Which polycarbonate is best suited for making a greenhouse. Choosing polycarbonate for a greenhouse: types and characteristics of the material

Most vegetable growers have long been convinced that polycarbonate is much better for greenhouses than film. This modern, lightweight, ultra-strong material allows you to create the most favorable conditions in a greenhouse.

Often, gardeners face the question of which polycarbonate is better to use for a greenhouse. When choosing a coating material for a greenhouse, it is necessary to take into account the requirements that apply to the design of structures of this kind.

On the modern market cellular and monolithic transparent and colored polycarbonates are widely represented different thickness. This type polymeric materials differs in the diverse nomenclature. The same in chemical composition, they differ in structure and technical characteristics.

Monolithic polycarbonate is a dense sheet without internal voids. Cellular (cellular) polycarbonate is a familiar material with a certain internal structure - honeycombs, created thanks to the jumpers located between the two layers of material. With the same sheet thickness, its specific gravity, compared with a monolithic one, is much less. The weight of one square meter of a ten-millimeter cellular polycarbonate panel is an order of magnitude less than the weight of a solid sheet of the same chemical composition and size.

By weight, cellular polycarbonate is different. The weight depends on the density of the material: the stronger and more durable the polycarbonate, the heavier it is. Its mass increases due to the thickness of two sheets fastened with jumpers. High-quality polycarbonate will also be much more durable: it will last 2-3 times longer than economy-class material.

Appreciating the high specifications polycarbonate, consumers widely use it for greenhouses. Structures for its solution should cover enough large areas. Erect similar designs it is possible only using materials with a low specific gravity, otherwise a heavy, durable frame will be required.

Choosing cellular polycarbonate from the market a wide range, it is necessary to proceed from a complex of various characteristics and properties: thermal conductivity, mechanical strength, light transmission, resistance to changing environmental conditions, the presence of protection against ultraviolet radiation. The parameters of cellular polycarbonate are high in all these positions.

The characteristics of cellular polycarbonate are influenced by 2 main factors: the quality of the raw materials used and strict adherence to the material production technology. Panels are made to special equipment extrusion method. Different manufacturers use raw materials that differ in their properties, so their material structure may also differ.

When choosing a specific brand of cellular polycarbonate intended for the construction of a greenhouse, all of the listed characteristics must be taken into account.

Of decisive importance, in addition to the above parameters, is the cost of the panel, which directly depends on the quality and thickness of the sheet. Made in violation specifications cheap materials usually do not withstand long-term operation.

How to choose the right thickness?

When choosing the thickness of cellular polycarbonate to cover a greenhouse, a number of factors should be taken into account:

1. Greenhouse crate step
2. Temperature regime of the region
3. snow load
4. The shape of the greenhouse used
5. slope angles
6. Crops planned for cultivation.

The lure of cost savings often leads to the purchase of the thinnest and least expensive sheet to cover the greenhouse. As a result, there is a need to strengthen the load-bearing elements of the frame, which should compensate for the insufficient strength of the panel, which is subjected to significant snow and wind loads during operation.

In addition, the actual thickness of a cheap material may not correspond to the declared one, which also negatively affects its technical characteristics.

Going to the other extreme, you should not build a greenhouse made of polycarbonate of maximum thickness. The thick four-layer panel significantly reduces light transmission. With more specific gravity sheet will also need reinforcement load-bearing structure frame.

As practice shows, to cover greenhouses optimum thickness polycarbonate is 4-10 millimeters. When choosing panels, one should take into account the quality of the material, and not just the declared technical parameters. The main types of polycarbonate differ in sheet thickness:

Thickness 4 mm

Most often, polycarbonate of this thickness is used for the construction of greenhouses. It bends easily, making it suitable for creating arched structures. Compared to thicker counterparts, the material has excellent transparency. Due to the low cost, 4 mm thick cellular polycarbonate is available even to people with low incomes.

The main disadvantage of such polycarbonate is that when mounting the frame, it is necessary to install a large number of stiffening ribs. Otherwise, in winter, under the pressure of snow, the greenhouse may simply collapse.

After each heavy snowfall, snow must be removed from a 4 mm thick polycarbonate greenhouse. Such material does not protect well enough from frost and cold weather. In general, this polycarbonate is quite suitable for the construction of a small country greenhouse.

Thickness 8-10 millimeters

This type of polycarbonate is considered more professional and is suitable for those who grow vegetables or flowers for sale. Compared to the previous one, such material retains heat much better: in a greenhouse created from it, under certain conditions, you can work even in winter. Its light transmittance is lower than that of thinner coatings.

When installing a greenhouse frame, fewer ribs will be needed, and structures from it can have much big sizes. This polycarbonate has average term operation for about 10 years. Not everyone can afford to buy such material: its price is much higher.

Thickness 15 millimeters

Frost-resistant polycarbonate that is not afraid of snow high pressure. Keeps heat well, often used to create winter gardens. The price of such polycarbonate is high.

Polycarbonate with a thickness of 8 millimeters can be considered optimal in terms of price and quality. On a normal garden plot from it you can create a durable, strong and warm greenhouse.

When erecting arched-type greenhouses, it is necessary to take into account the maximum bending radius of the material, which also depends on the thickness, but may differ from manufacturer to manufacturer.

The required thickness of the sheet will also be affected by the angle of the roof slope. This indicator is relevant only for pitched greenhouses. That is why the walls in pitched greenhouses are often made of polycarbonate with a thickness of 4 millimeters, and the roof - 6-10 millimeters.

In regions with a large snow load it is best to build drop-shaped or arched greenhouses, on the roof of which snow does not accumulate. For areas with moderate snow load, sheets of cellular polycarbonate with a thickness of 4-6 millimeters are suitable.

The thickness of the material also depends on the purpose of the greenhouse. If you plan to use it for forcing seedlings, it is better to buy cellular polycarbonate with a thickness of 6 millimeters; 4 millimeters will be enough for growing early vegetables.

Color selection

Polymer panels can be completely transparent and colored. When choosing the color of cellular polycarbonate for a greenhouse, do not forget that the coating should provide maximum light transmission and the proximity of lighting inside the structure to the natural solar spectrum.

Transparent polycarbonate panels with a light transmission of about 80% fully meet these requirements. Opal-colored sheets retain up to 40% of the sun's rays, and trendy color bronze - up to 60% radiation. Detrimental to plants, it will hinder their growth and development.

Crops in a greenhouse made of colored polycarbonate do not reach the radiation of the part of the spectrum that they need. high yield this situation is not helpful. As a coating, experts recommend using transparent panels to make the greenhouse as warm and light as possible.

When choosing cellular polycarbonate, you should also pay attention to its structure - it largely affects its light transmission, strength and quality in general.

There are 3 types of honeycombs:

1. Rectangular - the most common form of honeycombs. Such polycarbonate has low strength, but transmits light well and is suitable for small greenhouses.
2. Square - stronger polycarbonate, usually used for large structures.
3. Hexagonal - the strongest material that is not afraid of winds and snowfalls. It is usually used in the construction of roofs, rarely used as a coating for greenhouses.

Determining the shape of the honeycombs, you need to clearly define all the requirements for the construction. A polycarbonate greenhouse with hexagonal honeycombs does not make sense in a windless warm region. The cost of its construction will be unjustified. Such material transmits light worse, therefore, for light-loving plants need to arrange additional lighting.

UV protection

Transparent plastic during operation is exposed to intense sunlight. The processes of photoelectric destruction, triggered by the ultraviolet part of its spectrum, lead to the formation of microcracks on the surface, which grow over time and lead to brittleness and gradual destruction of the panel.

A special coating is applied to the outer layer of cellular polycarbonate to protect against these processes. The technology of coextrusion, the mutual introduction of materials, makes it possible to exclude the separation of the protective layer from the base.

Such a coating on most types of material is applied only on one side. A label is applied on the packaging film to inform the user, which indicates the order of installation of the panel.

Certain types of polycarbonates are produced with a photostabilizing coating on both sides of the sheet. Such panels are used for noise-absorbing screens or outdoor advertising structures, which are installed near settlements along major roads. For the construction of a greenhouse, their use does not make sense, since in this case only one side is exposed to ultraviolet radiation.

Manufacturers offer polycarbonate without a light-stabilizing layer. These panels are only for internal works, they are unsuitable for greenhouses. Already after a year of operation, as a result of destructive processes, such panels are destroyed.

Experts recommend using high-quality cellular polycarbonate from well-known manufacturers with one-sided UV protection for greenhouses. Such sheets are pasted over with a film with the designation of the side on which there is a protective layer.

When choosing polycarbonate, you should always pay attention to quality. Well-known manufacturing companies value their reputation and produce goods of higher quality. Quality products must be labeled by the manufacturer. It is usually placed on the front side.

The marking contains information about the manufacturer, sheet dimensions, thickness, material grade and release date. The light protection layer is always on the front side and must always be on the outside when installed. Lightweight stamps have the designation "Light", the thickness of the sheet (3-4 millimeters) may not be indicated on them at all.

The surface of the sheets should be flat, smooth, without kinks and scratches. On both sides they are covered with a thin film with the company logo printed on the front side of the sheet. The material should not contain bubbles, opaque cloudy areas, other inclusions.

Even experienced master it is not always possible to visually distinguish cheap fakes from high-quality polycarbonate. Before buying, be sure to read the documentation for the product.

Hoping for excessive gullibility of buyers, unscrupulous firms sometimes supply polycarbonate for sale. Low quality, indicating on the packaging the logos of such trademarks that do not supply products to Russia. The seller is obliged to provide a certificate of conformity for the goods.

The quality of construction depends largely on the choice Supplies for the crate and correct installation. To prevent the panels from cracking from thermal contractions and expansions, the diameter of the bolt or self-tapping screw should be slightly smaller than the holes for fasteners.

The panels are mounted on a special H-shaped profile. To prevent foreign particles and moisture from getting inside the sheet, all open edges of the material are covered with a special vapor-permeable profile. The lower edge of the sheet is left open, through which the resulting condensate flows.

Today polycarbonate for greenhouses is the most high-quality and durable replacement for glass and polyethylene. It's lightweight and transparent material, which retains heat well and is capable of transmitting up to 90% of sunlight. Builders give it preference in the construction of sheds, winter gardens and arbors.

Polycarbonate is cellular and monolithic. Honeycomb sheets are taken for greenhouses, as they retain heat better due to air gap between layers. This polymer is lightweight, easy to bend and cut, so no special equipment or skills are needed to work with it. You can make a greenhouse in the shape of an arch or fix the sheets on a wooden or iron frame roofing screws. When building large greenhouses, polycarbonate sheets are installed in an aluminum frame with a rubber layer that provides water resistance and increased thermal insulation.

Polymer Benefits

• Easy to work with material.
• Optimal price-quality ratio.
• Flexibility to create a design of any shape.
• Resistant to any minus and plus temperatures.
• High strength. The material does not break from strong impacts.
• Protective covering prevents ultraviolet rays from penetrating inside the greenhouse, and also prevents the polymer from fading.
• Durability. Manufacturers provide a 10-year warranty on their products, and it can last up to 20 years.

Sheets are not a problem to transport as they are rolled up into rolls less than one meter in diameter. Standard size one plate 2 by 6 meters. One square meter 4 mm thick material weighs 0.7 kg. For greenhouses in hot regions, a material was created with the addition of a white dye. It scatters sunlight and prevents the rays from burning plants.

Creating a durable reliable greenhouse involves the use of high quality materials. An important role in the design is played not only by the frame, but also by the coating, in this case polycarbonate. A reliable manufacturer can provide a guarantee of quality and long-term operation.

Many gardeners are thinking about building a polycarbonate greenhouse on the site. But on sale there are polycarbonate sheets of different thicknesses, sizes, with different form cells, there is cellular and monolithic material. How to choose polycarbonate for a greenhouse or a finished greenhouse from it?

Pros and cons of polycarbonate

polycarbonate steel popular material for greenhouses on a par with glass and film.

• It transmits light well.
• Has low thermal conductivity.
• Durable.
• Not afraid of low temperatures.
• Does not conduct electricity.
• Has a small weight.
• plastic and thermoplastic.
• It can be recycled.

Such advantages make polycarbonate suitable material for greenhouses for various purposes. Of course, there is no material without drawbacks: it is easily damaged if cleaned with abrasive or caustic agents, expands significantly when heated, due to which the structure can be deformed, and is destroyed by ultraviolet radiation. The last drawback is eliminated by applying a protective film.

Monolithic or honeycomb

Polycarbonate is divided into monolithic and cellular. Which polycarbonate is best for greenhouses? Cellular is most often used for this purpose. It represents two or more sheets connected to each other by multiple ribs. It has a honeycomb structure, which makes it strong and flexible, in addition, reduces thermal conductivity. Such material scatters light to some extent. This can be useful if plants need to be protected from scorching.

Polycarbonate transmits light better than glass (up to 88%), sometimes it has a film that protects against ultraviolet radiation. Also, this material is less fragile than glass, if it breaks, it does not form dangerous fragments, is light in weight, and resists fire well.

What do we expect from a good greenhouse? To serve for a long time, please the eye, fit into the landscape of our site and decorate it, and not spoil it appearance. For vegetables to ripen in it quickly, naturally, tasty and juicy. To keep the cost affordable and not close to the price small cottage. Well, so that the design survives under any weather conditions and did not require annual restructuring.

Experts are sure that in order to build an ideal greenhouse, you need to competently approach the selection of building material. Polycarbonate is a great option for a modern greenhouse. But how to choose it and what nuances to pay special attention to?

Read our tips below:

Polycarbonate thick or thin: determine the correct thickness for the greenhouse

1. Does the shade of polycarbonate matter: what color should a greenhouse be built?
2. Why is it necessary to protect the building from UV radiation?
3. Secrets of handling polycarbonate
4. Krovelson's Choice

THICK OR THIN?

To begin with, let's decide on the main thing: the right building material for the greenhouse should be cellular, and not monolithic polycarbonate. This is important, since the greenhouse is a rather bulky structure that requires covering large surfaces and, preferably, without the use of massive frames. Cellular polycarbonate, which has a hollow structure and, therefore, a lower specific gravity, will be more appropriate here than its monolithic counterpart.

Now let's deal with the thickness. There are variations on the market from 3 to 16 mm. And all of them will have different mechanical properties, different thermal conductivity and light transmission, which means they will react differently to environmental challenges and create a different microclimate inside the greenhouse.

And one more nuance: with relatively the same thickness, polycarbonate samples may have different density. And the higher it is, the tougher, stronger the polycarbonate will be and, of course, the longer it will last. The most correct, from the point of view of experts, the density of polycarbonate is considered to be parameters of 0.65-0.7 kg / m2.

Finally, the model of your greenhouse will also affect the choice of the thickness of the polycarbonate sheets, that is, what will be the size of the cell of the crate, the frame or the shape of the structure. By the way, in the snowy regions of our country, greenhouses are usually erected in the form of an arch or a so-called drop so that the snow does not linger on the roof surface and does not create excessive pressure on the structure. It is clear that you will have to take into account the slope angle, which means that too thick polycarbonate sheets are not suitable for such greenhouses.

When installing arched arches at a distance of 0.5-0.7 m from each other (as, for example, in the "Super Strong" greenhouse from Krovelson), sheets no more than 3-3.5 mm thick are sufficient. If the distance between the arcs reaches a meter, use polycarbonate from 4 mm, otherwise any snowfall will have irreparable consequences for the greenhouse.

WHEN COLOR MATTERS

How great is the temptation to build colored greenhouse! In order not only to grow vegetables in it, but also to turn it into an unusual art object on suburban area. The desire is understandable, but let's look at the color of polycarbonate solely from a functional and practical point of view.

In order for the greenhouse to fulfill the tasks assigned to it as much as possible, the polycarbonate from which it is built must transmit light as much as possible. At the same time, it is necessary to strive to bring the lighting inside the building closer to natural sunlight.

Transparent polycarbonate sheets cope with this task by 80%. Moreover, during operation, these indicators do not decrease and remain the same. But today's fashionable sheets of the shade "opal" scatter up to 40% of daylight, while bronze ones - so beautiful and original - options will completely absorb up to 60% of sunlight. All this will adversely affect the yield. So either an art object, or grown vegetables from the garden.

Perhaps the only exception here may be GREENHOUSE NANO polycarbonate. This plastic has a pale pink tint, but it was not due to artificial coloring, but due to a change in the structure of polycarbonate! Why this is necessary, we will tell below.

DO NOT FORGET ABOUT UV RADIATION

It is known that the sun's rays can be not only life-giving and beneficial, but also have a destructive power. If cellular polycarbonate sheets are left without special protection against aggressive UV radiation, their service life will, unfortunately, be short. Within a few months, they will begin to be covered with small cracks, at first invisible to the eye, which, growing, will irreversibly destroy the material. To avoid this, manufacturers cover cellular polycarbonate with UV protection, which must be reported on the packaging.

As for the GREENHOUSE NANO polycarbonate, which we mentioned earlier, a special nanocompound is used in its production, which allows not only to delay negative radiation, but also positively influence plant yields (during the studies, an increase of up to 48% was noted!). The secret is in converting sunlight into a red-dominated spectrum, hence the pleasant pale pink hue of the material.

So, the conclusion: when choosing polycarbonate for a greenhouse, be sure to make sure that the material has UV protection and do not forget to take this into account when installing the greenhouse - the side of the sheet with protective film should be outside the building.

SECRET MATERIALS

We are convinced that installation should be carried out by specialists - people who have relevant experience and knowledge, building skills, and understand the characteristics of the material. The construction of a polycarbonate greenhouse is not an exception, but a confirmation of this rule.

When exposed high temperatures polycarbonate may increase in size. This process cannot be noticed by eye, however, an experienced builder will definitely take this moment into account during installation. When the temperature drops, the polycarbonate may “shrink” a little. If this feature of the material is not taken into account during construction, the greenhouse will collapse in winter!

Proper storage of polycarbonate is equally important. No need to buy it in advance and store it on the site under open sky. Unmounted material does not like temperature extremes, condensation and insects. Washing, cleaning and bringing it into a form suitable for construction will then not be easy.

Polycarbonate must be stored and transported in horizontal position, then no creases or deformation of the sheets will occur.
What else is worth knowing about polycarbonate for greenhouses? This is one of the most safe materials. He does not highlight harmful substances in environment, does not break into sharp fragments, but only cracks, practically does not burn and belongs to self-extinguishing materials, serves for a long time and retains its operational properties.

The last thing to keep in mind is the quality of the frame for the greenhouse, for the manufacture of which we recommend profile pipe own production(more). High-quality Russian metal (1.5 and 2 mm thick), a responsible attitude to business and a guarantee of quality ensure the construction of greenhouses that do not loosen over time and remain strong and rigid for a long time.

CHOICE KROVELSON

We are sure that after studying our tips and tricks, it will not be difficult for you to do right choice and choose the perfect polycarbonate for the greenhouse.
For their part, our experts also analyzed the offers on the market in terms of strength and economy, benefits for plants and benefits for the buyer and made their choice: GREENHOUSE NANO cellular polycarbonate. All the benefits of this unique material look for . We note only in particular guarantee period up to 5 years and a 10-year period of excellent operation.

Finally, if it is more convenient for you to purchase a ready-made greenhouse from KROVELSON, designed specifically for the conditions of the Orenburg region and Samara, with all the components together and the services of installers in addition, take a look. KROVELSON knows what to offer you.

Representing a modern high-strength construction material, with many advantages, polycarbonate is in ever-increasing demand. It is used for the construction of gazebos, sheds of various forms, greenhouses and greenhouses.

When choosing polycarbonate for greenhouses, which one is better determined depending on the type of material, its thickness, the manufacturing company is also taken into account - having many positive feedback and a good reputation are more likely to inspire confidence in high quality polycarbonate.

The recommendations given in the article for choosing the type of polycarbonate when building a greenhouse are simple and will allow you to understand the principle of choosing a material. An example of the choice of polycarbonate is the story of Igor E. from Yaroslavl, who set out to ensure the possibility of growing plants in an earlier period.

As a result, a 3x5 m greenhouse was built, in which the most different plants: cucumbers, tomatoes, eggplants, greens, starting active development in more early dates and surprising with their productivity.

Since it is the parameters of polycarbonate that should be considered the main indicators of the possibility for its use in the construction of a greenhouse, it is necessary to study its characteristics. For all varieties of this material, the following qualities should be considered common:

• strength to mechanical stress in comparison with glass, and even more so with plastic wrap polycarbonate is much higher;
• high rate light penetration;
• defence from negative impact ultraviolet rays;
• practically does not burn;
• does not corrode;
• good ones thermal insulation properties, which is important when building greenhouses in regions with a cool climate.

Durability and moisture resistance should also be considered positive qualities the material in question. The ease of processing and installation of polycarbonate parts is ensured by its plasticity, and its low weight allows you to create large-sized greenhouses.

Important! In addition to the many qualities that are necessary to create greenhouses and which this material possesses, polycarbonate of all kinds has aesthetics.

This is necessary so that the constructed greenhouse looks harmonious, combines with other buildings on the site and at the same time ensures the maintenance optimal conditions for the growth and development of plants.

Varieties of polycarbonate

To understand how to choose polycarbonate for building a greenhouse, you need to study its varieties and their qualities. Today there are two types polymer material- cellular and monolithic.

Monolithic option

Outwardly resembling glass, monolithic polycarbonate has increased resistance to mechanical stress, which is important in case of heavy snowfall in winter period. Offered for sale monolithic variety polymer in the form of sheets of standard size:

• sheet width - 2.05 m;
• its length is 3.05 m.

There are many options for the thickness of monolithic polycarbonate sheets (2-12 mm), the recommended thickness of polycarbonate for greenhouses is 6 mm.

profile view

Referring to a variety of monolithic polycarbonate, a profiled variety is most often used as a load-bearing part of structures.

There are a large number of colors and shades of this type of polymer, it perfectly withstands mechanical loads, has increased sound insulation (during rain, the sound of drops is not even heard), however, its high cost and the need to use special thermal washers that ensure the stability of the structure during temperature and humidity changes can be considered disadvantages of the considered variety of polycarbonate.

Cellular polycarbonate

The difference with the monolithic version of the material is the use of several sheets of polycarbonate, which are fastened together with stiffeners. This makes it possible to reduce heat loss in the finished structure, which is achieved by the presence of an air gap between the sheets.

The dimensions of cellular polycarbonate sheets are also standard - 2.1 m x 6.12 m. The thickness of cellular polycarbonate sheets can vary - from 4 to 32 mm, depending on the distance between the sheets.

For the construction of arched greenhouses, when it is required to bend a sheet in a certain way, it is recommended to use cellular polycarbonate thinner- this allows you to bend sheets to significant radii without the risk of breakage.

Cellular polycarbonate also differs in such indicators as the angle of installation of the ribs, the number of soldered sheets, as well as in the typical and constructive structure. There are 5 main types of them on sale: 2R, 3R, 3RX, 5Rx, 6RX.

Important! Since all types of modern polycarbonate have a high degree of external attractiveness, they have proven themselves well in the construction of greenhouses, when choosing its type, it is necessary to pay attention to the characteristics of the material and the features of the future structure.

For example, cellular polycarbonate, in which honeycombs are filled with airgel, may be suitable to ensure a minimum temperature difference. High impact resistance and thermal insulation even with high cost materials constantly attract the attention of buyers to this type of polycarbonate.

Colors and UV protection

Today, there are many colors of the polymer in question on sale. All of them are attractive, allow you to give the greenhouse the most aesthetic appearance.

However, when choosing a shade of polycarbonate, one should first of all evaluate what its impact on the development and growth of plants will be. Too much dark tones may not miss required quantity light for plant growth, and excessively light do not provide the creation and maintenance of the desired temperature regime.

The main indicator in assessing the color of the material should be called protection from ultraviolet radiation. Indeed, in the absence of a special coating, polymer sheets quickly lose their qualities and become brittle, their degree of transparency decreases. Manufacturers use several methods for UV protection:

• volumetric protection, which is introduced into the raw material at the stage of polymer production. This method is the least effective, the service life of polycarbonate without loss of its qualities is 5-8 years;
• special films that are applied to ready product and perfectly protecting from the damaging effects of sunlight - the service life is longer: 15-18 years;
• the combination of a bulk filler and a double layer of UV protection is considered the most effective - with its use, the material retains its qualities for 25-30 years.

To confirm the presence of a certain type of protection in the material, you should require the relevant quality certificates from the seller and pay attention to the labeling.

Important! When choosing a color, it is necessary to take into account the degree of light transmission, which is expressed as a percentage and depends on the thickness of the sheets, the shade of the material. The highest rate light transmission has a transparent polymer (90%), followed by yellow and green. The least translucent are bronze dark (17%) and red (%).

bending radius

To build a greenhouse with a curved roof (arched type), you must first pay attention to such an indicator as the radius of the bend.

With small roof bends, almost any kind of polymer can be used, however, with a significant curvature of the sheet that is the roof, damage to the upper protective layer can occur, which will reduce the life of the material with loss of its qualities.

The bending radius can range from 0.6 m with a significant sheet thickness to 2.8 m with a small thickness indicator.

Conclusion: how to choose polycarbonate for a greenhouse

Since it can be difficult to analyze all the characteristics of all varieties of polycarbonate before building a structure such as a greenhouse, the following are the most important properties, which must be taken into account when building this structure:

• light transmission - transparent polycarbonate has the highest light transmission rate, which is recommended for use in the construction of greenhouses;
• thickness - excessive thickness scatters a significant amount of light, so thick sheets of polymer should not be used. Thin options are not able to withstand prolonged mechanical and thermal loads. The optimal indicator thicknesses should be considered 4, 6 and 8 mm;
• since when building a greenhouse, its functionality is primarily taken into account, the best choice many experts consider cellular polycarbonate, which has a high degree of resistance to mechanical and temperature changes, changes in humidity.

The video will help when choosing a polycarbonate option and clearly demonstrate the features of each type of material: