Greenhouses and other indoor cultivation solutions must deliver a number of crucial features to be successful in the fast-growing marijuana industry. Cannabis is a specialty crop that requires more than a basic cultivation environment. Due to the nature of the crop and the restrictions around its cultivation, shipment, and sale, cannabis facilities are subject to special requirements. Our indoor cultivation structures can meet those requirements and possess distinct cost and operating advantages that provide a better ROI than a traditional building.
Fabric covered buildings, or tension fabric structures (TFS), provide a perfect, adaptable, and readily available environment for indoor cannabis cultivation, without the capital investment and long term commitment of a brick and mortar facility. Growers are finding that fabric covered buildings have a wide range of features that optimize their grow operation’s efficiency and yield. The Allsite TFS is well-suited for use as both a short and long term indoor grow operation facility, one able to adapt to your growing business.
Cannabis Indoor Cultivation Requirements
Cannabis growers must make a choice between outdoor and indoor cultivation. Many choose indoor cultivation because it provides an enclosed environment where controlled conditions can result in improved product quality and crop yield. Most desirable are the following key factors:
Automation
Indoor cannabis grow structures facilitate the use of automation for a range of systems that drive higher yields, control labor costs, and help meet regulatory requirements. Automation includes such key systems as irrigation, lighting, and temperature and humidity controls, as well as tagging and inventory tracking controls.
Irrigation
Indoor automated irrigation systems provide a controlled, timed watering schedule most beneficial to the crop at every stage of growth. Tension fabric buildings feature a high-strength frame that provides support to heavy-duty, customizable truss systems for lighting and other overhead equipment, and the structure easily accommodates water delivery and electrical systems.
Lighting
A controlled light environment that replicates an optimal day/night cycle allows the grower to optimize plant growth and extend the growing season to increase crop yield. Our durable fabric covering is UV resistant and blocks outside light, giving growers complete control of the indoor light cycle. With an opaque fabric cover, blackout conditions can be achieved inside the facility to simulate shorter days. This stimulates the plants into flowering early and creates an opportunity to deliver the crop to market sooner. Translucent fabric is also available if natural lighting is preferred.
Managing Temperature and Humidity
As with lighting, temperature and humidity controls influence the quality and yield of cannabis plant crops. The sealed environment of a TFS allows growers to control the indoor air environment with appropriate climate controls for temperature and humidity, maximizing output and protecting the crop from the effects of outdoor heat, freezing cold, or other types of adverse weather.
Airflow and Odors
The enclosed TFS helps to contain odors from the growing plants, diminishing their impact on neighboring properties or public spaces. Airflow filter systems can be installed to control air circulation and reduce odors.
Inventory Tracking and Tagging
Strict tagging and tracking regulations in virtually every jurisdiction that permits cannabis production mean that a company’s ability to control inventory is vital to a successful grow operation. Our enclosed indoor facility can be configured to a grower’s needs, limiting crop access to authorized personnel and helping growers track their inventory at every stage of production.
Secure Indoor Environment
Many jurisdictions require cannabis cultivation to done outside the public view. Our TFS is a fully enclosed building that shields your operation from prying eyes. It also reduces the risk of theft or vandalism and protects plants from pests such as insects, rodents, deer, and other foraging animals.
Low Cost and Adaptable for Changing Grow Ops Needs
Available in a variety of sizes and layouts, the Allsite TFS is best suited for medium to large cannabis grow operations, as well as commercial startups where cultivation capacity expansion is anticipated. With its modular construction, the TFS can start as a medium-size structure and be enlarged without disrupting ongoing cultivation activities. This is achieved by adding to the length of the structure, causing no disturbance to existing areas.
Unlike traditional real estate buildings, a TFS is available quickly, usually within weeks once ordered. Installation usually takes a few days. The structure can be installed anywhere needed, including rural and remote areas. These lightweight, temporary structures leave little impact on the environment once they are removed. Unlike tents and small greenhouse structures, these structures are built for durability and can meet the wind resistance standards of brick and mortar buildings, remaining in place for years. The engineered extruded aluminum frame (lighter than a steel frame but with a similar material strength) has an indefinite life, while our PVC fabric covers can last up to 30 years.
Our TFS structures are available for short or long-term rental, lease, or purchase. With no long-term financial commitment or large capital investment, a TFS offers growers more flexibility in a changing market. For more information on how our coverall buildings can meet your cannabis cultivation business needs, contact Allsite at 888-599-5112.
