When deciding upon which covering will best suit your needs many factors must be taken into account. Your geographical location, type of crop, and whether or not your greenhouse will be a season extender or used for year-round growing will dictate the best material to cover your greenhouse with. Greenhouse coverings always present a trade-off between light transmission and R-value. As the covering material gets thicker the R-value increases and the light transmission decreases. Depending upon your crop the goal is usually to find a happy medium. Increased light transmission equals extra heat via solar gain. Twin wall and triple wall panels cost substantially more but offer a considerable increase in performance. A twin wall insulated panel will diffuse the UV rays better, block out more heat during the day, and hold more heat at night. In addition to increased performance, a rigid or semi-rigid panel will offer better protection to your crop and greatly enhance aesthetic values. If you live in an area with heavy snow loads and colder temperatures a twin wall or triple wall panel is going to provide the best performance.
The polycarbonate is rated at 1.7 R-value with 80% light transmission and a 10-year warranty. The Solexx which is a polyethylene formulation is rated at 2.3 R-value with 70% light transmission and a 10-year warranty. For a substantial saving in cost, the 12 mil woven poly covering is a great choice as a season extender when heat retention is not of concern. Woven poly has great tear resistance and high light transmission with good diffusion properties but will heat up very quickly and cool down quickly as well resulting in high-temperature fluctuations. Contact Bryson Built with your specific needs and we will help you find the right covering for your application.
