Aluminet shade cloth in winter?

16 years ago

My plans to buy aluminet, then cut it into strips and hang it behind the bubble wrap had to go by the wayside. I just didn't have the time to mess with it, so bought a single, large, finished piece, 12 x 16 ft., with the original intent of hanging it from the roof peak and all down the SW side of my GH.

It ended up being draped over the top and down both sides, but has performed as advertised and made a difference in keeping my GH cooler, although lining the entire interior with 1/2" heavy bubble probably had a lot to do with it too.

Now, as we are going into fall, I'm wondering if I should use the aluminet to reflect heat back into the interior.

Any comments, and if so, would the aluminet work as well on the exterior for that purpose? Or, should I try to devise a means of hanging it inside?

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Comments (5)

plantladyco
16 years ago
I always take my shade cloth off in the Fall.
I want all the sun I can get in the cold months.
highjack
16 years ago
I agree - take it off. We are already taking light meter readings as the sun changes angles to try to determine when to remove it. Inside we have black shade cloth, below the roof line, on the south side of the greenhouse. We will probably/maybe, leave it in place. The sun will be able to heat the winter structure but the cloth inside will offer some sun protection for some of the low light orchids.

After tomorrow, we have to start resetting the fans, vents and cooler temps to go with the hopefully here to stay, normal temperatures.

Brooke
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Thanks, I love my mosaic bench/sink area. Honestly, it's usually got so much dirt and crud on it, it never looks like those photos in my blog anymore. But, it works! Having the thermostats in full sun will definately skew your readings, but I can't say how much. This is my first greenhouse too, but I read that it's best to locate thermostats close to the center of the greenhouse, close to (or just above) plant level, and out of direct sunlight. Because the thermostats are basically the "brains" of the greenhouse, I figured it was worth a bit of hassle to try to hang them in a good spot. Also, I tend to slop water everywhere, and knew that mine would be safest if they were hanging from the ceiling...but with your slick system, that shouldn't be a problem. Here are a few threads/links that might give you more ideas: Thermostat location thermostat placement in a greenhouse how to install a greenhouse thermostat I spent time with your blog this morning, and it's really good (and fun to read.) I love the stone foundation, stoplight lenses, and the row of glass bottles (being a closet fan of funky folk art and bottle houses...) I think the important thing is to have fun, and it looks to me like you're doing a great job of that. You are right that everything always costs more than we think it will, but I figure at the end of my life, I won't be saying "I wish I hadn't spent money on interesting hobbies that taught me stuff...!!" Good for you.
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It all depends on what your plants need for light levels. Remember your plants govern what you do with the greenhouse. Now with orchids, most want 2000 foot candles or less depending on what you have. With the other plants you will have to check the requirements. If you have a light meter, you can check you light levels. Anyone growing orchids should have a light meter. Measure your light, and remove if you need more light. On average, right now you probably could wait until Sept to remove it, but that all depends on what light levels are needed in your greenhouse. :-)
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My 30% shade goes up in April on the south. Then, in June, the 30% goes to the north and the 50% shade goes onto the south side. By October, it all comes off. Plants that produce something not from fruiting flowers- i.e. carrots, cabbage, lettuce, need less light than those that produce true fruit- pepper, tomato cuc, eggplant. These latter ones need basically full sun to produce a good crop. Also, the variety you grow is very important. Some vegetable varieties are photoperiodic, meaning they produce best in either short or long day (sun light period). Bubble-wrap will significantly reduce the light into the greenhouse, making the fruit-set type of vegetables hard to grow. Optimum (best yield) temps for fruiting crops are: tom, cuc, pepper, lettuce- 65 deg. night. In the day: tom and cuc= 80, pepper= 75 and lettuce= 70 degrees.
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I bought from Charlies last year, enjoyed perfect results and look forward to rehanging again when the heat dictates. My Chillout looks just as it did, new, last year, and I am deffinately sold on this product, I found no negatives, and the snaps are so perfect! If you want shade and heat reduction, yet still light to grow, try this and share your experence! I'd love to hear what you think, and what other uses you have thought of for this perfect product!
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vegomatic
16 years ago
How about on the inside of the north wall? Fold it in half to fit and give an extra layer.

-Ed
birdwidow
Original Author
16 years ago
Okay. I understand. I'll have to leave it up for at least another month though. We have had heat waves in the Chicago area well into September and very often, mild and sunny well into mid December. We tend to get slammed in January and our springs are cold, wet, muddy and miserable. Our falls are really the best weather of all: warm- sometimes hot, but clear and dry.

I like the notion of using the aluminet on the interior north wall at least, and might just order up a piece of it to cut and fit against it, over the bubble. If I cut out for the door and left the piece on the hinge side attached, perhaps I could attach it to the door. Leaving it hanging as curtain could prove a PITA, as I'm in and out of my GH, usually with my hands full, no less than 4 X daily.

I may try using tension curtain rods to hold the aluminet under the roof too. Or, stretch it to lay flat across the ceiling, to retain heat. I'll watch for end of season sales on the aluminet, perhaps just a 40% shade, which would still admit a lot of light, yet reflect heat back down. I'm still learning, but do know that most of the heat is lost through the roof. My GH is STILL a work in progress, and may always be. Perhaps that's part of the fun of having one.
sandy0225
16 years ago
Aluminet is supposed to help a lot with heat retention. I'm trying to figure out a way to use it in greenhouses in the winter as a retractible shade. Without spending so much that I can't afford to do it. I just have too much green crap in the way to get any work done, as my hubby puts it!
If you can figure out how to close it in the late afternoon and open it back up around 10 am the next day, you'll have a sweet heat retention setup.

Aluminet shade cloth in winter?

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plantladyco

highjack

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Aluminet shade cloth in winter?

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plantladyco

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