Understanding Light Penetration In 10 Mil Greenhouse Plastic

Greenhouse plastic is available in a range of thicknesses, from 6 mil to 10 mil. 10 mil greenhouse plastic is a thicker option that provides enhanced strength and durability, with better resistance to punctures, tears and other potential damage. It can also withstand more challenging weather conditions, including higher wind speeds and heavier snow loads. However, its increased thickness may slightly reduce light transmission compared to thinner options, with 10 mil plastic maintaining around 85% light transmission.

10 mil greenhouse plastic provides 85% light transmission

10 mil greenhouse plastic is a durable and lightweight material that offers enhanced strength and durability. It is a thicker option that provides better resistance against punctures, tears, and other potential damage. With its increased thickness, it can withstand more challenging weather conditions, including higher wind speeds and heavier snow loads.

One of the key benefits of 10 mil greenhouse plastic is its ability to maintain 85% light transmission. This means that it allows a significant amount of light to pass through, which is essential for the growth of plants inside the greenhouse. The high level of light transmission is achieved while also providing a higher level of strength compared to other 10 mil films.

The 10 mil greenhouse plastic is often chosen for larger, more commercial operations where the covering is expected to last many years without needing to be replaced. It is also commonly used in tough climate and environmental conditions, where its durability and strength are advantageous.

Additionally, the 10 mil greenhouse plastic is available in a variety of widths and lengths, making it a versatile option for growers. It can be customised to meet specific requirements, ensuring a perfect fit for any greenhouse structure. This flexibility, along with its strength and light transmission properties, makes it a popular choice for those seeking a long-lasting and effective greenhouse covering solution.

It is more durable than 6 mil plastic

10 mil greenhouse plastic is a durable option that provides a higher level of strength than other 10 mil films while maintaining 85% light transmission. It is made in the USA and is lightweight yet very durable. The 10 mil reinforced greenhouse plastic is commonly used in tough conditions, such as harsh climates and environments. It is also a good choice when other greenhouse films are not tough enough for your environment. The four-layered laminate is reinforced with a heavy-duty layer of scrim, making it highly resistant to ripping, tearing, puncturing, or shredding.

The 10 mil option is often chosen for larger, more commercial operations where the greenhouse covering is expected to last many years without needing to be replaced. It is also a good choice for housing equipment and farming materials as it is a durable material that will last for years. The clear plastic will help keep the enclosure warm in the colder months.

Compared to 6 mil plastic, 10 mil greenhouse plastic is more durable and offers enhanced strength. While 6 mil plastic is typically strong enough for backyard gardeners and growers, 10 mil plastic is better suited for more challenging weather conditions, including higher wind speeds and heavier snow loads. It provides better resistance against punctures, tears, and other potential damage.

In terms of light transmission, 10 mil greenhouse plastic maintains 85% light transmission, which is comparable to other 10 mil films. However, it is important to note that the increased thickness of 10 mil plastic may slightly reduce light transmission compared to thinner options, such as 6 mil plastic.

It is a good option for larger, more commercial operations

Thicker greenhouse plastic is a good option for larger, more commercial operations. This is because it offers enhanced strength and durability, providing better resistance against punctures, tears and other potential damage. For example, 10 mil poly plastic can withstand more challenging weather conditions, including higher wind speeds and heavier snow loads.

While thicker plastic may slightly reduce light transmission compared to thinner options, the effect is minimal. Most polyethylene greenhouse films transmit over 90% of light, and going from 4 to 8 mils only reduces transmission by 1-2%. For example, 10 mil clear string-reinforced greenhouse plastic provides 85% light transmission, while still offering a higher level of strength than other 10 mil films.

Thicker plastic is also a good investment for the long term, as it can last 4 to 6 years if properly cared for, whereas thinner 6 to 8 mil plastic will last 2 to 4 years. Therefore, thicker plastic is a good option for commercial growers who want a durable, long-lasting solution that will not need to be replaced frequently.

It is also useful in tough climates

While 6 mil greenhouse plastic is strong enough for most backyard gardeners, 10 mil greenhouse plastic is a better option for tough climates. It is more durable and can withstand harsher weather conditions, including higher wind speeds and heavier snow loads. This is because it is thicker and offers better resistance against punctures, tears, and other potential damage. The increased thickness may reduce light transmission slightly, but it is still high at 85%. The 10 mil plastic is also string-reinforced, which has little to no effect on the total amount of light that passes through.

The 10 mil plastic is also a good option for larger, more commercial operations where the greenhouse covering is expected to last many years without needing to be replaced. It is commonly used when the climate and environment are a factor. The plastic is lightweight yet very durable and can be used to house equipment and farming materials. It will help keep the enclosure warm in colder months.

The 10 mil clear plastic sheeting provides a higher level of strength than other 10 mil films while maintaining 85% light transmission. This is achieved through a four-layered extrusion laminate that is reinforced with a heavy-duty layer of scrim placed between two outer layers of high-strength virgin film. The scrim is then laminated together with another layer of molten polyethylene. The diamond pattern is spaced 3/8” apart with an additional machine direction scrim every 3” across the width, providing high resistance to ripping, tearing, puncturing, or shredding.

The 10 mil plastic is also available in a string-reinforced option, which provides a higher level of strength than other 10 mil films. This option still maintains 85% light transmission, with the string reinforcement having little to no effect on the total amount of light that passes through.

It offers better protection against punctures, tears and other damage

10 mil greenhouse plastic is a great option for growers who need a tough, durable covering that will last for years. It offers a higher level of strength than other 10 mil films, while still maintaining 85% light transmission. This makes it ideal for larger, more commercial operations where the greenhouse covering is expected to last a long time without needing to be replaced.

One of the key benefits of 10 mil greenhouse plastic is its enhanced strength and durability. It provides better resistance against punctures, tears, and other potential damage. This is due to its increased thickness, which can also help it withstand more challenging weather conditions, including higher wind speeds and heavier snow loads. The four-layered extrusion laminate is reinforced with a heavy-duty layer of scrim placed between two outer layers of high-strength virgin film, then laminated together with another layer of molten polyethylene. The diamond pattern is spaced 3/8” apart with an additional machine direction scrim every 3” across the width, providing high resistance to ripping, tearing, puncturing, or shredding.

While the increased thickness of 10 mil greenhouse plastic offers better protection, it's important to note that it may slightly reduce light transmission compared to thinner options. However, the string-reinforcement has little to no effect on the total amount of light that passes through the greenhouse film. For most backyard gardeners and growers, 6 mil greenhouse plastic is more than strong enough for their needs.

Overall, 10 mil greenhouse plastic is a great option for those who need a durable, long-lasting covering that can withstand tough conditions. It offers better protection against punctures, tears, and other damage, making it a reliable choice for commercial operations or growers in challenging environments.

Frequently asked questions