Greenhouses are popular in many parts of e world today due to the effect they create in the growing of vegetables and fruits. Many plants that are grown in greenhouses are of high quality making them be in high demand. Greenhouses may be used for growing both cash and food crops when they are used for the cash crops, depending on the quality of the output they can be exported to other countries. For most countries that invest in modern greenhouses, they earn foreign currencies due to exports. Greenhouses can be made using either glass or plastics. Usually, when glass material is used, it is more effective in achieving the required quality of products. Many types of glass can be used for the construction of greenhouses depending on the availability, costs and the technology used to make them. When choosing the type of glass to use or the construction of your modern greenhouse, there are fundamental factors that you should not overlook. If you are planning on building a greenhouse, this article will be helpful to you before you start your investment. The article includes a discussion on how to choose the right glass for greenhouses.
The Quality of Glass
Quality is always the first thing that comes into mind when you need to buy a new construction material. This should be a factor of importance for any investor who wants to create a greenhouse from scratch. When you decide to construct a greenhouse with glass or clear plastic panels, you should ensure that you check the quality of the selected materials before purchasing. Mostly, the vendors who sell the glass or plastic panels for greenhouses to you should give you details of their quality. Quality materials could be expensive, but they are worth your money. Do not invest in low-quality clear plastic panels or glass and end up going back to the shops to buy a replacement in the long run. You ought to check for specifications of quality while buying and before installation.
Durability
When buying glass or clear plastic panels to be used for greenhouse construction, you ought to check on their life span. Long lasting glass or clear plastic panels are the most suitable ones for greenhouses. Since you don’t want to keep on constructing new greenhouses every season, then you need to ensure you ask about the durability of the materials you select to use. However, you should note that the more durable material is, the more expensive it could be. If you are working on a constricted budget, you should not go for the cheaper types which are less durable. You can ask for expert advice from fab glass and mirror so that you make informed decisions before you make purchases.
The weight of the material
Greenhouses have roofs that are either created with glass or clear plastic panels. When you chose either of them, you should ensure that they have lightweight to avoid the greenhouse collapsing in the long run. A common problem by investors is using heavy materials for roofing, and the greenhouses end up collapsing since they are not stable. If you are going to use heavy glass or clear plastic panels, you should also include supports that are strong enough to maintain the stability of the greenhouse. Clear acrylic sheets are light and more recommended for the roofing of greenhouses. Clear acrylic sheets are affordable and readily available at fab glass and mirrors.
Heat Tolerance
Greenhouses require controlled temperatures depending on different types of plants that are grown in them. When you have a greenhouse that is growing flowers, you need to have it constructed with glass or clear plastic panels that can control the temperatures perfectly. Also, in regions that have extreme temperatures, you will need to have glass materials that can withstand the condition. In some regions, extreme temperatures can result in the glass or clear plastic panels cracking or breaking. To avoid this, clear acrylic sheets can be used for constructing the roofs and the walls. They are hardened and can withstand extreme temperatures and strong external forces that may result in damaging of the greenhouse structure.
Transparency
How much light can standard glass allow to pass through them? Greenhouses require sufficient natural lighting for them to function efficiently. When you need constructing a greenhouse, you need to consider the transparency of the materials you select to use. The higher the ability to let sunlight pass through them, the better they are for modern greenhouses. You are required to check on the percentage of light that can penetrate through the selected glass material. Clear acrylic sheets allow more than 90% of natural light to pass through making it most suitable for a greenhouse.