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coVER oF A GREENhoUsE 18

dust and dirt in areas where open land farming or dusty winds prevail. This may reduce the amount of light entering the greenhouse. It is important to clean polycarbonate to abate algae on the inside and outside of the greenhouse. Also, it is advisable to have lawn grass around the greenhouses. Polycarbonate sheets are more expensive than 6 mm poly, but not as expensive as glass covering (which is very seldom used in SA!). The hoop roof construction is covered with polyethylene. How do you define “Best Greenhouse Film” and which do you think is best? The following are some practical areas of consideration. • What price? If a low cost film is what you are looking for, then 6 mm plastic films will be the better option greenhouse film due to its relatively low initial cost. What you save in the initial film investment you will lose to

labour cost. 6 mm greenhouse film will not last very longer than four years, and may not come with much if any of a guarantee. You will be replacing that film due to aging from the sun, or a storm ripping a hole in the film. • The Energy Considerations: The price of heating and cooling your greenhouse is the second biggest expense beside the labour of constructing and covering your greenhouse. Which covering offers the best heating and cooling R-value?

Obtain at least four quotations. • Estimated UV Lifespan: For the plastic films, how much do you value having a UV guarantee. Some companies offer a 10 year full warranty. Does your plastic films supplier offer this warranty? The big secret is to purchase a film with a proven track record elsewhere in the world.

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• Adverse conditions: What is the best

greenhouse covering when it comes to wind, hail and snow load? If this is important to you, compare the various suppliers’ warranty records. • How cover replacement labour influence you: Should your greenhouse cover be damaged by a hail storm or excessive wind, tearing the cover; which greenhouse cover is the best in offering you a cost saving when repair or replacement is required? Most greenhouse films will require you to recover the entire structure. Some suppliers offer strips, so in the unlikely event there is damage to the cover, you will only be replacing a single or two sections and not the whole structure. Basically; the above considerations and more are to be made when deciding to select a greenhouse cover for your structure to obtain optimum production and longevity in structure cover. JS

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Undercover

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JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2021 I VolUmE 18 No 1 I  I R45.00 per issue For more information contact Suzannne Oosthuizen (+27) (0) 82 832 1604 or e-mail suzanne@axxess.co.za nAME:

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