Covering materials for greenhouses: how to choose?

Today, the market provides shelter materials for greenhouses in a wide range. Among the most common are polyethylene, glass and cellular polycarbonate.

Polyethylene film

Today, you can find on sale reinforced film, which is characterized by higher solar resistance, as well as excellent heat-saving characteristics. This is true if compared with a conventional film, which is less dense. This material is able to last up to eight years with careful attitude to it. It is important only to observe the rules of operation, which consist in protecting the material from contact with the frame in the bend area. Among other things, do not allow the exposure of this film to sharp corners. During installation, it is not recommended to tighten it too much.

Choosing covering materials for greenhouses, modern summer residents do not leave in the past and the usual analogue of reinforced film. It serves only 1 season, but it is very cheap, coping with its functions perfectly. The ability of a two-layer film to transmit light reaches 80 percent. It is not necessary to strive for a 100% penetration, as the plants will be stretched too much, and the fruits will not then please the eye. Eighty percent is enough to ensure that the tops are as they should be. The density of the canvas can vary from 100 to 200 grams per square meter. You can use it at temperatures from +80 to -60 degrees. Elongation at break is 250-500 percent. Regardless of the thickness, the lifetime of such a film does not exceed 1 season. This index can vary between 0.03 and 0.4 mm. You can buy rolls and sleeves that have different thicknesses, while the minimum length is 50 meters.

Cellular polycarbonate

Choosing covering materials for greenhouses, consumers most often purchase cellular polycarbonate. This is due to the high longevity. The greenhouse will be enough to build only once, think about the repair will not have to. Cellular polycarbonate has more impressive qualities of heat resistance compared to glass, this applies even to a thickness of 8 millimeters. In this case, it will be 2 times better to keep the heat inside the hotbed. As for the thickness of 16 millimeters, it can be compared with glazing in three layers. Due to the honeycomb structure, which has ribs of rigidity, the greenhouse is not only strong, but also insulated. Manufacturers argue that this material is capable of retaining hard ultraviolet radiation, which adversely affects plants.

Characteristics of cellular polycarbonate

Choosing covering materials for greenhouses, you can prefer cellular polycarbonate. If we talk about the standard transparent sheet, then it has a thickness equal to 4 millimeters. As for the cheap option, this index varies from 3 to 3.5 millimeters. If you are interested in the weight of one canvas, the length of which is 6 meters, then this figure is equivalent to 10 kg. The surface of the material is covered with a quality protective film.

Features of using cellular polycarbonate

Covering material for greenhouses is used in tandem with aluminum fastening systems, as well as profiles and other structures. It is important to pay attention to the coefficient of thermal expansion, which is equal to 0.068 millimeters per 1 meter, before starting the installation. This figure may seem insignificant, but at a temperature drop of -20 to +30 polycarbonate will change in size by 34 millimeters. If you use a screw that does not have thermal expansion, it will break the sheet, forming an oval hole. That's why it is recommended to use firm washers, whose diameter exceeds 30 millimeters. With the help of such fasteners it is possible to seal the hole. Choosing such a covering material for greenhouses, you can not worry about the impact of hail. The surface will cope well with mechanical damage. That's why the manufacturer gives a guarantee for the use of polycarbonate for 10 years. It can be bent, which distinguishes the material from the glass, which is why so many different constructions are built from it.

Non-woven materials for greenhouses

Non-woven covering material for greenhouses has become quite widespread today. Modern materials of this type perfectly cope with the retention of heat in the greenhouse, and then give it away at night. However, such protection of the greenhouse will not be able to cope with frosts, and may become torn during operation. Worth the material is quite expensive. Operate it is problematic, because during the rain it is necessary to cover the surface of the greenhouse with a plastic film, and then remove it. Covering materials for polycarbonate greenhouses last longer, but if you decide to use a nonwoven material, it will be able to protect plants from frosts to -7 degrees. He will save both from hail, sunburn, strong wind, and also rain.

Use of glass

If you choose covering materials for a greenhouse, you can buy glass. The design with its use will be durable, durable, and also environmentally friendly. The greenhouse will be able to save cultures from strong frosts. If you buy glass, then the design can be quite expensive, whereas if you have the opportunity to use material borrowed from old wooden frames, then the greenhouse will be the cheapest among the others.

Conclusion

Choosing covering materials for a greenhouse, you must weigh all the positive and negative sides of each option that is presented on the market. If you are most important budget, then it is necessary to find window frames from which you can remove the glass. In this case, however, you do not have to choose the dimensions of the greenhouse, since they will be dictated by the dimensions of the existing glass.