What do I need to take into consideration when placing the greenhouse?

Ideally, the terrain should be flat. The greenhouse or tunnel should not be installed on a slope for two reasons: the strength of the structure and the uniformity of irrigation. It is not recommended to install the structure on a slope greater than 4 mm/m, because a greater slope will decrease the strength of the structure.

The slope also favors uneven irrigation, which can affect plant growth. It is important to take into consideration the proximity to power and water sources, as well as wastewater drainage. For winter production it is recommended to have sun at least 6 hours a day and to make sure no obstacles block the light.

Does the orientation of the greenhouse or tunnel regarding the cardinal points matter?

The best placement is on the North-South axis, but this aspect is relevant only for large industrial greenhouses, where the difference can materialize in hundreds of kilograms of harvest.

Do I need a building permit?

Depending on the nature of the product and the covered area, local authorities in Romania may or may not request a building permit. Our greenhouses and tunnels are considered light and removable structures, with foundations on concrete pads for each pillar or arch.

Check with the local authorities where the land is registered to see what documents or permits you need. Sere Transilvania can provide construction plans and all the necessary technical drawings for the products sold.

What is the difference between a greenhouse and a tunnel?

A tunnel is a horticultural structure covered with poly and usually unheated. It usually consists of a single module with widths varying between 5 and 10 meters and lengths that can reach even 100 meters. Due to the tunnel shape, it does not present a particular risk of collapse due to snow.

A greenhouse is a structure covered with glass or poly and made up of several modules. Most greenhouses benefit from a heating system and are intended for industrial-scale production. Being modular structures, they are recommended to be heated during the winter due to the risk of overload and collapse caused by snow.

What is the gutter height that I should choose?

The gutter height is determined by the type of plants you grow and the cultivation method: in soil or hydroponic. For tall plants such as cucumbers or tomatoes, which can have indeterminate growth, it is good to choose a greenhouse with a gutter height of 3.5-5 m. For shorter plants, such as lettuce, radishes or parsley, we recommend heights of 2.35 m.

If you do not know for sure and want to mix different crop types, we recommend 2.95 m. Before ordering a greenhouse it is good to consult with a specialist technologist. For hydroponic crops, we recommend high modular greenhouses with gutter heights of 3.5-5 m.

Which natural ventilation solution should I choose?

Greenhouses or tunnels can have side or top openings. These are chosen according to the width and length of the structure and can be selected separately or together.

For a tunnel up to 30 m long, ventilation through the end doors may be sufficient. For longer lengths, side roll-up ventilation is recommended. For greenhouses with several modules, top opening is required for efficient ventilation during the warm season, and sometimes it is combined with side openings, especially for tomatoes.

Glass or poly glazing?

Glass has the advantage of maintaining good light transparency over time, but it must be cleaned to benefit from this. Since glass is heavy, the structure of a glass greenhouse is much more robust and therefore more expensive than the structure of a poly greenhouse.

Poly has a transparency equal to that of glass and the advantage that it does not break in hail because it is elastic. In addition, it is more resistant to snow loads. The disadvantage is that it must be changed every 10-12 years due to gradual opacification caused by dust and micro-scratches.

In recent years, the advantages of glass-covered greenhouses have started to diminish compared to poly-covered greenhouses, especially because of the quality of agricultural poly. Double-layer poly with an air cushion clearly tilts the balance in favor of poly-covered greenhouses due to the additional 4-7 degrees Celsius of thermal insulation and the much lower cost per square meter.

What are the advantages of double inflated poly?

The thermal advantage is that the double inflated wall allows temperature gains in both cold and warm periods, reducing thermal stress on crops. During the cold period it can add about 4-7 degrees Celsius compared to a greenhouse covered with a single film.

The light advantage is that the double wall with an air cushion promotes light diffusion and has a high transmission coefficient of 91%.

The mechanical advantage is that the air cushion between the films reduces mechanical wear caused by wind and improves the lifespan of the poly. In practice, these advantages translate into major savings for heated structures or a longer growing period for unheated ones.

Is the installation included in the price?

The installation of the greenhouse or tunnel is not included in the price. Sere Transilvania is an industrial factory and deals with the production of greenhouses and tunnels, while installation can be provided by partner companies.

Tunnel installation is quite simple and most customers choose to install their tunnels themselves. If desired, technical assistance or turnkey installation can be offered, with pricing depending on the area, equipment, and travel distance.

The installation of modular greenhouses is much more complex, especially when thermal screens, automated openings, or other systems are involved. In that case, technical assistance or a professional installation team is recommended, and the price depends on the chosen technical solution, the equipment, the greenhouse surface, and the travel distance.