Top 5 Greenhouse Covering Materials
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 29 มิ.ย. 2024
- Top 5 materials used to cover greenhouses today.
Some TH-camr's who made greenhouses:
@Bigelowbrook
@BuildingaGreenhouse
@ShipmanAdventures
@LDSPrepper
solexx.com - incredible covering material
I made a mistake. at 8:12 I'm featuring a covering from www.solawrapfilms.com - called Solawrap - it's not Solexx. sorry folks and sorry Solawrap, other pictures do feature Solexx though..... looking into it more it seems solawrp is also a fantastic product and VERY affordable - I highly suggest looking into it.
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Let me know what kind of greenhouse covering you are using or planning to use and why!!!!!!
;)
When covering the outside with corrugated plastic or twin wall polycarbonate, you retain the option to add a layer (or 2) of plastic film to the inside. This can allow the plastic to last much longer since it is out of the weather - especially if the outside layer has UV coating.
Did you know that many of the political campaign signs that will be discarded in November allow sufficient light through for a greenhouse and have decent insulation value. Combine that with some free pallets and you can make a free gambrel style greenhouse 9.5ft tall by 11ft wide by any length. You can fill the pallet studs on the north side with free cardboard and cover the inside with another layer of signs (to keep the cardboard relatively dry) to get ~R-20 insulation. The clear PET from 2-liter bottles can be used for little windows. If you have a few dollars to budget, then cover the north wall with either Mylar emergency blankets or a reflective insulation blanket to reflect some light back. Rather than using raised beds, dig sunken walkways to tap into the ground's stored energy and keep sufficient water storage for thermal mass to help balance the night/day temperature swings. I painted my black watering pitchers white on 1 side and point the black side toward the sun in winter and the white side toward the sun in summer (when I remember to)
@@technosaurus3805 Fantastic advice!! Thank you so much for the input
Im in Maine and planning to use twin wall polycarbonate as a roof. What do you think about that?
@@ef3345 Twin wall polycarbonate is a durable strong fantastic material with about an R2 insulation factor - very similar to glass but less breakage possibility. it tends to be be transplant not transparent but that's all you need to grow plants! Great choice
Thank you. great information. We live in N.W. Montana and on the side of a mountain getting more snow and colder temps, snow shedding, very short days into the winter but still wanting to grow at least 10-11 months out of the year. So this information is important for use. We are planning and will be building ours this summer 20x40 and unless something changes will be using double wall plastic inflated. Thank you again.
That is awesome!
Thank you for clarifying covering materials. Excellent and concise. Thanks.
You're very welcome!
I built my first 11' x 14' poly tunnel several years ago using what I already had - a roll of 6 mil "visqueen" from Lowes. The skin lasted exactly 2 years, and it was great. I moved it and rebuilt it this spring and used the same material again for the same reason - it's what I had. The benefits of having any kind of greenhouse are so great that you really shouldn't put it off because you are waiting to afford something better.
I totally agree - fantastic advice!
Given the uncertainty of supply, having food and herbs like peppermint, ought to be incentive for a greenhouse now.
@David LaFerney Thank you for sharing your experience! You have helped me make my decision :-)! God Bless us all
I bought a prefab greenhouse with single wall polycarbonate that was too hot in the summer and too cold in the winter (SE Montana). I had to move it on the property after two seasons that required taking it apart. I took advantage of the move to put it on a block foundation, add power, lights, and ventilation, and most importantly, covered the greenhouse with Solexx twin wall. I put the original single wall polycarbonate back on OVER the Solexx and secured it all to the wooden frame, much like the greenhouse at 08:30 in this video. I mostly use the 8x16 greenhouse for starting seeds for the main garden season, and growing greens like lettuce, kale, chard and spinach under domes for winter salads with supplemental heat from heat mats. I also. Have close to 100 gallons of water in 5-gallon pails and milk jugs for thermal mass. Today is sunny and with the outside temperature of 25 degrees, the inside temperature is 74 degrees at 1:30 in the afternoon. The low last night was 13, and the low inside near knee level was about 27 degrees ( I was tracking the air temp on the water jugs) The peppers and the eggplants that I held over from last season as an experiment, that were sitting on the heat mats are OK, but a couple that were not on heat mats got frosted, though if I had remembered to cover them, they would have been just fine. Again, looking at the greenhouse pictured in the video at 08:30, my door faces east the right hand side faces north. My vertical sides on the north side are insulated with 1” foil faced bead board, and the whole north roof is faced with aluminized Mylar bubble sheet. I am still working on improving the systems.
thank you for the update - please keep me informed as you go forward!!!!! Good luck!
Can’t wait to cover mine.
:)
nice, unbiased.....I use a double poly stretched over an aluminum frame.....the poly is easily replaced.I got it free, as it
needed some work...some torn panels, some bent aluminum, but it has been functioning now for 2 years. Its a 10x12.
That's awesome!
Thanks for this information 👍 I'm now another step closer to my greenhouse build 🥔🥦🍓🥕🍅🥒🍆🥬
Glad to help
I'm just planning on building a huge Greenhouse this here so perfect timing thank you.
;)
I'm impressed by the amount of relevant information and the 'good energy' in presenting it -
Thank's
Thank you
FYI, My father built a greenhouse using corrugated semi-clear (tinted, summer temperature was too hot) corragated plastic sheets. We fastened the sheets to the roof timbers using corrugated molding strips like these from Lowes - Tuftex Wood Solid Roof Panel Closure Strip. Over the years only had sheets loosen up a few times. Installation wasn't too bad.
Thank you for the reply! I really appreciate the real world input on this!
Nice breakdown. Looks like polycarbonate panels are likely the best choice for my plans for off-house cold climate Winter solarium. I want to be able to the walls off in the Spring but leave the roof as a shade in the Summer. I may look into using the corrugated panels on top of the double walled panels as a way of protecting the roof from moisture, depending on flashing options.
interesting!
Great video Sir. I like your list of pros & cons of each material. Polycarb.-looks like it's my choice, until the single layer-corrogated plastic comes in 2 layers. Keep it up, post more for beginners like me. Cheers, & Tx.
Thank you soo much for the kind words!
I use a corrugated Lexan in a Greca pattern from Amerilux. It is called soft lite and disperses the light so you do not have any shadows and it penetrates the canopy at multiple angles so you obtain much more growth lower on the plant. I used it on our first greenhouse and am now installing it on our second greenhouse which we are building.
very cool!
Since the minimum order on this stuff is 31,600 sq ft, you must have a heck of a greenhouse! Congratulations!
Thank you for the great video packed with good information for us first time builders.
Thank you for the kind words
I love all these videos. Great info to help in the cold NH climate.
Glad you like them!
2 years ago I used the corrugated panels on the outside of a framed greenhouse. Sealing all seams with silicone. The first summer day with low humidity, I used insulating 3 mil clear plastic and stapled to the inside of the frame. with the clear tape to seal all edges. I used a clear silicon exterior caulking adhesive and staples to attach. This seems to be working well. The air gap is the width of the 2x4 I have no idea what the R value is. I think because there is no wind stress on the plastic, it still looks brand new. Because I waited for the low humidity, I am not having any discoloration between. This is only on the sides, as I use the ends for ventilation. I am still working on having both on the ends. Hope this helps. BTW it was tedious to build, as I matched the hills and valleys carefully on the ends, so they could be completely sealed with the silicone and not allow moisture between the layers.
That sounds awesome, thank you so much for the detailed description of your greenhouse!
Did you think using foam pipe installation for the ends so that foam material will form with the shape of the panels there by no longer need to match "hills and valleys" would work?
@@leeames9063 Foam pipe insulation is an open cell foam, so I think you may have trouble with it fogging up as it will allow humidity to get in. Just my opinion.
I was even thinking about using stretch wrap. I've seen pallets sitting outside covered in this stuff and it lasts years. It clings to itself and you can make several layers wrapped around whatever frame you have.
it can last if it's UV protected plastic
If the structure isn't too big, it could be a good cold hoop house. The plastic is generally only used in the winter and cut off in the summer. Maybe it can last longer, I know that stuff is strong in multiple layers.
@Willie Me too, considering the same material.. God Bless us all
Once again, great info. Thanks!
Thank you for the kind words!
Simple Tek,. Great video and keep it up. Viewers love options and you are proved them. Thank you.
Much appreciated
Thank you... I'm planning a new greenhouse this fall and you offered several suggestions I maddy be using...
Good luck...
~Bear
Good luck!
Thank you for helping me with my school project, and your videos are enjoyable to watch
Thank you for the kind words!!!!!!! I hope you get an A on your project!
I have 2 greenhouses covered with a single layer of poly. In Tn i can grow lots of cool weather crops in the fall, winter and spring, without heat. If it makes it to next April it will be on 8 years. If not i will replace it. I bought the poly in 2013 and bought a long enough roll to cover the first one twice for about $200.00. I bought it from Amish in South West Ky in Elkton, KY. They have a high volume of sells so they can sell cheaper than some people.
that's awesome
Good video. Need to learn how to keep plants in winter. Moved from CA to Texas. It’s a lot different and I hate when my plants die. So this information is very needed currently.
Thank you for the kind words!
Imagine the weather in the area like wind storms, hail, etc. would determine what material a person would use. Recycle old windows or use more than one option within budget until afforded then wearability can be monitored like a test to see what would be best. Glass is so beautiful! Did not know there were so many options until now.
Thank you for the kind words!
A lot of rain this summer in my zone. I need to make my choice soon. Your video helped me a lot. Thanks!
Glad I could help!
great video! I'm making my gf a greenhouse for her birthday. this helped me a lot! not sure what I'm gonna go with yet but i cant wait!
Have fun!
@Noah You are awesome! God Bless
I found your video very interesting and informative as well as very well laid out. I wish more documentaries that try to teach you something were so well done. I just subscribed.
Wow, thank you!
I used the big box store corrugated panels for a chicken coup. Got clear & smoke panels both for testing.
Placed a clear then smoke alternating over sleeping/roost areA. Idea of smoke was to draw warmth from winter sun.
Worked very nice n chickens liked it & I was happy, provided winter sun to get girls up n moving n happy. I'd reach in & be quite nice even on 20° days. We get snow & of course would always melt off of smoke colored panels first. After 3-4 years , one day had a hard hail storm. Some hail measure 3/4" in width. The clear panels it punched a few holes in, (not many) & next panel which was smoke received No holes. Both panels were the same thickness and size installed same way. The smoke survived with out holes, but clear not as well. Realize in a green house only clear be used. Just what I learned.
Thank you for the information!
I covered my wife's DYI 10 x 9 greenhouse 20 years back with corrugated fiberglass panels. It was great then. We moved from SC to TN and brokedown house and used panels again when raised. Moved again in TN, discarded panels at that time, but they were still good. Have just re-assembled frame of house this month and will go back to some corrugated panels on sides and poly on top. Thanks so much for you channel.
Thank you for the info!!!!!
Now this is what I like to see, everyone can get behind this and construct their own greenhouse 👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽
Thank you for the kind words!
I can wait to build my 1 in South africa
@@klosiemorris9896 I'd love to see pics or video of the build!
The last you talked about is easy place a spacer on the first layer and block off the ends. Just stager your spacers and that will help warm air flow between sheats.
good idea
Very useful information. Thank you sir. Have a wonderful day.
So nice of you
My uncle used the corrugated panels. He used them for a 5x5 greenhouse and doubled the corrugated panels by making a 3/4” gap between the panels. It was nice and warm and I’m considering doing the same at our house. P.S. at our previous home we made a 2x3 greenhouse with used windows that we got from the habitat for humanity restore store.
That’s awesome
Thank you! I was looking for just this info.
Glad it was helpful!
Thanks for sharing your valuable information with us, 👍
Thank you for the kind words
Thank you for this informative and interesting video.
So nice of you
Thanks for the information and happy growing👍👍👍
u2!!!!
Thank you for the information! I'm looking at converting a wooden gazebo that needs the roof (shingles and some corrugated panels) replaced anyway. I'll look further into Solexx as well as double layered polycarbonate.
Good luck!!! Prices are all over the place now after the pandemic
Love this information it brought up the option of using Solex again. Thanks, show us more like this.
Thanks, will do!
Can't wait to try it....
Have fun!
Thank you for making this. I suggest for your research on corrugated plastic panels and a space between layers, to try experimenting with a combination of drilling matching holes in panels, stacking something like rubber washers for garden-hose connects as spacers in between, and for a pass-thru fastener using an aluminum pop-rivet. Inexpensive and easy. I have a growing/greenhouse project in my mind for the future to address current threats to our society's food security by being tethered to long, complex supply chains spanning multiple continents. A second job the panels can do is be used to recover the distilled water condensate where convenient. Best of Health to you.
Thank you do much for the ideas!
@soaringtractor Thanks for the info, since I posted, I've been dreaming about a project to build a human terrarium/edible jungle to hang out in during the Winter days when there's 3-5 feet of snow outside.
Very informative. Thank you for sharing!
Thank you for the kind words!
Excellent information! Thank you for sharing!
Glad it was helpful!
Thank you for sharing brother.
Thank you for sharing this valuable information.
Glad it was helpful!
Corrugated panel is the way to go. Great stuff! I'd love to incorporate both corrugated panel and inflated poly into a structure.
Thank you for the comment - I'm thinking it should be possible with the poly on the inside?
If you want double wall corrugated, use 1”x1” wood spacers between the panels to provide the air gap. That should give triple the strength without making the panels excessively heavy.
Good idea
I used corrugated, I didn't know it was a thing.. 3 years in so far so good. We have lots of snow
that's awesome!
Hi there I suggest doubling up corrigated sheets using rolls of self adhesive neoprene which can be bought in a variety of widths and thicknesses. small pieces off the roll could be used as spacers mid sheet and run the roll full width to end seal the doubled sheets
Thanks for the tip!
Thank you for the video. Very interested in various greenhous/year round growing options.
Glad it was helpful!
Great video, excellent informaton. Thank you!
thank you for the kind words
You're awesome man! Love your channel so much.
Thank you sooo much!!!!!!
Just found your videos, very helpful, thank you! Hard to hear what your saying over the music on this clip but I appreciate the great information👍
Sorry about that, thank you for the comment!
You can get foam profile inserts for the corrugated sheeting that will allow you to achieve an air gap between two sheets.
It is used for draught and vermin proofing, vibration and noise control, air and weather sealing and watertight sealing.
the issue is transparency, would the foam profile insert allow light to come through?
If you align the foam profile inserts with the beams of the supporting structure, you won’t lose any more sunlight.
Hello there love your Greenhouse material video
Thank you soo much!
Commenting. I love this vid. I’m thinking of the corrugated option with an inside poly liner to create an air pocket.
I like that idea
I had that very idea in mind just as I was reading your post- :)
Let us know how it goes.
Thanks! The breakdown you gave was exactly what I was looking for.
Thank you for the kind words
Try building with two layers of clear corrugated sheets. Build similarly to house leaving air space in between. Where the outside is horizontally hung and the interior is vertically hung it seemed to baffle the cold air. I also used sticky window foam insulation on overlapping edges that I was screwing together on exterior walls.
cool
Thanks for the great information!
You’re welcome
Thanks for the tip on solexx. Looks like they're the best :)
glad I could help!
I always wanted to live in a Greenhouse. From this video I learned glass is best.
Polycarbonate sounds 2nd best along with corregated panels or double layered poly.
Good choice!
Thanks for the advice
;)
Thank you for your great greenhouse news I'm planning to build me 1 with plastic seats for Cannabis grow
That's awesome! Thank you for the kind words!
Great information, thank you!
Glad it was helpful!
Corregated panels are pretty common in some parts of Montana. I was thinking of affixing poly on the inside spars to create an air gap.
great idea
Was gonna suggest same
just what I needed. thank you
You're welcome!
Wonderful video, very informative thank you.
Glad it was helpful!
Excellent explanations!
Thank you SOOOO much!
Very useful, thank you.
Thank you for the kind words
Hi we currently have double wall poly carbonate sheets. So far working great
That's awesome!
thank you for making this video. My boyfriend family has an old carport and had a idea to make it into a green house but all i heard of is them using plastic but i want to make it more sustainable and wont brake easy.
Great information. Thanks
Glad it was helpful!
Very much enjoyed video and learned a bunch
Thank you for the kind words
Very useful, thank you, sir.
So nice of you
I built a hybrid using recycled sliding glass doors and Windows with a corrugated plastic roof. I did have to replace the roof after about 7 years because i it wasn't adequately supported and sequered and that caused warping in the heat. It also became very brittle and fractured as I was removing the old panles. The price was great and I figure most of the issues were do to used error.
Thank you for the comment!
Great job!
Thank you! Cheers!
Thanks for the tips
You’re very welcome
great video! lots of useful informations
Glad you liked it
Thx for sharing ideas
Thank you for the kind words!
Maybe it would be cost prohibitive, but if you wanted an air gap, for insulation purposes, using the corrugated plastic, you could just mount the plastic on the outside of the greenhouse frame as usual, and on the inside of the greenhouse frame. Personally, I like the idea of using a blower to blow air between layers of poly to achieve the same thing. I may have to try that with my small greenhouse.
exactly!
Thank you for the information.
Our pleasure!
Great information!
Thank you!
Love it!
Thank you
I just had this video pop up in my feed, it’s perfect timing as I’m in the process of deigning an three season 12’x20’ greenhouse, so far I’m leaning towards the corrugated panels 26”x8’ for the roof since we live in a high snow load zone. Im looking at using DURABLE REINFORCED TRANSPARENT PVC PLASTIC TARPAULINS PROTECTIVE COVER: Thick Material, High Temperature Heat-sealed, Firm, Tear-resistant, Durable. Transparency: 99%; Water Resistance Index: 100%; Thickness: About 0.39mm thick. I just have to research it a bit more. Thanks for sharing this video.
glad it helped
I used corrugated fiber glass panels from Home Depot. Inside the greenhouse I put layer of pool covering from Amazon. Pool covering is cheap because its not though to be used for a greenhouse. Anything for greenhouse is expensive. It's very durable too. There's 4 inch gap between the panels and pool covering since the greenhouse is made with 2×4 lumber.
Great idea!!!!!!
Do you use the pool covering for shading?
There are two types of rigid roof panels sold at Home Depot and Lowes, Palruf which you showed in the video, lacks the strength needed to be durable and is known to break under adverse weather conditions, not recommended for use in direct exposure to the elements. The other panel, Suntuf is designed to withstand adverse weather conditions, I used these panels on my Ana White barn style greenhouse in central Maine and have never had a problem with snow loads, etc. The Suntuf is also a UV protected panel and has a transmission rate of 90% in the clear panel. The polyethelene rolls if bought at Home Depot/Lowes is transluscent at best and seems to block the transmission of hig red light, the result are plants are elongated, not a good GH solution. The other option, Home Depot sells the double layered panels which you mentioned, good for non flexible applications. Here in New England home grown green houses are primarily used to extend the growing season and generally not used in the colder months of the year. The greenhouse can allow one to start the growing season well into April and at the other end into October.
Thank you for the information!
Yeah, you need greenhouse plastic rolls not construction plastic, try a good garden supply store instead, also you want at least 10 mil plastic.
I'm gonna go with Poly,
and just got the perfect idea, instead of ordering greenhouse cover from abroad, I'll use nylon table maps that I just got.
It will be perfect
that's awesome!
If I may ask "_what's table maps, I need every advantage ,seeing this is my first attempt , so many big dreams , but small space and budget ! Greatest thing I wanted since planting my veggies trees flowers 20_+ years ago
Maybe try using some rubber stripping or weather stripping on the ends of the corrugated sheets as spacers to create an air gap then seal the ends with a liquid rubber like Flex Seal to seal it which would also allow for some flex.... Hmmm name seems rather appropriate lol. Not sure of how much that would run, but I would imagine the price shouldn't be too steep. and with this method, you could double up on the stripping to create a larger gap, or stay at one strip, and add more sheets of the panels to create more gaps. They also make foam rubber "plugs" for the ends of corrugated rooves to keep pests out, but I'm sure they would also help with the insulative factor.
Good idea but working with corrugated sheets it’s a very hard thing to do
Seems like I will do my usual; scab a variety of those materials together, probably the corrugated, filtered, with a fan pushing buried air to cool the GreenHouse. PS; they have foam 'ends' for the corrugated panels, They could be layered to give a second elevation to set additional corrugated panel layer, i.e. two 'pane'ls.
post pics or video when you're done!
Great video, very useful
Thank you for the kind words!
Great video. Very informative.
Glad it was helpful!
Thanks for the video! I'm looking at corrugated plastic panels, but what's best: clear? smoked? blue tint (cheapest)? with embedded fiberglass mesh? Not sure of what the benefits are. I've been using the clear on a few lids for raised beds but they seem to get brittle and crack after a few years.
all depends on the manufacturor, some are better than others. look at their recommended specs and light transfer as well as UV protection. - panels that arn't UV resistant will degratde much faster. Thinner panels will degrade faster than ticker all other things equal too.
First off, I think I've learned a thing or two watching your videos. Thank you. I am wondering if it is possible to lay fiberglass over a geodesic dome and sand and polish smooth to a close to glass like transparent finish. I would really like to hear your thoughts on the possibilities if it's possible.
Thank you for the kind words! honestly, I have no idea if that would work, I suppose it would but it feels like the amount of work would make it cost prohibitive?
It's a good idea. Anything is possible if you can draw it, you can build it.
The resin choice is critical with fiberglass. UV transmissibility is often overlooked as good quality spectrum vs UV damage of polymers.
Some polymers are immune to UV and that is my choice.
Cool ideas.
Glad you think so!
A clear teflon coated ( dust/dirt mitigation) outer layer with a light scattering inner layer spaced with an air gap is the best way to get max light in, and keep heat out. What you spend on the panel actually compensates itself by lower electricity costs. Cannabis is known to love bright lights.
If you can get that stuff cheap…
Ty for all your videos! But in my opinion etfeis the best greenhouse covering. It was used on the Eden project built in the late 90's and early 00's. It is still in use as a covering today. It may be a bit more expensive to get at the start but the long gevity easly compensates for that.
Thank you for the information!
With grand Soler minimum coming we will all need to use green house to lengthen in the growing season. A vidio on framing the green house would be interesting.
You. Would use the poly panels for the outside and add a airgap and second layer of poly sheet on the inside of the frame where it would last longer.
We’re way past the Min, much closer to the max now.
i built a dyi 8x20 greenhouse .I bought a ''used'' 30' clear pool cover , its like buble wrap and Its strong. I also used , ''used'' patio doors as the window around the sides. Last summer and into January the plants were great. How long it will last here in Canada is yet to be determind.
cool idea!
You might also want to include ETFE film in such a review as a 6th option .. It's being more and more often used as the top clear coat layer in semi-flexibe solar panels because .. and in recent years has also started into other glazing applications like sky lights, green houses , etc .. it's more clear than most other plastics (some types are even more clear than glass can be) .. more durable/longjevity than other films in the middle between glass and polycarbonate (20-30 yr) .. Adds self cleaning that few of the other options have .. cost is in the middle , less expensive than glass .. more expensive than poly-film initially , but in the long run might be less expensive than poly-film given the numerous (5-7) poly-film replacements over that 20-30 year ETFE life time .. ETFE economies scale allot , small ETFE projects are far more expensive per sq ft , but the larger the project the more it becomes economically dominate .. that economic scaling is partially due to bulk order discounts of the ETFE itself , and bulk discounts of the fabrication mechanisms .. but also because of the ETFE's lighter weight , the larger the project the more expensive any heavier option's support structure becomes... there are others of course .. I've attached a few example links .. www.etfeproducts.co.uk/horticultural-etfe/ .. or .. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ETFE ... or .. ceresgs.com/an-introduction-to-etfe-glazing-for-greenhouses/
Thank you do much for the reply! I had never heard of ETFE film before - loving what I'm hearing about it! I love the clarity...awesome reply.
@@SimpleTek
Its been around for a long time, you must have come across the brand name Tefzel? ETFE doesnt come in wide rolls like standard gh poly so there is the added expense of welding to form wider sheets. I got a quote from one of firms in Ian George`s reply back in 2011, about 4x the price of the german competition. Shortly after that the uk firm began offering prefabricated twin ETFE panels with aluminum frames..cant imagine where they got that idea from.
Thanks for turning us on to this. Definitely sounds like a viable alternative.