Green house cultivation in the U.S is witnessing significant growth. According to a report by Grand View Research, the greenhouse market size was estimated at USD 2919.7 million in 2023 and this is expected to grow at a CAGR of 8.8% from 2024 to 2030.
Texas, particularly, is becoming the hub for greenhouses, mainly by hobbyists and homeowners. The major crops grown in greenhouses in Texas are peppers, tomatoes, cucumbers, leafy greens, strawberries, and eggplants. The diverse climate and interest towards organic produce among the homeowners found a great solution in greenhouses.
These structures allow the growers to protect plants from extreme weather, extend the growing season, and reduce the use of pesticides. To offer the best environment, manufacturers manufacture custom greenhouses with a variety of materials.
Polycarbonate and polyethylene are two most sought-after materials. Today we’re comparing Polycarbonate vs Polyethylene to find the better option for your greenhouse.
Polycarbonate vs Polyethylene: Which one is the Best Plastic for Greenhouse?
Polycarbonate
Polycarbonate is a type of thermoplastic polymer known for its strength and durability. Recently, its excessive use in building plastic greenhouse speaks for its sturdiness. Here’s the list of the excellent properties of this polymer.
1. Durability
Polycarbonate is highly impact-resistance. This property makes it ideal for withstanding extreme weather conditions such as heavy snow, hail, and wind. In simple words, polycarbonate is 200 times stronger than glass.
2. Insulation
Another property that makes it the best plastic for greenhouse is its insulation. Polycarbonate provides superior thermal insulation that helps to maintain stable internal temperatures. This property of the plastic holds significance in the regions with prominent temperature variations.
3. Light Transmission
The ideal light transmission for optimal plant growth is 85%-90%, and polycarbonate exactly allows the same percentage, providing an ideal growth environment for plants. It smartly diffuses the light, ensures even distribution, while reducing the risk of plant burn.
4. UV Protection
Exposure to UV rays is equally harmful for plants and animals. Fortunately, polycarbonate is resistant to UV radiations and provides a safe retreat for plants. This resistance is also beneficial for the polymer itself as it directly contributes to polycarbonate’s extended life span.
5. Long Life Span
In terms of life span or shelf life, polycarbonate is considered a tough material. When compared to polyethylene, it was observed to have lasted longer than the former. This structural integrity makes it an ideal choice for a plastic greenhouse.
6. Easy Installation
Another plus point that strengthens the profile of polycarbonate as a revered material for custom greenhouses is its flexibility and lighter weight. These qualities together contribute to the greenhouse’s installation easy.
7. Maintenance
Polycarbonate greenhouses require regular maintenance and cleaning. This is necessary as this polymer develops algae with time. Besides the condensation build up. The maintenance protocol includes quarterly inspections, UV coating, and regular check for any cracks or damages.
Polyethylene
Another popular choice that too is considered the best plastic for greenhouse is Polyethylene. It is a versatile and cost-effective plastic polymer, which because of its impressive properties have gained a massive importance in the plastic greenhouse industry.
1. Cost-Effective
One of the advantages that polyethylene carries over polycarbonate is its cost effectiveness. Since it’s generally cheaper than the latter, it happens to be an attractive choice for those on a budget. Also, its affordability allows for huge greenhouse projects compared to polycarbonate.
2. Durability
While not as durable as polycarbonate, polyethylene is still quite resilient against adverse weather conditions. In other words its durability is something that greenhouse manufacturers can swear upon. It can easily endure heat, heavy rain, and gusty winds. This endurance makes it a top choice for regions with diverse climates.
3. Insulation
Insulation inside the greenhouse holds significance, and fortunately polyethylene fulfills the criterion. Since it has good heat retention properties, it successfully maintains stable temperatures inside the greenhouse. This is crucial for creating a conducive environment that facilitates plant growth particularly during colder months.
4. Light Transmission
While doing the polycarbonate vs polyethylene comparison, we found this point similar in both, Polyethylene just like polycarbonate allows optimal light transmission, essential for overall plant health. It is capable of diffusing light effectively, preventing the harsh sunny rays from damaging the plants.
5. UV Protection
Unlike polycarbonate, polyethylene doesn’t have the UV rays-resistant properties. Manufacturers have to treat this plastic polymer with UV inhibitors to enable it against degradation and yellowing over time. Also, this treatment improves the life span of polyethylene, making it an ideal choice for plastic greenhouse.
6. Ease of Installation
The lightweight and flexible nature of polyethylene makes it easy to install. The ease in cutting facilitates manufacturers to cut it to size while building custom greenhouses. Its flexibility also allows for easy modification as per requirements.
7. Maintenance
Maintaining polyethylene is relatively easier than polycarbonate since the former requires less upkeep. Since its surface is less prone to algae growth and condensation build-up, the need of regular cleaning and maintenance isn’t as much as polycarbonate.
Polycarbonate vs Polyethylene: Comparative Analysis of their Properties
The table below represents the property of polycarbonate and polyethylene on scientific grounds.
| Property | Polycarbonate | Polyethylene |
| Tensile Strength | Ultimate Tensile Strength: 55-75MPa Yield Tensile Strength: 62 MPa | Tensile Strength: 30MPa |
| Impact Resistance | Highly impact resistant, about 200 times | High impact resistance |
| Compressive Strength | Ultimate Compressive Strength: 80MPa | Not typically specified for HDPE |
| Flexural Strength | Flexural Modulus: 2.2 GPa | Flexural Modulus: 0.8 GPa |
| Elongation at Break | 100-150% | 500% |
| Light Transmission | 85-90% | Optimal but slightly lower than polycarbonate |
Conclusion
So, what’s the catch? We have reached a conclusion where we declare both these materials with their own sets of pros and cons. Polycarbonate is more durable, better in insulation, and has a longer lifespan, but is not budget-friendly.
On the other hand, polyethylene is affordable, easy to install and maintain, but durability is somehow compromised if compared with polycarbonate.
So, the key takeaway is to watch your circumstances, your yield, budget, climatic conditions, and then decide the best plastic for the greenhouse you’ve planned to set up.
Hopefully, you’ve reached the final decision, so there’s another tip! Reach out to the best custom greenhouse builder in Texas, Sunview Builders to cherish an installation for a lifetime.