What covering material should I choose for a greenhouse?

Today's greenhouse building materials offer excellent thermal insulation properties, making it possible to grow vegetables or seedlings even in cold climates. Manufacturers offer gardeners a wide range of covering materials, each with its own advantages and disadvantages.

You can contact companies that can help with greenhouse delivery and installation. However, it's important to know the different types of covering materials to choose the right one for you.

Plain and reinforced polyethylene film and PVC film

A traditional, budget-friendly covering material, polyethylene film comes in varying thicknesses and transparency levels. It's ideal for small greenhouses and hotbeds. Polyethylene protects against wind and early frosts, creating a comfortable temperature for plant growth. Its obvious drawbacks include a short lifespan and intolerance to low temperatures (below -10-12°C).

Reinforced film is a three-layer fabric with a polymer mesh in the middle. It offers several advantages that regular polyethylene lacks:

— The vapor permeability of the material prevents condensation from accumulating and provides air access.
— Withstands sub-zero temperature fluctuations.
— The material is durable and easy to install.

Polyvinyl chloride film is a dense and durable material with excellent light transmission properties but blocks infrared rays. A greenhouse covered with PVC film maintains a constant temperature even at night. The material will not tolerate temperatures down to -15°C.

Film covering for greenhouses is attached to a frame made of wooden beams, metal profiles or plastic pipes.

Glass and polycarbonate sheets in greenhouse construction

Glass greenhouses are functional and durable, but they are quite expensive. Glass retains heat well inside the greenhouse and protects against adverse weather conditions. However, glass is a rather fragile and heavy material, making assembly difficult.

Building greenhouses from old window frames is currently gaining popularity. This allows for significant savings on materials for a reliable greenhouse.

Polycarbonate is widely used in greenhouse construction. Cellular polycarbonate, which has good thermal insulation and light transmittance properties, is the preferred choice for these purposes. The disadvantages of such a greenhouse include the high cost of the covering material and the potential for deformation at high or low temperatures. To ensure the structure lasts as long as possible, it is recommended to protect the cut edges of the polycarbonate sheets with special caps.

Agrofibre

Agrotextile, or agrofibre, is a lightweight, environmentally friendly material with a long service life. It comes in various densities and colors. High-density white agrofibre is used for greenhouse construction. This material has the following positive qualities:

— Agrofibre is able to pass liquid without absorbing it.
- Protects from frost and retains heat.
- Provides excellent protection from hail and pests.
— The material allows air to pass through and prevents condensation from accumulating.

The textile is easy to work with, and the lightweight material eliminates the need for a reinforced frame. The fiber is secured to the greenhouse's arches or battens using ties. At the end of the season, the material is removed, cleaned, and stored until the following year. Despite all its advantages, this covering material is expensive.

To build a greenhouse frame, wood (beams, slats), metal profiles and rebar, or plastic pipes are used. Each gardener chooses the shape, size, and building materials based on their budget and the specific location for the greenhouse. Particular attention is paid to climate conditions, choosing a dense covering material if necessary, and constructing a sturdy greenhouse frame.