Glass was traditionally the material of choice for covering greenhouses. But as technological advancements and material improvements continue to be made, polycarbonate is slowly but surely replacing the use of glass in many construction mediums.
Polycarbonate sheet suppliers have been seeing an increase in the demand for multiwall sheets for greenhouses in recent years. That’s because construction companies and DIYers are seeing the great benefits of using polycarbonate sheets for greenhouses instead of glass. After reading through this list, you will, too.
Polycarbonate Is Easier to Work With
Polycarbonate plastic is incredibly lightweight compared to glass. This makes transportation and installation a lot easier, faster, and more cost-efficient. Less manpower is required to lift and secure polycarbonate greenhouse sheets in place, which means that the job will get done a lot faster with a reduced chance of onsite injuries, mishaps, or damages.
Better Insulation
Polycarbonate is composed of thermoplastic polymers, which is why it has significantly better heat retention capabilities than glass. Heat and moisture control and retention is an essential feature for greenhouses to ensure the good health of the plants and greenery being stored inside.
Additionally, polycarbonate also allows for excellent light transmission (about 88%) while blocking out harmful UV rays from the sun that can kill your plants. It can be totally transparent, tinted, or opaque depending on the environmental requirements of the flora in your greenhouse.
It’s Considerably More Cost-Effective
Polycarbonate is lightweight, easy to install, and incredibly low maintenance. Plus, it retains more heat compared to glass and offers far superior performance in terms of light transmission, which lowers your operational costs year-round. As a result of these factors, using polycarbonate sheets for your greenhouse is undoubtedly the most affordable long-term cost-saving solution compared to glass.
With a combination of the right environmental conditions and excellent care, polycarbonate multiwall sheets for greenhouses can last up to 10 years, whereas glass will start to show signs of wear and tear much sooner than that.
Better UV Protection and Light Distribution
In addition to its excellent light transmittance and heat retention qualities, polycarbonate plastic sheets are also a lot thicker than glass. The thickness facilitates stronger UV protection and more even light and heat distribution throughout the premises. This guarantees that each plant will fully receive and absorb all of the benefits of photosynthesis and nutrients provided by the sun without any of the adverse effects of ultraviolet exposure.
Since all areas within the greenhouse will receive equal lighting and heat, installing polycarbonate sheets actually reduces the amount of work you have to do year-round. Now you don’t have to reconfigure your plant setup or positioning based on varying lighting and heat conditions throughout the day.
Incomparable Durability and Ruggedness
Glass is certainly more fragile than polycarbonate sheets for greenhouses and therefore, it must be handled with extra special care at all times to prevent environmental and human-caused damages. The transportation and installation process of glass sheets can be especially harrowing.
Large glass sheets are extremely heavy to carry and transport from one location to another, which means more manpower is needed to reduce the chance of injury or damaging it. Glass is also high maintenance compared to polycarbonate sheets, so this will increase your upfront and operational costs for your greenhouse.
The simple fact is that it’s almost impossible to hurt polycarbonate sheets—you’d have to really be trying! Polycarbonate sheets are also weather-resistant, which means they can handle all kinds of harsh environmental conditions. Heavy rains, snow, ice, and even hail are no match for this supremely rugged and durable cover for your greenhouse! Glass, on the other hand, is far more fragile, and susceptible to cracking under pressure or when exposed to extreme force and projectiles.
Shatter and Scratch-Resistant
Since polycarbonate is a type of extra durable plastic meant for outdoor use, it’s also incredibly shatter-resistant. Even the strongest outdoor glass is no match against the strength of polycarbonate sheets for greenhouses. Polycarbonate greenhouses can withstand high pressure and impact from virtually any source including hailstorms, windstorms, and even rocks that may come into contact with them at a high velocity. Aside from coming into contact with unlikely weather elements such as a tornado, polycarbonate greenhouses are virtually indestructible otherwise.
Requires Less Maintenance Than Glass
Polycarbonate has a high chemical resistance rating, but it’s best and easier to clean it with warm soapy water and a microfiber or cotton cloth if possible. Maintenance is super easy and limited. As long as you clean your polycarbonate greenhouse about once a week and dry it immediately with a soft cloth, this should be enough to maintain it and ensure it lasts a long time. Make sure you get rid of all of the moisture during the drying process to prevent water marks. Leaving water marks on the surface of polycarbonate can adversely impact or limit even light and heat transmittance, so this is important.
Unparalleled Flexibility and Versatility
One of the most noteworthy attributes of using polycarbonate sheets for greenhouses instead of glass is its unparalleled flexibility, versatility, and customizability. Of course, polycarbonate can be used for a number of different industrial and commercial applications that were previously reserved strictly for glass. But when it comes to greenhouses, it serves several specific purposes that are related to enhancing the form, functionality, and performance of the structure itself.
Polycarbonate is available in a variety of shapes, sizes, and even hues. Additionally, it can be cut down to size and reshaped to fit the exact dimensions of your specific greenhouse structure without even having to leave the property, whereas glass would have to be taken back to manufacturer for reconfiguration, thus prolonging the installation process and costing you more money.
Polycarbonate Sheet Suppliers in Canada
Canada Plastics & Belting Inc. is one of the leading suppliers of polycarbonate sheets for greenhouses and other commercial and industrial applications across North America. We pride ourselves on offering top-notch products, unbeatable prices, and excellent customer service, as well as a wide selection of polycarbonate sheets for greenhouses and other structural projects. Contact us today to learn more or to place an order.