Chapter 3

Greenhouse Curtain Systems

Types of Greenhouse Curtain Systems

Depending on greenhouse orientation, design and grower preferences, greenhouse curtain systems can operate from gutter-to-gutter or from truss-to-truss. For heat loss reduction, there is little advantage of one over the other. In a gutter-to-gutter system, the curtain panels are pulled flat across the width of the greenhouse at gutter height. In a truss-to-truss system, the panels are wide enough to travel the length of the greenhouse spanning the distance between one truss and the next. In either configuration, each panel of curtain material has a stationary edge and a moving edge.

Gutter-to-Gutter Curtain System

In a gutter-to-gutter curtain system, there is a single panel of fabric per house instead of multiple panels, as in a truss-to-truss system (Figure 3.2). Unlike truss-to-truss systems, if a single piece of fabric is damaged, it will likely require the replacement of the entire curtain. In a gutter-to-gutter curtain system, the curtain panels are pulled flat across the width of the greenhouse at gutter height.

Truss-to-Truss Curtain System

The truss-to-truss type has a curtain section between each truss, so, for example, a 100-foot (30m) long greenhouse with 10-foot truss spacing could have 10 curtain sections on (Figure 3.3).

Flat at Gutter Height

Flat, at-gutter height systems draw shade curtains from truss to truss at the height of the gutter. As with the gutter-to-gutter system, this configuration minimizes the volume of greenhouse space to be heated and is relatively easy to install.

Slope-Flat-Slope

Slope-flat-slope, where the profile of the curtain system follows each slope of the roof part way up the truss, with a flat section at the top of the greenhouse joining the two sloped segments (Figure 3.4).

Slope-Slope

Slope-slope, where the profile of the system parallels a line drawn from the gutter to the peak of the truss (Figure 3.5).

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