A greenhouse is a structure where plants that thrive in both warm and frigid climates grow under controlled conditions.
If you plan to buy a greenhouse or build one for yourself, you may have already done some research. Now, you’re probably asking yourself: ‘Which material is the best for my greenhouse: polycarbonate or glass?’
Decades ago, glass was used to construct most greenhouses. But recently, people have discovered the potential of polycarbonate, thinking it’s like or even better than glass in various ways. This makes it tough for you to decide which one to choose.
But don’t worry; this post has got you covered. Before you spend your money, take a look at the pros and cons, as well as some tips and insights about both polycarbonate and glass greenhouses. If you’re ready, scroll those buttons down.
Benefits Of A Polycarbonate Greenhouse
Experts have weighed down their opinions about the potential of polycarbonate for constructing greenhouses. South West Greenhouses say that polycarbonate greenhouses are the safest option, because they are sturdy, and the glazing doesn’t smash into dangerous pieces like glass does, making them ideal for areas around children or in public places.
Aside from that, you might as well take a look at other advantages of polycarbonate greenhouses. These include the following:
Heat Retention
This is often the reason why most people choose polycarbonate over glass structures. Polycarbonate greenhouses provide a double-glazing effect, meaning the heat inside is trapped and prevented from leaving the structure rapidly. This makes it ideal for greenhouses built in frigid regions.
Long-Lasting
Polycarbonate is almost indestructible compared to glass. It can withstand the extreme forces of nature, contributing to its superior longevity.
What does this mean? Polycarbonate glass can take greater pressure before it breaks. Also, it’s lighter than glass. If you’re to drop it, it won’t easily get damaged, unlike glass. For example, someone has accidentally kicked a football into the panel. You may not see cracks, whereas glass will most likely shatter from the impact.
Shatter-Resistant
Accidents happen at unexpected times. That’s why a greenhouse with rigid plastic walls and roofs is crucial. Harsh weather conditions like strong winds can damage glass.
Polycarbonate can withstand even the most severe tests. This enables greenhouses to sustain intense pressure and reduces the risk in daily use.
Low Maintenance
Unlike glass structures, polycarbonate greenhouses don’t require a lot of maintenance. However, upkeep is still necessary, but you don’t have to do it from time to time. For example, you only need to clean a polycarbonate greenhouse when dirt starts ruining its classic look.
Better UV Protection And Light Diffusion
Polycarbonate is thicker than glass, allowing it to diffuse light more effectively. This means natural light will be able to penetrate the structure better, giving plants all the sunlight they need to grow and develop.
In addition, polycarbonate offers better protection against ultraviolet (UV) rays, protecting your plants from harmful radiation.
Disadvantages Of A Polycarbonate Greenhouse
Using polycarbonate to construct a greenhouse is great. However, they do possess a few disadvantages as well.
Less Attractive
This is one of the reasons why many people would still choose glass over polycarbonate despite its great benefits. You may not see through this hard plastic material, so don’t expect a traditional greenhouse look.
Scratch-Prone
Experts don’t recommend using scrubs and chemical solutions (especially strong ones) when cleaning a greenhouse made from polycarbonate. Not only does it get scratched easily, but it’s also difficult to repair and remove.
Condensation
Polycarbonate may retain moisture between its layers. This may increase the risk of algae, which isn’t good for your plants, as they may eat away the nutrients your plants are supposed to absorb. But this can be prevented by ensuring they’re stacked and installed correctly.
Benefits Of A Glass Greenhouse
If you’re having doubts about building a polycarbonate greenhouse, you might want to consider those made from glass. Here are some of their benefits:
Impeccable Light Transmission
The clarity of light transmitted by a glass greenhouse is unmatched. It allows 100% sunlight to penetrate and reach the plants inside the greenhouse. This is much higher than what polycarbonate can do.
Polycarbonate can transmit around 80% sunlight but may fade over time because it becomes opaque.
Stunning Appearance
Unlike polycarbonate, glass is aesthetically pleasing to the eye, providing excellent visibility inside and outside. Invented in the 1700s, glass greenhouses still give that traditional look that promotes elegance, beauty, and sophistication as long as they’re correctly maintained.
Rigid
Glass offers better structural strength than polycarbonate, meaning it’s less likely to suffer from damage caused by storms and other extreme weather conditions, except hail. Although it may shatter, it’s extremely strong and rarely breaks apart.
Don’t Discolour
Algae may form and develop on both glass and polycarbonate greenhouses. It can be removed using a pressure washer. However, it might grow inside the polycarbonate layers, which can’t be cleaned out, leading to discolouration and poor light transmission.
As mentioned, glass is also subject to algal growth, but the rate is slower than polycarbonate.
Disadvantages Of A Glass Greenhouse
Before you choose glass over polycarbonate, consider the following disadvantages it carries:
Shatter-Prone
Although glass can withstand extreme conditions, it’s still not as durable as polycarbonate. When a sharp object hits it directly, it can break into pieces. This makes it more fragile and vulnerable to damage.
Expensive
Glass is costly to build and maintain compared to polycarbonate, especially when it comes to double and triple-paned glass. Also, because of the clarity of light it provides, plants may burn quickly. And since light doesn’t diffuse easily in a glass greenhouse, heat may not spread evenly throughout the structure.
Not DIY-Friendly
Glass isn’t DIY-friendly compared to polycarbonate. Why? Because it’s so heavy and requires plenty of things to consider before you start building it. For example, the ground should be level and soft; otherwise, it’ll crack.
Final Thoughts
So, which one is it: glass or polycarbonate? After a thorough reading, you probably already know what’s best for your dream greenhouse. If you want to focus on appearance and avoid discoloration, go for glass. But if you prefer better heat retention, low maintenance, and superior UV protection, choose polycarbonate. It’s up to you to decide based on what you want to prioritize.
