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What to cover a greenhouse with - film, agrofibre or glass: advantages and disadvantages of each material
13.03.2023 19:08
Updated: 14.04.2023 15:34
In gardening circles, it is believed that a polycarbonate greenhouse is superior to other materials in all key parameters.
Nevertheless, some gardeners continue to cover their greenhouses with film or agrofibre, while others choose glass. We will tell you about the advantages and disadvantages of each material.
The choice determines what microclimate will be formed in the greenhouse and what kind of crop will be grown.
Therefore, you need to focus on the material’s ability to withstand loads and weather conditions.
The ability to transmit and diffuse light, as well as protect against harmful ultraviolet radiation, must be taken into account.
After this, attention is paid to the thermal insulation properties and maintainability.
Glass
It must be a solid structure that can withstand heavy and fragile glass. Glass transmits light well, is easy to clean, and if something happens, a broken fragment can always be removed and replaced with a new one.
The disadvantages include weight and cost. In addition, the glass is fragile and does not diffuse light.
Film
It can be single- or double-layer. The second option is much stronger, but it transmits light worse. There is also a reinforced film, reinforced with a mesh, but it transmits light not much better. But it weighs a mere trifle compared to glass (0.19 kg / square meter).
It has excellent thermal insulation properties, while being a relatively durable material that protects against UV radiation, and is also flexible and plastic.
There is one drawback: it gradually becomes cloudy, which reduces light transmittance.
Agrofibre
To cover greenhouses, a material with a density of 30-60 g/m2 is used. It lets air and moisture through, diffuses light, protects from UV radiation, is easy to install, and is inexpensive.
However, this material will not be able to protect against frost.
Polycarbonate
It is considered the most advantageous material for covering a greenhouse. It has all the key advantages. It diffuses light well, is durable, flexible, and protects against UV radiation and low temperatures.
The only disadvantage is the cost of the material.
