Maintaining a greenhouse is no easy task. And to do it, you need all the right accessories, the most essential being greenhouse plastic.
What good is a greenhouse if the temperature and light are not optimum to contribute to your plant growth? If you like enjoying juicy seasonal fruits all throughout the year, your best bet is to get a greenhouse plastic installed. Be it drought, sleet, or rain, with this, you can enjoy your favorite vegetables and fruits even when they go ‘out of season.’
But there are thousands of options that are available in the market. How do you know which one is the best? Hola, I am Stacy Smith, and today I will help you select the best greenhouse plastic suited to your requirements. I have designed this guide with the top 5 items you can experiment with.
So, without further delay, let’s dive right in!
Top 5 Greenhouse Plastic Reviews
1. Farm Plastic Supply fps2540-C-4 Greenhouse Film
One of my first recommendations is the Farm Plastic Supply fps2540-C-4 Greenhouse Film This is one of the most efficient products I have tried so far, and honestly, it has made my greenhouse plantation so much better than before.
Product Highlights
Most of the greenhouse plastics that you get in the market come with two sides that are different. One is a little dull, and the other side shiny. With this item, you will face no such issue. Both the sides are identical, and thus, it is pretty easy to apply.
Moreover, you can install this item in your greenhouse to enjoy the best seasonal veggies and fruits all around the year. It undergoes proper UV treatment and thus reflects all the unwanted heat and stores precisely the amount that is required for healthy plant growth.
In addition to that, it offers a lot of versatility in terms of size. So, it does not matter if you have a big or a small garden. The Farm Plastic Supply has a suitable greenhouse plastic for every garden. The thickness is the same in all the variants, and this is what helps in retaining heat well.
What’s There To Like About It?
As someone who has been into gardening for so long, I value customer service as much as I appreciate a good product. And this item makes me very happy on this count. The manufacturer provides a 4 years warranty on the plastic sheet and offers incredible customer service.
And I have noticed that it provides quality protection to my plants. The sheet is highly transparent, thereby allowing 90% of the sunlight to filter through. However, because of the UV protection, it does not allow any sun damage.
What’s There Not To Like About It?
After receiving the product, I was a little disappointed with how it was packaged. The box in which it arrived had the corners tapered. And that got me worried about whether the product got harmed during transit.
Pros and Cons of Farm Plastic Supply fps2540-C-4 Greenhouse Film
Pros
Cons
- Plastic Greenhouse Cover - Our 6 mil clear plastic for greenhouses is tough and durable. Made from premium polyethylene plastic sheeting, our green house plastic creates an optimal greenhouse environment. The Dimensions of this product are 25' x 40'.
- Greenhouse Plastic UV - Farm Plastic Supply's 6mil clear plastic is constructed with anti-aging UV additives, made for long term use. These additives protect the green house film from UV rays and prolong the life of your hoop house plastic.
- Superior Light Transmission - Our clear plastic for greenhouse's lets light through, distributing light evenly throughout your green house and allowing for even temperature distribution. Proper light transmission will aid in optimal crop growth.
2. A&A Green Store Greenhouse Plastic Film Clear Polyethylene Cover
A&A Green Store is a popular name in the market. And I am happy to say that I did not go wrong with their product, the Greenhouse Plastic Film Clear Polyethylene Cover. From the reviews I have read by my fellow gardeners, I can say with conviction that this is one of the most sought-after greenhouse plastic.
Product Highlights
The first thing to catch my attention was the clarity that it brings to the table. The sheet is completely transparent and allows the healthy sun rays to filter through and rejuvenate your plants.
To top it, it offers high-quality strength and firmness too. Once you install it in your garden, rest assured that it will be functional for the seasons to come. You can keep enjoying its benefits unless there is a devastating storm. It is pretty resistant to weather-based adversities otherwise.
Also, there is no need to worry whether your plants are going to get damaged because of the excessive sun rays. The plastic is entirely UV treated and thereby only allows good sun rays to filter through.
The higher amount of light transmission helps in better photosynthesis, and your plant grows faster and better. And rest assured, anything that harms your plants won’t get past this greenhouse plastic!
What’s There To Like About It?
If you have worked with greenhouse plastic before, you would know how difficult it gets to handle one that is heavy. But there is no such problem that I had to face with this item. It weighs only 5.7 pounds, and I did not have to call my husband or my children to help me while installing it.
And as I have mentioned before, it is totally weatherproof. So, in case there is a sudden rainfall, I do not have to run to my garden to take the plastic out. It can endure it without any trouble.
What’s There Not To Like About It?
I had ordered this item for a few friends, and they complained that not all the rolls were appropriately marked. They were confused about which side should go in and which one should stay out. I hope the manufacturer rectifies this soon.
Pros and Cons of A&A Green Store Greenhouse Plastic Film Clear Polyethylene Cover
Pros
Cons
- ✅[4 YEAR UV ] UV resistant for prolonged sun exposure and creates an optimum greenhouse environment.
- ✅ [🇺🇸 MADE IN USA] TRUE 6 MIL Polyethylene Clear Greenhouse Film. Shipped as a roll or folded depending on size.
- ✅ [IDEAL LIGHT TRANSMISSION] Provides higher light transmission for plant photosynthesis.
3. SUNVIEW Greenhouse Clear Plastic Film Polyethylene
Next up on my list, I have the SUNVIEW Greenhouse Clear Plastic Film Polyethylene. If you are new to gardening and want to try a greenhouse plastic that is inexpensive but efficient, this is the one to go for. This budget-friendly option will not let you down.
Product Highlights
The material that is used in its construction is highly durable and sturdy. So, rest assured that it will work for months, after which you will need to replace the item. It is 6 mils in thickness, and that enhances its robustness. The quality of the plastic, especially its thickness, allows a good amount of light to penetrate through.
But not to worry! The rays that enter through the sheet are completely UV and IR-treated and will not bring any harm to your plants. The polyethylene material absorbs enough sunlight to keep the plants warm even during chilly winter. At the same time it makes sure that no harmful rays can get through it.
And when it comes to the ease of use, this one aces it. It is light in weight, and you will face no trouble handling it. You can easily unfold and install it without having to face any hiccups in the process. Cleaning this item is also quite simple. Just a rub with soapy water and a wipe, and it will be good to go.
What’s There To Like About It?
Unlike many of the products that I tried, this one is very transparent and thin. And that got me worried if it would get torn soon. But, honestly, I am very impressed with its longevity and performance. The transparency is what allows the maximum amount of light to reach my plants.
Moreover, with use, I noticed that it is an excellent option during winter. The infra-red additive helps maintain better insulation, and thus heat gets retained for a longer amount of time.
What’s There Not To Like About It?
The only problem that I encountered when testing this option is that it took a long time to get delivered. Keep a 14 days window in hand if you are planning to try this out. I recommend that in case you are in a hurry, you try out something else.
Pros and Cons of SUNVIEW Greenhouse Clear Plastic Film Polyethylene
Pros
Cons
- One roll of clear plastic film 12ft. x 25ft.
- Superior Strength and Toughness. UV Treated.
- Higher Light Transmission for optimum plant growth.
4. GRELWT Greenhouse Covering Plastic
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GRELWT Greenhouse Covering Plastic understands that direct sunlight is not ideal for your plants. This item is efficient and helps to create and maintain the perfect temperature inside your hoop house. Trust me; your plants will love you for this.
Product Highlights
The versatility that this product offers is nothing short of incredible! You do not need to restrict yourself to using this only in the greenhouse. Get as creative as you want. Cover your tunnel, or use it in your garden to boost the growth of flowers and fruits. This item is indeed the jack of all trades.
Additionally, its diffusion technology is pretty impressive. Once the sunlight falls on it, it is diffused and dispersed around your greenhouse garden. This is what helps to keep the temperature uniform throughout the day, even when all parts of the hoop do not receive an equal amount of sunlight.
Furthermore, this item is exceptionally flexible. With its 5 layer technology and sturdiness, it is pretty remarkable. You can mold it according to the requirements and what your plants need.
What’s There To Like About It?
I get tired when my garden does not see the sun for many days during the monsoon. But since I had this item installed, this problem has been dealt with. Even when there is little sunlight, this item allows 90% of the light to transmit through. And its excellent insulation capacity prevents the heat from leaving.
Because of the uniformity in temperature and its capacity to prevent the loss of heat on cloudy and cold days, my plants have grown healthier. And nothing makes me happier!
What’s There Not To Like About It?
Despite its brilliant performance, I was not very pleased with the installation process. Un-rolling the plastic is quite challenging, and I had to take help from a friend to get it done. I suggest that you keep this in mind before going for it.
Pros and Cons of GRELWT Greenhouse Covering Plastic
Pros
Cons
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5. Agfabric Greenhouse Clear Polyethylene
There was no way I would wrap up this list without having mentioned the Agfabric Greenhouse Clear Polyethylene. This poly-film is perfect for both single-layer and double-layered purposes. And for 5 years I can assure you, there would be no need for a replacement.
Product Highlights
What makes this item stand out among its competitors is the high-grade material used in its construction. The raw material used is an olefin, and because of that, the product is highly transparent and does not cause any unwanted haze.
This particular feature is pretty helpful when it comes to efficient plant growth. The plastic quality also helps the light to transmit optimally for the plants to get all the needed nutrients. And because it gets transmitted so well, there’s hardly any risk of scattering.
Additionally, it comes with an anti-fogging technology that is great for keeping the greenhouse dry and not letting any unwanted moisture to form. This drying feature is excellent when it comes to preventing yeast and bacterial formation that can be detrimental to plant growth.
What’s There To Like About It?
Once I started using this item, I realized that it offers one more thing that helps the plant grow faster and better. It makes use of a unique, organic insulation agent. Because of this, all the infrared radiation is bounced back and is not allowed to enter your garden. So, even at night, your plants get a good chance of growing.
There’s no arguing that over a span of a month, my plants’ yield got better because of the heightened photosynthesis process that this item ensured.
What’s There Not To Like About It?
There’s hardly any complaint that I have with how well this item performed. However, I did face some difficulty with installing the thing. There was no proper instruction manual included in the package that could guide me about setting it up properly.
Pros and Cons of Agfabric Greenhouse Clear Polyethylene
Pros
Cons
- Earlier and higher yields, promote growth up to 12%
- Provides excellent weed control, suppress the growth of weeds by blocking the sunlight
- Great to use with an irrigation system, more convenient and effective
Buyers Guide
Now that I have given you a detailed round-up about the top 5 sought-after products, were you able to choose the best greenhouse plastic for your garden? I know it is not so easy, and you might need a little more help. Knowing just about the products is not sufficient to make a good decision.
In order to land on the perfect item, it is important that you take a few other factors into consideration. And in this section, I will take you through some of those essential factors that you should keep in mind while choosing a plastic greenhouse. Now, let’s take a look at them!
1. Thickness
If you have used greenhouse plastic before, you would know that the thickness is measured in mils. Know that 1 inch is equal to 1,000 mils. So, when choosing a product, keep this in mind as it would help you understand what would work better for your garden.
Some say that a thicker variant is better, and some choose to disagree. From my experience, nobody understands your garden better than you, and with a bit of research, you will be able to figure out what would work the best.
For example, if your area gets a lot of snowfall, it is better to choose an option that is thicker. But then, you might have to replace it with a thinner, more translucent option during summer or spring, depending on how much sunlight your garden usually receives.
The point is if you go for the thicker variants, the chances are that some amount of light and heat will get obstructed from entering. If you stay in a tropical region, on the other hand, I would suggest that you go for a thinner option. But in case you stay in a place where blizzards are a common phenomenon, thick plastic is an absolute must.
2.Coating
All the products that I chose to test had excellent UV protection. So, you must have understood by now how essential it is. There is no arguing that you need plastic that transmits light, but if it lets the harmful UV rays pass through as well, your plants might get damaged.
So, choose an item that is efficient in filtering the UV rays efficiently. From my experience, I have noticed that some flimsy plastic even gets damaged by the UV rays. Be careful to stay away from them. Go for a protective coating that helps the plastic from disintegrating.
A proper coating not only protects your plants but also makes the item durable. That way, you do not need to spend money replacing it every few months. I have even mentioned some items on the list that come with an added infra-red and anti-dust coating. This is pretty useful if you think of starting farming in areas that experience chilly winters.
Moreover, you can even choose an option that comes with anti-drip protection. It sure cannot stop condensation from forming, but because of the hydrophilic radicals present in the coating, the droplets will not fall for sure.
Droplets are harmful to your plant growth as they can mess with calibrated moisture settings in the greenhouse. The anti-drip coating is instrumental in keeping the excess moisture on the surface, allowing it to evaporate from there. So, this way, humidity is retained well and does not affect the weather in your greenhouse.
Frequently Asked Questions
Honestly, no gardens are alike, and thus you would need to be specific when choosing a plastic. To know what would work best, measure the length, breadth, center height, and bow lengths. This would be helpful to understand what would be the perfect plastic size for your garden. If you have any difficulty understanding, do not forget to call a professional for help.
The best greenhouse plastic for your garden will be able to give protection to your plants all year round, irrespective of the weather conditions. But you would need to choose carefully. If you reside in a region that receives heavy snowfall, make sure that you go for a greenhouse plastic that is made of industry-grade tubing.
But just to be on the safe side, I would advise you to remove some of the snow when it gets too heavy. Prevention, as they say, is always better than cure. You would not like to take your chances to see if the plastic can really hold the weight of 5 inches thick snow. If it breaks, it will be a mess, and you will need to find a replacement soon!
My Final Recommendations
And with that, it’s a wrap.
I hope that you had as much fun reading the guide as much as I had testing and compiling all this information for you. Make sure that all the above-mentioned requisite features are present in the item that you buy, and your garden will soon become the talk of the town.Â
But before I say my final goodbye, I would like to let you in on my favorites. The Farm Plastic Supply fps2540-C-4 Greenhouse Film is my favorite on all counts. And if you are looking for an item that is lightweight and easy to use, the A&A Green Store Greenhouse Plastic Film Clear Polyethylene Cover is the safest bet.Â
Let me know which one you liked the best in the comments section below. Until next time, fare thee well!Â