For growers and farmers, greenhouse plastic sheeting is an important investment, and how long your greenhouse cover lasts is an essential factor to consider before you buy. A greenhouse cover might last anywhere from one to four years or more, but there are many factors that can affect how long it will last.
Things That Affect Greenhouse Cover Longevity
Weather
Your greenhouse cover is likely to last longer in mild climates than in climates with extreme cold, heat, rain, snow, or hail. Heavy precipitation is more likely to weigh your greenhouse cover down, causing it to stretch. Extreme changes in temperature can cause your plastic to shrink and grow. Climates with heavy dirt and dust can cause your greenhouse to accumulate dirt, and areas with heavy trees or jutting branches pose a risk to your greenhouse. While high winds can cause scratches from blowing debris.
Discover more greenhouse cover resources.
Greenhouse Frame
Understanding how your greenhouse frame materials will interact with the greenhouse plastic sheeting can help you extend the life of your cover. For example, PVC or polyester frames can react chemically with polyethylene sheeting, resulting in weak spots where the materials touch, which will cause the greenhouse plastic to deteriorate in those areas.
Wooden frames can splinter, leading to a higher possibility of holes and tears. Metal frames conduct heat and cold, making the plastic sheeting brittle or causing it to melt onto the greenhouse frame.
Greenhouse Plastic Sheeting Material
Greenhouse plastic sheeting is much more complex than you think. Material thickness and UV resistance are a couple of the factors that play an important role in the life of the sheeting. The thicker the sheeting, the less susceptible to tears and rips it will be. SolaScrim™ 4 Year 10 mil Clear Reinforced Greenhouse Cover is a sustainable solution that combines the strength of polyester scrim with UV resistant polyethylene film.
UV inhibitors extend the life of greenhouse plastic sheeting so it can last season after season underneath the scorching hot sun. There are also greenhouse covers that contain just enough UV resistance to cover your greenhouse over winter or temporarily.
Read the 6 features to consider before buying your next greenhouse cover.
How Can I Extend the Life of My Greenhouse Cover
Greenhouse Felt Tape
Greenhouse Felt Tape creates a cushion between the frame of the greenhouse and the greenhouse cover, preventing the chances of premature deterioration, snags, and tears. Felt tape prevents the greenhouse cover from over-exposure to hot metal frames, protects your greenhouse cover from direct chemical reaction, reduces friction against rough edges and splinters, and allows for easy movement.
Greenhouse Repair Tape
Reinforced Greenhouse Repair Tape is a fast way to patch minor snags or rips. Repairing greenhouse covers is an inexpensive and time-effective way to extend the life of your greenhouse cover.
Paint PVC frames with Latex Paint
Latex paint is another solution for PVC frames. The paint creates a barrier between the greenhouse cover and the frame to prevent the chemical reaction that happens when they are in contact with each other under the hot sun.
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Americover is your Source for Greenhouse Plastic Sheeting
Americover has a wide range of greenhouse covers that match your specific needs. Contact the experts today, and let us put three decades of experience to work for you.
Trusted by Growers, Builders, and Distributors
Americover is the smart source for plastic and polyethylene sheeting. Trusted by contractors and distributors across the construction and agriculture industries, our American-made products combine reliability with quality and innovation.
As an Americover customer, you will receive the personalized support of a dedicated account manager to simplify the ordering process and ensure the best solution for every one of your projects. Our friendly, knowledgeable staff is here to answer your questions and fulfill orders Monday-Friday from 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Pacific Standard Time. If you would like to speak with a representative, call us at 760-388-6294 or contact us.