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I thought 4mm light transmission was very high, like 95%? I am using 6mm which is less, and previously used 8mm which is like 80-85% with good results. I think you'll be fine
My new greenhouse has bends on the sides, and 8mm doesn't bend much so they allow only 6mm which flexes more. My old greenhouse had a single flat face for which 8mm was fine. I would choose 8mm again if I could, it seems to be the best mix of cost, light transmission, and insulation value for our zone
I thought 4mm light transmission was very high, like 95%?
I am using 6mm which is less, and previously used 8mm which is like 80-85% with good results. I think you'll be fine
Expensive stuff but I am considering Solawrap for my greenhouse covering. Price aside it offers advantages over polycarbonate. Flexibility, similar or better durability, R value, light transmission and warranty. Also lighter in weight and does not have open spaces for mold and algae to accumulate. Also ideal for roll up sides if that is a summer consideration in your area.
I found this chart ,take a look..... now I am not saying it's 100% true , but seems reasonable . By your saying if 4 mm does let only 60 % light ,then 10 mm or up should not let any, yet still they use them for growing plants.
Quote from: brian on August 29, 2020, 11:32:32 AMI thought 4mm light transmission was very high, like 95%? Not even close. You won't even get that kind of LT with clear corrugated greenhouse grade. More like 88-90% with high grade clear. Google is your friend.If memory serves me correct when I was shopping coverings 4 mm double panel LT was like 60%. Add as little as 5 years of age and dirt and fungi buildup (which is real and a PITA to clean) and your tropical faves which are home to full tropical sun will suffer.Quote I am using 6mm which is less, and previously used 8mm which is like 80-85% with good results. I think you'll be fineNo way Brian. Please show me some bonafide lab stats on that.
Quote from: Plantinyum on August 30, 2020, 03:54:24 PMQuote from: Longranger on August 30, 2020, 12:49:42 PMExpensive stuff but I am considering Solawrap for my greenhouse covering. Price aside it offers advantages over polycarbonate. Flexibility, similar or better durability, R value, light transmission and warranty. Also lighter in weight and does not have open spaces for mold and algae to accumulate. Also ideal for roll up sides if that is a summer consideration in your area.I was actually considering of wrapping the greenhouse with this bubble wrap material in winter, to gain more heat in, but I am thinking and thats not from any experience ,that this I not a very sturdy material on its own .I'm going to line the sides with insultaion foil to reflect light and heat. I'm just an amateur so don't reccomend you mimick my ideas
Quote from: Longranger on August 30, 2020, 12:49:42 PMExpensive stuff but I am considering Solawrap for my greenhouse covering. Price aside it offers advantages over polycarbonate. Flexibility, similar or better durability, R value, light transmission and warranty. Also lighter in weight and does not have open spaces for mold and algae to accumulate. Also ideal for roll up sides if that is a summer consideration in your area.I was actually considering of wrapping the greenhouse with this bubble wrap material in winter, to gain more heat in, but I am thinking and thats not from any experience ,that this I not a very sturdy material on its own .
Quote from: Plantinyum on August 30, 2020, 10:57:33 AMI found this chart ,take a look..... now I am not saying it's 100% true , but seems reasonable . By your saying if 4 mm does let only 60 % light ,then 10 mm or up should not let any, yet still they use them for growing plants. Like I said it's about memory when doing research 9 years ago. I use a 10K footcandle meter and even with new clear Lexan brand corrugated clear I got about 6,000 f.c. noon, summer installed. Ad bullshit is 90%. Keep in mind these folks are out to make sales. You also have to take into account structural members. Palram SolarSoft 80 was not the 80% LT they claimed to be so I filed a warranty claim about 2 years into the installation. They fought me tooth and nail. Had to clip a sample and send it to them for their "official" tests which I as a Joe Blow could not verify. After a year of threats they actually gave in and replaced the entire roof, this time with my requested SolarSoft 90 which allows much more LT. Buyer beware
Quote from: Mark in Texas on August 30, 2020, 08:39:20 AMQuote from: brian on August 29, 2020, 11:32:32 AMI thought 4mm light transmission was very high, like 95%? Not even close. You won't even get that kind of LT with clear corrugated greenhouse grade. More like 88-90% with high grade clear. Google is your friend.If memory serves me correct when I was shopping coverings 4 mm double panel LT was like 60%. Add as little as 5 years of age and dirt and fungi buildup (which is real and a PITA to clean) and your tropical faves which are home to full tropical sun will suffer.Quote I am using 6mm which is less, and previously used 8mm which is like 80-85% with good results. I think you'll be fineNo way Brian. Please show me some bonafide lab stats on that.You very well might be right on the percentages. I can say though that both 8mm and 6mm twinwall have worked great for me for years.
......,yet the plants looked fine and did not look like they were starving for light. Its obvious thought that it stops light.
Hello ,once again 🙋🙋😀 the greenhouse is here, still waiting on the tomatoes thought... I made a quick sketch of the base for the greenhouse / how I will be making it. Please take a look and tell me, is it okay that way. Anything I can add or discard ?? Note: right side is in, left -out.
I don't believe that picture is showing a typical post footing, but rather the cross-section of a full perimeter wall. The goal would be to insulate the dirt inside the greenhouse so it doesn't conduct heat out and to keep the soil warm enough allow in-ground planting. If it were just a post/sonotube type footing then yeah it would be pointless to insulate it.My suggested changes (pretty minor)