A greenhouse is a valuable tool for increasing crop production and plant survival during harsh weather conditions. It allows for the cultivation of favorite crops out of season and allows for the perfect growing conditions. To create a window in a greenhouse, cut the plexiglass to the right size, create a frame for it, and use clear acrylic sheets (Perspex), also known as Perspex, as an alternative to traditional greenhouse glass.
Plexiglass is known for its exceptional transparency, allowing natural sunlight to enter the greenhouse. Clear acrylic sheets, also known as Perspex, have become popular alternatives to traditional greenhouse glass due to their many properties, including being less expensive, easier to fit, and maintain. Colorless ACRYLITE GP and ACRYLITE FF sheets can be used for greenhouse glazing, as plants will grow as well under these materials.
Perspex and polycarbonate are now more commonly used in greenhouse construction due to their similar properties. Acrylic sheets are stronger than traditional glass, enabling them to take much more damage. They are ideal for greenhouse glazing, as they are many times stronger than standard panes of glass and transmit more light. PLEXIGLAS® multi-skin sheets allow up to 91% of incoming light rays to pass through, making it almost impossible for plants to grow.
Perspex sheets for greenhouses come in both cut-to-size and standard sizes, catering to all requirements. By using plexiglass, you can create a greenhouse that provides the necessary light and heat for your garden to thrive.
📹 Ten things you must do if you get a polycarbonate greenhouse. This advise is bourn of experience
I give you this advise now bourn of experience and wish someone had given it to me before I built my Polycarbonate greenhouse.
Does Perspex expand in heat?
PLEXIGLAS®, a roofing material, has been observed to exhibit expansion and contraction in response to changes in temperature and humidity. The typical allowance for expansion is 5–6 millimeters per linear meter of sheet. This temperature behavior is of paramount importance when the material is utilized for roofing purposes. For further information, please refer to the accompanying brochure.
How thick should Perspex be for a greenhouse?
It is recommended that a minimum gauge of 3mm be used for replacement acrylic greenhouse windows due to the potential for bending on larger panels. Perspex’s extruded acrylic exhibits exceptional ultraviolet (UV) stability and durability, even when subjected to harsh weather conditions typical of the United Kingdom. Some customers have reported that panels with a thickness of 2 mm are too flexible.
What are the disadvantages of acrylic greenhouses?
Due to their lack of heat resistance, acrylic sheets are not suitable for use in safety-critical applications such as windows in trains and buses. Clear polycarbonate represents a superior alternative to standard glass, exhibiting greater resilience to elevated temperatures. Furthermore, this article will address the properties of acrylic, the cleaning methods that are most effective for it, and the differences between acrylic and plexiglass.
Is Perspex or glass better for a greenhouse?
Acrylic sheets are a popular choice for greenhouses due to their efficiency, durability, and cost-effectiveness. They provide better light diffusion than standard glass, ensuring equal sunlight for all plants, preventing overheating and the burning effect. Acrylic sheets also have natural ultraviolet filters to protect plants from harmful radiation.
Greenhouses are often prone to damage, making glass-based ones expensive and risky. Acrylic sheets are stronger than traditional glass, allowing them to withstand more damage. Replacing glass is a hassle, but acrylic sheets offer a 6 to 7 times greater impact resistance. Replacing acrylic sheets is easier, and in case of damage, you can replace them yourself.
Cost-effective: Initially, people were hesitant to use acrylic sheets due to their high cost and traditional style. However, as scientific advancements in plastic production refinement continue, prices have decreased, leading to a growing preference for acrylic sheets in greenhouse construction. This increase in use is largely due to scientific advancements in plastic production.
Can I use clear plastic for a greenhouse?
Modern greenhouses have improved by using transparent materials, with clearer plastics being preferred for better photosynthesis. The goal is not to maximize sunlight, but to find the right balance between thickness and transparency. Some plants need enough sunlight to survive, while others need as much as possible, depending on the type of vegetation.
Weight is another important factor to consider when choosing a greenhouse covering. Thin plastic sheets are strong but can become heavier with added thickness, affecting the greenhouse’s frame. While heavy plastic is not bad, it’s crucial to ensure the frame is sturdy enough to support it. The right balance between thickness and transparency is essential for a greenhouse’s optimal performance.
What is the best plastic to use on a greenhouse?
Polyethylene (PE) is a widely used greenhouse plastic due to its competitive price and excellent mechanical properties. It is easily incorporated with additives to improve its characteristics. PE is classified based on density, with low-density being the most common. Medium-density plastic is used in small tunnels and mulch, while high-density plastic is used for pipes, bottles, caps, containers, irrigation, and drainage parts. Low-density polyethylene is the most commonly used in agriculture, offering four-year durability and resistance to sulphur. It can be yellow or colorless.
What are the disadvantages of Perspex?
Acrylic sheets have several disadvantages, including low impact strength, easy breaking, cracking, shattering when cut, and sharp edges. They are suitable for greenhouses, shed windows, and secondary glazing, but they are not all the same. When purchasing clear plastic sheeting for glazing, it is crucial to understand these disadvantages and avoid using low-cost options like acrylic or polystyrene sheets. These sheets have hidden costs and risks, and saving a small amount initially can lead to significant costs later with replacements.
Instead, opting for clear plastic sheets that are cheaper, such as acrylic or polystyrene sheets, can provide a longer-lasting and safer result over time. Therefore, it is essential to make the right choice initially to ensure a long-lasting and safer result over time.
Is Perspex bad for the environment?
Acrylic sheets are an eco-friendly material made from petroleum, offering durability, long-lasting properties, and the ability to be recycled and repurposed. They do not release harmful chemicals or toxins into the environment, making them an ideal choice for projects aiming to reduce environmental impact. Acrylic sheets are energy efficient, producing less energy than glass and being lightweight. They can also be recycled from post-consumer plastic waste, making them even more eco-friendly.
Additionally, acrylic sheets are highly resistant to impact, scratches, and UV rays, making them suitable for both indoor and outdoor projects. They can be used in various applications, including construction, furniture, and more.
How heat resistant is Perspex?
PERSPEX®️ is a material that maintains its properties at temperatures ranging from -40°C to +80°C. Its temperature resistance is influenced by factors such as thickness, which allows it to absorb more heat before deformation or melting. The exposure time to high temperatures also plays a role, as prolonged exposure can lead to permanent deformation or melting. Therefore, the material’s temperature resistance is crucial in ensuring its durability.
Can you make a greenhouse out of Perspex?
Due to its combination of strength and light transmission, clear acrylic sheet is an optimal material for greenhouse glazing. Acrylic greenhouse glazing is available in pre-cut sizes and can be ordered in clearance or multi-packs. Additionally, it can be customized to suit specific requirements. Should you encounter a more competitive price, we kindly request that you contact us for a quotation.
📹 Which is better polycarbonate or glass greenhouse?
Which is better polycarbonate or glass greenhouse? Well to be honest it’s not that simple. In this video, I give you my experiences …
Thank you for the detailed article. My first two small 2x2m greenhouses are polycarbonate and I can totally relate to the wind problems and the material not having a good death. I got them for $150 and $100 respectively and it was great to learn with them. Now I am making myself a proper greenhouse and I was thinking that glass would be better. Your article confims it. Thanks from Peru.
I have a very small back garden and it’s a triangle shape but I have a patch of grass and the max I’d fit is the 6ft by 10ft so I’m maxing it out as I think I’d regret it. Also thanks for the clip as I would have regretted the polycarbonate also trying to clean it. Ps my husband is a glazer so replacing glass not a problem 😅. Just wish I could buy it without glass🤔
Hi. Loved the article. I was thinking of switching from glass to polycarbonate but may stick with glass. I’ve bought a house with a greenhouse which is sturdy but the glass needs replacing and is attached with rivets. Were is the best place to get replacement glass and will the supplier drill them for me? Thanks
Thanks for sharing! I’m currently trying to weigh up between poly and glass. Maybe you could help me with your opinion? I’ve jst bought my first home this year, and always had a glass greenhouse back with my parents so I want me own now I’ve moved out. I love glass, and would defintely get myself a glass greenhouse. However, I don’t know if this is my forever home, and I could be moving on in around 5 years. I don’t know how easy a glass greenhouse would be to dismantle and safely move to a new property (in the same town). I’m wondering if I should get myself a glass greenhouse when I’m in that forever home (with the perfect south facing garden). What do you think? Would poly be a better option now, and then get glass when I’m in a property I know I’ll be in for the very long term? Or am I over thinking it? For reference, I’m in the south east of the UK and don’t have to worry about strong winds too often.
Hi. I have a 6×10 polycarbonate twin walled greenhouse, which I’ve had since 2017. ( But for the last 2 years I’ve not bothered with growing stuff (depression, plus chronic back pain/ being disabled doesn’t help.) However, this year I’m determined to push myself, I’m back on the growing road, yay, to me.🙂 We’ve had some really really strong winds here in Dundee. I’ve had no issues with panels blowing out because… Every panel we put in, we used silicone sealant. Yes in every single groove. And it’s worked. Regarding the twin walls, the downside is that Earwigs aka forkietailes are so smart that they actually get into the greenhouse by traveling up in-between the two panels. By the way, your articles are great! I’m learning so much from you.
A very honest and helpful article, thank you 👍 If folk can’t afford a new glass greenhouse then I highly recommend that they buy a second hand glass greenhouse. People upgrade to bigger and better, or move house and don’t take them along, or simply get too old and infirm to use them. There are plenty of them about on gumtree, eBay, freecycle etc. A complete and fully functioning second hand glass greenhouse will typically cost somewhere between 25% and 35% of the new price and poorly maintained ones (covered in algae / moss / with broken panes etc. that you can fix up for a few pounds and some elbow grease) can often be had for no more than the cost of collection. So you’ll save a lot of money and the added bonus is that you’ll be helping to save the planet. Reuse – recycle – and we all reap the rewards 😊
I have been researching greenhouses in dreams of putting one up this year. Someone on another website pulled out all of their poly panels and covered with greenhouse tape to seal up the ends from getting dusty/mouldy and kept them more secure inside. I wish I could afford glass. Maybe poly panels to start and replace with glass In a few years.
Down here in Southeast Texas with massive rain storms and hurricanes that will easily destroy my gardens the entire skeleton of my greenhouse is all tongue and groove and the poly carbonate panels are hammered inside of the wood. They are braced and reinforced I did all the engineering myself there has yet to been a hurricane to destroy it I had a small tree fall on it probably about 4 inches in diameter I didn’t even phase it for overall strength I choose poly carbonate because it’s almost indestructible something falls on glass it will bust I have a water sprinkler irrigation system set on a timer for 20 minutes at a time 4 times a day All provided by rainwater
Hi Eli, just to say thanks for your thoughts on polycarbonate versus glass greenhouses. I had watched this first a few months back when I was was considering getting a replacement for my old Polyhut. Decided in the end to make my own greenhouse but I definitely pulled a few ideas on greenhouse design and use from this and your other articles Keep up the good work! I posted my own build on YouTube if of interest. youtube.com/watch?v=jD4whqPT9s4
Hi. Eli. Just picked up this article, am I in a time warp or something. Like I said, just picked it up, July the 2nd and you are showing snow outside, or is the grouse messing with my mind. That’s a great greenhouse, definitely green 😃, I noticed no shelves up, sorry for that. I’ve watched a few of the new incoming articles on my email address, whilst enjoying a dram or two of F G. after a frustrating day. nice to converse with, about nothing in particular. Good luck to you and kate, how did she get on with the phography the other day. 👴 that’s me the ancient Britton. Regards Geoff Maddison
I have an aluminium framed greenhouse with glass. It costs me £5.50 for a glass panel when one breaks, polycarbonate in the same size costs £4.50 so not a huge amount of difference. I do prefer glass though for its weight and durability. I believe polycarbonate flexes quite a bit in high winds which can cause it to work loose from the frame. Being in Wales I’d definitely stick to glass 😁
We have a smallholding on the edge of the Peak District and it’s a very exposed site. An early introduction to the possibilities here was to have one of our pole barns blow about 50 yards across the road and into a neighbour’s field so we don’t muck about when it comes to structures! We use 10mm polycarbonate attached with wood screws and mudguard washers at no more than 300mm intervals to heavy tanalised wooden frames for both the greenhouses and cold frames. There is no way the polycarbonate is going anywhere and much of ours is over 8 years old and still perfect. Unfortunately, there are so many aluminium greenhouses sold with 4mm polycarbonate held in by clips etc and with far too big panels they give the whole polycarbonate thing a bad name. Properly done it’s great but my advice is to use 10mm and forget the thinner sizes.
i have a polycarbonate greenhouse,now in its 3rd year and still standing strong.when i first put it up,1 or 2 poly sheets were blown out during strong gusts of winds.The remedy to this was about 100 1in bolts with 1 inch washers.just drill holes into the frame and poly sheets and tighten to a pinch.never had a problem since
You can get tape to cover the open ends of the polycarbonate. Polycarbonate is far safer than glass if you have kids or pets. Your greenhouse is high in the range of glass greenhouse, multi-panel horticultural glass greenhouses, which are comparable with polycarbonate pricewise, I’d say are quite poorer than polycarbonate.
`artnoon from Falkirk, I hope you are both well. The other big negative with polycarbonate ir that it degrades over time and will end up quite brittle. The only place I use it is on my cold frames simply because its easier than using toughened glass. My greenhouse ir the same size as yours and it too is built like a tank …. dont know why I want to grow plants in a tank but hey ho such is life … atb Jim
believe it or not, I did exactly what you asked me to with the subscribe button, bell and thumbs up. Humans are so easy to influence…I guess thats why they call youtubers influencers. Thanks for an informative and interesting article, really don’t know where to start with my little greenhouse donated by my neighbours, never imagined the replacement glass would be so expensive. x
hello my greenhouse is very exposed and gets destroyed in the wind.. so i’ve been taking all the sheets out for autumn / winter each year. sick of doing this heh. so i’d like to build it strong. the frame is good. at the moment i have a glass roof and twin walled polycarbonate for the walls. however the polycarbonate is way too bendy in the wind, so once one bit of it blows out, the whole thing gets wrecked. so looking at options.. my question to you is how thick was the polycarbonate you had before? i’m in ireland, so similar climate to you. thanks for the vids.