Film, agrofibre, glass and polycarbonate: the better to cover the greenhouse

It is generally accepted that it is best to cover the greenhouse with polycarbonate. But for some reason, the majority continues to stretch the film or agrofibre every year, and someone trusts only glass. Let’s figure out how to cover the greenhouse and which of these materials and when is better to use.

Earlier we talked about what fertilizers for a greenhouse in the spring are better.

How to cover the greenhouse – material requirements

The microclimate in it, and, therefore, the future harvest, depends on what the greenhouse will be covered with. Therefore, it is important that the coating material:

• withstood loads and weather conditions;
• well transmitted light and scattered it, and also protected from ultraviolet radiation;
• had thermal insulation properties and could be repaired.

The most popular materials for covering a greenhouse are film, agrofibre, glass and polycarbonate.

Greenhouse glass

One of the very first materials used for greenhouses. It has proven itself well, but glass needs a capital structure that will withstand it.

Glass advantages:

• transmits light well;
• solid and not scratched;
• durable, broken fragment can be easily replaced.

Cons of glass:

• expensive;
• heavy;
• fragile, easy to beat;
• does not protect from ultraviolet and direct rays;
• low thermal insulation.

Judging by this, it is not very advisable to build a glass greenhouse solely for growing seedlings – there are other alternatives.

Film for greenhouse

That is polyethylene. The cheapest material for greenhouses and greenhouses and therefore so popular. Films for greenhouses are single- or double-layer. The film in two layers is more durable, but transmits light worse.

Film advantages:

• cheap;
• light;
• easy to mount.

Film cons:

• short-lived, cracking;
• fragile, easy to tear;
• impermeable – condensation forms;
• low thermal insulation.

It is good to use the film for the summer version of a greenhouse or greenhouse, you can grow both seedlings and vegetables in them. But you need to understand that the film on the greenhouse will have to be changed every year.

Agrofibre for greenhouse

Another popular material for greenhouses, also inexpensive. Different materials are called agrofibre – it can be spandbond, agrotex, agrospan. It is a non-woven fabric with a grid of very small holes.

Advantages of agrofibre:

• inexpensive;
• perfectly passes air and water;
• diffuses light and protects from ultraviolet radiation;
• convenient to use.

Cons of agrofibre:

• fragile;
• short-lived;
• light scatters, but passes poorly;
• has poor thermal insulation.

Agrofibre “breathes”, so it is a good alternative to film. But for serious greenhouses, it will not work. It is better to use it for portable greenhouses or it is good to cover seedlings with agrofibre, directly on plants.

Polycarbonate for greenhouse

By “polycarbonate” is meant cellular polycarbonate for greenhouses. It is considered to be the most profitable material – it has much more pluses than minuses.

Advantages of polycarbonate:

• easy;
• simply mounted;
• excellent thermal insulation – will withstand both frost and heat;
• protects plants from ultraviolet and direct rays;
• durable.

Cons of polycarbonate:

• more expensive than film;
• breaks from a strong blow;
• less durable than glass;
• impenetrable – the greenhouse will need to be ventilated.

Polycarbonate can be used to cover any greenhouse – they will last a long time and in any season.

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