Foundation Information
There are a number of foundation options for the Growing Green
Houses.
Essentially, the structure is very light; the ground loading
is approximately 5 - 25 kgs/square foot. The purpose of a Growing
Green House
foundation is basically to secure the Green House to the ground and
anchor it. The water tank, being bolted to the foundation
wall, also helps in the anchoring process. Obviously, a
complex foundation will significantly add to the overall cost
of the Green House, therefore the simpler foundation options are
recommended unless there are other important deciding factors.
The following factors need to be taken into consideration when
deciding on the type of foundation:
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BUILDING CODES: Because the Green
House
is a structure designed and used for agricultural purposes, as
well as easy assembling and dissembling, many building
departments waive the requirements for permits and permanent
foundations, while others are more stringent. This is
obviously an important factor if you choose to consult with
them when installing your Green House. In remote areas, some
Green House owners have proceeded simply and built their Green
House.
TERMITES: In some places the
presence of termites makes it necessary to have a concrete
foundation with a termite barrier.
SEVERE WINDS AND/OR SNOW LOADS:
In areas of exceptionally extreme wind conditions, the Green
House
structure, although very strong in original design, would
benefit from a concrete foundation.
The following are the foundation options we recommend:
Low cost: The Green House sits on a
circular ring of compacted gravel. The blue board under soil
insulation is installed vertically with the gravel packed on
each side, or horizontally outside the Green House then
covered with gravel.
Intermediate cost: This
foundation has concrete son tube piers at each of the vertices
of the foundation (15 or 20) with landscape timbers in
between, or the foundation wall fixed to the piers. This is an
excellent foundation for very soft soil conditions.
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Higher cost: A plywood formed and
poured concrete foundation is one option; an insulated
concrete form type foundation is yet another option. Both
options makes a strong yet well insulated foundation.
Insulated forms consist of an inner and outer layer of
polystyrene foam board with connectors. The foundation blocks
are cut to the corner angles and fastened together. Re-bar is
placed inside the forms. The foundation is then poured with
concrete. |
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