Best floor for Greenhouse

Hmm that sounds interesting Woo...i wouldn't have thought of that idea but he has a point Re' heat and i think it would look smart too....

 

It will absorb infra red, ie the heat part of the light, yes.

Get 2 thermometers Woo & put them in the sun. Put a black cloth on one & watch.

 

Its a good idea Woo, if he wants to take it further, build a concrete block wall on the inside on the north elevation & paint that black too.

The walled Victorian kitchen gardens made good use of thermal mass too.

 

Painting the floor will make it impervious, so any split water will lie on the surface until it evaporates.

There is special floor paint available Wickes Black Floor Paint

There was an article in The Telegraph a few days ago that may be of interest:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/active/9124298/Warm-up-your-greenhouse.html The article in the paper had more pics showing low-height masonry walls.

 

Hi Woo

I think this is an old debate and I don't know the answer. Black will absorb more heat from the sun during the day - but it will also radiate more heat out at night. On balance I think I would prefer to receive less heat during the day and keep more at night.

Also black will reduce the light level. I have painted the back wall of my greenhouse white - but its only a guess. You tend to see a lot of big old Victorian greenhouses with white walls - but never see them with black walls. Perhaps they knew a thing or two - perhaps they didn't.

 

Hi wiseold owl,
I wouldnt paint it any colour, what about the floor being sprayed on very hot days to allow the greenhouse to have that moist evening air that plants need?
Plus a wet painted floor can be a skid pad.

 

Hi folks.

I seem to remember a thread on this way back. I THINK that Dave W was involved. Maybe it was he that painted his black?

 

How about a black and white Chequerboard floor Woo.