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Greenhouse Gardening Article
An Environment for Growth with Greenhouse Plastic
from: Lawn and Garden MagicThe main thing responsible for maintaining a hothouse effect within a greenhouse is the greenhouse plastic. Greenhouse plastic creates the warm and friendly growing environment that allows all types of plants to be cultivated. It provides an enclosure that protects plants from harmful ultraviolet rays of the sun while, at the same time, taking advantage of its natural warmth and light. The filtered environment created by greenhouse plastic makes it possible for gardeners to grow luscious plants, including vegetables, flowers and more exotic plants, during the harsh, cold, winter season.
Greenhouse plastic is specifically designed to resist wear and tear, unlike conventional construction plastic that cannot filter the ultraviolet rays of the sun. Greenhouse plastic is also durable because of its knitted design that allows it to be cut and sized to meet the needed length for any structure without fraying, ripping or tearing. Plastic is easily framed around any greenhouse opening such as vents, doors and windows.
Greenhouse plastic is the preferred covering of most greenhouse gardeners when compared to other types of greenhouse coverings. One reason is the costs are greatly reduced when greenhouse plastic is used because it's lightweight and doesn't require heavy-duty structural framing. The diffusion of light seeping into any structure constructed of greenhouse plastic is equally as effective as a glass greenhouse.
Types of Greenhouse Plastic
Greenhouse plastic films are generally made of three types of plastics namely, PVC or polyvinyl chloride, PE or polyethylene and copolymers. Tthere are other types of plastic available, but these three are most popular.
There are two types of Polyethylene greenhouse plastic, the utility grade and the commercial grade. Utility grade polyethylene greenhouse plastic can be purchased at local hardware stores and usually stays in good condition for about a year. Commercial grade polyethylene greenhouse plastic lasts much longer than utility grade, up to eighteen months. It's also treated with ultraviolet inhibitors that filter out ultraviolet rays.
Copolymers are more durable and can last up to three years. Innovative additives introduced into greenhouse plastic enable it to mimic the same effects of a glass greenhouse at a considerably reduced costs. Polyvinyl chloride is more expensive compared to polyethylene, however this type of greenhouse plastic can last up to five years. However PVC greenhouse plastic requires regular washing to prevent dust buildup. It can be purchased in smaller sheets of four feet by six feet wide.
How to Attach Greenhouse Plastic to Frame
Once the frame for the greenhouse has been built it's time to put on the film that will enclose the entire structure. The plastic film can either be made of polyethylene, copolymers or polyvinyl chloride depending the preference and budget of the owner. However, it's recommended that you choose a greenhouse plastic that's resistant to ultraviolet rays in order to get the most use out of the structure. Before laying the greenhouse plastic covering on the frame it's also important to mask the joints of the frames with several rounds of tape or a rubber material to prevent it from puncturing the covering.
The greenhouse's plastic film is secured in place with a staple gun. Or a more rigid construction using 1" by 2" wood strips and wood screws can be used to secure the greenhouse plastic film in place. The wood strips are attached to the frame so that the greenhouse plastic film doesn't come in direct contact with the frame.
One popular technique often used by nurseries is a double-walled construction, which provides better insulation within the structure. This will provide considerable energy savings. Two sheets of plastic are layered and framed leaving a small amount of space in between about five to eight inches wide. Air is introduced into the framed plastics that produces a dead air zone and this will efficiently insulate the entire greenhouse. Various tapes, such as poly patching tape and batten tape, can be used to secure greenhouse plastic into place.
Poly patching tape is constructed from UV protected acrylic along with the adhesive to protect the greenhouse plastic from weakening on contact. This type of tape is used to patch holes and rips that may happen. Its excellent holding ability and its wide tape make it ideal for securing the plastic film to the frame of the greenhouse. Batten tape, on the other hand, can fasten the plastic film using staples or tacks to the greenhouse structure. It's made of heavy gauge vinyl that is also UV protected.
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