Roof material question

[Paul Mc]

Ray, I just now saw your post. Thank you. I will look into that as well.

[littlefrog]

I had strongly considered using this product on my new greenhouse, before my new greenhouse turned into an old pole-barn...

Solexx Panels and rolls from Advance Greenhouses

I have no personal experience with it, or that vendor. It does look pretty easy to use, and not super expensive.

You can get white 6mil greenhouse poly, that is a pretty good idea for most orchid greenhouses I think. I used clear on the old one, but I had to add two layers of shade cloth. If you start with the translucent white poly, you could probably get away with 50% shade? Not sure.

[Ray]

Originally Posted by Arenalbotanicalgarden

Shade always goes on before the "plastic" or rain control item.

Not if your shade is applied seasonally.

[Paul Mc]

This would probably be seasonal. I had my chids in a spot getting the same light last year and they did except for a 3 to 4 week 100f and above streak. They suffered through that, but I learned from it. I'd use the alumenit (sp?) during those hot times.

[Paul Mc]

Oops, got ahead of myself with typing. They did fine except for that hot streak.

[Paul Mc]

Ray, would the polycarbonate need the UVR plastic to help keep it from degrading?

[keithrs]

Originally Posted by Paul Mc

Keithrs, I believe you had mentioned that to me before. How much light does it cut though, if any? My area is about 7000 footcandles at midday.

Honesty, I'm not sure how much it cuts down the light. That said, White should be good to use with out shade cloth.

The few orchid vendors close by me all use corrugated fiberglass in white or green for there shade houses with no shade cloth.

[Ray]

Originally Posted by Paul Mc

Ray, would the polycarbonate need the UVR plastic to help keep it from degrading?

Polycarb is pretty UV stable, and if you buy pc panels meant for greenhouse use, it's even better. I'm about 12 years on mine, and I see no degradation.

[Paul Mc]

So how does polycarbonate versus fiberglass hold up under weather and UV? Price comparison wise, they seem about the same but I'm wondering what the differences are and what would be the sturdier/longer lasting of the two. I do plan on using the 6 mil UVR plastic on either and alimony seasonally/as needed in the over 100F weather.

[Ray]

PC is less brittle, so won't crack as easily, and it is more UV stable than the acrylic panels reinforced with fiberglass.