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Greenhouse Types
Posted by GuestPoster in -The Great Outdoors
Glass has always been the traditional material for greenhouses, dating back to the Roman era, and it’s still the first choice for many people, however, glass can be a relatively expensive choice as well as making the greenhouse structure heavy. Of course it’s also breakable, and you need to consider this in relation to children and pets who also use the garden space and it can be less than ideal for anybody whose mobility is limited or whose balance is not great.
The new alternative of plastic based materials can be a good idea. The top of the range choice is double-layered polycarbonate. While this is not too much cheaper than glass, it is rigid and well insulated which means that if your greenhouse is on an allotment or near neighbours who have children who play ball games, it’s safe from breakages. Over many years the polycarbonate can degrade a little in sunlight which makes it less able to transmit light but overall a double-layered polycarbonate greenhouse gives insulation and light transmission that is comparable to a glass greenhouse.
There are also single-layered polycarbonate or acrylic greenhouses. These are single sheets which have a tendency to flex and loosen – they are not such good insulators as the double-layered greenhouses but they are generally quite inexpensive in comparison and may be a great first choice for those who are new to greenhouse growing and don’t want to make a large capital investment.
Finally there are polythene covered poly-tunnels – developed from the farming industry, they are now available for garden use. Some are covered with a special treatment film that makes them nearly as light transmitting as glass. This means that they are a good alternative to unheated greenhouses although they can be quite difficult to get in and out of.
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