Clear, Opal or Bronze Polycarbonate?

Discussion in 'General Gardening Discussion' started by PETEANDJAYNE, May 18, 2009.

  1. PETEANDJAYNE

    PETEANDJAYNE Apprentice Gardener

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    We are about to build a lean-to and are wondering about the materials to use. We have read that 16mm triplewall is the best polycarbonate to use but is the colour of the walls and roof important? We are hoping to grow unusual tropical stuff and tropical fruit as well as a few bedding plants. Will a bronze roof be of benefit? Should the sides be opal or clear? Its all so confusing!:cnfs:
     
  2. Loofah

    Loofah Admin Staff Member

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    Any chance you have a link to the materials you're suggesting? Never heard of bronze polycarbonate! Presumably its just a tint rather than having a metallic sheen to the surface which would reflect light?

    How much direct sunlight does the position get?
     
  3. PETEANDJAYNE

    PETEANDJAYNE Apprentice Gardener

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    http://www.greenhousewarehouse.com/16mm-Triplewall_B22SQP.aspx

    Thanks for answering, the only place we have to put it is in a small 7ft square area that used to be reserved for the dog's 'use', it is under one of the kitchen windows and has its own drain and was concreted to slant towards the drain. It is facing west and has some plant obstruction - a 12ft Torbay Palm (Cordyline?) and a 7 ft Trachycarpus, both sited next to the left corner in the raised garden. I would send a photo but our daughter 'borrowed' our digi camera.

    Our son is a joiner and he mentioned the use of bronze glass in conservatories and reckons it reflects heat back in winter and keeps the scorching rays out in the summer so we think it must be more than just tinted but we don't know anyone who can verify that it would work well in a greenhouse, especially one that will have some shading already.
     
  4. JWK

    JWK Gardener Staff Member

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    We had a related discussion here http://www.gardenerscorner.co.uk/forum/showthread.php/solar-glass-pilkington-21023.html?t=21023 recently, when I had some of this tinted solar reflective glass fitted to my new extension (so not a greenhouse). I am still trying to work out if my plants like it or not inside the extension. After 3 or 4 weeks of having it fitted the plants in the new extension have grown much taller than the same ones in my greenhouse. Its not a fair comparison as my extension is much warmer particulary at night compared to the greenhouse.

    I think the consensus on that thread was that the glass tint would not have an adverse effect on plant growth. In your case I would contact the supplier in the first place to see what they recommend for your specific purpose. I'm sure it will be OK otherwise they wouldn't sell it for use in greenhouses?

    Most of us have to apply shading to our greenhouses anyway, so I reckon that the tints/opaque triple wall will be good in helping to keep the heat down in the middle of summer.
     
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