How to choose right shade cloth that makes a difference to ...

It is an enjoyable experience to see how quickly your cut flowers/plants grow in Spring. The temperature is comfortable and the environment is friendly to your plants.  As summer approaches and the temperature outside begins to rise, you start to water your plants more. But have you thought of putting “sun screen” on your plants!!  ---- Provide shade cloth to cover your plants as a shelter, this will save you water and energy as well as make your plants grow faster and be healthier.

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What you need to do is know more about this “sun screen” and choose the right one to protect your plants from sunburn and other fatal factors under the fierce sun in summer.

So what is shade cloth?

Shade cloth was developed over 30 years ago to provide protection for plants from the harsh Australian climate. Shade-cloth is used in many different applications in the domestic, horticulture, commercial, industrial, sport, leisure and agriculture industries.

In summer, shade cloth could be used to cover your shade house skeleton or greenhouse glazing, to cool it down for your plants. Hobbyists, growers, nurseries, gardeners and farmers should protect their young plants from direct sunlight. Ideal for plants when they are establishing and then gradually hardening off, shade cloth is also used to shield pets, livestock and people from sun and wind.

What is shade cloth made of?

Shade cloth is usually made of loosely woven polyester or even aluminium and can be found in varying densities or degrees of shade from approximately 5% to 95%.  All shade cloth is water permeable so that rainwater, sprinklers and irrigation systems can keep your plants hydrated.

What type of shade clothes are there in the market?

There are two types of the most common shade cloth: “knitted” and “woven”.  

Knitted Shade Cloth

Woven Shade Cloth

Made of lightweight polyethylene  

Made of 100% polypropylene

Suitable for a variety of applications, including:

• Shade houses

• Greenhouses

• Hot houses

  
  
  
  

   Resists tears, fraying and un-ravelling
  

Suitable for a variety of applications, including:

• Pet Kennels

• Shading for patios

• Wind screens

• Privacy screens

• Solar protection for plants

Open lockstitch design resists wind damage, and reduces heat build-up and wind speed inside structures 

Allows more heat build-up than knitted Shade cloth

  Easy to install 

Heavier (Less easy to install)

UV resistant

UV Stabilized to withstand the most extreme sun exposure

Edge taping not needed

Edges must be taped to resist fraying, and will un-ravel if cut

Resists most horticultural chemicals and detergents

Longer life expectancy than woven shade cloth   

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Allow for 2-3% stretch or shrinkage

Minimal stretch or shrinkage, less than knitted

As we can see from above, to protect your plants from extremely hot weather and make them grow healthily in hot summer, knitted shade cloth is a better choice due to its life expectancy, functionalities and easy installation.

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Percentages

Shade cloth is woven or knitted in different densities. We call the densities of Shade Cloth “Percentages”. The difference in percentage lets different amounts of sunlight to penetrate, which means that the percentage of shade cloth you choose, blocks out that percentage of the sun. Therefore, what you grow will help determine the percentage of shade cloth you need.

As we all know, sunlight is so crucial to a plants’ growth, so choose the right density and as low a density as you can get away with.  

Usually a shade percentage of 30-50% is ideal for vegetables, while 80-90% is ideal for sheltering people.  Most plants will do best with a maximum of 40% - 60% shade. However, when growing some shade loving plants such as orchids and some ferns, 75% or higher maybe needed to get correct light levels.

Examples of shade cloth percentage suitable to your plants

50%  Shade cloth in Green Colour

75-80% Shade cloth in Green Colour

 Suitable for:

• nursery stock
• cabbage
• peppers
• lettuce
• some Orchid varieties
• pot plants
• geraniums
• caladiums
• irises

Suitable for:

• orchids
• some ferns
• large olive trees
- Protection barriers on buildings
- Use as silt fencing
- Use as awnings
- Use as livestock shading
- Use as domestic shading

Plants that require partial shade

Plants that enjoy dense shade

One of the most important aspects in choosing the right density of knitted shade-cloth is that it should be applicable to the area where we live. In Australia, the temperature in the north is hotter than in the south in summer. Therefore, there are more people choosing higher percentage shade cloth in the northern Australia regions such as North Queensland and the Northern Territory.

In Summary

If you cover your shade house with 50% or 75% shade cloth, all the way to the ground, a huge amount of heat load is dissipated by the cloth so it never gets into your shade house (try to mist or fog at regular intervals during extreme hot weather). Finally, know you will have a high return on your shade cloth investment by reduced energy costs and water costs. Talk about going green, talk about lowering your carbon footprint, shade cloth does it!

You put suncream on your body; why not use sunscreen for your plants?

------ “Life is a shade better under a tree or shade cloth.”

(PS Usually, shade cloth is an important component of Shade house, to know more about shade house, head over to here)

Keeping greenhouse plants shaded is a common problem in the greenhouse game. One of the best solutions to this issue is using a shade cloth to ease the sunlight burden off your plants. Think of shade cloths as harmonious companions of your plant babies - they let in the right amount of sunlight necessary for plant growth.

There are multiple shade cloth options on the market, so making the right choice for your greenhouse can be a bit tricky. But don't worry, I've got you covered! I’ll go through all the necessary details you need to know before making a choice.

Best Material For Shade Clothes

The type of material used to construct a shade cloth is important to consider as it directly impacts its durability and effectiveness. Most shade cloths are made from materials like

• Polyethylene (PE)
• Polypropylene (PP)
• Polyester

The most popular option is polyethylene (PE), which is very affordable and offers excellent UV protection for plants.

Polypropylene (PP) is arguably the strongest shade cloth material. So, if your DIY backyard greenhouse is regularly hit by strong winds, polypropylene is a great option with its wind resistance and durability. Polyester, is a pretty good option as well, it’s very sturdy and allows sufficient light to reach your plants.

Shade Clothes Density

This is all about how much sunlight can pass through the fabric. If your plants can withstand the sun and only need moderate shading, a 50% shade cloth is sufficient. If you are growing plants like herbs, leafy greens, and other shade-loving veggies and flowers, you’ll need higher-density cloths like 70% or 80%.

Shade Cloth Colors

Just like the clothes we wear, darker varieties of shade cloths absorb more heat than others. This means they are capable of providing more warmth and shade than the lighter ones that reflect the heat.

Black shade cloths are ideal for areas with intense sunlight and scorching temperatures, as they effectively block out more sunlight and retain heat, creating a cooler environment underneath.

Green shade cloths are often chosen by gardeners who are looking for a balance between light transmission and shade. Additionally, their green color tends to match what’s going on inside the greenhouse making for an overall natural appearance.

White shade cloths are most suitable when you need to reflect the heat and maintain the quality of the light spectrum. They help keep the growing area cooler while still allowing sufficient light for plant growth, making them a better option for areas with less intense sunlight.

Knitted or woven Shade Cloth?

When it comes to the most lightweight and flexible option, you need to go with a knitted shade cloth. Knitted cloths are perfect for letting air and water through because they are made with interlocking threads. This construction makes them very durable as they are tear resistant.

Woven options are also quite durable. As a matter of fact, they are usually more durable than knitted ones. Woven shade cloths will stand up pretty well against wind and hail. Think about how much ventilation and wind protection your greenhouse needs to help you decide between the two.

Shade Cloth Installation

Your shade cloth must be properly attached to the greenhouse structure, nice and taut. Install it without sagging! Make sure to buy some bungee cords, clips, and fastening hooks to properly secure it to your DIY greenhouse kit.

Here’s a pro tip: if you know you need to move the shade cloth as the seasons or your greenhouse layout change, make it easy to fasten and unfasten, less trouble come work day.

There you have it! Knowing this, choosing the right shade cloth for your DIY backyard greenhouse should not be an issue. Think about what material, build, and color your greenhouse needs based on your plants and environment. If you get the wrong one, you may have to visit the store twice. And remember to install the shade cloth properly, don’t cut corners.

For more use of green shade netinformation, please contact us. We will provide professional answers.