Photo source: Palramapplications.com
There are many reasons why it’s important to cover your greenhouse with shade cloths during summer: it will prevent you from overheating your greenhouse, it will protect certain plants against discoloration and dehydration. When there’s too much sun in spring or summer it’s easy for a greenhouse to overheat, which can cause your plants and vegetables to die.
Ideally you will combine the use of a greenhouse shade cloth with a good amount of ventilation (this can also be done by using automatic window openers) but just ventilation might not be sufficient on a very hot day. The power of the sun will build up inside your greenhouse and the temperature will rise quickly.
The amount of shade and ventilation necessary depends on which plants are in your greenhouse. When you’re focused on growing cacti, there will be no need to take action. If you are however growing vegetables or flowers, it’s best to monitor the temperature in your greenhouse and cover up with a shade cloth if necessary.
Shade Cloth Material
Most shade cloths will be either woven (polypropylene) or knitted (polyethylene) and are available in a variety of sizes. In addition to the material, you also need to pay attention to the density of your shade cloth, this can range between 5 and 95 percent.
Both knitted and woven shade cloths have advantages and disadvantages, so let me try and give you a clear overview on both materials so you can decide which one fits your needs.
| Knitted | Woven |
|---|---|
| Life span usually between 8 and 10 years | Life span up to 12 years |
| UV resistant | UV resistant |
| Lighter → Easier to install | Heavier → A little harder to install, but stronger |
| Variety of colors | Always black |
| Can be cut to the size you like | Will unravel when you cut it |
| Less expensive | More expensive |
In general the knitted shade cloths are used most commonly for greenhouse covering. Given that the material is a little easier to work with and more adjustable, we generally use this fabric.
Density of the shade cloth
Most plants will need a shade cloth density of about 40 to 50 % to be well protected, but it can vary upon which plants you are growing in your greenhouse. If you are working with ferns for example, you need a 75% density cloth.
When you choose a 50% density shade cloth, you should be able to protect most of your plants on any hot summer day.
Our greenhouse shade cloths picks
(choose the right size for your greenhouse)
40-50% density
 | Didaoffle 50% Sunblock Shade Net Black UV Resistant | Check price |
 | Be Cool Solutions 40% White Outdoor Sun Shade Canopy: UV Protection Lightweight Shade Cloth | Check price |
 | Agfabric 40% Sunblock Shade Cloth with Grommets | Check price |
70% density
 | Jesasy 70% 10 ft x 14 ft Aluminet Shade Cloth Panels with Grommets | Check price |
 | Be Cool Solutions 70% Brown Outdoor UV Protection Lightweight Shade Cloth | Check price |
80-90% density
 | Greenhouse Covers Sunblock Shade Cloth Mesh 90% UV-Resistant | Check price |
 | E.share 90% UV Resistant Green Sun Net | Check price |
Article photo Didaoffle 50% sun block shade net
