Frequently asked questions

A greenhouse that is a nonresidential farm building on a farm may be exempt from the Florida Building Code under s. 604.50, F.S. A retail garden center or a backyard greenhouse on a home lot can be treated differently, and floodplain rules apply regardless, so ask the county building department how it will classify yours.

In two ways. The frame and footings have to be engineered for the site's design wind speed and exposure, which matters a lot for a light structure with a large covered surface. And for many growers, summer heat and humidity are a bigger challenge than winter cold, so plan ventilation and shade with your greenhouse supplier.

The partner is a steel building contractor, so the frame, footings, site work and any enclosed buildings are the core of what gets quoted. Glazing, poly film, vent systems, heating, cooling and irrigation are specialty work that often comes from a greenhouse supplier. Ask during the call which pieces the contractor handles and which you'll need to buy separately.

Steel spans wider than wood with fewer posts in the growing area, stays straight in damp conditions, and can carry hanging baskets, shade systems or equipment if the engineer designs for those loads. Galvanized or coated steel is the usual choice where humidity and watering keep the frame wet.

Common choices are poly film, polycarbonate panels and glass, each with its own framing details, weight and light transmission. Choose the covering before the frame is designed, because it sets purlin spacing, the attachment hardware and the loads the frame has to carry.

Often. A headhouse is an enclosed building next to the growing area for potting, mixing media, packing orders and storing tools and chemicals out of the humidity. It is also where the electrical panel and controls usually stay dry. A standard steel building handles this job well.

In pieces. The frame and footings, the covering, ventilation and climate equipment, benches and irrigation, and the electrical and water service are each priced on their own and may come from different suppliers. When comparing bids, line them up item by item and check what each one leaves out.