What is Better to Build a Glass or Polycarbonate Greenhouses?

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Which is the Best Choice, of Greenhouse Building & Construction Planning, Glass Greenhouse Plans or Polycarbonate Greenhouses Plan?

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Post Category: Greenhouse Articles > Building Greenhouses > Greenhouse Components & Parts > Glass and Polycarbonate > Material and Cost Comparison

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Greenhouses are classically made from aluminum and glass, but recently, some people are substituting the glass for twin wall polycarbonate.

• The mega trend toward producing your own vegetables is leading more growers to experiment with different materials and expand beyond traditional options.
• Plastic greenhouse construction materials include fiberglass, polyethylene film, and polycarbonate.

Polycarbonate has numerous advantages over glass, including:

1. Greenhouse Insulation Ability:

Successful greenhouse plant growing is a matter of keeping the plants at the right temperature.

• Glass is not a very efficient material when it comes to heating, because it transmits heat and cold too rapidly.
• People have made use of glass’s difficulty retaining heat in other structures, from thermometers to spoons, but it is a disadvantage in other areas.
• Greenhouse glass panels are usually double or triple the normal thickness of glass to provide enough insulation, which can be problematic.

Polycarbonate

At the right thickness, polycarbonate sheets retain heat better than horticulture glass.

1. Polycarbonate sheets can lengthen the plants’ growing season, which can make all the difference in plant production.
2. Twin polycarbonate sheets are structurally similar to thermal windows, and provide a similar benefit.
3. They can reduce heating costs when compared to glass-paneled greenhouses, due to their greater heat retention abilities.

A material’s thermal insulation value is its ‘R’ value: Horticulture glass that’s three millimeters thick has a lower R-value than four-millimeter twin-wall polycarbonate sheets.

Single layer polycarbonate sheets have a reduced R-value compared to glass, so it is important to take grades and measurements into account, and not to substitute single layer polycarbonate sheets for twin layer polycarbonate sheets.

• A higher R-value can make all the difference for the plants, particularly when growing during the autumn and winter.
• The R-value will increase in proportion to the thickness of the twin panel polycarbonate walls.

 

2. Greenhouse Structural Durability:

Glass is famously fragile. 

1. Polycarbonate sheets can withstand far more pressure and shocks than glass, including fallen tree branches, hail, heavy storms, and the impact from incoming tennis balls.
2. Growers with nearby trees, active wildlife, or bustling neighbors may want to invest in polycarbonate sheets.
3. Twin polycarbonate sheets are also highly flame resistant, in case of emergencies.
4. On average, twin polycarbonate sheets last for fifteen years under ideal conditions.
5. Greenhouses made from glass require substantial repairs over the course of their own lifetimes.

 

3. Ease of Greenhouses Assembly:

Polycarbonate sheets are not as heavy as glass, and do not have to be cut specially to fit the greenhouse specifications. 

Glass is heavier than many other building materials, and needs the sort of significant framing structure polycarbonate sheets do not. Glass also must be kept completely rigid during construction. Often times, amateur growers cannot construct glass greenhouses themselves, and must procure the services of a contractor. Polycarbonate sheets are more conducive to individual assembly.

 

4. Internal Light Penetration:

There is a risk of burning plants when using glass-paneled greenhouses, because glass does not effectively diffuse light.

1. Polycarbonate sheets are constructed to have a ribbed texture that breaks ultraviolet rays.
2. The texture of polycarbonate sheets diffuses the incoming ultraviolet light, all the better for plant growth.
3. The diffused light minimizes shadow, so growers can take full advantage of incoming light and not have to compensate on behalf of the plants.
4. Some plant species need more or less light, and could be most efficiently grown in a greenhouse made from twin-walled polycarbonate.

 

Materials: Made with Glass

5. Reduction in Inside Greenhouses Condensation Levels:

Twin polycarbonate sheets have been tested in conditions of eighty percent humidity, with a fifty degree temperature differential between the outside and the inside of the greenhouse.

1. There was still no condensation on the greenhouse glass. 
2. Greenhouse condensation is more important in regards to aesthetics, but a buildup of moisture can still be problematic.

Greenhouse Materials: Made with Polycarbonate and Plastic Roof

Glass Greenhouse Panels: Materials

Glass Hot House: Sun-room Greenhouse Conservatory Elegant Style

Basic Hobby Greenhouse: Built with 6mm Twin Wall Polycarbonate Panels

EarthCare Greenhouses Brand: Basic Hobby Greenhouse 6' x 6' Kit w/ 4mm Polycarbonate

 

Growers can also take advantage of both materials, and get greenhouses constructed from a combination of glass and polycarbonate.

• Some growers still prefer glass greenhouses for sentimental reasons.
• Advances in materials science will create a portfolio of options for greenhouse growers and hobbyists.

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Greenhouse Articles & Reviews: HomePage Brought to You By: Mini Greenhouse Kits  

 

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Greenhouse Plans

If a person is excited about starting a greenhouse project, they have a choice between buying greenhouse kits that come with plans, or they can search the Internet to find a wide variety of greenhouse construction plans.

On the one hand, if they buy a kit, the plans are pretty foolproof, as all the materials are cut and measured, and ready for construction. On the other hand, if a person decides to go with greenhouse plans that will require them to find their own supplies, they might have a little bit of work ahead of them initially. However, some people enjoy this process, particularly those who are hard-core do-it-yourselfers. There are some very common models that not only will be relatively easy to construct based on the plans available, but are also inexpensive.

• One should know that if they want to find these plans to learn how to build a greenhouse at home, they are usually free on the Internet.
• If a person doesn't want to do it themselves, and don't want to have to find the materials on their own, than they can simply do an Internet search to find a kit that includes the plans and all the materials that will be needed.

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One should note that when they consider building a greenhouse, there are other types of designs and materials besides those that first come to mind.

Most people think of a greenhouse as being made out of glass or hard plastic.

• While this is true in a lot of cases, there are other types of materials that can be called for in diverse how to build a greenhouse plans, which could include building small greenhouses, hobby greenhouses, commercial greenhouses, glass greenhouses, lean-to greenhouses, and much more!

For example, many people might not know this, but one can construct a greenhouse made out of wood.

• A wooden greenhouse tends to look like a box.
• They can be sloped, or they can be flat. This will require various cuts of wood along with glass.
• A sloped greenhouse is usually built along the side of the house, and the side of the house this is built on will be dependent on what is being grown, and of course, the environment outside. This is a great starter greenhouse for either the new gardener, or for children.

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There are greenhouses that can simply be made out of film and racks.

A plan for this type of greenhouse might seem too simplistic to actually work, but believe it or not, it does!

• A person would simply have to look at the plans to see that once the structure has been completed, they can take on little growing projects in this type of a greenhouse.

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There are even greenhouses, and plans for greenhouses that can built right into the earth. These are called dug out green houses.

As the name states, a hole is dug into the earth that is sufficient for plant growth. This would be covered with film. The plans would list the materials needed and instruct the grower on how to construct the greenhouse. This information is also available online.

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There are so many options for greenhouse plans that the grower would not have time to go over them all.

However, it is comforting to know there are many options when a person wants to pursue building a greenhouse, the most important part is having the best and easiest to follow plans possible.

Miniature 5x5 DIY Greenhouse Kit

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The Miniature 5x5 DIY Greenhouse Kit

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Description:
This 5' x 5' DIY greenhouse kit has some very amazing features that most desire and need for their hobby greenhouse kits. The 5x5 DIY Greenhouse has a total of eight small, strong, and very durable growing shelves. The growing shelves are the perfect size and work perfectly with the construction of the DIY greenhouses.

The Transparent Plastic Greenhouse features a very useful roll-up front door that can be zippered to contain heat. Also roll up while it’s very hot during the day and if needed to be cooled.

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5x5 DIY Greenhouse Kit Features

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Green Fiber Reinforced Transparent Greenhouse Cover
The Transparent Greenhouse Cover is clear with a small hint of light green color. The cover has is Green Fiber Reinforced, this is the reason why it has a tiny hint of green to its appearance.

Simple & Easy DIY Greenhouse Assembly

The 5x5 DIY greenhouse comes with an illustrated assembly instructional manual, this makes setting up this greenhouse kit extremely easy and also very convenient!

5x5 DIY Greenhouse

Zippered Roll Up Door Feature These greenhouse kits feature an extremely useful rolling up front door, which also has a zipper to provide a secure enclosed environment. The zip up door is also used for maintaining high temperatures, by locking in the heat inside the greenhouse. Another feature of the rolling up door is it provides excellent ventilation and air circulation when opened, a very useful feature, especially on those hot summer days!

Greenhouse Shelving

This greenhouse has large shelving space to fit all of your plants. Has a total of eight spacious greenhouse shelves.

Greenhouse Construction & Design

The greenhouse construction is designed for ease of use and set up, it is very user friendly. This is the perfect start up greenhouse for first time greenhouse gardens.

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Other Product Info

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Shipping Cost: Free shipping in the lower 48 states, U.S.
Dimensions: 56" Long x 56" Wide x 78" High
Model: 5x5 DIY
Model Color: Light Green
Retail Price: $189.99
Sale Price: $149.95

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Backyard Mini Greenhouse Kit Reviews

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