What is greenhouse film?
Greenhouse film is generally ultraviolet-protected
polyethylene (similar to sandwich bags) with a thickness from 2-8 mm in the
United States.
What are the three different categories of glazing?
Type I: Thin films, generally from 2-8 mm (0.002-0.008
inch), normally double-layered and air-inflated. Examples: Polyethylene, EVA
(ethylene vinyl acetate), polyvinyl chloride and polyvinyl fluoride .
Type II: Flexible plastics such as fiberglass-reinforced plastic
(FRP), acrylic and polycarbonate panels, and the “ladder profile”
type structured materials such as polycarbonate, acrylics and laminar
composites of both.
Type III: Rigid materials. Glass, including annealed,
tempered and laminated forms of float, sheet and rolled (patterned) glass.
What is polycarbonate?
A clear, impact-resistant, thermoplastic polyester of
carbonic acid produced from dehydrated polyhedral penols.
What is polyethylene?
There are two major types with different chain structures:
the stiffer, stronger, linear material — high-density or low-pressure
— and the more flexible, lower-melting, branched polyethylene, known as
low-density or high-pressure polyethylene.
What is acrylic?
Acrylic is a clear, weatherable thermoplastic generally
polymerized from methyl methacrylate monomers.
What is polyurethane used in?
Polyurethane is used in foams, fibers, elastomers, sheeting
and coatings.
What is the “U” factor? What does “U” value mean?
The measurement of time rate of heat flow per unit area
under steady conditions from the medium on the warm side of the barrier to the
medium on the cold side. The values used to identify the amount of heat passing
through one square foot of material for each F-degree difference between indoor
and outdoor temperatures. It is expressed in BTU/hr/sq. ft. per temperature
difference.
What does PAR mean?
PAR is abbreviated for photosynthetically active radiation,
which is the visible portion of the spectrum from 400-700 nanometers (a
measurement of light) and is regarded by many horticulturalists as being
critical for proper plant growth and development.
What are infrared and ultraviolet?
Infrared is light on the long-wave end of the spectrum.
Invisible to the human eye, it is where the heat is found. Near infrared is
around 780 nm and far infrared is 25,000-1,000,000 nm. Ultraviolet (UV) is the
invisible radiation below the lower end of the visible spectrum. It initiates
some chemical reactions, causes plant bleaching, causes sunburn to humans and
degrades most plastics.
What is near infrared transmission?
Near infrared energy is the thermal solar radiation that
adds to the heating of the greenhouse yet has less energy than far red. This
infrared transmission from 700-2,500 nm is measured by procedures specified in
ASTM E-903. ASTM is the Association of Standards and Test Methods.
What is medium/far infrared transmission?
Far infrared energy is the energy reproduced by the mass
inside a greenhouse. Transmission rate of far infrared energy through a greenhouse
covering affects the heat retention capability of a greenhouse. Five to 20
microns is the range of importance and 7-14 microns is the most critical area
of that range as measured by procedures specified in ASTM E-903 modified.
What is total solar radiation?
Solar radiation is applicable to all glazing types. It
includes the entire available energy in the near infrared waveband and is
useful in calculating total energy gain in a greenhouse so heating and cooling
requirements can be calculated.
How is solar/light transmission measured?
Solar/PAR values of controls and weather samples are
measured by ASTM guidelines to determine the percentage of light transmission
loss for a given period of time.
What are UV absorbers?
A chemical compound with the ability to selectively absorb
UV radiation. When incorporated into plastics, it reduces the degrading effects
of ultraviolet energy.
What does NGMA recommend for comparing potential plant growth?
The NGMA recommends that glazing manufacturers test and
report the PAR data derived from a uniform test procedure that reports
transmission between 400-700 nm and below.
How are flexible plastics tested for strength?
Flexible plastics, like those used on greenhouses, are
tested for strength and control using Association of Standards and Test Methods
(ASTM) guidelines. The plastics are tested for tensile strength, flexural
strength, flexural modules, impact resistance, hail resistance and impact
resistance.
What is the best covering material for my greenhouse?
It really depends on location, climate, type of crop, time
of year you grow, number of square feet to be covered and budget.
When is poly film the right choice for covering a greenhouse?
Poly film is the least expensive covering and has the
advantage of additives that can reduce heat, light intensity and condensation.
Light transmission varies but is generally a few percentage points less than
glass. Replacement averages around 4-6 years.
Should I cover my greenhouse with polycarbonate?
Polycarbonate has the advantage of being less expensive than
glass, has an approximate life of 20 years and is hail-resistant. Disadvantages
are possible loss of light transmission over time; however, today’s clear
polycarbonates should not yellow for over 10 years and offer around 85-percent
light transmission.
When is glass a good choice?
Glass has the advantages of high-light transmission
(approximately 92 percent when clean) and durability and the disadvantages of
being the most expensive and shattering in a strong hail storm.
Why is anti-drip important, and does it last?
Anti-drip reduces incidence of moisture-dependent diseases and
damage to delicate crops. It ensures high light quality during the critical,
early morning hours. Today, polycarbonate anti-drip systems can last as long as
10 years and films up to four years, depending on moisture demands
Can a product be made to withstand hail?
Yes, some polycarbonates are
made to withstand hail. While initially more expensive, in areas with a high
probability for hail, it can be worth the extra investment
Is there a covering made that will reduce heat in the greenhouse?
Yes, one poly film can
actually reduce the heat in the greenhouse. Utilizing film additives, heat is
actually reflected away from the greenhouse. Simple light diffusion results in
averaging leaf temperatures, which helps plants withstand heat
Are there any government regulations regarding greenhouse coverings?
Yes, OSHA governs the
installation of greenhouse coverings, and building permits may be required
depending on local zoning and codes.
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