If you’re wondering what the best material is for a greenhouse, then look no further. Polycarbonate provides numerous advantages and a level of durability that traditional greenhouse materials just can’t match.
In this article, we’ll walk you through the nine benefits of utilizing polycarbonate as panels for a greenhouse and how our customers use our greenhouses in extreme weather conditions. Let’s get started!
1. Shatter-resistant
Polycarbonate is 200 times stronger than regular glass and virtually shatter-resistant. The durable panels can easily withstand hard impacts from the following elements without showing any signs of damage:
- Hail
- Stones
- Rain
- Wind
- Snow
- And more
.
Customer images of the Sungrow Greenhouse withstanding heavy snowfall
2. Different shapes and designs
Polycarbonate is highly flexible and can easily be bent into new shapes without breaking. This opens the door for creative and custom designs that would take much longer to create with traditional glass.
3. Long-lasting
Drastic temperature fluctuation and extreme weather can’t compete with the strength of polycarbonate. Not only can this weather-resistant material outlast glass by years, but it’ll stay in much better condition over the same period.
4. Better insulation
Stay warmer for longer in a polycarbonate greenhouse. The material can insulate better than traditional glass, with much less warmth escaping through the roof. This level of heat retention will keep your plants healthy and happy beyond the standard growing season.
Customer image of the inside of their warm greenhouse in the middle of winter in Saint John, New Brunswick
5. Light diffusion and UV protection
Polycarbonate panels can diffuse light from the sun, spreading it evenly across your entire greenhouse. Unlike glass structures, polycarbonate can help provide light and warmth to every corner at once, whenever there’s sunshine. Not to mention, it also doubles as a natural UV filter, keeping harmful rays away from your delicate plants.
6. Extended growing season
Say hello to longer planting seasons with a polycarbonate greenhouse! The enclosed environment and warmth allow for more fruits, vegetables, and plants to be harvested beyond the limits of outdoor frost dates. Learn more about how to extend your growing season based on where you live.
Customer image of the inside of their greenhouse during winter
7. Flame resistant
Feel comfortable having BBQs, bonfires, and more nearby your polycarbonate greenhouse. The fire-resistant material will stand firm in the event of any runaway flames or smoke.
8. Lower costs
The value of a polycarbonate greenhouse dramatically outweighs the actual cost. Once an expensive material, polycarbonate is now streamlined and improved to make these quality products much more accessible.
9. Low maintenance
Polycarbonate doesn’t require regular cleaning. The low-maintenance material requires less upkeep than glass and should only need cleaning once or twice a year.
Why Planta Greenhouses?
- Wind resistant up to 65 mph (learn more about how our greenhouses hold up in high-altitude climates).
- Withstands a snow load of up to 98 psf (480kg/square meter).
- Made with a heavy-duty galvanized steel frame.
- Polycarbonate panels provide 100% protection against UV rays.
- The Sungrow greenhouse is bell-shaped - allows the wind, snow, and hail to slide off the sides.
- Extendable (Sungrow, Sigma and Farmer models can be extended beyond 100ft)
- Made in Europe and are exclusively imported
- Maintenance-free