Greenhse poly/plexi/glass: which is optimal?

I've seen 2 main different types of greenhouse poly used around here, or that's how it looks. One looks clear and the other opaque, as if made to diffuse light. On the other hand, maybe the opaque one is only translucent because it's double layered. On another thread in coop run and design someone just mentioned greenhouse panels, either a specific form of plexiglass or just plain ol' typical plexiglass, I dunno. Then there's glass itself. I hear it blocks UV plants need, so isn't right for greenhouse use. Indoor "house plants" seem to do fine from behind glass.

It's just that I've to redo an old dilapidated falling apart greenhouse and convert our chicken tractor into a cold frame and wonder if the food plants I want to grow are way better off with a certain poly, plexi or glass cover, or if it makes a difference and I can go with whatever on the cheap? I don't seem to have a pic of the greenhouse, probably cuz it's not pictureworthy, yet

I have also thought about setting up one of my tractors as a cold frame.

Yeah, today was our first frost. Hopefully can get that converted today. Not that much work. Just already busy doin so much else.

Here's a pic of greenhouse to be renovated, obviously. I can just hear people say, "plow it under". What's worse and cant be seen is all the little bits of old brittle poly and other garbage left by the previous owners. I want to stretch a shop vac out there, ugh. The structure seems just stable enough not to bother starting anew. Yes, those are chickens poking around inside:

Even if you only get 5 years out of it, before having to rebuild, that's 5 years that you wouldn't otherwise have! Go for it, and enjoy!

IMO, I would steer clear of the glass and go with poly... There are different strengths and thickness to choose from, but glass can tend to make "hot spots", where the rays can actually get concentrated, much like a magnifying glass... Poly can filter some if the UV out, if you want, or you can get a clear poly to let it all in

If you get hail often, you'll be glad you went with poly too lol

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amiachicknorwat said:

Here's a pic of greenhouse to be renovated, obviously. I can just hear people say, "plow it under". What's worse and cant be seen is all the little bits of old brittle poly and other garbage left by the previous owners. I want to stretch a shop vac out there, ugh. The structure seems just stable enough not to bother starting anew. Yes, those are chickens poking around inside:

Click to expand...

That's actually not in too bad a shape from what I can see....the ridge line doesn't look so sharp as to cut the poly, you'd want to fix/tape/sand any spots that did....that would be the thing to watch for. As far as the coverings go, you'd probably want to go with commercial grade greenhouse film just because the price of everything else will be crazy. Even a good opaque copoly as its sometimes called is going to be a couple hundred$$. If you wanted to use two layers and inflate the space between that's twice as much obviously, but it lasts longer (if secured properly) and is better at mitigating temperature fluctuations. If you used clear poly, I'd get a row of black plastic 35 or 55 gal. Barrels filled with water along the south or west long side to give you some passive solar heating in winter.... It may look a bit ugly but you've got a nice structure to work with, IMO. I guess if you could afford to go with a more substantial cover than poly, and if I were you, I'd hire a local knowledgeable consultant to see if it was feasible. Looking for.....Sound structure, Reasonable extension of usable lifespan with upgrades.... Most greenhouses are built with conduit these days, it's rare to see a wood one in decent shape. I wouldn't mind having this if it came with property I had bought, but yes, it will take a little work either way.

Just wanted to add aother comment about the opaque poly film, I used that on my propagation house, as cuttings don't need full light in order to form roots. I leave it up because I prefer it so much over the clear for reducing the heat in summer.

Why pay a consultant when I can spend my time reading what you've written here. We already got a great deal on slightly used poly from a local tree nursery with ginormous greenhouses, so each $40 CDN piece can cover I dunno how many such greenhouses and cold frames. I was just curious what people here knew about poly, plexi and glass for greenhouse use. So much thanks. Like I started thinking the opaque stuff was just the clear stuff doubled layered, but you helped me see thru that nonsense. The copoly seems like it may be an improvement over the clear plastic, since it diffuses the light. Then we have a black rain barrel we're using, but far from optimally since we've yet to install a spigot for easy dispensing. Still not sure how best or better to handle that. I'm new to this whole homesteading thing. Love it tho. I even lost 10+ lbs since we got this place. Work-work-work. See you and raise you, Nick

amiachicknorwat said:

Why pay a consultant when I can spend my time reading what you've written here. We already got a great deal on slightly used poly from a local tree nursery with ginormous greenhouses, so each $40 CDN piece can cover I dunno how many such greenhouses and cold frames. I was just curious what people here knew about poly, plexi and glass for greenhouse use. So much thanks. Like I started thinking the opaque stuff was just the clear stuff doubled layered, but you helped me see thru that nonsense. The copoly seems like it may be an improvement over the clear plastic, since it diffuses the light. Then we have a black rain barrel we're using, but far from optimally since we've yet to install a spigot for easy dispensing. Still not sure how best or better to handle that. I'm new to this whole homesteading thing. Love it tho. I even lost 10+ lbs since we got this place. Work-work-work. See you and raise you,  Nick

Click to expand...

Hehehe...

You're welcome. Let me know how it progresses....and please let me know if you ever find out what year that gh was built and what it was designed for. I saw one similar once for orchids.....in CA I think, too long ago.....