Gardening, or more specifically home-grown food has become increasingly popular over the past couple of years as more people are realizing they can harvest healthier food for a lot less money by growing it themselves. According to grocery.coop, “You can save big money by growing your own vegetables and fruits. In fact, depending on the type and amount you grow, you can save a significant amount of money. By spending a few dollars on seeds, plants, and supplies in spring, you’ll produce vegetables that will yield pounds of produce in summer.” Of course, growing your own produce and crops means you need the proper space for the fruit and/or vegetables to flourish. If you are considering a greenhouse, buying or building with plastic polycarbonate panels is a cost-effective and aesthetically pleasing choice for the durable and heat conducting material.
Polycarbonate sheets last a long time, resist damage in different types of weather, plus they look great in any setting. The quality of plastic roof panels has greatly improved over the years, and they are now considered the go-to material for both commercial and residential greenhouse applications. In this post, we will look at why plastic sheets are the material of choice for your greenhouse and include tips for future planning and building.
Polycarbonate Has Optimal Light Transmission
Polycarbonate offers optimal light transmission not unlike glass, but it is much sturdier and durable than glass. These plastic panels are an ideal material for a greenhouse because it blocks UV rays yet lets in plenty of warm sunlight and heat. Having a light transmittance of approximately 88%, it comes readily available in clear and opaque options, as well as in a few different color schemes, and thicknesses depending on the need. It’s optimal for greenhouses due to the way it filters out green light, diffuses harsh light, plus its translucency can stimulate plant growth at multiple developmental stages.
Great Heat Retention
Polycarbonate’s ability to retain heat makes it undoubtedly ideal for greenhouse construction. Less heat is lost when using polycarbonate sheets than its glass alternative. While glass has an attractive clarity, it offers little to no heat retention or insulation, which can be deadly to plants. Polycarbonate twinwall design also has a double-glazing effect with air pockets that helps prevent heat from escaping, while providing a premium environment for plants and crops to thrive. In fact, according to the greenhouse experts at greenhouseemporium.com, “The whole point of a greenhouse is to use the power of the sun to heat a room for growing out of season. If the room does not retain heat, then it is useless.”
Easy Material to Work With
Polycarbonate is lightweight in design, which makes these durable plastic panels extremely easy to work with and customize. Due to this flexibility, polycarbonate sheets can easily be cut-to-size with a handsaw, transported from one location to the next, and quickly assembled. Polycarbonate panels are also flame-resistant, so they can be used in outdoor areas where fire pits and grills are utilized.
Maximum Durability
Polycarbonate roofs and panels are weather-resistant by design. They are available in flexible and rigid grades, which allow them to withstand many of the harsh elements doled out by mother nature. These panels are made to endure the impacts of rain, sleet, snow, and hail and are virtually unbreakable when it comes to most heavy forces—a quality that is necessary when successfully planning and building a greenhouse or other outdoor fixture.
Simple Maintenance
Unlike its glass counterpart, polycarbonate panels do not need to be cleaned often. You can likely get away with cleaning your polycarbonate-built greenhouse a few times a year – or as often as you like. Practically effortless, all it requires to keep your greenhouse pristine is a microfiber or cotton cloth and soapy water to give it the refresh that it may need to look renewed and to allow in abundant sunshine.
Conclusion
Polycarbonate is an ideal material for constructing a premium greenhouse. If you are interested in purchasing polycarbonate panels or sheets for your greenhouse project, contact our customer service team with any questions you may have about how you can get your project off the ground!
