What Makes Polycarbonate Better than Glass for Greenhouse Roofing?

Gardening has become more than just a fad these days. Folks who started gardening just as a hobby are now more passionate about their gardens and work hard to see their fruits of toil borne by branches growing off planters in greenhouses. Also, it is much more practical to set up a greenhouse than it was before. And a crucial matter to consider here is the lowered costs of doing so. Consider the cost of polycarbonate panels for greenhouse. Compared to glass, the overall cost of roofing greenhouses with poly sheets is much less than doing it with glass.

All of that translates to one thing - more people are joining the ‘grow your own’ bandwagon.

Polycarbonate sheets for roofing greenhouses is better than using glass for many reasons and we will put forward a few of those here today. We believe these 5 points below will clearly establish why polycarbonate is better in every aspect than glass when it comes to constructing a greenhouse roof. Let’s begin.

#1 Better heat retention, more insulation

Right off the bat, the biggest advantage of using polycarbonate is that it has better heat retention properties and hence offers more insulation against conditions outside. For a greenhouse structure to be successful, heat retention is very important and this is where polycarbonate works better than glass. With glass roof, you will have to use a plastic sheet to prevent the heat from escaping but polycarbonate takes care of that without the need for additional sheets.

#2 Hailstorm-proof

Normal glass cannot be used to construct greenhouse roofs for obvious reasons. To provide better protection greenhouse gardeners invest in toughened glass which is pricier compared to normal glass. Unfortunately, even with the additional investment, there are slim chances of the roof surviving through a hailstorm or in high speed winds. Polycarbonate panels don’t shatter because it is flexible and unsusceptible to the physical effects of wind and hail. That means, less broken roofs and more savings in the long term.

#3 Polycarbonate is a natural UV filter and better at diffusing light than glass

Plants in a greenhouse need light. With glass, which is thinner than polycarbonate, light isn’t dispersed across the farthest nooks and crannies of the greenhouse. Polycarbonate does that way better than glass. Also, polycarbonate filters UV radiation without you having to invest in another product to shade your plants from harmful radiations.

#4 Available across a wide variety of shapes and sizes

Greenhouse are of different shapes and sizes and getting the appropriately sized glass roof is slightly more difficult compared to getting similar roofing materials made of polycarbonate. These roofs can be easily cut into modules and used howsoever you see fit for application. Then there is the obvious cost of cutting glass and compared to cutting polycarbonate. And then you will need proper professionals to install glass roofs because a mistake in handling will shatter the piece and make it completely unusable. Polycarbonate pieces don’t shatter and you can buy them in different sizes and shapes. Compare the two and you have a clear winner!

#5 Diffused and balanced light spread

Polycarb sheets used on the roof helps in spreading the light throughout the greenhouse so that every branch and foliage gets balanced light. With glass, light passes unhindered. This is great if you intend to germinate seeds in your greenhouse and then move them out to grow. Diffused lighting is more beneficial in cases when you want seedlings to grow into fully matured plants within the greenhouse. The latter case is more common and that is why polycarbonate panels for greenhouse is a better choice.

From the days of the yore, tempered glasses and polycarb panels have made greenhouse construction easier and economical. Polycarbonate panels for greenhouse offer higher average temperature and increased output. Looking for optimum productivity from your greenhouse? Polycarbonate panels are right for you.