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Greenhouse Materials Quick Comparison Chart

Advantages Disadvantages
Acrylic
  • High visibility
  • Durable
  • Impact-resistant
  • Potential plant damage due to sun overexposure
Glass Greenhouses
  • High visibility
  • Maximum light and heat absorption
  • Strong and durable
  • Low maintenance
  • Poor insulator unless double layered
  • Heavy; difficult to install
  • Breakable
  • Potential plant damage due to sun overexposure
Polycarbonate Greenhouses
  • Lightweight, durable, impact-resistant
  • Energy-efficient
  • Light diffuses through, reducing plant damage due to sun overexposure
  • Easy to install
  • High initial cost
  • Lower visibility than glass
Polyethylene Greenhouses
  • Easy to install
  • Low cost
  • Effective transmitter of light
  • Replacements required about every couple years
  • Prone to rips and tears
  • More than one layer is needed for maximum energy-efficiency
PVC Greenhouses
  • Lightweight
  • Portable, lightweight
  • High visibility
  • Retains heat
  • Less effective in larger greenhouses


Advantages Disadvantages
Aluminum Greenhouse Frames
  • Strong, durable
  • No maintenance required
  • Will not deteriorate over time
  • Higher initial cost
  • Requires more material to make as strong a structure as steel (therefore increasing shadow in the greenhouse)
Plastics
  • Lightweight, portable
  • Low cost
  • Energy efficient
  • Not as strong as metal frames; requires more material to make a sound structure (therefore increasing shadow in the greenhouse)
  • More prone to damage; less durable than metal frames
Steel Greenhouse Frames
  • Strongest material available
  • Low cost
  • Less material is needed to create a strong frame (therefore decreasing shadow in the greenhouse)
  • Heavier than other materials
  • Will eventually rust and wear, requiring replacement
Wood Greenhouse Frames
  • Aesthetically pleasing
  • Strong
  • Easily accommodates mounting of accessories
  • Will deteriorate over time
  • Requires more material to make as strong a structure as metal (therefore increasing shadow in the greenhouse)
  • Requires regular maintenance


Insulation Value Scale

All Greenhouses, a division of CSN Stores LLC, 800 Boylston St, Suite 1600, Boston, MA 02199

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