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Views: 0 Author: Site Editor Publish Time: 12-12-2025 Origin: Site
Choosing the right greenhouse covering material is one of the most important decisions a grower will make. The covering affects everything from light transmission and insulation to durability, energy efficiency, and long-term cost. Among the most widely used coverings in modern commercial agriculture today are polyethylene (PO) film and polycarbonate (PC) panels—each with distinct strengths for different climates and crop types.
This guide provides a detailed comparison to help growers make the best choice for their greenhouse project.
Greenhouse covering materials determine:
How much sunlight reaches the crops
Heat retention and insulation levels
Energy consumption for heating and cooling
Durability in harsh weather
Lifespan and replacement cycles
Crop quality, yield, and uniformity
For growers targeting year-round production, the right covering can significantly reduce operational costs while improving crop consistency and marketability.
A high-performance agricultural film widely used in commercial multispan greenhouses.
A rigid, insulated material commonly used in commercial and semi-commercial structures.
These two materials dominate the market because they offer a strong balance of performance, cost-efficiency, and adaptability.
Note: While glass is still widely used in high-tech Venlo houses, this article focuses primarily on PE/PO vs PC, with a brief comparison to glass for reference.
PO film has become the preferred choice for large-scale greenhouse production thanks to its affordability, excellent light transmission, and versatility.
Light transmission: ≥ 90%
Diffuse light option: Better canopy penetration
UV-resistant with anti-aging additives
Anti-drip & anti-fog coating
Thickness options: 120–200 microns
Lifespan: 4–5 years depending on region
PO film delivers optimal light diffusion, reducing shadowing and improving uniformity across the canopy.
Ideal for large continuous roofs, curved spans, and customized greenhouse designs.
PO film greenhouses typically cost 30–50% less than PC or glass structures.
Allows growers to build large multispan greenhouses of 5,000–100,000 m² or more at an affordable price.
Shorter lifespan compared to PC or glass
Vulnerable to extreme hail
Requires periodic replacement
Best For: vegetables, flowers, berries, nurseries, herbs, tropical crops.
PC panels are preferred in regions with harsh climate conditions or where insulation and durability are top priorities.
Impact resistance: 200–300x stronger than glass
Thermal insulation: Higher than PO film
Light transmission: ~80–88% (depending on thickness)
Panel types: Twin-wall, multi-wall, honeycomb
Lifespan: 10–15 years
Resistant to hail, snow, and strong winds. Suitable for areas with extreme weather.
Lower heat loss reduces winter heating costs by 10–30% compared to film.
Improves stability and lifespan of the greenhouse covering.
Longer lifespan reduces long-term maintenance costs.
Higher upfront cost
Lower light transmission compared to PO film
More complex installation
Best For: flowers, seedlings, cold regions, alpine climates, snow load areas.
| Feature | PO / PE Film | Polycarbonate Panels |
|---|---|---|
| Light Transmission | ★★★★☆ (90%+) | ★★★☆☆ (80–88%) |
| Diffuse Light | Excellent | Moderate |
| Insulation | Moderate | High |
| Durability | Medium | Very High |
| Cost | Low | Medium–High |
| Lifespan | 4–5 years | 10–15 years |
| Weather Resistance | Good | Excellent |
| Best Usage | Large-scale farming | Cold/hail regions |
Hot climate: PO film + cooling pad & fan
Cold climate: PC panels for better insulation
Hail/snow regions: PC panels strongly recommended
High humidity/tropics: PO film with anti-drip coating
Vegetables (tomato, cucumber, pepper): PO film
Leafy greens & hydroponics: PO film
Flowers & ornamentals: PC or glass
Seedlings: PC panels
Cannabis: PO film + blackout screens
Large-scale farms (10,000–100,000 m²): PO film
Mid-size farms: PO or PC depending on climate
High-tech automated farms: PC or glass
PO film: Lowest cost
PC panels: 2–3x cost of PO
Glass: Highest cost
PO film: Fast & low cost
PC panels: Moderate; requires precise installation
Glass: Most expensive; heavy structure needed
| Covering | Initial Cost | Maintenance | Energy Savings | Lifespan | ROI |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PO Film | Low | Medium (replacement) | Medium | 4–5 yrs | Very Good |
| PC Panels | Medium | Low | High | 10–15 yrs | Excellent |
| Glass | High | Low | Medium | 25–30 yrs | Good (for high-tech farms) |
Although this article focuses on PO and PC, many buyers still consider glass for large-scale high-tech production.
Highest light transmission
Longest lifespan
Suitable for automation and energy screens
Expensive
Heavy structure required
Higher risk of breakage
Best for: Venlo-style vegetable production, research facilities, year-round artificial climate control farms.
To select the right material, consider:
Hot → PO
Cold → PC
Harsh weather → PC
High UV → PO film with UV additive
High light crops → PO or glass
High insulation crops → PC
Limited budget → PO
Long-term investment → PC or glass
Multispan → PO film
Tunnel → PO film
Semi-high-tech → PC
High-tech Venlo → Glass
Both PO film and polycarbonate panels play essential roles in modern greenhouse agriculture. PO film offers exceptional light performance and affordability, making it the top choice for large-scale commercial farms. PC panels, on the other hand, provide unmatched durability and insulation for growers in colder or more extreme climates.
By evaluating your climate conditions, crop type, budget, and long-term goals, you can choose the material that delivers the highest yield, stability, and profitability.
