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Are you looking to cover a greenhouse? Have you narrowed your choices down to a 6 mil plastic and Solawrap greenhouse covering? Are looking for the best greenhouse plastic you can find? This article will look at 6 mil plastic that has been used for years and Solawrap- the greenhouse covers that has a proven product that has a track record for 30 years in Europe, but is fairly new in the United States.  It is like nothing else that currently exists on the market.  You will see that it out-performs all its competitors, and is more cost effective in the long run.

 What factors are you taking into consideration for your greenhouse?  You are probably considering the amount and type of light reaching your plants, the overall appearance of your greenhouse, its ease of maintenance, safety and longevity. Most of all, you want something that is cost effective.

What are your greenhouse covering choices? 

Let's start with polyethylene films.  It comes in a variety of thicknesses with 6 mil being very common. When selecting a 6 mil greenhouse plastic, you need to make sure it is not a product out of China.  . Typically a single layer of polyethylene film has an R value of approximately 0.85. A double poly cover consisting of two layers of poly has an approximate R value of 1.25.  This is a quick inexpensive fix- but is it really inexpensive when you add in the labor cost to replace it more often than other options. Greenhouse plastic will offer some UV protection, and some versions have better tensile strength than others.

 One thing to be aware of is the plastic ripping where the plastic touches the PVC. This seems to be reported from growers who don't use a film that offers UV protection  The PVC may absorb the heat and speed up the breakdown of the plastic.  As we all know, sun is an enemy to all sorts of plastic sheeting. Another reason for the breakdown and tearing of the plastic could be the chlorine that is in PVC.  This too is a problem for greenhouse plastic.  There is a polyethylene greenhouse film that won't give you these problems called SolaWrap!  Read on to learn more.

6 mil greenhouse plastic coverings also come in white. They are often referred to as, white opaque greenhouse films. White greenhouse films are popular when reducing heat in the greenhouse is the goal.   Being white will however reduce the light transmission by almost half per layer.

Another option is to look at the reinforced polyethylene greenhouse films.  This product comes in a 3 ply laminate where a cord grid is placed between two layers of plastic.  The goal is to offer a high strength film that is durable yet light weight.

SolaWrap Greenhouse Plastic Cover:  SolaWrap Greenhouse Plastic (Greenhouse covering) offers:

• R-Value 1.7
• 83% transparency
• 10 year warranty against UV degradation (better warranty than polycarbonate)
• up to 83% diffused light (only product on the market with both high transparency and high diffusion)
• 120 lbs per square foot snow load rating (approx 15 feet of snow)
• 100 mph wind rating (has survived 135 mph windstorms in Alaska)
• Has been shown to last up to 27 years on greenhouses in Europe
• Does not yellow or get brittle

Bottom line: 6 mil plastic sheeting is a smaller initial investment, but won't last too many years. If there is a storm, heavy snow or hail it could rip.  SolaWrap holds up under heavy snow loads, high winds and rough weather.  It costs more initially, but in the long run you won't be recovering you greenhouse in a few years.

The goal of creating a light dep greenhouse is nothing new. But what is the most cost effective and labor efficient solution to achieve complete darkness in a greenhouse? Will regular black plastic work as well as an engineered film? Engineered film is plastic sheeting what has additives and is manufactured in a way to make it superior to regular plastic sheeting. It’s a special recipe/ formula specifically for the purpose it is designed to fill.

A light dep blackout tarp/film that is stronger (won’t rip or tear easily) than regular black tarps, and lasts longer in the sun is a noble goal. Enter our engineered film- built to our specifications.

Ultra Blackout tarp achieves the following goals:

1. Strength:  To achieve a stronger, tear resistant cover you can either add string reinforcement, or you can make it thicker- much thicker. But making it thicker makes it heavier and much harder to move and work with. By adding a layer of diamond scrim between two layers of plastic you get a strong tarp that is easy to work with.
2. Longevity: Withstands being outdoors in the sun: Most run of the mill black plastic literally decomposes when the sun hits it day after day. By engineering the film and adding a UV additive, this same black plastic, now can have a longer life in the sun. Ultra Blackout greenhouse tarp has an 18 month U.V. guarantee!
3. Complete darkness: Ultra Blackout is manufactured to be devoid of pin holes.
4. Optimal Colors: Black on one side, white on the other: The white side of the film serves to reflect much of the light entering the greenhouse and improves the light conditions within the growing area. During the long, low-light winter months this is an added benefit. Putting the white side as the top surface reflects the heat and helps maintain an environment with even heat distribution and lower energy costs. The black side on the inside creates a dark environment.
5. Meets Measured Test Criteria: Ultra Blackout has the tests to prove it meets standards that have been measured and tested. This insures you get what you pay for and can have a greenhouse blackout tarp that makes you life easier and more profitable.
6. 

People throw around different terms when they are referring to greenhouse covers. We hope to clarify what is meant by the terms you may hear when you are talking about a greenhouse structure.

Greenhouse Plastic:  The term, "greenhouse plastic" is a term to describe polyethylene, copolymer plastic, polyvinyl plastic or polycarbonate plastic that is used to cover the roof and/or sides of a greenhouse. It is a general term since there are several different forms of plastic to cover a greenhouse. The term "greenhouse plastic" is a broader term than "greenhouse film".

  Starting with polyethylene, a common greenhouse film used is 6 mil polyethylene. This is a smooth plastic that is placed on the roof of the greenhouse to protect the plants inside from the elements.  It is an economical choice which will require replacement usually in 1-4 years. 

There is a second type of greenhouse plastic called, Solawap Film.

This polyethylene greenhouse film has a layer of bubble which serve to insulate and diffuse the light.  This film is more expensive than 6 mil poly- but it is much stronger, and lasts at last check over 30 years in some places.  Colpolymer Plastic is an upgrade to 6  mil poly since it is a little more durable and can last longer.  Polyvinyl is the clear plastic one often sees on boats as windows. It is quite strong and thicker than 6 mil poly.

Another form of greenhouse plastic is polycarbonate. 

This is a hard piece of plastic  that comes in sheets and is added to the greenhouse. For the most part you can find greenhouse plastic for sale on line at specialty greenhouse supply houses. You can also find greenhouse film at Home Depot or Lowes. 

Greenhouse Panels: A greenhouse panel is another name for a polycarbonate sheet of plastic that is used to cover a greenhouse.  Some greenhouse panels are flat, and others are wavy.  They are strong and  designed to withstand the elements better than their cousin the 6 mil poly film.

Greenhouse Kits:  What materials are used  for greenhouse kits? Today there are many different types of greenhouses that come in a kit. They can be made from plastic, glass or poly carbonate.  they come in all different shapes, sizes and cost points. And where will you find a greenhouse kit? Often the big box stores such as Home Depot or Lowes may carry greenhouse kits.

Greenhouse Plans:  Some folks like to DIY- Do it yourself with a set of greenhouse plans. In this case deciding on what kind of greenhouse you want will require you to know what materials you want the greenhouse to be made from.  Which greenhouse plastic will you select? Will you go with 6 mil plastic sheeting, Solawrap film, or a harder cover made from polycarbonate? 

Greenhouse growing is a great way to grow a wide variety of plants. Just decide on the greenhouse plastic that will best suit your budget and your environment and enjoy the fruits and vegetables of your labor!

Today we are going to talk about our extrusions (extrusion connectors/ extrusion tracking system). We get a lot of calls- what is it made of? Is it aluminum? Many years ago it used to be aluminum- Solawrap greenhouses have been in Europe over 30 years now. Now it's made out of a highly engineered PVC. We have two versions- one for hot weather, and one for cold weather. Each are designed for their specific environment. We want to make sure our extrusions last as long, if not longer than our films. We expect about a 20 - 30 year lifespan on these materials.

As you can see from a cross section view, it has two channels. Our Solawrap film has channels on both sides. This is exactly how it will go into your structure. The other questions that arises is, are your extrusions flexible? And they are flexible. The channels don't close, and it creates a nice smooth entry point for adding the films. If you have any questions regarding our connectors/ material- feel free to give us a call at Global Plastic Sheeting, or Solawrap Films.com 855 765- 2872

Greenhouses....they come in a variety of sizes, exist in varied climates, and contain all types  of plants.  What are the Top 5 tips to better your chances of having a successful greenhouse? It starts with the cover.  Introducing SolaWrap.....

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SolaWrap Films is a unique greenhouse covering material that has been in Europe for over 30 years.

Here are the Top 5 Tips for a successful greenhouse:

1. Diffused Light:  SolaWrap offers up to 83% diffused light. That makes it the only product on the market with both high transparency and a high diffusion rate.
2. R-value of 1.7:   SolaWrap save  energy thus saving you money
3. 10-year warranty against UV degradation:  This film will not change color, get foggy or streaky.
4. Water-tight and airtight:  When used as a greenhouse roofing or walls, SolaWrap has withstood hailstorms, snowstorms and hurricane winds with both hot and cold snaps.
5. Strong:  Withstands up to 120 pounds per square foot of snow load = approx 15 feet of show!

SolaWrap greenhouse film's magic lies within the unique bubble design. This bubble design allows for a full year-round production at a fraction of the cost of traditional greenhouse films.  83% of sunlight diffuses through more than 100 air bubbles per square feet. This gives your plants 30% of healthy infrared light. This even diffusion avoids shading and burning areas. The results are faster growing, healthy plants.

If you would like to receive a comparison chart showing the values for various greenhouse covers, please click the blue box below.

HAPPY GROWING!