FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
General Information
Is the Cultivator Elite a kit greenhouse?
What is included in the price?
What’s the difference between a greenhouse and a solarium?
Model Differences
What are the advantages of the lean-to model?
What are the advantages of the stand-alone model?
What are the advantages of the stand-alone structure with a gable end attached to your home or garage?
Are there advantages to the curved-eave model or the straight-eave model?
What are the advantages of fixing the greenhouse frame to a kneewall?
What are the advantages of the glass-to-ground model?
What other things should be considered when choosing a model and style?
Kneewall
Can the kneewall be taller or shorter than the standard 2’-4”?
Covering
What options are available for glazing (covering) the greenhouse?
What are the advantages of 1/8” clear tempered glass?
What are the advantages of polycarbonate?
What is the R-value of 8mm polycarbonate?
Why is polycarbonate available in the straight-eave models only?
Standard Features
What are the options for doors?
Does the roof vent come screened?
Is a second row of roof vents available with a stand-alone model?
Can the roof vent be a manual operation rather than automatic?
Are custom colors available?
Foundation
Does the Cultivator Elite require a foundation?
What kind of foundation is needed?
How do I know what size foundation I need?
Does the greenhouse come with a floor?
Miscellaneous
What utilities are needed for a greenhouse?
What equipment do I need for a greenhouse?
What is snow load?
What is live load?
What is wind load?
How do I know what is required in my area?
Do I need to get a building permit?
What are stamped plans?
Are stamped plans available if required by the building department?
Am I required to meet the loading requirement for my area?
General Information
Is the Cultivator Elite a kit greenhouse?
The Cultivator Elite is a kit in that parts arrive pre-drilled and pre-cut, but due to the complexity of the installation process, we recommend you use an experienced greenhouse installer or the services of a general contractor to build the greenhouse. back to top
What is included in the price?
The price of the Cultivator Elite includes the aluminum frame with a choice of bronze or white paint, the covering you have chosen, the door(s) (if ordered), one row of thermostatically controlled roof vents with screens included, all necessary hardware to build the greenhouse structure, greenhouse plans and installation instructions. back to top
What’s the difference between a greenhouse and a solarium?
A greenhouse is designed for growing and maintaining plants in a controlled environment. A Cultivator Elite greenhouse is designed with thermostatically controlled roof vents to accommodate heating and cooling equipment essential for healthy plant growth. A solarium is typically double-paned glass, and it is usually designed to be a living space. It is sometimes difficult to retrofit a solarium for appropriate heating and cooling needs for your plants. back to top
Model Differences
What are the advantages of the lean-to model?
A lean-to model is attached to an existing structure, such as your home or garage. The attached greenhouse allows you direct access to your plants from the building you attach to. Sometimes it is easier to access utilities such as gas lines, plumbing, and electrical when the greenhouse structure is attached to your home. back to top
What are the advantages of the stand-alone model?
A stand-alone model can be placed anywhere on your property for optimal lighting. You also don’t need to be concerned about the height restrictions that can sometimes be associated with attached greenhouses. A stand-alone greenhouse usually offers more growing space because you have a peaked structure. back to top
What are the advantages of the stand-alone structure with a gable end attached to your home or garage?
A stand-alone model that attaches to your home or garage at the gable end gives you the access advantages of the lean-to model plus the additional growing space of the stand-alone models. back to top
Are there advantages to the curved-eave model compared to the straight-eave model?
The choice between a curved-eave and a straight-eave model depends on your preference and what fits with the architectural design of your home. back to top
What are the advantages of fixing the greenhouse frame to a kneewall?
The kneewall, which goes from the ground to the greenhouse covering, can be faced with brick, fieldstone, or other coverings to match the look and design of your home. The use of a kneewall also gives you the ability to insulate the lower part of the structure where the wall is, which is particularly important in cold climates. The kneewall hides empty pots, soil, and gardening tools, and also offers shade for those plants that need it. back to top
What are the advantages of the glass-to-ground model?
The advantage of the glass-to-ground model is that it gives more light transmission and can be less expensive because you eliminate the costs associated with the construction of the kneewall. back to top
What other things should be considered when choosing a model and style?
You will want to choose a location that receives four to six hours of sunlight a day. Trees and large objects near the greenhouse will provide large amounts of shade. Locating deciduous trees on the south end of the structure and a windbreak on the north can lower heating and cooling costs. It is also important to choose a site that is level and drains well. Access to electricity, water, and a gas line are all important considerations when deciding on the ideal location for your greenhouse. back to top
Kneewall
Can the kneewall be taller or shorter than the standard 2’-4”?
Yes, you can adjust the height of the kneewall, but there are some things to consider when doing so. If you make the kneewall less than the standard 28”, you need to make sure that you have considered the amount of space needed for the door. When raising the height of the kneewall on a lean-to model or a stand alone with a gable end attached model, you need to make sure you have enough clearance on the wall to which you are attaching. We will need to design custom covering above the door in both instances. Please contact us for design specifics and additional pricing required for any changes to the standard models. back to top
Covering
What options are available for glazing (covering) the greenhouse?
When purchasing a curved-eave model, 1/8” clear tempered glass or 1/8” bronze tempered glass are the two choices you have for glazing. The straight-eave models can be covered with the same glass choices as the curved-eave greenhouse. You can also use 8mm polycarbonate. Polycarbonate is available in clear, bronze, or an opal tint. You also have the option of polycarbonate on the roof and glass on the sidewalls and gable ends. back to top
What are the advantages of 1/8” clear tempered glass?
Nothing beats the beauty of glass in a residential greenhouse. Clear glass has a 90% light transmission that is the closest to growing outside. Glass will last a lifetime and retain its beauty for years. back to top
What are the advantages of polycarbonate?
8mm triplewall polycarbonate offers excellent light transmission, exceptional strength and durability, and outstanding insulating properties. The 8mm polycarbonate has a light transmission of 82%. It carries a 10-year manufacturer’s warranty. The surface of the polycarbonate is protected from the degradation effects of U.V. radiation by a proprietary co-extrusion process. back to top
What is the R-value of 8mm polycarbonate?
The R-valve for 8mm triplewall polycarbonate is 1.57. back to top
Why is polycarbonate available in the straight-eave models only?
Polycarbonate is a heavy, rigid plastic that does not have the ability to bend to the radius that is required to install curved panes of glass. back to top
Standard Features
What are the options for doors?
All models can be designed with a door in one or both gable ends. Double doors are available in the 12’-wide lean-to and in the 12’-, 16’-, and 20’-wide stand-alone models. back to top
Does the roof vent come screened?
Yes, our roof vents come standard with screens, unlike other manufacturers who charge extra for screened vents. back to top
Is a second row of roof vents available with a stand-alone model?
Yes, you do have the option of ordering a second row of roof vents on any of the stand-alone models for additional natural ventilation. back to top
Can the roof vent be a manual operation rather than automatic?
Yes, you can request a manual opening for your roof vent. back to top
Are custom colors available?
We offer white and bronze as standard color choices at no extra charge. Custom colors are available at an additional charge. Please provide the color and number, and contact us for pricing. back to top
Foundation
Does the Cultivator Elite require a foundation?
Yes, a foundation is required. back to top
What kind of foundation is needed?
The type of foundation you will need depends on your location. In some areas, the ground models may be built on a slab or grade beam. In areas where the ground freezes, a foundation that reaches below frost line may be required. If the footing is too shallow, the ground below may freeze and heave, cracking the footings and the greenhouse. Consult your local building department and/or foundation engineer for exact foundation requirements. back to top
How do I know what size foundation I need for the greenhouse?
A foundation should not be installed until the greenhouse plans are received from us to assure proper dimensions are maintained. After you place an order for your Cultivator Elite, you will receive a complete set of plans, including the foundation dimensions.back to top
Does the greenhouse come with a floor?
Greenhouses do not come with floors. You have the option of putting in the type of floor that will meet your needs. Common choices are rock or pea gravel under the growing benches and brick pavers or flag stone for the walkways. A concrete floor is an option, but you will then want to consider proper drainage to avoid any areas of pooling water. back to top
Miscellaneous
What utilities are needed for a greenhouse?
You will need electricity to run the roof vent and possibly other pieces of equipment. A gas line and water access may also be important. back to top
What equipment do I need for a greenhouse?
The equipment you will need will depend on your climate and on what you are planning on growing in your greenhouse. back to top
What is snow load?
This is the load on the roof of your structure from accumulating snow as determined by the local building code or building official. back to top
What is live load?
These are temporary loads produced during maintenance by workers, equipment, or materials as determined by the local building code or building official. back to top
What is wind load?
These are loads applied to your structure due to wind as determined by the local building code or building official. back to top
How do I know what is required in my area?
You will need to check your local building code or ask your local building official. back to top
Do I need to get a building permit?
You will need to check with your local building official. back to top
What are stamped plans?
These are drawings of your structure that have a professional engineer’s stamp on them for permitting. back to top
Are stamped plans available if required by the building department?
Yes, for any greenhouse structure that you purchase from Nexus Corporation. back to top
Am I required to meet the load requirement for my area?
Even if you are not getting a permit, you should plan to meet your local load requirements. back to top