How important is greenhouse or polytunnel cladding?

People often ask….

  • “What is the most important part of a greenhouse or polytunnel?

To which the only answer can be;

  • ‘’What part of the greenhouse or polytunnel has the greatest influence on the health and growth of plants and crops?’’ 

While the shape and design of a greenhouse or polytunnel is a visual element, the material and function of the frame and structure provides strength and supports the cladding, neither has any bearing on the ability to produce good and health crops.

The answer to the first question then becomes obvious, “The cladding”.

This is the only part which creates the environment to produce first class plant health and excellent crops, ideally all at the lowest possible cost.

Historically gardeners have used glass and polythene sheeting as a cladding material because that is what was available. But now scientific research has confirmed Keder Cladding, a technically advanced cellular material, which eliminates the problems associated with glass and single sheet polythene cladding, as the most significant advance in greenhouse cladding in many years.

Significant Operational Energy Saving

The cost of a greenhouse or polytunnel is not just the purchase price but the financial investment over its expected lifetime. In this aspect, science provides the conclusive answer of the most important factors in establishing the difference between claddings. Keder’s advanced cellular cladding, retains over 95% of heat radiation and is therefore overall, the most advantageous cladding material in long term cost effectiveness.

Uniform Light Distribution

One of the main natural factors in the growing cycle of a plant is light. Keder’s Cladding not only guarantees even light distribution over the entire growing area and eliminates shadowing, but also allows high levels of sunlight on very sunny days to penetrate through, while also preventing scorching and burning of plants and crops. This eliminates the need to whitewash or cover the greenhouse or polytunnel which is costly and time consuming.

The Keder advanced cellular material has the additional benefit of being able to allow much high higher levels of light on hazy and overcast days compared to other cladding materials. Making it ideal for the British weather and extending the growing seasons.

Violent Weather 

Withstanding the harshest of natural weather conditions, tests have confirmed Keder Cladding can stand up to dry snow loads of 4.9kN/m2 or 500kg/m2, this equates to upto 2m of snow depth.

Keder cladding has proved itself in surviving damage free, following violent hails storms (example of one in Germany), heavy snowstorms and with winds in excess of 140 mph. In places like the Shetlands, Orkneys and the Hebrides, where a Keder Greenhouse is one of only 3 manufacturers which the Scottish Crofting Federation regard highly enough for them to award crofter grants.

So back to the original question;

  • ‘’What is the most important part of a greenhouse or polytunnel?’’

The only answer can be the cladding as it as the only part which not only has the greatest influence on plant health and growth, but also proves to be the greatest financial saving over the life of the greenhouse or polytunnel.

  • With all these advantages the only obvious choice is “Buy the best. Buy Keder. Buy to last a lifetime.