Shade Cloth

What Does Shade Cloth Mean?

A shade cloth is a commercially available stretch of fabric that is normally draped over greenhouses to ensure they remain cool during summer. Shade clothes are usually crafted from woven polyester. Some gardeners choose to go for aluminum shade clothes that are far more ultraviolet (UV) resistant. The density of a shade cloth may range anywhere from 5% to 95%.

Maximum Yield Explains Shade Cloth

Shade clothes are especially recommended in humid areas or regions that are often prone to fog.

While the majority of plants can comfortably thrive under shade cloths with a density of 40% to 60%, delicate flowers such as orchids may need a thicker density of 75% or even higher.

For ease of use, it is advisable to select a shade cloth equipped with grommets so a rope or a nylon cord can be used to secure the cloth to the greenhouse roof.

There are two main types of shade clothes:

1. Knitted cloths are crafted from lightweight polyethylene. These are suitable for hothouses, greenhouses, and shade houses. Quite resistant to regular wear and tear as well as wind damage, knitted shade cloths are also UV resistant and easy to install. With a longer life expectancy, they do not require edge tapping.
2. Woven cloths are made from 100% polypropylene and can be used for different types of gardening and non-gardening structures such as greenhouses, patios, windscreens, privacy screens, and even pet kennels. Woven shade cloths are heavier and enable more heat built-up.