Polycarbonate Greenhouses for Commercial Growers
A polycarbonate greenhouse is covered with tough, multi-wall thermoplastic sheet instead of glass. The sheet insulates better than single glass, resists hail and impact, and diffuses sunlight. It is a good fit for cold climates and for year-round production on a moderate budget.
Multi-wall polycarbonateHow a polycarbonate greenhouse works
FANGCHENG designs and builds polycarbonate greenhouses from fabrication to export and installation guidance. This page covers the whole greenhouse. For the sheet itself, see our polycarbonate sheet page.
Multi-wall polycarbonate sheet is made of thin skins joined by ribs, with air trapped in channels between them. That trapped air slows heat loss, so the greenhouse holds warmth at night and needs less heating. The skins still let most of the light through, and they spread it, so the crop has fewer hot spots.
The build of the sheet decides its behavior. More walls and deeper channels trap more air and insulate better, at some cost in light. That is why the one word, polycarbonate, covers sheets with quite different performance.
Why growers choose polycarbonate
Insulation.
Multi-wall sheet traps heat more effectively than single glass, which helps in winter and cuts heating cost.
Impact resistance.
The panels are shatter-resistant and built to stand hail and heavy snow.
Diffused light.
Even light across the crop, with fewer hot spots.
Lighter than glass.
A lighter covering needs a lighter frame.
Two ways we build it
PC sheet greenhouse
High-impact multi-wall panels for stable, year-round production. A reliable long-term choice for sensitive crops.
Full roof vent PC greenhouse
Full-length roof vents with a polycarbonate structure, for strong passive cooling and fast air exchange. Cuts operating energy in warm climates.
Sheet on walls and gablesPolycarbonate on walls, roof or both
A polycarbonate greenhouse does not have to use sheet everywhere. Some projects use sheet on the walls and gables, where impact and heat loss are highest, and film or glass on the roof. Others use sheet all round for the best insulation.
The right mix depends on your winter, your hail risk and how much light the crop needs. We can price more than one option on the same frame.
6, 8 and 10 mm sheetChoosing sheet thickness
We customize panel thickness from 6 mm and 8 mm up to 10 mm and thicker, along with frame reinforcement and automated ventilation. A thicker sheet insulates more and spans farther, but costs more and lets through slightly less light. Cold climates and wide spans call for the thicker sheet. For the sheet details, see our polycarbonate sheet page.
Thickness is also a structural choice. A thicker sheet is stiffer, so it can span farther between purlins and carry more snow, which can change the frame layout. The best thickness balances light, insulation and the frame, rather than simply being the thickest.
Cold climates and hot climates
In cold regions the insulation of multi-wall sheet cuts heating cost. Choose a thicker sheet, seal the ends and the joints, add thermal screens, and make sure the frame can carry snow. A tight greenhouse also needs good ventilation, so plan the vents with care.
In hot regions the same insulation can trap heat. Full roof vents, side vents, shade and cooling keep the house comfortable. The full roof vent model is made for this case.
Tap a side to compare.
What can go wrong, and how we design against it
Heat expansion
Sheets need profiles that allow movement
Condensation in the channels
Ends are sealed and the lower end can drain
Yellowing
The UV-protected side has to face the sun
Wind uplift
Frame and fixings are designed for local wind
Most of these show up in the first seasons if they are missed at installation. Sheets that buckle in summer, channels that turn green or a roof that ticks in the wind point to fixing and sealing problems, not to a bad material. They are cheaper to prevent than to repair.
Polycarbonate or glass?
Glass gives more.
Polycarbonate is better than single glass.
Polycarbonate resists hail and breakage better.
Polycarbonate is lighter, so the frame can be lighter.
Polycarbonate is generally the lower-cost build.
For harsh climates or year-round growing, polycarbonate is usually the more practical choice.
See the glass greenhouse.
Total cost: polycarbonate against film
Film costs less to buy, and polycarbonate lasts longer and insulates better. Over several years, with heating savings and no re-cover, polycarbonate can cost less per year in cold climates. In mild climates, film often wins. We compare both for your site.
Crops under polycarbonateCrops that suit polycarbonate
Leafy greens, herbs, berries, cucumbers, tomatoes, seedlings and nurseries, mushrooms and hydroponic crops.
The common thread is a crop that values a steady climate and even light more than the last bit of light transmission. Seedlings and nursery plants fit especially well, because diffused light and stable temperature help young plants grow evenly.
Roof and side ventsClimate control
A polycarbonate greenhouse can be fitted with roof and side vents, cooling pads and fans, heating, thermal and shade screens, and automation. Because the covering insulates, the heating load is lower than in a single-glass house.
Maintenance
Greenhouse or sheet: what are you buying?
This page is about the whole greenhouse: frame, covering, vents and systems. If you already have a frame and only need panels, see our polycarbonate sheet page.
Questions to ask a polycarbonate greenhouse supplier
Commercial polycarbonate greenhouseCommercial greenhouse or garden kit?
Many polycarbonate greenhouses sold online are small kits for gardens. A commercial greenhouse is a different building: the frame is designed for local snow and wind, the sheet thickness is chosen for the climate, and the layout leaves room for vents, screens and growing systems. When you compare prices, check that the offers describe the same kind of building.
Common questions
Straight answers. If yours is not here, ask us.
It depends on sheet thickness, UV protection and the local climate. With good installation and care, the frame and panels last many years.
Yes. Multi-wall sheet insulates well and traps heat more effectively than single glass.
Glass gives higher light transmission. Polycarbonate gives better insulation and impact resistance. For harsh climates it is usually more practical.
Six, eight and ten millimeters and thicker, customized to your project.
Yes. See our polycarbonate sheet page.
It depends on climate and span. Thinner sheet suits mild climates and short spans. Cold climates and wider spans call for thicker sheet. We confirm the thickness together with the frame design.
Get a polycarbonate greenhouse designed for your site
Send your location, crop and area. We reply within 24 hours.
Consultation and project proposals are free.
What to include
- Location
- Your crop
- Planned area
- Reply within 24 hours
