In recent years, greenhouses have emerged as a solution to meet the increasing demand for food. One of the main benefits of greenhouses is that you can grow anything, anywhere, anytime. They extend the growing season by allowing you to create the climate conditions needed for your plant. With greenhouses, even seasonal plants are available all year round.
Did you also know greenhouses produce 6 to 10 times greater yields than crops grown on open fields? Ever wondered why? It is because they also protect crops from harsh weather conditions, pests, and rodents like rabbits that can damage crops outdoors.
However, not all greenhouses are considered sustainable. Traditional greenhouse materials, such as glass, are not sustainable and renewable.
Sustainable agriculture seeks to maximize food production while preserving the environment, and a good way of promoting this is by using eco-friendly greenhouse solutions such as polycarbonate sheets. Let’s look at its advantages.
Advantages of Polycarbonate Sheets for Greenhouses
Here are the benefits of polycarbonate sheets for your greenhouse.
- Durability and Long-Lasting: Polycarbonate is 250 times stronger than glass. It can withstand environmental changes, harsh weather conditions, and even accidents while tending the plants. It also remains strong in snow or rain.
- Energy Efficiency and Insulation: Isn’t the main rationale for having a greenhouse to keep plants warm and grow faster? Polycarbonate is a strong insulator and can produce the ideal environment plants need to grow.
- Light Transmission and Diffusion: Polycarbonate has 88% light transmission, and it diffuses sunlight throughout the greenhouse. In a polycarbonate greenhouse, every plant gets the warmth it needs.
- Resistance to Extreme Weather Conditions: Polycarbonate cannot be easily damaged by weather elements such as wind. Rain or floods also can’t compete with polycarbonate greenhouses. There is no leaking or shattering.
- Ease of Installation and Maintenance: Polycarbonate greenhouses are quite easy to install. Its flexibility makes installation easier. If you are a DIYer, you can mount it yourself in days, depending on how fast you are. And you don’t need to have it cleaned regularly. Annual cleaning will suffice.
Environmental Benefits of Using Greenhouse Polycarbonate Sheets
Below are some of the environmental benefits of using greenhouse polycarbonate sheets.
- Reduced energy consumption and carbon footprint
- Sustainable production and recycling potential
- Contribution to overall agricultural sustainability
- Enhanced plant growth and crop yield
Comparing Greenhouse Polycarbonate Sheets to Other Greenhouse Materials
Below we’ll compare the key features of polycarbonate greenhouses with glass and plastic film to help you make an informed decision.
Glass
- Energy Efficiency: Polycarbonate has better-insulating properties than glass and will not consume as much energy as glass would.
- Durability and Maintenance: Glass requires regular cleaning, unlike polycarbonate. You may also need a shading system for glass greenhouses to prevent overheating since it lets in direct light. It is also resistant to scratches, so you don’t have to replace it after a minor accident.
- Environmental Impact: Unlike glass, polycarbonate can be recycled. Recycled materials can be used in producing new ones, which reduces their environmental impact. The same cannot be said about glass. Glass production also involves the emission of harmful substances into the environment.
Plastic Film
- Energy Efficiency: As explained earlier, polycarbonate is a better insulator. Plastic, however, has lower thermal insulation properties.
- Durability and Maintenance: Plastics degrade quickly. It can easily fade or completely fall apart. Polycarbonates can resist temperatures up to 120 degrees Celsius, while plastics cannot go more than 100 degree Celsius.
- Environmental Impact: Plastic is a polluting material that can release harmful chemicals into the environment and hinder food production capabilities.
Choosing the Right Greenhouse Polycarbonate Sheets for Your Needs
Polycarbonate panels have many properties that make them ideal for greenhouses. At Canada Plastics and Belting Inc., we carry the best greenhouse polycarbonate sheets. Partnering with a reputable distributor like us is paramount to enjoying all the benefits discussed in this article. Don’t just read it, experience it!
Consult with the Leading Greenhouse Sheets Distributors
If you are looking for a sustainable way to produce food, an eco-friendly greenhouse solution, such as polycarbonate greenhouses, is the way to go. Polycarbonate sheets have many advantages: they are durable, energy-efficient, diffuse light uniformly in your greenhouse, and require little to no maintenance.
At Canada Plastics & Belting Inc., we are committed to sustainable agricultural practices. We carry a wide variety of polycarbonate greenhouse sheets. Contact us today to learn more!