Greenhouse Cover: So what does the glass of a greenhouse do? And other glazing options.

Greenhouse cover, or glazing materials, is the material that skins the greenhouse frame. The term glazing refers to any transparent material, like traditional glass, used to cover greenhouse frames that allow light and retain heat in the greenhouse.

Want to know what the glass of a greenhouse does – check out the video below - I couldn’t get it out of my head – stay stay long heat waves.





Greenhouse and Shade covers or glazing is the most expensive material used in building a greenhouse, and also the most crucial.

The greenhouse frame can be made with just about any type of material: wood, aluminum, pvc, galvanized hoops, but the glazing allows for the amount of light, and protection that your greenhouse, and plants, will receive.

The most common greenhouse glazing materials are:
• Glass

• Poly and Plastic Films

• Polycarbonate

• Plexiglas

Many new greenhouse cover materials have evolved in recent years.

In considering different glazing options, it is beneficial to keep the following in mind:
• Light Penetration

• Ease of Installation

• Reparability

• Budget

• Lifespan

• Durability

• Heat Retention

Light Penetration:

Great care must be placed in choosing a glazing that allows the most light into the greenhouse. It is the solar rays that enter the greenhouse that will allow the greenhouse to retain the heat.

If the material does not allow a lot of light into the greenhouse it kind of defeats the purpose.

So What does the Glass of A Greenhouse Do? Here's the Video:

Not all Greenhouse Covers are created equal, and their cost is no different.

The greenhouse covering represents the largest cost of any of the kits that are available on the market.

That’s why even when choosing Kit – the type of glazing should be decided before the shopping or building begins.

Lifespan:

I know that maybe I sound like I am not a great supporter of glass, and in fact it is not the material that I would choose, or chose to use in my greenhouse.

However, Glass is hands down the longest lasting of the greenhouse covers (as long as it doesn’t break).

Durability:

In every climate, environment, or location the greenhouse will have to stand up to different threats.

Whether it is hail, wind, snow, rocks or different debris. Different hazards in different locations should be kept in mind when making the decision.

UV rays can also cause damage and deterioration of the glazing.

When choosing the glazing it is a good idea to make sure that it has been UV treated and protected.

Heat Retention:

The insulating factor of the different greenhouse glazing materials should be kept in mind when deciding on the type of covering that will be used to cover a greenhouse.

In deciding this the climate, environment and plant zone should be kept in mind .

The plant zone chart will dictate the amount of heat retention that will be needed.

Growing in a warmer climate will need less of a heat retaining material then a greenhouse in a colder climate.

However, any of the Greenhouse Glazing materials can be better insulated by adding a sheet of poly on the inside of the original Glazing.

This creates an insulating air space between the inside of the greenhouse and the outside temperature.

Poly Hoop Houses can be insulated with an air blower that inflates this air space, greatly increasing the heat retention.