Plastic production belches out over 5% of global greenhouse gas emissions

Table Of Content

• About Greenhouse Megastore
• What Type of Greenhouse Plastic Should I Use for my Greenhouse?
• Year UV Resistant 6 mil White Greenhouse Plastic
• The advantages of mini plastic greenhouses
• Plastic production belches out over 5% of global greenhouse gas emissions
• Introduction to Greenhouse Plastics: Woven Vs Regular

From the HydraTarp family of heavy-duty, clear covers by Watershed Innovations comes this 11-mil polyethylene clear tarp that’s well suited for covering a greenhouse. The plastic is reinforced with a polyester cross-weave mesh that gives the clear plastic added strength and durability. From inflation and repair to new installations, get all the greenhouse plastic film supplies you need by shopping at Greenhouse Megastore. Some polycarbonate panels even come in multiple colors to change how the light diffuses.

About Greenhouse Megastore

With this greenhouse plastic sheeting from Frost King, anyone can enjoy the benefits of extending the outdoor growing season without spending a lot of money on greenhouse plastic. Available in clear or black, Frost King’s packaged polyethylene sheeting is 6 mils thick and is 25 feet wide by 10 feet long, making it great for covering greenhouse structures. The sheeting features slight opaqueness but does not contain UV blockers, making it best suited for covering a greenhouse that’s protected from the hot afternoon sun. Whether you're building a brand-new greenhouse or need extra protection to plants during a cold season, you'll want greenhouse plastic film to provide the plants the warmth they need to grow. You'll find the exact polyethylene greenhouse film thickness you need here at Greenhouse Megastore.

What Type of Greenhouse Plastic Should I Use for my Greenhouse?

Acting as the primary barrier between delicate plants and the often harsh external environment, this material has revolutionized the way we farm. “Blowing air between layers creates an air pocket that acts as insulation,” says DeVore. “With a double layer, there’s a lot more efficiency in trapping sunlight and heat.” Also, more condensation occurs with a single layer of plastic than a double layer. So many commercial and home growers use this for their greenhouses – it’s even used in mini greenhouses because it’s such a flexible material. The biggest downfall is its lifecycle, as it isn’t as durable as other options. There are a few good options on the market as far as greenhouse plastic sheeting goes.

Year UV Resistant 6 mil White Greenhouse Plastic

While rigid plastic panels range in thickness from a 1/16-inch single sheet up to a 1-inch multilayered sheet, polyethylene film is very thin. Most polyethylene film for covering greenhouses is an average of 6 mils thick. A mil is .001 of an inch, so a 6-mil polyethylene film is just .006 of an inch thick. Growers can often eke out 2 or 3 years of use from standard 6-mil plastic film, depending on the elements. For growing plants that need extra protection from direct sun rays, check out this sunblock shade cloth from Ecty. This multipurpose cloth features 100 percent UV-stabilized polyethylene and can be installed over a standard hoop greenhouse frame.

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Though the concept of greenhouse plastic sheets may seem simple, those of us in the greenhouse sphere understand that that’s not the case. They involve some careful thought in order to make sure your plants are taken care of. With so many options to choose from that have a lengthy list of benefits for your plants, we understand how the decision process can get overwhelming. But we’re hoping - by using this guide - that it’s now a little easier to see what type of plastic is best for your unique greenhouse and growing capabilities. White plastic sheeting is known for keeping a consistent temperature inside the greenhouse, which is essential in protecting your plants. This type of covering also protects plants from harmful wind damage.

Plastic production belches out over 5% of global greenhouse gas emissions

One single tear on your greenhouse plastic can reduce its effectiveness, so we recommend investing in a high-quality plastic that will stand the test of time. Choosing a plastic that’s made with strong material will save you from constantly spending money on repairs for your greenhouse. Many people are interested in building a quality greenhouse that’s budget-friendly.

Introduction to Greenhouse Plastics: Woven Vs Regular

This added light diffusion will assist plants to grow while also avoiding overheating and evaporation of important moisture. This is especially great for plants that need very warm environments in order to grow correctly. Though condensation issues can be a hassle, dust buildup is an even bigger problem. Depending on the climate where you live, there are a few factors that can reduce how effective your greenhouse is. When days are cold, the difference between the cold outside and the warm inside of your greenhouse will create condensation on the inner layer of your plastic sheet. This condensation could then fall onto your plants, which will disturb the ecosystem that you’ve put so much effort into creating by encouraging the growth of mildew.

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If the plastics industry continues to grow, the researchers estimate, plastics production could end up contributing between 21% and 31% of total GHG emissions. IRAC contains infrared additives in order to keep heat in, along with anti-condensate additives to keep condensation from dripping down onto your plants. Instead, this additive allows the droplets to run down the film to the edge where they can drip safely. There are also some plastics that discourage condensates from dripping onto the plants and instead retain them on the surface of the plastic so they can evaporate back into the atmosphere naturally. It can last many years without needing to be repaired, which is reflected in the cost.

Anti-Condensation & Anti-Dust

Direct light means that no particles in the atmosphere or coverings are dispersing sunlight,  which can lead to scorch, uneven heating, and shadowing of nearby plants. On a cloudy or overcast day, you will notice a lack of shadows because the light is being dispersed in many different directions. Clear greenhouse plastic acts similarly to the clouds to diffuse the light but still allows more than 90% of the light through. The plastic polyethylene film converts the direct sunlight into a more evenly distributed and dispersed light in your hoop house. This allows the light to penetrate deeper into your plants, which improves your yields. If your area gets light snow, you’ll need to consider whether the snow can slide off your greenhouse easily and which has enough thickness to offer good protection against the chilly air.

Larger pieces have to be picked up, however, from Del Sur, California. Simlar to our last item on this list, this is another polyvinyl carbonate greenhouse panel. However, it has a twin wall design that is 250 times more shatter resistant than glass. Gardeners in areas that get hail or high winds during rain storms will benefit greatly from this pack of paneling. And the projected climate and public health benefits far outweigh costs, the EPA says. The agency estimates the U.S. will save $370 billion over the next two decades.

While clear is going to be the most popular choice to let in enough sunlight, these other options can work out great depending on where you live and what you’re going to be growing. If you’re looking for a thicker plastic, you can also get their 11 mil Solarig woven plastic which is much thicker and a more premium option. This option comes with a longer 6-year warranty and has a more enhanced light diffusion. Bootstrap Farmer has a 6 mil polyethylene film with over 90% light transmittance and light diffusion of 20%.

We have a vast collection of greenhouses for sale backed by more than 30 years of expertise. Find the right greenhouse for DIY home gardening, farm production, professional research, retail garden centers or teaching about horticulture when you shop at Greenhouse Megastore. We have hundreds of greenhouse parts and supplies to choose from, so make sure you take advantage of our menus and filters to narrow your search.

If you’re using it for a single season at a time and then cleaning it and storing it, you may get a couple years out of this plastic. If it’s in the elements for more than a few months, it’s only good for a single use as it’ll begin to deteriorate via UV degradation and elemental exposure. The EPA included temporary exemptions in the new rule so that in an emergency, power plant operators can produce electricity for the grid without having to comply with the regulations.