Best Greenhouse Plastics in 2022: Buying Guide

If you own a greenhouse or are looking to build a greenhouse, then you are probably well aware of the fact that greenhouses are rather special, since they require their types of plastic, to keep the plants healthy and prosperous.

Many people are unaware of the sheer range of available greenhouse plastics, as well as the different reasons why greenhouse plastic is so important. Even further than that, many people are simply unfamiliar with the applications of greenhouse plastic, or how to find the very best greenhouse plastic.

Here’s the thing about greenhouse plastic: if you own a greenhouse, or are going to be building a greenhouse, then greenhouse plastic is essential. It is absolutely essential because greenhouses are spaces that are designed to be conducive to the growth of plants, and other forms of vegetation. For greenhouses to do this, there need to be various protective measures in place, so that those plants and that vegetation can grow freely, but, there also needs to be another measure in place that allows for the plants and vegetation to continue growing.

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Our Recommended Greenhouse Plastics in 2022

6) SHANGXING Plastic Film

Last update on 2024-04-20 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

5) Happybuy Greenhouse Film

Last update on 2024-04-20 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

4) Roly Poly Semi-Clear

Last update on 2024-04-20 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

3) Suncover Greenhouse Plastic

Last update on 2024-04-20 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

2) A&A Green 25′ x 40′

Last update on 2024-04-20 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

1) Farm Plastic Supply

Last update on 2024-04-20 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

With greenhouse plastic, you can do that. And, that is why greenhouse plastic is so very important. However, finding the best greenhouse plastic can be a rather challenging endeavor, especially if you aren’t particularly familiar with the different plastics that are available, or the different variables that comprise greenhouses.

That is why, in this buying guide, we’re be going to diving into the different greenhouse plastics that are available, so that you can find the very best one. We’re also going to be discussing the specifics of greenhouse plastics, and what makes them so important.

Instead of looking at specific greenhouse plastics, though, we’re going to be looking at specific features and attributes that comprise greenhouse plastics, and which ones you should keep an eye out for.

From this guide, you’re going to have a very easy time finding the best greenhouse plastic for your greenhouse!

What Exactly Is Greenhouse Plastic?

We already gave a loose definition of what greenhouse plastic is, earlier in this guide, but we’re going to be giving a much more in-depth, and specific, definition of what greenhouse plastic is.

So, greenhouse plastic is a type of plastic that has been designed to be used on greenhouses. Specifically, a type of plastic that will then be used to cover the roof of the greenhouse, as well as the sides of the greenhouse. And, the reason it is placed here, is because that is where the sun will shine through the greenhouse.

When looking at the different greenhouse plastics that are available, you’ll find that they tend to be made of several types of different plastic. More specifically, copolymer plastic, polyvinyl plastic, polycarbonate plastic, and polyethylene. These are the most common forms of plastic that you’ll find when searching for greenhouse plastics.

Using greenhouse plastic, you can properly protect the plants and vegetation within the greenhouse from degrading or becoming damaged, due to the intensity of the sun’s rays. Naturally, this is very important, because if your plants are receiving too much sunshine, or becoming damaged by the sun, then this destroys the point of having a greenhouse.

Many of these greenhouse plastics are designed in a way that also allows a significant amount of light to be transferred to the plants and vegetation that you are growing. And, they do this without causing damage to those plants.

One of the nice things about greenhouse plastics is that you can use them for other things, as well. Sure, they tend to work best with greenhouses, but if you have a small garden, you can use greenhouse plastic to cover that small garden, so that the garden stays nice and healthy.

What Are The Three Main Benefits Of Using Greenhouse Plastic?

Let’s start with the most basic, and obvious, benefit of them all. With greenhouse plastic, you are protecting your plants. You are protecting your plants from the intensity of the sun, and the UV damage that can result from the sun’s rays being too intense for your plants. This is very important because there is such a thing as “too much sun”, and if your plants get too much sun, this does transform the growing process, in a less-than-positive way.

Another benefit is the fact that greenhouse plastic can be very beneficial and conducive to the growth of your plants, because it allows plenty of sun to go to your plants, but not too much. And, it serves as a powerful way of transmitting that light to all of the plants in the greenhouse, so that they are all receiving the ideal amount of sunlight.

Finally, the third benefit has two-sides. First off, greenhouse plastic is quite cheap, in today’s market. You don’t need to spend a lot to purchase enough greenhouse plastic for the entire greenhouse. And, the benefit of this is the fact that you can now spend a little money, to have a significant amount of protection for your plants, and to ensure that they are nice and healthy.

When Looking For The Best Greenhouse Plastic

In this section of the buying guide, we’re going to be looking at the key elements that you need to consider and look for when searching for the best greenhouse plastic. Remember that everyone has different needs when it comes to what they need, which is why this part of the guide is a bit open-ended.

What Type Of Material Is The Greenhouse Plastic Made From?

As we mentioned earlier in the guide, greenhouse plastic is made from a variety of different materials. Two of the most popular materials are PVC and polyethylene. Both of these have some big advantages, but polyethylene is significantly better, as a material.

You see, polyethylene is a better material because it is incredibly durable. It is quite strong, and it protects against UV rays and ensures that the plants that are being housed underneath the plastic, are protected and that the sun won’t cause any damage to these plants.

However, along with that, it also allows a significant amount of light through, as well. With PVC, it’s not only less durable, but it also tends to not let light through, in the same way, that polyethylene does. With polyethylene, the material is strong and durable, and it lets the right amount of light through.

That is why you should always try to find greenhouse plastic that is made of polyethylene.

How Durable Is Greenhouse Plastic?

Durability is something that is directly related to the UV protection that the greenhouse plastic offers, and we already talked a little bit about that. We’re also going to talk about the various protections that specific greenhouse plastics offer, but before we do that, there is one aspect of durability that is less talked about.

To a lot of people, the thickness of the greenhouse plastic isn’t that important. Or, rather, they don’t think it is because it is quite important.

The thickness of greenhouse plastic is measured in something known as “mils”. Now, mils are approximately a single-thousandth of an inch, in terms of thickness. But, even just one or two extra mils can greatly increase the strength and durability of greenhouse plastic.

In terms of thickness, the ideal is six mils, but four is just as good. With two or three mils, it won’t be very thick, which means the material is a bit weaker and won’t last as long. That is why four to six is ideal.

What Types Of Protections Does The Greenhouse Plastic Offer?

Every greenhouse plastic should have some form of UV protection. If it doesn’t, and that would be very strange, then it is not a greenhouse plastic that you want. Make sure that it has some form of UV protection, and then, if the store page has this information, see if you can learn about what kind of climate this UV protection is meant to be used in.

For environments with intense sun, then you can find UV protection that has been designed for those environments. And, the same goes for environments where the sun is less intense.

If you live in an environment where there is a lot of dust – the desert is a good example of this – then anti-dust protection is a good choice. The same goes for IR protection when it comes to colder environments.

Ultimately, each one of these protections is designed to protect your plants even more so, because they are sensitive to these kinds of things, and without these basic protections, they are a bit more vulnerable.

Conclusion

Ultimately, when searching for the best greenhouse plastic, there are just a few things to look for. Things that are basic and simple, but important. It’s important that you purchase a greenhouse plastic that is strong and protected so that your plants will grow in a healthy manner.

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