ sq ft snowload and 140MPH (225KPH) windload
House widths of 24ft, 30ft, 31-6ft, 36ft,41-6ft
10ft (3.2m)- 20ft ( 6m) gutter height

A-Frame Rafter Greenhouse

3/12 roof pitch
Truss designs for up to 15lb/ sq ft (73kg/sq m) snowload and 110MPH (177 KPH) windload
48ft ( 14.63m) between gutters
13 ft (4m) gutter height

Features

Create the best possible growing environment 24 hours/day
In operation for over 15 years and in 4 continents
Have withstood hurricanes, hailstorms and snowstorms
Can operate in high winds
Roof lasts 6 to 10 years
Standard house widths: 24ft, 30ft, 31ft - 6 in, 36ft, 41ft - 6 in ( 7.31m, 9.14m, 9.6m, 10.97m, 12.64m, 14.63m )
Gutter heights: 12ft, 14ft, 16ft, 18ft ( 3.65m, 4.3m, 4.87, 5.5m )
Roof closing time: 2 -1/2 minutes
Maximum sq ft per motor: 38,000 (3,500 m)
Maximum wind load available: 140 mph (225km/h)
Maximum snow load available: 70 lb/sq ft (340kg/m)

Specifications

Retractable Roof System Features
One motor controls up to 38,000 sq. ft. (3500 sq.m)
Designs available to handle snow loads of up to 70 lbs./sq. ft. (32 kilo./sq.m.)
Designs available to withstand up to 120 mph winds (193 kph)
Roof opens and closes in approximately 2 ½ minutes

Structure Features

Standard house widths 24' (7.3m), 30' (9.14m) , 31'-6" (9.6m) , 36' (10.98m), 41'-6" 12.65m) , 42' (12.8m)
Gutter heights up to 20ft (6m)
Designed to handle snow loads of up to 70 lbs./sq. ft. (342 kilo./sq.m.)
Designed to withstand up to 120 mph winds (193 kph)
Designed to meet required crop loads
Fire retardant roof coverings are available for retail applications

The A-Frame Greenhouses with roll up walls

The retractable roof can automatically be fully closed, fully retracted or partially closed to create the best possible environment for the crop based on the outside weather conditions. When a computer controls the roof, crops can be automatically:

protected from excessive cold, rain, wind and snow by closing the roof.
exposed to normal levels of UV, PAR, and infra-red radiation, by retracting the roof completely
protected from excessive UV and infra-red radiation by closing the roof 85%.

The walls that have motorized roll up curtains can be automatically:

Opened:

for ventilation when it is raining
to expose crops to wind when it is beneficial
to improve ventilation when the roof or curtain system is closed 85% for heat reduction

Closed:

to protect plants from cold/ rain or snow
to protect plants from excessive wind
to help prevent drift when overhead irrigating or spraying

If crops require protection from insects, stationary insect net can be installed on the outside of the roll up curtain openings.

Expanding the range of environmental control using retractable curtains

Clear woven poly

Winter production is energy efficient since the clear woven curtain can be closed as an energy curtain to create two layers of poly. Curtain could be closed on extreme cold days to reduce energy costs without significantly reducing light levels. The clear curtain can also be used in the summer to provide cooling by intercepting the infra-red radiation while still allowing plants to receive high light levels.

White woven poly

Winter production is energy efficient since the white woven curtain can be closed at night as an energy curtain to create two layers of poly. The white curtain can also be used in the summer for additional shade and to provide cooling by intercepting the infra-red radiation

Blackout- heat retention

The blackout system is beneficial for providing photoperiod control to crops like chrysanthemums, poinsettias, and tree seedlings and for additional heat retention at night

Insect net

Insect pressures can be reduced or eliminated using stationary or retractable insect net. Plants still receive exposure to UV and infra red radiation which helps plants develop their natural color, shape as well as disease and insect resistance. Light levels can be maximized since the insect net can be retracted when insect pressures are minimal or when the roof is closed