Today, the market offers a wide range of covering materials for greenhouses. Among the most common are polyethylene, glass and cellular polycarbonate.
Polyethylene film
Today you can find on sale a reinforced film, which is characterized by higher solar resistance, as well as excellent heat-saving characteristics. This is true when compared with a conventional film that is less dense. This material can last up to eight years with a careful attitude to it. It is only important to observe the operating rules, which are to protect the material from contact with the frame in the bend area. Among other things, sharp corners should not be allowed on this film. During installation, it is not recommended to tension it too much.
Choosing covering materials for greenhouses, modern summer residents do not leave in the past the usual analogue of a 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. Do not strive for one hundred percent penetration, as in this case the plants will stretch too much, and then the fruits will not please the eye. Eighty percent is enough to make the tops the way they should be. The density of the canvas can vary from 100 to 200 grams per square meter. It can be used at temperatures ranging from +80 to -60 degrees. Elongation at break is 250-500 percent. No matter what the thickness, the life of such a film does not exceed 1 season. This indicator can vary between 0.03 and 0.4 mm. You can purchase rolls and sleeves that have different thicknesses, while the minimum length is 50 meters.
Cellular Polycarbonate
When choosing covering materials for greenhouses, consumers most often purchase cellular polycarbonate. This is due to high durability. It will be enough to build a greenhouse only once, you don’t have to think about repairs. Cellular polycarbonate has more impressive qualities of heat resistance compared to glass, this applies even to a thickness of 8 millimeters. At the same time, it will be 2 times better to retain heat inside the greenhouse. As for the thickness of 16 millimeters, it can be compared with glazing in three layers. Thanks to the cellular structure, which has stiffeners, the greenhouse is not only durable, but also insulated. Manufacturers claim that this material is able to retain hard ultraviolet radiation, which negatively affects plants.
Cellular Polycarbonate Features
When choosing cover materials for greenhouses, you may prefer cellular polycarbonate. If we talk about a standard transparent sheet, then it has a thickness equal to 4 millimeters. As for the cheap option, this indicator 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 high-quality protective film.
Features of the use of cellular polycarbonate
Greenhouse cover material is used in tandem with aluminum fastening systems, as well as profiles and other structures. It is important before installation to pay attention to the coefficient of thermal expansion, which is equal to 0.068 millimeters per 1 meter. This figure may seem insignificant, however, when the temperature drops from -20 to +30, polycarbonate will change in size by 34 millimeters. If you use a self-tapping screw that does not have thermal expansion, it will break the sheet, forming an oval hole. That is why it is recommended to use branded washers, the diameter of which exceeds 30 millimeters. Using this fastener, you can seal the hole. Choosing such a covering material for greenhouses, you can not worry about the effects of hail. The surface will perfectly cope with mechanical damage. That is why the manufacturer gives a guarantee for the use of polycarbonate for 10 years. It can be bent, which distinguishes the material from glass, which is why such different designs are built from it.
Nonwoven materials for greenhouses
Nonwoven covering material for greenhouses has gained widespread today. Modern materials of this type do an excellent job of retaining heat in a greenhouse, and then give it off at night. However, such protection of the greenhouse will not be able to cope with frost, and may break during operation. The material is quite expensive. It is problematic to operate, since during rain it is necessary to cover the surface of the greenhouse with plastic wrap, and then remove it. Cover materials for polycarbonate greenhouses last longer, but if you decide to use non-woven material, it will be able to protect plants from frost to -7 degrees. He will save from hail, sunburn, strong winds, as well as rain.
Glass use
If you choose covering materials for the greenhouse, then you can buy glass. The design with its use will be durable, durable, as well as environmentally friendly. The greenhouse will be able to save crops from severe frosts. If you purchase glass, the design can be quite expensive, whereas if you have the opportunity to use material borrowed from old wooden frames, the greenhouse will be the cheapest among the rest.
Conclusion
When choosing covering materials for the greenhouse, you must weigh all the positive and negative sides of each option that is presented on the market. If budgeting is most important to you, then you should look for window frames from which you can remove the glass. In this case, however, you do not have to choose the dimensions of the greenhouse, as they will be dictated by the dimensions of the existing glass.