Aluminet shade cloth

Slippertalk Orchid Forum

Help Support Slippertalk Orchid Forum:

L

lienluu

Guest
I used it because Sam Tsui of Orchid Inn recommended it. BUt i don't know how it would compare to black shade cloth since i've only ever used Aluminet
 

Ray

Orchid Iconoclast
Staff member
Moderator
Supporting Member
Joined
Jun 9, 2006
Messages
4,574
Reaction score
1,340
Location
Oak Island NC
I agree with Blake.

If you think about it, shade cloth cuts down on light in two ways, reflection and absorption. The Aluminet does so almost entirely by reflection, and black stuff does so almost exclusively by absorption, converting the light into heat.

No matter which you use, the best thing to do is suspend the cloth above the greenhouse so there is an air space between the two.
 

NYEric

Well-Known Member
Joined
Sep 14, 2006
Messages
49,986
Reaction score
1,026
Location
New York City Apartment
Ray said:
I agree with Blake.

No matter which you use, the best thing to do is suspend the cloth above the greenhouse so there is an air space between the two.
Outside the structure!? Doesn't that require some sort of mechanical system to move/remove the cloth?
 

bwester

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jun 7, 2006
Messages
1,238
Reaction score
1
no, mine is fastened on the top of the GH on the outside and has been for a year and a half now with no problems. Every couple months I spray it down with a hose. Trust me though, this stuff is well worth the price.
 

Gilda

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jun 10, 2006
Messages
2,632
Reaction score
56
Location
North East Tennessee, Z6 , Sunroom, flourecent lig
Ray said:
I agree with Blake.

If you think about it, shade cloth cuts down on light in two ways, reflection and absorption. The Aluminet does so almost entirely by reflection, and black stuff does so almost exclusively by absorption, converting the light into heat.

No matter which you use, the best thing to do is suspend the cloth above the greenhouse so there is an air space between the two.

I have lattice in between my glass and the shade cloth(roof is very slightly pitched)...
black cloth =absorption ....light into heat(I don't need more heat)!!! What % aluminet is recommended ? My greenhouse faces North.
Thanks all !
 

littlefrog

Hop-meister
Joined
Jun 9, 2006
Messages
1,389
Reaction score
400
Location
Mid Michigan
I traded in for aluminet last year. I need another big piece this year, I should really get on that before I actually _need_ it. I can't honestly remember what percent shade I got the first time. 50% probably.
 

Candace

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jun 9, 2006
Messages
4,855
Reaction score
1
Location
Elk Grove, CA
Outside the structure!? Doesn't that require some sort of mechanical system to move/remove the cloth?

Yes, it's called arm power. Pull. Pull. I just put my second layer on this weekend. I use white 52%, not aluminet. I don't have it suspended like Ray said. It's better to do that as you get much better shading. That's why I need two layers in the Spring and Summer. I can do it by myself after so many years. I just use a rope throw it over the greenhouse and then drag it up.
 

Ray

Orchid Iconoclast
Staff member
Moderator
Supporting Member
Joined
Jun 9, 2006
Messages
4,574
Reaction score
1,340
Location
Oak Island NC
The air space is more important with black shade cloth, as it allows the heat to dissipate without passing into the greenhouse. With white or Aluminet, the buildup is far less, so the need is less critical.
 

bwester

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jun 7, 2006
Messages
1,238
Reaction score
1
Yeah, I have mine right against the plastic at 65% shade and another 30% white on the inside for the slippers
 

slippertalker

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jun 27, 2006
Messages
962
Reaction score
0
Location
Seattle, Wa.
NYEric said:
Outside the structure!? Doesn't that require some sort of mechanical system to move/remove the cloth?

Once you put the shading on in spring, you don't take it off until fall. After that you can go to clear glass. Just throw it over the structure and tie it down. Of course it's a bit more involved as the greenhouse size changes.
 
Top