Slovenia is a weather-diverse country, from the Primorska burja to the mountain snow on Pohorje. A greenhouse suitable for Murska Sobota is not necessarily suitable for Kranjska Gora. In this article, we show how Termoplast constructs greenhouses for different regions.
Slovenian weather regions
Slovenia has 4 main weather regions with different loads:
- Primorska: strong burja (up to 200 km/h in the Vipava Valley), low snow
- Central Slovenia: moderate winds (60-90 km/h), medium snow loads (80-120 kg/m²)
- Gorenjska and Koroška: abundant snow (up to 200+ kg/m² at high altitudes)
- Prekmurje: stable weather, but frequent summer storms with heavy local rain
Wind loads
Wind acts on a greenhouse in 3 ways:
- Frontal pressure, the greatest force
- Lift on the roof (like on an airplane wing), pulls the greenhouse out of the ground
- Vibrations (resonance), fatigue of joints
Important safety elements:
- Ground anchors: concrete foundations, anchor plates, ground screws M16+ (Termoplast standard)
- Aerodynamic profile: rounded roof shapes (lower lift force)
- Strong diagonals: cross-bracing between side frames
- Closed doors and windows in the wind, an open greenhouse is 5 times more loaded
Our greenhouses are tested for wind speeds up to 120 km/h (standard model) or 150 km/h (Premium model with additional reinforcements for the Primorska region).
Snow loads
Snow has different densities:
- Fresh powdery snow: 50-100 kg/m³
- Old, packed snow: 200-300 kg/m³
- Wet snow + rain: 400-500 kg/m³
At 50 cm of old snow on a 20 m² greenhouse roof, the load is 1500-3000 kg. This is why cheap constructions fail in the first winter.
Termoplast construction elements:
- Main frame: square tubes 40×40 mm (galvanized steel)
- Roof bearers: every 60 cm (cheap alternatives have 80-100 cm)
- Roof slope: 25-35° (snow slides down by itself)
- Polycarbonate 4-6 mm: withstands 200-400 kg/m² static load
EU standards and norms
EU norm EN 13031-1:2019 defines 5 classes of greenhouses:
- Class A: professional commercial (norm for all loads)
- Class B: semi-professional (reduced standards)
- Class C: hobby greenhouses (basic standards)
- Class D: temporary/seasonal
- Class E: decorative
All Termoplast hobby models meet class C, and premium models (Sigma, Profi) meet class B for professional use.
Preparing the greenhouse for extreme events
Before predicted strong winds (60+ km/h):
- Close all doors and windows
- Check that the anchors are secure
- Remove all loose objects from the surroundings (pots, tools)
- After the storm, inspect the joints and screws
Before a snowstorm:
- Place internal supports under the main bearers (wooden slats 4×5 cm, every 1 m)
- Remove snow after 20 cm with a long plastic shovel (NEVER metal!)
- In extreme forecasts (50+ cm in 24h), consider removing the roof panels as well
"A greenhouse built for 'normal Slovenian weather' is not enough. Termoplast models are designed for 50-year extremes, the snow of 2014, the storm in Postojna.", Termoplast technical director
10-year warranty on polycarbonate
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Termoplast greenhouses