Although it is not clear who created the first greenhouse, it is believed the Romans were the first to use greenhouses to grow cucumbers. Greenhouses were later used by the Italians to grow and preserve exotic plants and flowers that were bought back from the tropics. Greenhouses soon spread to the Netherlands and England.
However, the modern day greenhouse was invented by a French botanist named Jules Charles. With time, the concept of greenhouses was perfected and Victorian greenhouses like the one in Kew Gardens were built to preserve exotic plants that would otherwise perish in the cold climate of England. How do greenhouses work? Irrespective of the size of the greenhouse, all greenhouses work on a similar principle. Modern greenhouses are made from plastic or glass and allow the sun's radiation to enter the greenhouse unobstructed. The incoming radiation warms up the plants, soil and other objects that can absorb heat within the greenhouse; the 'objects' then release the heat making the air warm. The warm air is trapped within the greenhouse by surrounding structures like the roof and walls and since the roof and wall are made of transparent materials like glass and plastic, they essentially trap radiation without letting the warm air within leave.
The greenhouse effect is essentially the above mentioned principle and is thus the reason for global warming. The warm air trapped within greenhouses allows heating of the greenhouses without any heating equipment whatsoever. Industrial greenhouses are far more superior to everyday greenhouses and have complicated climate control systems that can regulate the temperature within the greenhouses using computers. Smaller greenhouses have become increasingly popular with home owners and are also known as cold frames. Greenhouses for home use Greenhouses are no longer restricted to the rich and famous, and greenhouses are now available for home use also.
Greenhouses for home use are made from wood (cedar) or aluminium and are designed for easy setup. Home use greenhouses are usually available in two sizes: 8 feet by 6 feet or 10 feet by 8 feet. In addition, home use greenhouses are usually fitted with vents on both the roof and walls to ensure proper ventilation and temperature regulation. Although, aluminium is far more durable when compared to wood, wood greenhouses have become immensely popular for their aesthetic look. Since greenhouses do have a tendency of getting humid, home use greenhouses usually have stainless steel fittings that protect them against rust.
Aluminium greenhouses are a little cheaper than wooden greenhouses and are also more resistant to rust as they can withstand humidity much better. DIY (Do It Yourself) enthusiasts usually have greenhouses shipped to them as separate components and then assemble them at their own leisure. In addition, greenhouse owners can also buy shelves and other accessories to customize the interior of their greenhouses. Popular accessories include glass louvers (that allow additional ventilation) and additional shelving that matches the décor of the greenhouse that is already installed. For more information on greenhouses and to order greenhouses online visit www.
growhouse-greenhouses.co.uk.
Gareth Taylor is the author of this article on Greenhouses. Find more information about Greenhouseshere.
