This article will give you a general idea of which materials work best when it comes to building green houses.  It will look at the pros and cons of each material making your green house building decision a little easier.

Greenhouse Material Choices

There are six common materials used to build and protect a greenhouse.

• Glass
• Polyethylene Plastic Film
• Polycarbonate
• Fiberglass
• Acrylic
• Polyethylene Panels

So which of these materials will work best for your green house?

Which Material to Choose for Your Greenhouse

• Glass is the most traditional choice when it comes to building a greenhouse. Although glass requires a sturdier greenhouse frame it is a material that has stood the test of time. More costly up front to build, glass greenhouses can save you money over time and give great gardening results. If you are looking for a greenhouse that will last for decades, glass  is a great choice.
• Polycarbonate is a lightweight material that is very strong. These panels usually last around 10 years before they need replacing. They are a cost-effective way to build a lightweight greenhouse that can stand up to most of the things mother nature will throw at it.
• Acrylic greenhouses can be a little trickier as they need to be built in a specific way to make them strong enough to stand up to the weather. Most acrylic greenhouses will last up to 20 years yet the cost to construct an acrylic greenhouse is about the same price as glass.
• Polyethylene covers and panels are the most cost effective when it comes to building a greenhouse.  They do have the shortest lifespan of all the other materials used to build greenhouses. They come in both semi-flexible wrap materials and rigid panels.
• Fiberglass greenhouse coverings last around 10 years but often start to age earlier than this. The problem with fiberglass is that dirt buildup can easily can inside the panels causing deterioration. The cost of fiberglass runs somewhere in the middle of all the products listed above.

Which product  you choose for your greenhouse will depend on what kind of longevity you are looking for and your budget.

If you would like to learn more about glass for greenhouses, contact the team at Dan’s Glass today. The team of professionals at Dan’s Glass is here to help with all your glass needs.

This article originally appeared on Dan’s Glass blog.