When it comes to greenhouses, there are many different materials that can be used to create them. One of the most popular materials for this application is clear fabric that is made into tarps. Clear tarps offer a variety of benefits for greenhouses and can be used with a variety of different greenhouse designs. In this blog post, we will discuss the different materials that can be found in Clear Tarps along with Poly Sheeting and how they can be used to improve greenhouses. We will also discuss the benefits of using Clear Tarps and Poly Sheeting in greenhouses and why they are becoming more popular every day.
Greenhouses have been around for centuries. They are structures that are utilized to help grow fruits, vegetables, flowers, and other types of plants that benefit from the protected conditions and temperatures inside. Greenhouses are very important for agriculture, horticulture, and botanical sciences as well as for hobbyists, collectors, and residential gardeners. The modern version of a greenhouse is generally a framed structure that has a double sloped, single sloped, or arched roof that is usually enclosed in either panes of glass or clear material tarps/sheets for the vital transmission of natural light. Clear materials such as polyethylene and vinyl have emerged as a cost-effective, reliable, easy, durable, and safe product to use to encase greenhouses in.
One of the most important things to consider when choosing a tarp for your greenhouse is the material. There are different options available, but not all of them will be right for your needs. Clear tarps are typically made from either polyethylene or vinyl. Each of these materials has its own benefits and drawbacks, so it is important to choose the right one for your greenhouse applications.
A popular type of plastic called Polyethylene, often referred to as Poly, is the most common type of material used in clear tarps. It is lightweight and durable, making it a great option for greenhouses. However, it is not as transparent as other materials, so it may not allow as much sunlight to reach the plants.
Vinyl is another popular option for clear tarps. It is more transparent than polyethylene, some products are as clear as glass, so it will allow more sunlight to reach your plants. It is also a more durable material that holds up well and longer to the wind, rain, snow, and debris along with UV rays, tears and abrasion. Although it is a fairly lightweight and easy to handle, it is a little heavier and not as pliable as poly fabric tarps.
No matter which type of material you choose, clear tarps are a great way to let sunlight into your greenhouse while providing great protection to the plants below. They are also lightweight and easy to install, so you can set up your greenhouse quickly. Thank you for reading and we hope that this article is helpful in your research and purchase. Happy gardening!
Let There Be EXTENDED Light!
Adequate and abundant light is the fundamental aspect of any healthy plant growing. Greenhouses allow the gardener, producer, or researcher to work with and protect their plants in a more controlled environment that expands the growing season from being able to start earlier and extending later into the year. As it might be a luxury for growers to have Greenhouse partitions to be made from panels of glass, a large percentage of Greenhouses are fitted with Clear Tarps or Plastic Sheeting. When compared to glass, tarps and sheeting are much less expensive, lighter in weight, and overall easier to work with.
Greenhouses give growers the opportunity to keep costs low by raising seedlings that can be later transplanted to the garden, planter, or field. These structures also offer tropical and other sensitive plants the opportunity to survive and thrive during cold seasons while they are receiving the necessary sunlight.
What Kind of Clear Tarps are there to be used with Greenhouses?
For Tarps and other Sheets that help cover Greenhouses, a number of effective products are available to transmit light and help provide important protection against rain, snow, wind, pests, and debris along with cost effective benefits. The durable, clear, waterproof, and UV treated clear Tarp materials safeguard the plants inside and defends against wear and tear of the overall building structure. To follow are numerous Clear Material Tarps and Sheeting that are commonly utilized with Greenhouses:
Clear Translucent Greenhouse Tarps and Sheeting
Greenhouse Tarps and Sheets are crafted from heavy duty 10 Mil thick polyethylene fabric that is translucent clear, waterproof, and UV ray treated to shield against the elements protecting the plants and structure. The design of the poly material provides tremendous light saturation while it also helps diffuse shadows always aiding the growing process. The easy to handle 5.7 ounces per square yard material weight Tarps are reinforced with rope in the hems for extra strength that are fitted with sturdy metal grommets (eyelets) that are located 36-inches apart around the entire perimeters to easily and securely tie the covers to the structure or surrounding area. These are offered in two popular 40’ x 60’ and 40’ x 100’ Tarp sizes to work with common Greenhouse designs. This material is also available in the same size Greenhouse Poly Sheets. The only difference is that this sheeting does not include grommets.
Poly Sheeting
Created for construction and other industrial applications such as enclosures and scaffoldings, Poly Sheeting is commonly utilized to cover Greenhouses. Made in full rolls of clear and translucent colors, this material fully transmits sunlight. Poly Sheeting is manufactured with polyethylene, a common plastic formula, in thicknesses of 5 Mil, 6 Mil, and 10 Mil in a variety of widths (15’, 20’, and 40’) and roll lengths of 100 and 200 feet along options such as string reinforcement and flame retardant.
Clear String Reinforced Poly Tarps
As a candidate for Greenhouse coverings, Clear String Reinforced Poly (Polyethylene) Tarps are an option. It is made in three layers, two outer layers of polyethylene film that is laminated with a middle layer of molten polyethylene that has a heavy duty white diamond shaped string reinforcement lying between the levels for added strength. This cover is made with 7 ounces per square yard polyethylene fabric that is 10 Mil thick. It is waterproof, UV resistant, and mildew resistant that has brass grommets spaced every 24-inches around all four sides. The material is translucent with a milky quality and the reinforced string that is present. It is not a clear view product, but light does easily transmit through.
Super Heavy Duty Clear Poly Tarps
This high-quality polyethylene tarp is made with 14 Mil thick material that is reinforced with white string. The fabric of this cover is translucent and not optically clear. It does allow natural light through for it to operate well as greenhouse covers. These Super Heavy Duty Clear Poly Tarps include grommets spaced 36-inches apart around the perimeter and are waterproof, UV resistant, and mildew resistant delivering necessary protection.
Clear Vinyl Tarps
Made with crystal clear vinyl material, Clear Vinyl Tarps in both 20 Mil and 30 Mil are available to be confidently used as Greenhouse coverings. These incredibly durable Tarps are waterproof and cold weather rated along with being resistant to UV rays, tears, abrasion, chemicals, grease, and mildew. As a result of the sturdiness and clear views of these Clear Vinyl Tarps makes them popular for many residential, agriculture, commercial, industrial, and transportation uses and applications. For a special added protective feature, a 20 Mil thick Fire Retardant version is available as a Clear Vinyl Tarp.
Mesh Shade Tarps
Shade Tarps are a commonly used item to help block the sun when complete sunshine is not wanted, and the plants need to be shielded. Whether it is placed over the roof structure or affixed under the ceiling, Shade Tarps are available in a percentage of shade from 40 percent up to 95 percent. These are extremely strong yet very lightweight, easy to put up and take down in few minutes. They are not water resistant because of their porous weave design but will repel heavy rain. Mesh Shade Tarps allow airflow and are resistant to UV rays, tears, and mildew. The covers are fitted with grommets in the hems on all four of the sides for secure tie down and installation in your Greenhouses. The Mesh Shade Tarps are available in a number of products, some of which are offered in a variety of colors to match the structure, surroundings, or branding.
Custom Tarps
As there are a number of Clear and Mesh Shade Tarp products available that will work well in covering a Greenhouse, you might find that the stock sizes provided are not convenient or do not work at all for your situation. For specific dimensions or unique features, Custom Tarps can be created.
Clear Fabric by the Yard or Roll
For situations where material by the yard or especially by the roll is necessary, Clear and Mesh Shade Fabric is available for the do-it-yourself projects or for stock purposes.
The Key Benefits of Greenhouses and the Clear Covers
The objective of the Clear Covers that are placed over the Greenhouse frame is to provide sunlight, protect what is underneath, and control moisture inside and out.
UV Ray Protection
The Polyethylene and Clear Vinyl fabric suggested within this blog piece for Tarps and Sheeting are UV ray treated. These treatments help the covers resist the transmission of harmful UVA and UVB rays while permitting plenty of the nourishing sunlight needed for the proper growth of your plants. The UV ray treatment to the sheeting and tarps also helps protect the material from the weathering of the covers, helping extend their lifespan.
Moisture Control
The goal of the Greenhouse is often for no moisture to come in and none to go out. This permits growers to retain the ideal levels of humidity inside the building. This is especially important in colder months when the Greenhouses are heated. Poly Sheeting and Tarps crafted from Polyethylene or Clear Vinyl are two materials that work well in this moisture/humidity control.
The Polyethylene and Clear Vinyl products are also 100 percent waterproof keeping the damaging affects of heavy rain and snow along with uncontrollable exterior humidity out of the Greenhouse protecting the valuable plants inside.
Heat Transmission
Clear Tarps and Poly Sheeting allow the excellent transmission of light that will also generate a little bit of heat inside. These Polyethylene and Clear Vinyl products help maintain the climate and protects against changes in the temperature. These materials help cut down on heat transference, which is quite prevalent and an issue with glass panels.
Cost Effective
The use of Clear Tarps or Poly Sheeting in covering your Greenhouse is going to be considerably less expensive than if you are fitting it with glass panes. In addition, a lighter frame can be utilized for the overall structure possibly leading to additional cost savings and improvements. Replacement of any Tarps or Poly Sheeting is also going to be at a fraction of the cost compared to having to put up new glass.
Installing Clear Tarps and Sheeting on your Greenhouse
Installing Clear Tarps or Poly Sheeting on Greenhouses is usually quite easy, depending upon the type and design of the structure. The sheeting or tarps are commonly draped over the framing attaching to something at the base on both sides such as furring strips or other wood blocks to help hold the covers firmly in place. Other techniques include strong plastic blocks, piping, or other panels at the base inserted to the frame. Humidity control is sometimes accomplished by Greenhouse operators through having the flexibility to pull up the strips or attach them in a way to quickly pull up, roll up the tarps or sheeting along the base of the Greenhouse to provide needed ventilation or heat control.
Please note that the description of any installation techniques are only suggestions of some common procedures. It is strongly recommended to follow the instructions and designs of the Greenhouse manufacturer.
Care and Maintenance of Clear Tarps and Poly Sheeting
The care and maintenance of Clear Tarps and Poly Sheeting is pretty easy and something that should be monitored on a consistent basis to eliminate potential issues.
Keep Attached
Make sure that the Tarps or Sheeting is attached properly at all of the points where they are affixed throughout the Greenhouse frame and structure. Loose covers can lead to material issues as well as putting unnecessary pressure on grommets or the attachment of the sheeting. The unattached material can also affect the humidity and heat control inside leading to the possible compromise of the ideal growing environment inside the Greenhouse.
Patch Work
Although the Clear Vinyl and Poly materials are sturdy and flexible, rips and tears can happen. Most of the time a quick patch is all that is needed. Poly and Vinyl versions of Clear Repair Tape is available to seal these issues and prevent further damage from occurring.
Replacement
If the Tarps or Sheeting has been damaged severely or has been weathered past usefulness, these covers can easily and safely be replaced as needed. This is a huge benefit compared to windows, the low cost and ease of replacement.
Cleaning
The build up of dirt, grime, bird droppings, and tree droppings can collect on the Tarps and Sheeting. This is more the case with Clear Vinyl Tarps and Shade Tarps, they can be taken down and washed thoroughly with warm water and mild dish soap as they are extremely heavy duty. The sheeting can be lightly brushed or removed and replaced if the dirt that collects gets to be too much.
Tarps Now Helps you Cover your Greenhouses and Anything Else!
If you have a Greenhouse or you are looking at erecting one, please consider putting up Clear Tarps or Poly Sheeting around the structure to allow light to easily transmit and to help protect it and the valuable plants inside. And when you decide to use these types of efficient and cost effective covers, contact Tarps Now. We are the premier source for the Tarps and Sheeting. We can be reached toll free at (888) 800-1383 or just as easy through email at sales@tarpsnow.com where one of our pleasant, helpful, and experienced team members located at our Michigan headquarters will be happy to speak with you.
Based in the southwest Michigan city of St. Joseph; Tarps Now focuses on the manufacturing, distribution, and sales of Standard Sized Tarps, Greenhouse Tarps and Sheeting, Shade Tarps, Truck Tarps, Storm Tarps, and Industrial Curtains all offered in a vast range of materials and specifications along with Custom Made Tarps and Cover capabilities. In addition, we offer a wide assortment of Tarp and Cover accessories and products to assist and maintain our Tarps, Sheeting, Covers, and Curtains. Tarps Now is proud to offer a huge selection of Tarps and Covers direct from the factory along with convenient and popular stock items to individual consumers, businesses, organizations, and municipalities located throughout the United States and North America.
Tarps Now and our helpful staff looks forward to speaking with you about covering your Greenhouse or with any of our hundreds of additional popular Tarp Products.
