Chloe Zhang
When it comes to preparing a greenhouse for the growing season, it's important to know how much plastic sheeting you'll need. This involves measuring your growing area and determining the width and length of the material, along with any required excess to ensure full coverage. There are different methods to calculate the size of greenhouse plastic needed, depending on whether you want to cover the end walls and top cover separately or with a single piece of plastic. By following these steps and choosing the right method, you can ensure you have enough plastic sheeting to get started with your greenhouse project.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| What to measure | Width and length of the material |
| Tools | Measuring tape, a long piece of rope |
| Formula | Length A + Height B + Height B + 2-4 ft |
| Excess material | 2-4 ft to each end |
| Minimum length | 99 ft |
| Minimum width | 24 ft |
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What You'll Learn
Measure the width and length of the material
Measuring the width and length of the material is a crucial step in determining the size of plastic sheeting required for your greenhouse. Here's a comprehensive guide to help you through the process:
Measurements for Width and Length
Firstly, grab your measuring tools. You'll need a measuring tape and a long piece of rope. Having a helper to assist with the measuring process can be beneficial. Begin by measuring the width of your greenhouse structure. Stand at one end of the greenhouse and extend the measuring tape to the opposite end to obtain the width. It's important to measure at the base of the greenhouse, ensuring you capture the full width of the structure. Record this measurement accurately.
Taking Width Measurements
Now, let's focus on taking width measurements. If your greenhouse has hoops or arches, you'll want to toss the rope over the structure, ensuring it passes through the highest point of the hoop or arch. Mark the points where the rope touches the ground on both sides. Then, lay the rope flat on the ground and measure the distance between the two marks. This will give you the width of the plastic sheeting required for the top and sides of the greenhouse. Remember to add a buffer of 2 to 4 feet to this measurement, as recommended by experts, to allow for attaching the cover securely and preventing it from blowing off.
Length Measurements
Moving on, let's discuss length measurements. Measure the length of your greenhouse by stretching the measuring tape from one end of the structure to the other. Similar to width measurements, it's advisable to add some excess length to your measurement. Consider the formula provided by Americover: add length A, height B, plus height B again, and then an additional 2 to 4 feet to each B measurement. This calculation accounts for the plastic needed to cover the ends and sides of the greenhouse.
Calculating Cover Size
Finally, to calculate the total cover size, multiply the length by the width. Using the example measurements provided, if your greenhouse measures 24 feet in width and requires a minimum length of 99 feet, you'll need a plastic cover that is at least 24 feet wide by 99 feet long. Rounding up to the nearest 5-foot increment is common for plastic lengths, so you may consider ordering a 24-foot-wide by 100-foot-long plastic sheet to ensure you have sufficient material.
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Account for any required excess
When measuring a greenhouse for plastic, it is important to account for any required excess to ensure you have enough material. This excess is necessary to accommodate for the plastic that will be used to attach the cover to the greenhouse and to secure a ballast or anchor, preventing the plastic from blowing off.
The amount of excess required can vary depending on the specific greenhouse and its features. For example, if your greenhouse does not have solid end walls, you will need a longer cover. In this case, you can use the formula: add length A to height B, plus height B again, plus 2-4 feet to each B measurement. This additional length ensures that you have enough plastic to cover the ends and the sides.
Another tip to ensure you have enough excess plastic is to add at least 2 to 4 feet to the C dimension, which is the span of the greenhouse. This extra length will be useful for attaching the cover securely. Additionally, consider adding at least 1 foot to each measurement to account for any variations in the greenhouse structure and to ensure a snug fit.
When measuring for the width of the plastic, you can use the formula: "X" + 4 feet. This accounts for any required excess, ensuring that your plastic cover is wide enough. For example, if "X" is 20 feet, you would need a plastic cover that is 24 feet wide ("X" + 4 feet). This extra width allows for a secure fit and accommodates any variations in the greenhouse frame.
By following these guidelines and adding the necessary excess, you can ensure that you have enough plastic to properly cover your greenhouse. This will help create an optimal environment for your plants and avoid any gaps or shortages in the covering material. Remember, it is always better to have slightly more plastic than you need rather than being short on material.
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Measure for end walls separately
When measuring a greenhouse for plastic, it is important to consider the end walls separately. This is because the width of your end walls will always be slightly less than the measurement over the top of your structure. By measuring the end walls separately, you can save on plastic and reduce waste.
To measure the end walls of your greenhouse, you will need to take into account the width and length of the end walls, as well as any required excess material to ensure full coverage. Measure the width and length of each end wall, adding at least 1 foot to each measurement to allow for attaching the plastic cover to the greenhouse.
If your greenhouse does not have solid end walls, you will need to use a different formula to determine the length of plastic needed. In this case, add the length of the end wall to the height of the greenhouse, plus the height again, plus 2 to 4 feet to each height measurement. This will ensure that you have enough plastic to cover the end wall and secure it to the structure.
Additionally, when measuring for plastic, it is recommended to add at least 2 to 4 feet to the width of the greenhouse to allow for attaching the cover and securing it in place. You don't want to be short on plastic, so it is always better to round up your measurements and order slightly more than you think you need.
By following these steps and measuring the end walls separately, you can accurately determine the amount of plastic sheeting needed for your greenhouse project, ensuring full coverage and minimizing waste.
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Measure for a shade cloth
When measuring for a shade cloth, it is important to consider the shape and size of the structure you are covering. The process for measuring for a triangular shade sail, for example, will differ from that of a cantilever shade structure. Additionally, the area you wish to cover and any potential obstructions should be considered. For instance, you may need to measure the area around the structure as well if you want to include it in the shade.
Before you begin, gather the necessary tools, such as a measuring tape, a pen and paper for sketching, and a ladder to reach potential mounting points. Then, determine your mounting points and measure the distance between them. Start and end your measurements on the inside edge of where the shade will be attached. It is important to measure from mounting point to mounting point, rather than from the ground to the highest point of the structure.
Once you have these measurements, you can choose a shade cloth size that matches or exceeds the dimensions of your structure. It is recommended to have extra material that can be trimmed down to ensure a perfect fit. When preparing the shade cloth, lay it flat and remove any packaging. Check for any defects or damage before installation.
Now, you are ready to secure the shade cloth. Start by attaching one side of the cloth to the structure using clips, bungee cords, or zip ties. Pull the shade cloth taut and secure it at regular intervals as you work your way around the structure. Finally, trim any excess material with scissors or a utility knife, ensuring neat edges for a professional finish.
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Calculate the length of the film needed
Calculating the length of film needed for a greenhouse requires several measurements and a few simple calculations. The first step is to measure the growing area of the greenhouse. This can be done by taking a measuring tape and a long piece of rope to the growing area. The length, width, and height of the greenhouse will need to be measured, as well as the span (the distance from the ground to the highest point of the greenhouse).
If the greenhouse has solid end walls, the length of film needed can be calculated by adding the length, width, and height measurements together, and then adding an extra 2-4 feet to each measurement to allow for attaching the cover and for any required excess.
If the greenhouse does not have solid end walls, a longer cover will be needed. In this case, the formula for calculating the length of film needed is:
Length A + Height B + Height B + 2-4 feet (depending on how much excess material is desired).
For example, if the length of the greenhouse is 20 feet and the height is 8 feet, the minimum length of film needed would be:
20 feet (length A) + 8 feet (height B) + 8 feet (height B) + 2-4 feet = 38-40 feet.
It is important to round up to the nearest 5-foot increment when ordering plastic film, as it is typically sold in these increments. In this case, 40 feet would be the required length.
Additionally, if you are using a separate piece of film for the end walls and the top cover, the width of the end walls will be slightly less than the width of the top. This method can save plastic and reduce waste.
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Frequently asked questions
Measure the width and length of the material, plus any required excess to ensure you have enough.
You will need a measuring tape and a long piece of rope.
Measure the length and multiply it by the span.
Measure from hip board to hip board and add 2' extra for each the length and width.
You will need a longer cover. Add length A to height B, plus height B again, plus 2-4 feet to each B measurement.
