All definitions in this glossary are defined as they relate specifically to commercial greenhouse structures and commercial greenhouse growing. They’re meant to reflect how these terms are used in the greenhouse industry. Meanings may differ in other industries.
These terms are defined as they relate specifically to commercial greenhouse growing. Meanings may differ in other industries.
AB Tanks: Concentrated nutrient solution kept in a tank before being diluted for fertigation.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Equipment
Acrylic: Also known as polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), acrylic is a popular thermoplastic used in greenhouse construction due to its strength, clarity, and versatility. It is stronger and lighter than glass and scratch-resistant.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Glazing, Greenhouse Coverings
ADA accessibility: Ensures greenhouse access and use are possible for individuals with disabilities, as required by law.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Design, Greenhouse Engineering, Greenhouse Compliance
A-frame greenhouse: A type of greenhouse structure with a triangular-shaped roof that resembles the letter “A.” Its steeply sloped roof allows for efficient shedding of snow and rain.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Types and Styles
Air baffles: Triangular panels or barriers installed in the roof space/attic space of a greenhouse that help maintain an even climate in the attic prior to opening curtains.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Structural Components
Airflow/air movement: Circulating air to prevent hot spots, control humidity, and improve plant health. A measurement of the amount of air per unit that flows through a particular device or structure.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Environment
Ambient light: The overall background light level in a space—not direct or focused. It can come from natural light, artificial light, or a combination of both.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Lighting
Anti-reflective (AR) coating: A special layer applied to greenhouse glass to reduce glare and increase light transmission -usually to the outer or viewing side.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Glazing, Greenhouse Covering
Anti-reflective (AR) coating (2 sides): AR coating is applied to both sides of the material, for maximum reduction of reflections and better clarity. It is useful when both sides of the material are exposed to light or viewed through.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Glazing, Greenhouse Covering
Aquaponic system: A mix of hydroponics and fish farming—fish waste provides nutrients for plants.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Irrigation, Greenhouse Fertigation
Arch Greenhouse/Gothic greenhouse: A greenhouse with an arched roof—either smooth and rounded or pointed at the peak like a gothic window.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Types and Styles
Attached greenhouse: A greenhouse connected to a home or other type of building.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Types and Styles
Automated vent openers: Devices that open and close vents. They’re often tied to environmental controllers that determine how much they open or close.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Environment
Bay: Truss span in which the growing system resides.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Structural Components
Biomass heating: A renewable energy source generated from burning wood chips, plants, or other organic material to produce heat.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Heating
Blackout screen: A retractable curtain made from opaque material that blocks all natural and supplementary light. Used to control photoperiod and trigger flowering in light-sensitive crops like chrysanthemums, kalanchoe, or cannabis.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Curtain Systems, Greenhouse Screening Systems
Blue light: Light that ranges from 400-500 nm in wavelength. It encourages leafy growth and strong, compact plants. Blue light influences plant functions such as stomatal opening, chlorophyll production, and stem strength.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Lighting
Boiler: Primary producer of heat for systems, our systems are typically hydronic (hot water) and use natural gas. Alternates include Biomass, propane, and electricity..
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Heating
Boiler loop: The circulating pipe system that carries hot water from a boiler through heating elements and back again.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Heating
Boiler room: The area in a greenhouse where the boiler and related equipment are housed.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Heating
Boom/boom irrigation: A rigid, movable arm or rod suspended above greenhouse benches or floor-grown crops. It travels back and forth along an overhead track and is fitted with multiple nozzles that spray water uniformly across the growing area. Some booms can also apply nutrients or pesticides. Often connected to timers or sensors, irrigation booms enable automated watering, helping growers reduce labor and improve consistency.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Irrigation, Greenhouse Fertigation
Bottom chord: The lower horizontal part of a greenhouse truss. The bottom chord acts as a tension member of the truss, helping to hold it together and transfer loads to side walls or columns. Often used for hanging curtains, fans, lights, and other greenhouse equipment.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Structural Components
Build timeline: The estimated time it takes to finish a greenhouse project from planning to final inspection.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Construction
Building codes: Legal rules that dictate how structures must be built for safety and function.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Construction
Capillary mat: A fabric mat that holds water and lets plants absorb moisture from the bottom up.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Irrigation, Greenhouse Fertigation
Carbon dioxide (CO2): A gas used by plants during photosynthesis. Boosting CO₂ levels can increase crop yield.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Environment
Cavity screening: Similar to dual screening. Using two or more layers of curtains to better control the climate inside the greenhouse.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Curtain Systems, Greenhouse Screening
Cement pad: A solid concrete foundation that provides stability for greenhouse structures, or pathways for personnel in a greenhouse.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Structural Components
Chiller: A mechanical piece of equipment that uses the refrigerant cycle to remove heat from a fluid, usually water. The chilled water then circulates through coils in air handling units to help regulate temperatures in the greenhouse.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Cooling
Chiller loop: A closed piping system that circulates chilled water or glycol through greenhouse equipment (like fan coils or air handlers) to cool the air and maintain climate control during hot weather.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Cooling
Chiller plant: A cooling system that helps regulate greenhouse temperature by using chilled water or refrigerant to remove excess heat.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Cooling
Chord: A structural element of a truss. The top and bottom edges of the truss are called chords. They help support the dead load of ceiling materials and live loads.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Structural Components
Civil work: The various engineering tasks involved in the construction of structures, infrastructure, and transportation systems.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Design, Greenhouse Engineering, Greenhouse Compliance
Climate screen: A multi-functional internal screen that helps manage temperature, light, and humidity. It may serve as a shade screen during the day and an energy screen at night, depending on its material and design.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Curtain Systems, Greenhouse Screening Systems
Closed-loop system: An irrigation system where water is collected, filtered, and reused instead of being discarded.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Irrigation, Greenhouse Fertigation
CO2 collector: A manifold to centralize CO2 production from boilers.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Environment
CO2 enrichment: Adding extra carbon dioxide into the greenhouse air to encourage faster plant growth and better yields.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Environment
CO2 perforated tube: A tube with small holes that evenly disperses CO2 throughout the greenhouse to enhance plant growth.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Environment
CO2 PVC stub: A short PVC pipe used in greenhouse CO2 distribution systems.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Environment
CO2 style – in-front of fan: A method of CO2 distribution where gas is released in front of a fan to spread it efficiently throughout the greenhouse.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Environment
Cold frame greenhouse: A simple, basic structure used to overwinter crops, extend the growing season, or provide shade. Cold frames typically don’t have heating or cooling systems. They’re considered temporary structures and do not meet building codes, but many are built with steel tubing for structural strength.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Types and Styles
Cold water storage tank (CWST): A reservoir or tank that stores and supplements chilled water for a greenhouse chilled water system.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Environment
Collector: A device or system that gathers and distributes heat, light, or water within a greenhouse.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Environment
Column: A vertical support post that holds up the greenhouse roof.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Structural Components
Commercial greenhouse: Greenhouse structures used for displaying and selling horticultural products and supplies, or used to grow plants for wholesale.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Types and Styles
Compliance review: Checking greenhouse plans and systems to ensure they meet local codes, regulations, and safety standards.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Design, Greenhouse Engineering, Greenhouse Compliance
Concrete floor: A hard, flat surface that’s easy to clean and great for rolling carts or equipment.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Structural Components
Conduction: Heat movement through solid materials—like warm pipes heating nearby air or surfaces.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Heating
Connection corridor: A passageway linking multiple greenhouse sections for easy movement
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Structural Components
Conservatory: A highly decorative greenhouse structure often used in public gardens and other public spaces to conserve and display plants. Conservatories are used primarily for display and enjoyment, often showcasing rare or endangered plants, exotic species, and botanical collections.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Types and Styles
Construction scheduling: Planning the sequence and timing of each stage of the greenhouse build.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Construction
Continuous Vent: A single, uninterrupted vent that allows air exchange to maintain optimal growing conditions.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Structural Components
Continuous Vent -Double: A ventilation system with two continuous openings to regulate airflow and temperature.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Structural Components
Contract drawings: The finalized set of drawings or blueprints used for construction and permitting.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Design, Greenhouse Engineering, Greenhouse Compliance, Greenhouse Construction
Controlled-environment agriculture (CEA): A farming method that uses technology to regulate temperature, humidity, light, and other conditions inside a greenhouse or enclosed structure.
CATEGORY: Other
Convection: Heat movement through the air—like warm air rising and cool air sinking.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Heating
Conveyor: A belt or roller system used to move plants, trays, or products.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Structural Components
Cooling: Lowering air temperature in a greenhouse using fans, vents, shade systems, or evaporative coolers.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Cooling
Cooling Service Area: A designated area for the chiller plant (chiller, chiller manifold, chiller transport pumps, cooling tower manifold etc.)
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Cooling
Corridor: A passageway designed to connect multiple greenhouses or link a greenhouse with a warehouse or outdoor area.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Structural Components
Corridor Screen: A curtain or screen system used in a connecting corridor between two greenhouse bays or zones. It helps maintain separate climate conditions, prevents light leaks, or limits pest transfer between areas.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Curtain Systems, Greenhouse Screening Systems
Cost estimating: The process of predicting total costs for labor, materials, and systems in the project.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Budgeting, Greenhouse Cost, Greenhouse Construction
Cost per square foot: A quick way to estimate greenhouse cost based on size. Total price ÷ total floor space.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Budgeting, Greenhouse Cost, Greenhouse Construction
Covering: The transparent or translucent material installed on the greenhouse roof to allow light in while providing protection from the elements. Also called glazing, roof covering, roof glazing.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Glazing, Greenhouse Coverings
Crane(s): Overhead lifting equipment used to move large or heavy items like benches or crates.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Benches, Greenhouse Transport, Greenhouse Logistics
Crop heat: Providing heat at the plant level enables precise microclimate control and helps regulate humidity.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Heating, Greenhouse Environment
Crop wire: A horizontal support wire suspended above greenhouse crops to anchor trellis strings, enabling vertical growth, better space use, and improved airflow, light, and harvesting efficiency.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Produce, Greenhouse Environment
Cupola vent: A small roof-top vent structure that lets hot air escape—similar to a mini chimney.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Structural Components
Curtain system: A fabric system installed near the roof or walls of a greenhouse to provide shading or retain heat.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Curtain Systems, Greenhouse Screening Systems
Curtain wall: A movable interior wall made of fabric or plastic material that opens and closes to control light and temperature in the greenhouse.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Curtain Systems, Greenhouse Screening Systems
Custom greenhouse: A greenhouse specially designed to meet unique growing needs or site requirements.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Types and Styles
Daylength period: The number of hours of light a plant gets in a 24-hour day. It affects flowering and growth.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Lighting
Daylight Integral (DLI): The number of photosynthetically active photons (individual particles of light in the 400-700 nm range) delivered to a specific area over the course of a day. DLI is measured in mol/m²/day and used to manage lighting and crop performance.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Lighting
Dead loads: The weight of the structure itself—like the frame, glazing, and permanent fixtures.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Design, Greenhouse Engineering, Greenhouse Compliance
Dehumidification: The process of removing excess moisture from the air to prevent plant diseases and improve growing conditions.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Environment
Design loads: The total expected weight or force a greenhouse must be able to support—includes snow, wind, equipment, etc.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Design, Greenhouse Engineering, Greenhouse Compliance
Diffuse light: Soft, scattered light that spreads more evenly—great for uniform plant growth.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Lighting
Diffused glass: Glass that scatters light evenly throughout the greenhouse, reducing harsh shadows and improving plant growth.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Glazing, Greenhouse Coverings
Diffusion rate: The speed at which light spreads evenly throughout the greenhouse, improving plant growth.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Lighting
Direct light: Strong, focused sunlight or artificial light that hits plants straight on.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Lighting
Double-inflated poly: Two layers of poly film with air blown between them for insulation.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Glazing, Greenhouse Coverings
Drip irrigation: Water delivered slowly at the base of each plant using tubes and emitters—great for water conservation.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Irrigation, Greenhouse Fertigation
Dripper spacing: The distance between individual drip emitters (drippers) along a drip irrigation line.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Irrigation, Greenhouse Fertigation
Dual-screening: Using two layers of curtains (usually one for shade and one for energy savings) to better control the climate inside the greenhouse.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Curtain Systems, Greenhouse Screens
Eave: The edge of a greenhouse roof that sticks out over the side walls—often where the gutters are attached.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Structural Components
Ebb and flow: A watering system that floods a greenhouse bench or greenhouse floor with nutrient-rich water and then drains it away.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Irrigation, Greenhouse Fertigation
Ebb and flow bench/table: A growing surface that uses the ebb and flow method to water plants from the bottom up.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Irrigation, Greenhouse Fertigation
ECHO system: An automated hanging basket irrigation system that efficiently waters plants in commercial greenhouses, improving plant health and reducing labor costs.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Irrigation, Greenhouse Fertigation
Education greenhouse: A greenhouse designed to teach plant science, agriculture, or horticulture.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Types and Styles
Electrical conductivity (EC): A way to measure how much fertilizer (salts) is in the water. A higher EC means more nutrients are present.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Irrigation, Greenhouse Fertigation
End Wall: The solid wall at the front or back of a greenhouse.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Structural Components
Energy curtain: An internal curtain designed to reduce heat loss during colder months and help retain warmth at night. Often made from reflective or insulating material to improve energy efficiency. Also called an energy screen.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Curtain Systems, Greenhouse Screening Systems
Energy Screen: An internal curtain designed to reduce heat loss during colder months and help retain warmth at night. Often made from reflective or insulating material to improve energy efficiency. Also called an energy curtain.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Curtain Systems, Greenhouse Screening Systems
Engineered greenhouse: A greenhouse that has been reviewed and approved by a licensed engineer to meet building code requirements.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Types and Styles
Engineering specifications: Technical details about materials, dimensions, and performance requirements for the build.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Design, Greenhouse Engineering, Greenhouse Compliance
Environmental controller: A computer system that automatically manages climate controls for temperature, lighting, and irrigation. Environmental controllers can manage shade systems, vents, and other greenhouse systems.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Environment
Estimator: A professional who calculates the overall cost of a project based on design and materials.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Design, Greenhouse Engineering, Greenhouse Compliance
Even-span greenhouse: A greenhouse with a roof that slopes evenly on both sides. The sides of the roof are the same length and angle. They meet in the middle at the peak, similar to a standard house roof.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Types and Styles
Exhaust fan: A fan that pulls hot air out of the greenhouse—usually installed in the end wall.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Structural Components
Expansion: The process of adding new greenhouse bays, structures, or growing areas to increase production capacity, retail space, or introduce new systems.
CATEGORY: Other
Exterior leveling: Preparing the site for erecting structures, storm water management, access roads, drainage, building foundation, or other support structures.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Construction
External curtain system: A curtain system installed outside of the greenhouse, usually above the roof to control heat and light.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Curtain Systems, Greenhouse Screening Systems
Fertigation: A method of feeding plants by mixing fertilizer into water and running it through an irrigation system.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Irrigation, Greenhouse Fertigation
Fertigation recipe/fertilizer recipe: A specific mix of nutrients added to irrigation water based on crop type and stage of growth.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Irrigation, Greenhouse Fertigation
Fertilizer stock: Concentrated nutrient solution kept in a tank before being diluted for fertigation.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Irrigation, Greenhouse Fertigation
Fin heating: Metal pipes with fins that radiate heat—commonly installed along perimeter walls.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Heating
Fin pipe: A heating pipe with fins that radiates warmth into the greenhouse—often used near walls.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Heating
Flat shade structure: A flat roof structure with a simple shade system that blocks the sun, but not wind and rain.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Types and Styles
Floating aisle: A movable aisle created when rolling benches are pushed together that provides access to plants when needed. Floating aisles allow for more growing space in a greenhouse floorplan.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Benches, Greenhouse Transportation, Greenhouse Logistics
Flood and drain benches: Benches that fill with water and then drain to water plants from below.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Irrigation, Greenhouse Fertigation
Flood floor: A greenhouse floor that can be flooded and drained to water large groups of plants evenly.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Irrigation, Greenhouse Fertigation
Flooring: The ground surface inside a greenhouse. It can be soil, gravel, or concrete.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Structural Components
Fluorescent: Something that emits light through fluorescence, a process where a substance absorbs light at one wavelength and then emits it at a longer wavelength. Tube-style fluorescent lights produce less heat than other traditional lighting options. They’re often used for propagation and seed starting.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Lighting
Fogging: Spraying a fine mist of water to raise humidity and cool the air for better plant growth.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Environment
Fogging/mist system: A system that forces water through specialized nozzles to create a fine mist that helps cool a greenhouse space and raise humidity.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Environment
Footing: The concrete base under the foundation that spreads the structure’s weight into the soil.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Structural Components
Foundation: The base of the greenhouse that connects it to the ground, like a concrete slab or footing.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Structural Components
Frame: The skeleton of the greenhouse—made of metal or wood—that supports the entire structure.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Structural Components
Freestanding greenhouse: A single structure not connected to another structure. Also referred to as a stand-alone or single-span greenhouse.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Types and Styles
Gable: The triangular section at the end of a pitched roof.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Structural Components
Gable end: The wall where the gable peak resides.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Structural Components
Gantry: An overhead structure in a greenhouse used to support equipment or enable movement.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Equipment, Greenhouse Logistics
General contractor: The main builder responsible for construction crews and making sure the project meets code.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Construction
Geothermal heating: An energy efficient system that uses heat from underground to warm a greenhouse.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Heating
Germination chamber: A small, enclosed space with controlled temperature and humidity used during propagation to help seeds sprout faster.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Equipment
Glass lift: Specialized equipment or machinery used to safely lift and install large sheets of glass during greenhouse construction or glazing replacements—especially useful for tall structures.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Equipment
Glass, glass glazing: A traditional greenhouse covering that provides excellent clarity and light transmission. It is heavier and more expensive than plastic covering options but provides more longevity.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Glazing, Greenhouse Coverings
Glazing: The transparent or translucent material installed on the greenhouse roof to allow light in while providing protection from the elements. Also known as covering, roof covering, or roof glazing.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Glazing, Greenhouse Coverings
Gravel floor: Crushed stone laid on the ground to help with drainage.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Structural Components
Gravel laydown: A layer of weed block, followed by compacted gravel. Used to control mud collection, and as a construction staging area during construction.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Construction
Greenhouse: A structure with clear walls and a roof—usually covered in glass, plastic, or another transparent material—that lets sunlight in to grow plants in a protected environment.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Types and Styles
Greenhouse architect: A licensed architect who designs greenhouses—especially for public spaces or custom applications.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Design, Greenhouse Engineering, Greenhouse Compliance
Greenhouse automation: Systems that on their own control light, temperature, watering, and other growing conditions or perform growing tasks without manual intervention.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Design, Greenhouse Engineering, Greenhouse Compliance
Greenhouse dehumidification: The process of removing excess moisture from the air to prevent disease and control the greenhouse climate.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Environment
Greenhouse design: The layout and structural plan for a greenhouse—including style, shape, layout, systems, materials, etc.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Design, Greenhouse Engineering, Greenhouse Compliance
Greenhouse designer: A professional who plans the layout and structure of greenhouses.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Design, Greenhouse Engineering, Greenhouse Compliance
Greenhouse engineer: A licensed engineering professional who ensures that the greenhouse design meets structural, mechanical, and safety codes.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Design, Greenhouse Engineering, Greenhouse Compliance
Greenhouse mechanization: The use of automated systems and machinery to streamline greenhouse operations, such as planting, watering, climate control, and harvesting.
CATEGORY: Other
Greenhouse orientation: The direction a greenhouse faces, which can affect light exposure, temperature control, and crop performance.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Design, Greenhouse Engineering
Greenhouse pathway: A walkway inside or between greenhouses for easy movement and access.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Structural Components
Greenhouse plans: The technical blueprints or layout drawings for a greenhouse build.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Design, Greenhouse Engineering, Greenhouse Compliance
Greenhouse rendering: A 2D or 3D visual mockup or drawing of a planned greenhouse, often used for presentations or approvals.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Design, Greenhouse Engineering, Greenhouse Compliance
Ground cloth: A woven or non-woven fabric laid on the greenhouse floor to suppress weeds, improve drainage, and provide a clean walking surface. It’s durable and often UV-resistant, allowing it to withstand sun exposure. Also known as ground cover.
CATEGORY: Other
Ground cover: The material placed on the floor to suppress weeds, control moisture, improve cleanliness, and reflect light for better plant growth. Also known as ground cloth.
CATEGORY: Other
Ground-gutter height: The vertical distance from the ground level of a greenhouse to the base of the gutter (where the roof slope meets the wall). This measurement affects crop clearance, airflow, and the installation of equipment.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Construction
Ground-to-ground greenhouse: A greenhouse where both ends sit at ground level. It usually has a rounded or arched shape. Also called a hoophouse or high tunnel.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Types and Styles
Grow light: A light designed to help plants grow when sunlight isn’t enough.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Lighting
Growing bay: Truss span in which the growing system resides. Also known as a bay.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Structural Components
Growing gutter: A narrow channel that holds plants and delivers nutrient-rich water, used mainly in hydroponic growing systems.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Equipment
Growing media: A material used to grow plants in —such as soil, peat, rockwool, or coco coir.
CATEGORY: Other
Guillotine vent: A vertical-sliding vent that opens like a guillotine drop blade—often used in sidewalls and for tight spaces.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Structural Components
Gutter: A channel at the roof edge of a greenhouse that collects and directs rainwater away from a structure.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Structural Components
Gutter-connected greenhouse: Multiple greenhouses joined at their roof gutters to create one large growing space. The inner walls are removed for an open layout.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Types and Styles
Gutter-to-gutter curtain system: A curtain/screening system that opens or closes across a greenhouse from gutter to gutter.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Curtain Systems, Greenhouse Screening Systems
Handwatering/manual watering: Watering plants by hand with a hose or other means—common for smaller setups or delicate crops.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Irrigation, Greenhouse Fertigation
Hanging basket system: A mechanism or system attached to greenhouse trusses that holds rows of hanging baskets for growing overhead. It can be stationary using rail pipe to suspend the baskets from the trusses, or motorized with baskets rotating through watering and loading stations. Hanging basket systems allow growers to maximize vertical space and increase plant capacity— commonly used for flowering plants in retail or wholesale production.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Equipment
Harvest cart: A cart used to collect and transport harvested crops like tomatoes and cucumbers through the greenhouse. It can be self-propelled or driven manually.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Transportation, Greenhouse Logistics
Headhouse/Utility house: A support building attached to or located near a greenhouse, used for storing tools/equipment, preparing and planting crops, and handling other tasks essential to greenhouse operations.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Types and Styles
Heat loss: Heat escaping from the greenhouse through the roof, walls, or floor.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Heating
Heat pump: A system that transfers heat in or out of the greenhouse. It helps with heating or cooling, depending on the season.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Heating
Heat transfer: The process of moving thermal energy from one physical system to another due to a temperature difference. Heat transfer can occur through convection, conduction, or radiation.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Heating
Heating: Raising air temperature with heaters, boilers, or hydronic/radiant heat systems.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Heating
Heat-retention fabric: Thermal screens or cloth used to keep warmth inside the greenhouse during nighttime or winter.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Curtain Systems, Greenhouse Screening Systems
High tunnel: A typically unheated structure covered in polyethylene or polycarbonate used to protect crops growing in or on the ground. Growers often use high tunnels to grow crops earlier in spring or later in fall. Also called a hoophouse, polytunnel, or wind tunnel.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Types and Styles
High-intensity discharge (HID): Powerful lights used for crops that need high amounts of light. This type of lighting includes high-pressure sodium (HPS) and metal halide lamps.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Lighting
High-intensity fluorescent (HIF): A brighter version of regular fluorescent lights—less common in greenhouses now.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Lighting
High-pressure sodium (HPS) lighting: A type of grow lighting that is a subclass of High-Intensity Discharge (HID) lighting. It creates light by exciting sodium vapor in a high-pressure chamber.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Lighting
Hinged-roof greenhouse: An open-panel structure where the roof can tilt open, similar to a window on a hinge. Hinged-roof greenhouses typically hinge at the gutters or half-way up the roof slope.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Types and Styles
Hoophouse: A curved, tunnel-like structure (often unheated) constructed with tubes or arch-shaped frames used to protect plants and extend the growing season.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Types and Styles
Horizontal Airflow Fans (HAF): Individual fans mounted in a greenhouse to maintain good air circulation.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Equipment
Horizontal screen: A screen system positioned to close from truss to truss, uses vary depending on cloth selection ranging from energy savings, shade, light restriction, blackout, etc.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Curtain Systems, Greenhouse Screen Systems
Hot water storage tank (HWST): A tank used to store heated water, often for greenhouse heating systems.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Heating
Hot-water system: A heating setup using hot water pipes that warms the greenhouse environment.
CATEGROY: Greenhouse Heating
Humidity: The amount of moisture in the air—too much or too little can impact plant growth.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Environment
HVAC: Stands for Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning. HVAC is heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems used to control the greenhouse climate.
Re: Greenhouse Environment
HVAC integration: The connection between HVAC and other control systems to maintain the right growing conditions in a greenhouse.
CATEGORIES: Greenhouse Cooling, Greenhouse Heating, Greenhouse Environment
Hydronic heating: A heating method that circulates hot water through pipes along the wall, beneath benches, or underneath the floor. As the hot water moves through the pipes, it gives off heat that warms the surrounding area. Once the water cools down, it returns to the boiler to be reheated and sent out again. It’s an energy-efficient way to keep greenhouses warm and evenly heated.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Heating
Hydroponic system: A soilless growing method where plants are fed with a nutrient-rich water solution.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Equipment
IBC Compliance: Meeting the standards set by the (IBC) International Building Code, often required for commercial or public greenhouses.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Design, Greenhouse Engineering, Greenhouse Compliance
Incandescent: Something that emits light as a result of being heated. Incandescent bulbs are an old style of lighting—not efficient and rarely used, if at all, in greenhouses today for growing plants.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Lighting
Independent garden center (IGC): A privately owned retail garden center, not part of a national chain. IGC’s often rely on unique plant selections, personalized service, and locally grown products to compete with big box stores.
RE: Greenhouse Retail
In-floor heating/in-floor radiant heating: A heating system where hot water pipes run under a concrete or gravel floor to gently warm the greenhouse from the ground up.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Heating
Infrastructure: Refers to the essential physical components and systems that support the operation of a greenhouse. This includes the structure itself (frame, glazing, foundation), as well as integrated systems like heating, cooling, ventilation, irrigation, lighting, and electrical. Together, these elements create a controlled environment to support plant growth and efficient production.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Design, Greenhouse Engineering, Greenhouse Construction
Injector: The injector mixes leachate, fresh water, acid, and nutrients to deliver the desired irrigation solution, with all inputs monitored and adjusted by sensors (EC, pH, etc.).
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Equipment, Greenhouse Irrigation, Greenhouse Fertigation
Insect netting: A fine mesh material used to keep pests out while allowing air and light to pass through. The size of the holes in the netting determines which pests it can exclude from entering the greenhouse.
Re: Greenhouse Insect Screens, Greenhouse Equipment
Insect screen: A fine mesh barrier installed over greenhouse openings and vents to keep pests out while allowing air circulation and light transmittance.
Re: Greenhouse Insect Screens, Greenhouse Equipment
Insulated panel foundation: A foundation built with integrated panels that help retain heat and improve energy efficiency.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Construction
Intake vent: A vent that brings fresh air into the greenhouse. It is often paired with exhaust fans.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Ventilation, Greenhouse Structural Components
Integrated pest management (IPM): Various strategies for managing pests that use a mix of biological, physical, and chemical tools.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Pest Control
Integration plan: A blueprint that shows how all systems (like HVAC, irrigation, heating, cooling, automation, etc.) will connect and function together.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Design, Greenhouse Engineering, Greenhouse Compliance, Greenhouse Construction
Intercanopy lighting: Supplemental lighting placed between rows of plants (not just above) to help light reach lower leaves in the crop canopy. Also called interlighting.
Re: Greenhouse Lighting
Interior leveling: The process of grading and leveling the ground inside a greenhouse to ensure an ideal finish floor for growing systems, or pathways.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Construction
Interlighting: Supplemental lighting placed within the crop canopy rather than above the crops. This provides light to leaves that are shaded or lower down in the canopy. Also called intercanopy lighting.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Lighting
Internal curtain system: A curtain system installed inside a greenhouse, usually above the crops, to control heat and light.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Curtain Systems, Greenhouse Screening Systems
International Building Code (IBC): A standardized set of construction/building rules used across the U.S. for safety, accessibility, and performance. The version of the code used may vary from state to state and by municipality.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Design, Greenhouse Engineering, Greenhouse Compliance, Greenhouse Construction
Irrigation HEX: A heat exchanger used to warm or cool irrigation water before it reaches the crops.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Irrigation
Irrigation silo: Large vertical tanks used to store water or nutrient solutions for irrigation.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Irrigation
Irrigation silo, Fresh: A storage tank that holds clean water for greenhouse irrigation systems.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Irrigation
Irrigation silo, Leachate: A storage tank that holds untreated leachate for reuse in irrigation.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Irrigation
Irrigation silo, Treated Leachate: A storage tank in a greenhouse used to hold treated leachate for reuse in irrigation.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Irrigation
Irrigation silo, Day Stock: A storage tank in a greenhouse that holds a daily supply of irrigation water or nutrient solution for controlled crop feeding.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Irrigation, Greenhouse Fertigation
Irrigation silo, Overflow: A storage tank in a greenhouse used to collect excess irrigation water for safe and controlled disposal.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Irrigation
Kneewall: A short wall located at the base of the greenhouse that adds height and helps protect the glazing.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Structural Components
Ladder truss: A type of structural support used in greenhouses and other buildings, made of two parallel horizontal bars (or chords) connected by evenly spaced vertical or diagonal supports—resembling a ladder.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Structural Components
Laminated glass: A greenhouse covering or glazing with two or more glass layers bonded together with a plastic film—adds strength and safety if broken.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Covering, Greenhouse Glazing
Layout: The physical setup of a greenhouse—including walkways, growing areas, equipment placement, etc.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Design, Greenhouse Engineering
Leaching: The loss of water-soluble nutrients from soil or growing media, due to rain or irrigation.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Irrigation, Greenhouse Fertigation
Lean-to greenhouse: A greenhouse structure with a slanted roof built against an existing wall. It has only three sides that need glazing.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Types and Styles
Light abatement: Measures taken to reduce light pollution from supplemental greenhouse lighting, often using light restriction curtains. Preventing light from escaping the greenhouse is often important for greenhouse operations near residential or urban areas.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Lighting
Light deprivation: Using curtains in the greenhouse to block light and trigger flowering in crops like cannabis or poinsettias.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Lighting
Light spectrum: The range of different wavelengths of light, including visible light that plants use for photosynthesis and invisible light like ultraviolet (UV) and infrared (IR). In greenhouse growing, the light spectrum is important because different wavelengths can affect how plants grow, flower, and produce fruit.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Lighting
Light transmission: How much sunlight passes through a greenhouse covering to reach the plants.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Lighting
Light-emitting diode (LED): A semi-conductor device that emits light when an electric current passes through it. LED grow lights come in various colors that enhance plant growth and can even have customizable light spectra. They are an energy-efficient form of supplemental lighting.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Lighting
Live loads: Temporary or movable forces a structure must support. These include things like hanging baskets, movable greenhouse equipment, snow accumulation, irrigation water weight, etc. Unlike dead loads (which are fixed, like the weight of the building materials), live loads can change over time and must be considered in the design to ensure safety and stability.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Design, Greenhouse Engineering, Greenhouse Compliance, Greenhouse Construction
Loading dock: A raised platform or area attached to a greenhouse where goods can be loaded into or out of trucks. CATEGORY: Greenhouse Structural Components
Lower horizontal screen: A secondary curtain or screen placed lower in the greenhouse for additional climate regulation.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Curtain Systems, Greenhouse Screening Systems
Maintenance cart: A cart capable of raising itself near the full greenhouse height, allowing for maintenance in the truss or gable peak.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Transportation, Greenhouse Logistics
Manifold: A header pipe, typically equipped with pumps or control valves for various systems (heating, cold water, irrigation etc.)
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Equipment, Greenhouse Heating, Greenhouse Irrigation
Mechanical Ventilation: Circulating or moving air in a greenhouse using mechanical means such as HAF fans or exhaust fans.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Ventilation
MEP engineer: MEP stands for mechanical, electrical, and plumbing. An MEP engineer designs greenhouse mechanical systems—like HVAC, water lines, and electrical setup.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Design, Greenhouse Engineering, Greenhouse Compliance
Micro-irrigation: An irrigation method with lower water pressure and flow than a traditional sprinkler system. Also called low-volume irrigation, trickle irrigation, or localized irrigation.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Irrigation
Mist system: A system that forces water through specialized nozzles to create a fine mist that helps cool a greenhouse space and raise humidity. Also known as a fogging system
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Environment
Mixing manifold: A pipe system where fertilizer nutrients and water are blended together before being sent through irrigation lines.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Irrigation, Greenhouse Fertigation
Mixing tanks: Tanks used to mix fertilizers or chemicals with water before storing into stock tanks.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Irrigation, Greenhouse Fertigation
Moisture sensor: A device that tells you how wet or dry the soil or growing media is—used for smart irrigation and monitoring moisture levels in plant containers.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Irrigation
Monorail: A track system suspended from the greenhouse structure, allowing the maintenance gantry to travel bay to bay, or gable end to gable end.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Equipment, Greenhouse Maintenance
Moveable benches: Benches designed to shift positions for better access, spacing, or cleaning.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Benching
Multi-span greenhouse: Two or more greenhouse spans or stand-alone greenhouses connected together, each with its own roof and support system, that form one large greenhouse with shared gutters and open interior space.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Types and Styles
Multi-tier growing: Growing plants on raised structures like trellises, hanging basket systems, or lines suspended from a pipe—commonly used for tomatoes, cucumbers, or hanging baskets. It frees up ground space and improves airflow and light exposure for the plants.
CATEGORY: Other
Multi-zone control: Divides the greenhouse into separate climate zones for more precise control.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Environment
MX Open Roof: A greenhouse roof system designed to open nearly completely for ventilation and climate control.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Structures
Natural light: The full spectrum of light emitted by the sun that reaches the earth without being altered by artificial sources. It includes visible light, as well as ultraviolet (UV) and infrared (IR) rays. In greenhouses, natural sunlight is a key energy source that supports photosynthesis and healthy plant growth.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse lighting, Greenhouse Environment
Night interruption lighting: The practice of providing low-intensity photoperiodic lighting to plants during the night to manipulate their perception of day length. It works by turning on low-intensity lights for a short period—usually in the middle of the night—to “interrupt” the dark period. This technique is especially useful for photoperiod-sensitive plants (plants that flower based on how long the nights are). Night interruption lighting can prevent flowering in short-day plants (which need long, uninterrupted nights to bloom) and encourage flowering in long-day plants (which bloom when nights are short. Also known as mum lighting.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Lighting
Non-engineered greenhouse: A greenhouse without formal engineering approval. Often used in non-permitted, smaller, or temporary applications.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Design, Greenhouse Engineering, Greenhouse Compliance
Open-roof greenhouse: A greenhouse with a roof that can fully open to let in outside air and light. Often used for crop steering and conditioning.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Types and Styles
OSHA: The U.S. agency that sets safety rules for workplaces, including construction sites. OSHA stands for Occupational Safety and Health Administration.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Construction
OSHA 10/30 certified: A safety training certification required for workers on construction sites. It means that a person has completed workplace safety training through the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). The “10” stands for the10-hour training course entry-level workers receive that covers basic safety and health hazards on the job, mainly in construction or general industry. The certification includes a more in-depth 30-hour course for supervisors, managers, or workers with safety responsibilities. It goes deeper into regulations, hazard prevention, and workers’ rights.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Construction
Overhead basket watering: Specialized overhead irrigation systems for watering hanging baskets evenly. They can be operated automatically or manually through a pulley system.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Irrigation
Overhead fan: A fan mounted high up in a greenhouse to help mix warm and cool air.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Environment, Greenhouse Equipment
Overhead growing: Growing plants on hanging racks or lines suspended from greenhouse trusses.
CATEGORY: Other
Overhead watering/irrigation: Spraying water from above the plants using nozzles or mist heads.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Irrigation
Packing warehouse: A facility where harvested crops are sorted, packaged, and prepared for distribution.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Types and Styles
Pad-and-fan cooling system: A cooling system that uses wet pads and exhaust fans to cool greenhouse air through evaporation.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Cooling
Palletized benches: A series of rolling pallets or benches that double as a plant moving and material handling system rolled into one.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Benching, Greenhouse Logistics, Greenhouse Transport
Panel: A sheet of material (glass, poly, polycarbonate) used to cover parts of the greenhouse frame.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Structural Components
Particle Filtration: A filtration system that removes debris or solids from irrigation water to prevent clogs.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Irrigation, Water Management
Particle Filtration, Stainless Sieve Bend: A curved stainless-steel screen used in greenhouses to remove solid particles from water through gravity-based filtration.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Irrigation, Water Management
Particle Filtration, Cloth Filter: A filtration method using fabric to remove suspended particles from irrigation or process water in a greenhouse.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Irrigation, Water Management
Particle Filtration, Automatic Filter: A system that automatically removes particles from irrigation water to protect greenhouse plants and equipment.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Irrigation, Water Management
Passive Ventilation: Circulating or moving air through the greenhouse naturally, without mechanized equipment, using roof vents, side vents, or roll-up sides. Also called natural ventilation
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Ventilation
Pathogen: A harmful organism (like fungi, bacteria, or viruses) that can cause disease in plants.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Integrated Pest Management (IPM)
Pathogen control: The steps one takes in a greenhouse to prevent or kill harmful organisms—like cleaning and sanitation.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Integrated Pest Management (IPM)
Pathway: A designated walkway within a greenhouse that allows access for workers and equipment.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Structural Components
Peak: The highest point of the greenhouse roof, usually at the ridge.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Structural Components
pH: Stands for “potential of hydrogen”. It measures how acidic or basic (alkaline) a solution is on a scale from 0 to 14. A pH of 7 is neutral, below 7 is acidic, and above 7 is basic. In greenhouse growing, maintaining the right pH in soil or water is important for healthy plant growth and nutrient uptake.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Irrigation, Greenhouse Fertigation
Photoperiod: The amount of light a plant receives in 24 hours. Photoperiod controls plant flowering and growth.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Lighting
Photoperiodic lighting: A method used to extend the amount of light a plant receives each day or to shorten the length of darkness. This practice is commonly used for flowering crops and is based on controlling how much light a plant receives within a 24-hour period.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Lighting
Photoperiodism: The response of plants to the day length. Depending on their response to daylength (or in essence the uninterrupted period of darkness), plants are classified as either long-day plants, short-day plants, or day-neutral plants.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Lighting
Photosynthesis: The process where plants turn light, water, and CO₂ into energy to grow.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Lighting
Plant growth regulator (PGR): A chemical or hormone used to control how plants grow—can affect size, flowering, or root development.
CATEGORY: Other
Poly arch greenhouse: A greenhouse structure with a series of rounded arches that create the roof, usually covered with poly.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Types and Styles
Polycarbonate: A durable, lightweight thermoplastic material used as greenhouse glazing for its high impact resistance and variable light transmission.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Glazing, Greenhouse Covering
Polyethylene film/Poly film: A flexible plastic sheeting commonly used as greenhouse covering. It’s lightweight, affordable, and often replaced every few years.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Glazing, Greenhouse Covering
Polyethylene film/Poly film: A flexible plastic sheeting commonly used as greenhouse covering. It’s lightweight, affordable, and often replaced every few years.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Glazing, Greenhouse Covering
Poly roof: A greenhouse roof made of polyethylene material, providing durable and flexible light diffusion.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Transportation, Greenhouse Logistics
Pond cut & fill: The process of excavating (cut) a rainwater retention pond for a stormwater management system and redistributing (fill) soil across the building site, grading to the desired level.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Construction
Powder-coated finish: A durable, protective coating applied to greenhouse metal parts to resist corrosion and wear.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Construction
Powerbee-towing cart (Induction): A motorized cart designed to tow trailers or multiple carts through the greenhouse, reducing labor strain.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Logistics, Greenhouse Transportation
Preventative maintenance: Regular inspections and upkeep of greenhouse structures, equipment, and systems to prevent breakdowns and ensure efficient operation.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Maintenance, Greenhouse Repairs
Produce greenhouse: A greenhouse used to mainly grow fruits and vegetables.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Types and Styles
Production greenhouse: A greenhouse used for growing plants on a wholesale or research basis, without regular public access. (It is considered the same as an agricultural building in the IBC.) It’s not considered a commercial building under code, since it’s not meant for people to work or gather in full-time. Occasional tasks like tending crops or moving products are considered part of normal production and don’t change how the building is classified.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Types and Styles
Project budgeting: Estimating the full cost of a greenhouse build, including materials, labor, equipment, and site work.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Budget, Greenhouse Construction
Project manager: A person who oversees your project from start to finish—coordinates schedules, crews, and materials.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Construction
Purlin: A horizontal bar or beam that runs along the greenhouse roof, helping to support the covering or glazing.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Structural Components
Quonset greenhouse: A rounded, tunnel-like greenhouse made from metal hoops and typically covered with poly film.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Types and Styles
Radiant heating: A cost-effective way of heating that uses boiling water controlled by valves to heat metal pipes, which emit heat into a greenhouse. The pipes can be placed around the greenhouse perimeter, under benches, or in the floor. Radiant heating provides gentle, uniform heat throughout a greenhouse.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Heating
Recipe management: Keeping track of various fertilizer mixes and adjusting them according to plant needs.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Fertigation
Recirculating system: A system that reuses irrigation water. It collects, filters, and sends water back to the plants.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Irrigation, Greenhouse Water Management
Red light: Light in the wavelength range of 600-700 nm. It promotes flowering and fruit development. Red light is also essential for photosynthesis, plant growth, seed germination, and root growth.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Lighting
Research greenhouse: A high-tech greenhouse used for experiments and plant research. It often includes climate controls, sensors, and specialty equipment.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Types and Styles
Residential greenhouse: A smaller greenhouse built for home use, typically in a backyard and or attached to the house.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Types and Styles
Reservoir (Irrigation Type): A storage tank or basin that holds water or nutrient solution for greenhouse irrigation systems.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Irrigation
Restoration: Refurbishing or rebuilding an older greenhouse to restore it to good condition.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Restoration, Greenhouse Maintenance
Retail greenhouse: A greenhouse open to the public where plants and other plant-related products are sold directly to customers. These structures are designed not just for growing, but also for display and shopping. You often find them at garden centers, nurseries, or farm markets. They usually have walkways, signage, and customer-friendly layouts.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Types and Styles
Retractable curtain: A curtain that can open and close automatically or manually to control light and temperature inside a greenhouse.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Curtain Systems, Greenhouse Screening Systems
Retractable roof: A roof system that can open and close completely to control air, light, and weather exposure in a greenhouse.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Structural Components
Retractable-roof greenhouse: A greenhouse with a motorized roof system that can open and close, partially or fully, depending on weather or plant needs.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Types and Styles
Retrofit: Upgrading or modifying an existing greenhouse with modern systems, materials, or technologies (e.g., energy curtains, automated controls, better glazing) to improve performance without building a new facility.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Construction, Greenhouse Repair, Greenhouse Maintenance
Ridge: The top edge of a greenhouse where the two sloped roof sections meet.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Structural Components
Ridge vent: A vent located along the roof’s ridge (top) that opens to release hot air.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Structural Components, Greenhouse Ventilation
Rigid-plastic glazing: Hard, structured plastic panels (like polycarbonate or acrylic) that don’t bend, offering strength and insulation.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Glazing, Greenhouse Coverings
Risk management: Planning for potential problems, such as equipment failure, weather damage, or safety hazards.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Design, Greenhouse Engineering, Greenhouse Compliance
Robots: Automated machines used for tasks like planting, watering, harvesting, or packaging.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Transportation, Greenhouse Logistics, Greenhouse Equipment
Roll screens: Retractable vertical screens used for shading, temperature control, or light reduction.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Curtain Systems, Greenhouse Screening Systems
Rolling benches: Benches mounted on rails that can be moved side to side to maximize floor space.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Benches, Greenhouse Transportation, Greenhouse Logistics
Roll-up vent: A sidewall panel that rolls up to let air in—usually used for natural ventilation.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Structural Components, Greenhouse Ventilation
Roof covering/glazing: The transparent or translucent material installed on the greenhouse roof to allow light in while providing protection from the elements.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Structural Components, Greenhouse Ventilation
Roof washer: A cleaning system—either manual or automated—that uses water (sometimes with soap) to wash the greenhouse roof glazing. This clears the glazing of accumulated dirt and debris to help maintain maximum light transmission for plant growth.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Equipment
Root zone heating: Heating aimed directly at the plant roots, usually by providing heat under the benches or directly to the growing media, rather than heating the air.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Heating
R-Value: R-value is the opposite of U-value. It measures a material’s resistance to heat flow. Higher R-values mean better insulation. R-value is measured in “square feet X degrees Fahrenheit/British thermal units (ft2 · °F ·hr/BTU) In greenhouses, R-value helps growers choose materials that reduce energy loss.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Heating
Sanitation: Keeping growing systems, equipment, and floors clean to prevent disease and contamination in the greenhouse.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Disease Control, Greenhouse IPM
Sawtooth greenhouse: A greenhouse with a jagged, stair-step roof design that improves airflow and natural ventilation.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Types and Styles
Scissor cart: A height-adjustable platform cart (like a lift table) that helps workers reach tall plants or overhead equipment safely.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Equipment
Scissor truss: A truss with angled interior supports that creates more headroom or roof slope.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Structural Components
Scouting cart: A mobile platform or wheeled cart designed to help workers inspect crops for pests, diseases, and plant health issues. It typically includes a flat surface or adjustable tray for taking notes, holding tools, or collecting samples. Some scouting carts are built to run on greenhouse tracks or rails and may be height-adjustable so workers can easily reach tall plants or canopy layers.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Equipment, Greenhouse IPM
Screens: Refers to shade, thermal, insect, or blackout screens installed in greenhouses to control light, heat, or pest access. These can be stationary or retractable and are usually integrated into curtain or roof systems.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Curtain Systems, Greenhouse Screening Systems
Sealed greenhouse: A greenhouse that’s fully closed to outside air—great for pest control and complete internal climate control.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Types and Styles
Section (post space): The distance between adjacent posts not connected by a truss.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Structural Components
Section size (post space): The distance between adjacent posts not connected by a truss.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Structural Components
Seismic load: The pressure or movement a structure might experience during an earthquake.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Design, Greenhouse Engineering, Greenhouse Construction
Seismic load rating: A rating that tells you how earthquake-resistant a greenhouse is, based on local building codes.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Design, Greenhouse Engineering, Greenhouse Construction
Semi-sealed greenhouse: A mostly sealed greenhouse that still allows for a bit of air exchange or ventilation.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Types and Styles
Sensor: A device that measures temperature, humidity, light, soil moisture levels, or CO₂ levels inside a greenhouse.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Environment, Greenhouse Equipment
Service Area: A designated space in a greenhouse for equipment, maintenance access, or operational support activities.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Structural Components
Service gantry: A gantry designed to provide safe access for maintenance and servicing inside the greenhouse.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Structural Components
Shade cloth: A woven or knitted fabric used to provide shade and lower the temperature inside the greenhouse. Also known as shade fabric.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Cooling, Greenhouse Curtain Systems, Greenhouse Screening Systems
Shade curtain: A curtain used to block sunlight and cool down the greenhouse when it’s too hot or too bright.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Cooling, Greenhouse Curtain Systems, Greenhouse Screening Systems
Shade fabric: Another term for shade cloth—used to protect plants from too much sun and heat.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Cooling, Greenhouse Curtain Systems, Greenhouse Screening Systems
Shadehouse: A greenhouse-like frame covered with shade cloth instead of plastic or glass. Used to protect shade-loving plants and people (in retail settings) from intense sunlight.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Types and Styles
Shipping area: A dedicated zone for packing and loading plants or products for delivery.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Structural Components
Side vent: A vent on the greenhouse sidewall that opens to let fresh air in.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Ventilation, Greenhouse Structural Components
Sidewall: The long vertical wall on the sides of a greenhouse.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Structural Components
Sidewall curtain: Curtains located along the sides of the greenhouse that can open to improve airflow and regulate temperature.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Curtain Systems, Greenhouse Screening Systems
Single-span greenhouse: A single continuous structure with no connecting bays. Also called a freestanding or stand-alone greenhouse.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Types and Styles
Single-zone control: Controls the entire greenhouse climate as one unified space.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Environment
Single-zoned staged controls: A control system that manages heating or cooling in one zone, turning systems on in stages based on need.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Environment
Site analysis: A review of your property to assess slope, soil, drainage, access, and climate.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Construction, Greenhouse Design, Greenhouse Engineering
Site development consultation: Professional advice on preparing your land for greenhouse construction—grading, drainage, access, zoning, etc.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Construction, Greenhouse Design, Greenhouse Engineering, Greenhouse Construction
Site plan: A scaled layout or drawing showing the greenhouse location, surrounding infrastructure, utilities, access roads, and other relevant features. Used for planning, permitting, and construction coordination.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Construction, Greenhouse Design, Greenhouse Engineering, Greenhouse Construction
Site prep: Getting land ready for construction—grading, leveling, drainage, etc.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Construction, Greenhouse Design, Greenhouse Engineering, Greenhouse Construction
Slope-flat-slope curtain system: A curtain system that follows the greenhouse roofline partway up each truss, with a flat section connecting the two sloped sides. The flat middle keeps the curtain above any equipment mounted at gutter height. Opening lengthwise from truss to truss, this design helps reduce the amount of cold air trapped above the curtain while maximizing equipment clearance.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Curtain Systems, Greenhouse Screening Systems
Slope-slope curtain system: A curtain system that follows the roof slope on both sides from the gutters to meet at the peak. The bottom chords of the truss remain available for hanging baskets and equipment.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Curtain Systems, Greenhouse Screening Systems
Snow load: The weight of snow a greenhouse roof must safely hold during winter conditions.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Construction, Greenhouse Design, Greenhouse Engineering
Snow load rating: A number that shows how much snow weight a greenhouse roof is built to handle.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Construction, Greenhouse Design, Greenhouse Engineering
Snow pipe: Radiant heat pipe added to or near the roof gutters of a greenhouse to help to melt snow off the roof.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Heating
Soil floor: Natural ground used as the growing surface or for simple greenhouse setups.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Structural Components
Solar woven screen: A durable, woven shade curtain that reduces solar heat and light inside the greenhouse while still allowing air to circulate. Manufacturers typically construct it from thin aluminum strips woven into polyester fabric. Growers use it to protect plants during hot, sunny conditions by balancing ambient temperatures. In cooler seasons, it helps retain heat and reduce energy costs.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Curtain Systems, Greenhouse Screening Systems
Span: The distance or spread between two structural supports— like columns, or walls—inside a greenhouse, or the width from one side of a greenhouse frame to the other side
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Structural Components
Spray jet: A nozzle that sprays water or liquid fertilizer in a fine mist or stream—used for targeted applications.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Irrigation, Greenhouse Fertigation
Stainless-steel spray line: A corrosion-resistant pipeline in a greenhouse used for distributing water, and chemicals in the greenhouse for cleaning.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Irrigation, Greenhouse Sanitation
Stamped drawings: Blueprints that are officially signed by an engineer, showing that the design meets structural and safety standards.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Construction, Greenhouse Design, Greenhouse Engineering, Greenhouse Compliance
Stamped greenhouse: A greenhouse with official engineering documents signed and sealed by a licensed engineer—often required for permits.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Construction, Greenhouse Design, Greenhouse Engineering, Greenhouse Compliance
Stand-alone greenhouse: A greenhouse that stands on its own, not attached to any other structure. Also called a stand-alone or single-span greenhouse.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Types and Styles
Static aisle: A fixed aisle that doesn’t move—common in more traditional greenhouse layouts.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Structural Components, Greenhouse Benching
Stationary benches: Fixed greenhouse benches that stay in place. They’re simple, sturdy, and often used in smaller greenhouses.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Benching
Sterilization (Pasteurizer): A process that uses heat to disinfect irrigation water in greenhouses, eliminating pathogens and ensuring plant safety.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Sanitation
Sterilization (UV): A disinfection method using ultraviolet light to kill pathogens in greenhouse irrigation water.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Sanitation
Sterilization (RO): Reverse osmosis (RO) is the process of purifying water by removing pathogens via membranes to ensure safe use in greenhouse irrigation systems.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Sanitation
Sterilization (O-Zone): A process that uses ozone-enriched water to disinfect greenhouse systems, equipment, and irrigation lines by eliminating pathogens and residues.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Sanitation
Stock tank: A tank that holds water or a nutrient solution before it’s delivered to the plants.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Irrigation, Greenhouse Fertigation, Greenhouse Equipment
Storm water management: Systems that collect rainwater or direct it safely away from the greenhouse site to prevent flooding or erosion.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Water Management, Greenhouse Irrigation
Structural engineer: A licensed professional who calculates and approves the strength and stability of the greenhouse frame.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Construction, Greenhouse Design, Greenhouse Engineering, Greenhouse Compliance
Strut: A bar or brace that supports parts of the greenhouse frame and helps keep the structure stable.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Structural Components
Subirrigation: Watering from below the plants using benches, trays, or mats to soak plant roots.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Irrigation
Sulphur pot: A device that uses heating in combination with airflow to vaporize sulfur pellets into SO2 gas and distribute it throughout a greenhouse. The SO2 gas acts as a disinfectant that helps prevent or control fungal diseases like powdery mildew—especially in ornamental or vegetable crops.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Equipment, Greenhouse Sanitation
Supplemental lighting: Extra light added when sunlight isn’t enough—especially useful in winter or cloudy climates.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Lighting
Systems integration: The process of connecting all greenhouse systems—like climate, irrigation, and lighting—so they work together in harmony.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Design, Greenhouse Engineering
Table/Reservoir Width: The horizontal measurement of a greenhouse table or water reservoir used for plant support or irrigation.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Irrigation, Greenhouse Water Management
Teaching greenhouse: A greenhouse used by schools, colleges, and universities for hands-on learning and student education.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Types and Styles
Tempered glass: Heat-treated glass that is stronger and shatters into small, blunt pieces for safety.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Glazing, Greenhouse Coverings
Thermal mass: The ability of a material to absorb and store heat energy.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Design, Greenhouse Engineering
Thermostat: A device that turns heating or cooling systems on or off based on temperature.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Environment, Greenhouse Heating
Top Heat: Primarily designed to melt snow and temper incoming air when the screens are open.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Heating
Transport manifold: A large, centralized pipe usually equipped with pumps or control valves to direct/distribute hot water in a greenhouse hydronic heat system.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Heating
Trellis system: A growing system that supports climbing plants, such as tomatoes or cucumbers, allowing them to grow vertically for better air circulation, sunlight exposure, and easier harvesting
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Equipment
Troughs: Long, narrow, sloped channels that hold plants or plant containers. A nutrient solution is pumped in at the higher end and flows down by gravity, allowing the plant roots to absorb it through capillary action. The excess solution is collected at the lower end, recycled, and returned to a tank for reuse during the next watering cycle.
CATEGORY: Growing Equipment
Truss: A triangular frame used to support the greenhouse roof. It helps the greenhouse support heavy loads like snow or equipment.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Structural Components
Truss span: The distance between posts connected by a truss.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Structural Components
Truss-to-truss curtain system: A curtain that runs the length of the greenhouse. It is usually divided into sections at each truss.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Curtain Systems, Greenhouse Screening Systems
Tube rail: Primary heating system for the greenhouse, which also serves as a rail for heating carts and can assist with dehumidification.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Equipment
Tube rail/bent tube rail: A metal rail system used to support rolling benches or other mobile equipment.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Equipment
Turnkey greenhouse: A complete greenhouse project with all systems and equipment needed, ready to use as soon as it’s built.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Types and Styles
Twin roll screens: A singular rolling tube, unrolls in 2-directions to make a retractable partition wall.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Curtain Systems, Greenhouse Screening Systems
Ultraviolet: Light wavelengths less than 400 nm. There are three types of UV light:
- UV-A (315–400 nm): The least harmful and most abundant form of UV radiation. It can influence plant coloration and leaf thickness.
- UV-B (280–315 nm): Less common but can impact plant metabolism, photosynthesis, and resistance to pests and diseases.
- UV-C (100–280 nm): The most harmful, but it is completely absorbed by the ozone layer and does not naturally reach the Earth’s surface.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Lighting
Ultraviolet radiation: A type of invisible light that comes from the sun or supplemental lighting. People can’t see it, but some insects can. UV light is the part of the electromagnetic spectrum that extends from the violet (short-wavelength) end of the visible light range to the X-ray region (short wavelengths, higher energy). It is a crucial component of the light spectrum that directly impacts the growth and development of plants.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Lighting
Underlay: A layer of material (such as weed barrier fabric or foam insulation) placed beneath the floor or benches in a greenhouse to improve weed control, drainage, or thermal insulation.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Equipment
Uneven-span greenhouse: A structure with uneven roof slopes of different widths—often built on hillsides.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Types and Styles
Unit heater: A gas or electric heater that warms the air inside the greenhouse.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Heating
Upper horizontal screen: A shading or energy-saving screen positioned near the roof of the greenhouse. It is the top layer of a two-screen system.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Curtain Systems, Greenhouse Screening Systems
Utility infrastructure: Electrical, water, and gas connections that supply the greenhouse.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Design, Greenhouse Types and Styles
Utility warehouse: Synonym to service area, typically a non-growing area dedicated to a greenhouse system or packaging area (boiler, irrigation, packing, office, etc.)
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Design, Greenhouse Types and Styles
U-Value/insulation: A measurement of the ability of a material to transfer heat, conveyed in BTUs/square foot per degree delta T per hour. The lower the U-value, the better the insulation. A low U-value helps keep the greenhouse warm in winter and reduces heating costs. The higher the U-value number, the more heat a material transfers.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Design, Greenhouse Engineering
Value engineering: The process of reviewing materials and designs to reduce cost without sacrificing function or quality.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Design, Greenhouse Engineering
Vapor pressure deficit: The balance between temperature and humidity that affects how plants breathe and absorb water.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Environment
Venlo greenhouse: A Dutch-style greenhouse with multiple small roof peaks per bay that are supported by bar joists affixed to the gutter posts. Venlos are gutter-connected with fewer interior columns to allow for more growing space. The design lets in more light and reduces shading. When roof vents are present, they alternate on either side of the peak, down the length of the house. The use of single panes of glass from the peaks to the gutter, paired with the absence of purlins in the roof structure, helps maximize energy efficiency and light transmission.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Types and Styles
Venlo vent: A vent built into a Venlo-style greenhouse roof design. It hinges at the gutter to open wide. Venlo vents usually alternate on either side of the roof peak.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Ventilation
Venlo roof: Economic structure design, and a sloped roof optimized for light transmission. The ventilation system is typically truss-mounted and operated by means of a push-pull rail mechanic, with non-continuous roof vents on both sides of the ridge.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Design, Greenhouse Structural Components
Ventilation: Moving air in and out of the greenhouse to circulate the air.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Ventilation
Vertical farming: A technique that grows crops in stacked layers or towers within a greenhouse, maximizing space efficiency and increasing yield
CATEGORY: Other
Vestibule: A small entrance room to a greenhouse that serves as a transitional space to separate the interior of the greenhouse from the outdoors.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Structural Components
Water buffer tank/water storage tank: A tank that holds water (or hot water) for heating or irrigation use.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Equipment, Greenhouse Irrigation
Water conservation: Using systems and management strategies to reduce water use and waste.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Water Management, Greenhouse Irrigation
Water recycling: Reusing water within the greenhouse, often with filters or tanks, to save resources.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Water Management, Greenhouse Irrigation
Water testing: Checking the water for pH, nutrient levels, or contamination to keep plants healthy.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Water Management, Greenhouse Irrigation
Weather station: A system that tracks outside conditions—wind, sun, rain, temperature—to help automate greenhouse systems.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Equipment, Greenhouse Climate
Whitewash: A reflective coating applied to greenhouse glass or plastic to reduce sunlight intensity and prevent overheating.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Glazing, Greenhouse Coverings
Wide-span greenhouse: A greenhouse structure built with extra width and fewer interior supports for more open space.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Types and Styles
Wind load: The force of wind pushing against the greenhouse.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Design, Greenhouse Engineering, Greenhouse Compliance
Wind load rating: How much wind force a greenhouse is engineered to withstand.
CATEGORY: Greenhouse Design, Greenhouse Engineering, Greenhouse Compliance
