Plastic materials like polyethylene, acrylic/polyester, polyester, and fiberglass reinforced plastics are common cladding materials for greenhouses. Polyethylene is relatively short-lived but transmits 85-88% of sunlight. Acrylic/polyester combines weatherability and heat resistance but is susceptible to wind damage. Polyester has excellent transmittance and heat resistance but limited widths. Fiberglass reinforced plastics are more impact resistant than glass but proper installation is important. Shade nets made of plastic are also used as cladding to protect crops from weather.

1. Presentation on cladding material

2. Plastic as a cladding material for controlled
environmental cultivation; poly-house,poly tunnel
and low tunnel
 One of the most important parts of a greenhouse facility is the
covering.
 Since sunlight is generally the limiting factor in winter time
greenhouse production, a covering that transmits maximum
sunlight in the plant growth spectrum is essential.
 Physical durability and optical stability are other critical factors.
 Several types of covering materials are presently available.
 Glass has been the long-time standard and is still the most
stable but other film and rigid plastic materials are offering
lower cost coverings but with varying levels of dependability
and life.

4. General Characteristics and
Performance
Polyethylene (Regular and U.V.)
 Relatively short life in sun: 9 to 11 months for
regular, one to three years for U.V.
 Splits more easily at the folds. Should use unfolded
or lay-flat rolls for maximum life.
 Transmits approximately 85 to 88 percent for solar
energy available at the earth's surface.
 Transmits all wavelengths of action spectra required
for plant growth.
 Permits double-layer covering which results in 35 to
40 percent reduction on heat loss, reduced
condensation, and only 8 to 10 percent reduction in
light due to the second (if clean) layer.

6. Acrylic/Polyester
 1. Combine weatherability of acrylic with high service
temperature of polyester.
 2. Good transmissivity.
 3. Non-reversible, acrylic must be installed to the outside.
 4. Susceptible to wind flapping.
 5. Only 4 foot width available.
 6. Cost is 45 to 70 cents per square foot.
 7. Estimated life 10 years plus.

7. Polyester
 1. Excellent transmissivity.
 2. High service temperature.
 3. Only available in 26 and 60" widths
 4. Low impact resistance.
 5. U.V. degradable unless treated.
 6.Estimated life 7 to 10 years.

8. Polyvinylflouride
 The Tedlar* film has proven to have
excellent weatherability but is too costly to
compete with existing films as a covering.
It is now being used as a surface coating
which is molecularly bonded to fiberglass
panels to improve their weatherability.

9. Plexiglass
 It is more resistant to impact than glass.
 Transmits approximately 90 to 92 percent of available sunlight
and is available in UV transmitting and absorbing types.
 Has long life and weathering resistance comparable to glass.
 Softer than glass, it is easily scratched and is sensitive to
some solvents.
 Strong enough to resist snow and ice loads near gutters of
connected houses.

10. Fiberglass Reinforced Rigid Plastics (FRP)
 Two to four times more resistant to impact and lateral
loading than glass.
 Clear or "frosted" panels of greenhouse quality material
transmits approximately 78 to 90 percent of available light
when new.
 Panels with 15 percent acrylic additive have proven more
durable than straight polyester formulations.
 Proper attachment to the structure and sealing/fastening of
lapped joints is essential for resistance to wind forces.

11. Regular Glass
 Single strength and small panes not used much on newer
designs and constructions. Replacement of panes in existing
houses could be double-strength for more resistance to
breakage.
Tempered Glass
 Two or three times stronger than regular glass.
 Frosted or "hammered" types available for better light
diffusion, reduced shadow, and non-see-through properties.
 Larger pane sizes for reduced structural members, hence less
shadows.
 Requires special structural members and glazing methods to
give water and air-tight construction.

12. Cladding material for shed net houses and crop
covers
 Green Net, Plastic net, Agro Shade net are applied in various horticulture
and agriculture cultivation of crops.
 Green Net are Used for raising nurseries of fruits and vegetable.
 This Plastic Net Protects crops from natural weather disturbances such as
wind, rain, hail, frost, snow, bird and insects.
 Agro Net is used in production of graft saplings and reducing its mortality
during hot summer days. Agro Shade Net helps in quality drying of various
agro products.
 This Plastic net, Green Net, Agro Net are manufactured in Rajkot –
Gujarat, shade net price is cost effective.
 Shade Nets are basically used to provide shade to Green House in
Agriculture sector which is the reason why they are also known as Agro
Nets. These Green Houses are made out of Iron, Wooden or Plastic
skeleton structures which are then covered by shade net as per specific
requirements. These shade nets are made to provide various density
shades ranging from 25% to 95%.

13.  A high density polyethylene, super
stabilized against UV rays, used to
prevent hail damage in a broad variety
of crops. A high quality, net with latest
German Design used to protect fruit,
shrubs, buds, and seedings from
damage caused by hail.