Your Most Common Greenhouse Materials Questions Answered

Posted by Brian Sparks|October 22, 2022

The quality of a greenhouse plays a major role in an operation’s success. Still, growers can so often focus on the equipment that goes inside their structure, that they overlook the building materials used to actually construct the greenhouse. This can become a costly mistake, as growers may have to replace certain aspects of their structure sooner, or the quality of their harvests can suffer.

Whether you are building out a completely custom greenhouse or choosing between various greenhouse kits, it’s important to get a structure that employs the highest-quality greenhouse materials possible. This will not only help increase the lifespan of your greenhouse, but also facilitate a superior growing environment that allows you to produce healthier, more robust crops.

With all the different types of greenhouses out there, it’s only natural that operations have questions about a potential growing setup. In a recent post on its website, GrowSpan answers five of the most common inquiries regarding greenhouse materials, so you can make a detailed plan before obtaining your structure. These questions include:

How do you know the best cladding material for your greenhouse? While there are several types of cladding for greenhouse growers to choose from, polycarbonate is generally going to have the most positive impact on their crops over time. Greenhouse film and glass are also viable options, but growers looking to incorporate the best greenhouse materials will want to opt for a multi-layer greenhouse plastic, like twin-wall polycarbonate.
What is galvanized steel? When steel is galvanized, it means it has gone through a process where it is applied with a coating of zinc. This coating extends the life expectancy of steel by providing additional rust protection, allowing it to withstand corrosive environments and harsher weather.
What is the best floor for a greenhouse? Two effective greenhouse flooring options are poured concrete and gravel. Despite not being one of the most prominent greenhouse materials that growers think of, the type of floor they use can have a considerable impact on the overall quality of their structure.
What is the best way to heat your greenhouse? A high R-value cladding, like twin-wall polycarbonate, will encourage effective heating, but growers will also want to complement their greenhouse materials with a high-efficiency heating system. The right heater can go a long way towards maintaining a uniform growing environment and saving on utility costs.
How long can I expect my greenhouse to last? Although this depends on the quality of the greenhouse materials being used, growers can expect a structure with the right components to last years without breaking down.

Learn more in this post on GrowSpan.com.