In the hot summer, shade cloths provide essential relief for plants by controlling light, temperature, and humidity in extreme conditions. Traditional shade cloths, made from woven or knitted plastic, come in a variety of colors, with black, white, and green being the most common. These cloths aim to reduce direct sunlight while allowing air to circulate, aiding plant respiration.
As technology advances, Aluminet shade cloths have emerged in agriculture and horticulture. But, compared to the conventional black and white shade cloths, does Aluminet offer superior shading, longer durability, or better value for money? To guide you in making an informed choice, this article examines aluminum vs. black and white shade cloth, discussing their efficiency, durability, and value.
Aluminet Shade Cloth
Aluminet shade cloth, primarily made from aluminum, boasts a high reflectivity. This not only blocks unwanted sunlight and UV rays, cooling the area below but also diffuses light, ensuring crops receive even illumination. This enhances photosynthesis, leading to brighter fruit and plant colors. Furthermore, its lightweight and corrosion-resistant properties guarantee durability.
2 Types of Aluminet Shade Cloth
There are two types of Aluminet nets grace the market.
The first, knitted aluminet shade nets, are woven from industrial aluminum strips. These are similar to black shade cloths in structure, excellent for reflection, and ventilation, and ideal for home gardens and outdoor shading.
The second type, greenhouse thermal screen, crafted by affixing aluminum strips to polyester threads or HDPE materials, is designed for extensive commercial greenhouses’ internal and external shading and insulation needs. These are available in open and closed varieties.
The open style, with its blank stripe (as pictured on the left), offers enhanced ventilation. On the other hand, the closed version (shown on the right without the blank stripe) provides both daytime cooling and nighttime insulation. This dual function stabilizes temperature fluctuations and minimizes condensation, promoting optimal plant growth.
Comparing Two Types of Aluminet Shade Cloths
Both variants effectively block sunlight and UV rays and scatter sunlight. However, the curtain designed for greenhouses excels in insulation, especially at night. It also outperforms in durability with a longer warranty.
In terms of cost, the more intricate design and diverse materials of the greenhouse shade cloth push its price higher. For those seeking long-term utility, the open-style aluminum greenhouse curtain offers better value for investment.
Traditional Black & White Shade Cloth
Traditional black and white shade cloths are primarily made from High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) monofilament and tape filament. Most of these cloths are enhanced with UV stabilizers and undergo antioxidation treatment, granting them attributes such as high tensile strength, longevity, corrosion resistance, radiation resistance, and lightness.
Get more info about HDPE shade cloth >
Some manufacturers might opt for recycled materials in shade cloth production, which, while more affordable, compromises durability. Hence, when selecting a shade cloth, it’s essential to consider its raw materials, and check for the inclusion of UV stabilizers and antioxidation treatments, ensuring a wise choice.
Black vs. White Shade Cloths
Both black and white shade cloths can achieve the desired shading rate. However, white shade cloths excel in scattering sunlight, casting a more gentle and even light distribution on plants. In comparison to its black counterpart, white shade cloth efficiently lowers temperatures while maintaining consistent light, preventing unhealthy growth in light-sensitive crops like strawberries.
For plants preferring less sunlight or during peak midday sun, a denser black shade cloth is a more suitable choice.
Aluminet vs. Black Shade Cloth
Similar to traditional black shade cloths, Aluminet shade cloths also modulate their shading rate by adjusting the density of the knit. Hence, both can achieve your desired shading effect. However, when it comes to light scattering, Aluminet performs superiorly due to its reflective properties, making it more suitable for light-loving plants. But, owing to the higher production costs of Aluminet, especially for greenhouse curtains, they’re priced more than their black counterparts.
For a price comparison, here are some products on Amazon with a 70% shading rate:
- DJYTUSB 70% Aluminet Thermal Screen – $1.17 / sq.ft
- Soclerg 70% Aluminet Knitted Shade Cloth – $0.41 / sq.ft
- Joepen 70% Black Shade Cloth – $0.185 / sq.ft
Their durability and effects vary. If you’re looking for a long-lasting shade cloth with reflective capabilities, Aluminet knitted netting is worth considering. For those wanting energy conservation at night and insulation, the enclosed greenhouse aluminet screen is optimal.
Of course, if it’s just for a personal garden, a black shade cloth is adequate. It delivers the shading you need.
| Aspects | Aluminet | Black Shade Cloth |
|---|---|---|
| Material | Aluminum coated | HDPE or other polymers |
| Shading Effect | Reflects unwanted sunlight & UV | Provides desired shading |
| Light Scattering | Scatters light in all directions | Limited scattering |
| Temperature Control | Cools during the day, insulates at night (Enclosed greenhouse thermal screen) | Mostly provides shade |
| Price | Typically more expensive | More affordable |
| Durability | Knitted cloth for 1-5 years. Thermal screens for 3-8 years | 1-5 years |
| Main Use | Greenhouse farming, and other industries need shading & insulation | Primarily agriculture, home garden. |
Aluminet vs. White Shade Cloth
Both of these shade materials can attain the ideal shading rate through different weaving methods, and both possess light-reflective capabilities. Yet, compared to white shade cloths, Aluminet boasts superior reflectivity. Moreover, greenhouse Aluminet shade cloths offer insulation, a feature conventional HDPE shade cloths lack.
Price-wise, standard white shade cloths are more budget-friendly than Aluminet. For instance, ColourTree white shade cloth costs $0.36 per square foot, making it significantly more affordable than Aluminet.
For home gardens or smaller outdoor spaces, considering the HDPE-made white shade cloth is advisable. It not only provides moderate reflectivity but also has an elegant appearance. However, for greenhouses, especially large-scale commercial ones, it’s best to opt for reflective screens that offer both shading and insulation. This material can enhance the growth and vibrancy of your crops.
| Feature/Aspect | Aluminet | White Shade Cloth |
|---|---|---|
| Material | Aluminum coated | HDPE or other polymers |
| Shading Effect | Reflects unwanted sunlight & UV | Provides desired shading & limited reflection |
| Light Scattering | Superior light scattering in all directions | Moderate light scattering |
| Temperature Control | Cools during the day, insulates at night (Greenhouse thermal screen) | Mostly provides shade |
| Price | Typically more expensive | More affordable |
| Durability | Knitted cloth for 1-5 years. Thermal screens for 3-8 years | 1-5 years |
| Main Use | Greenhouse farming, and other industries need shading & insulation | Home gardens, agriculture, shade sails |
Aluminet Shade Cloth Related FAQs
What is aluminet shade cloth used for?
Aluminet shade cloth is designed to offer plants shade, and control light exposure, temperature, and humidity, ensuring plants thrive even under extreme conditions. Thanks to its high reflectivity, it can deflect unwanted sunlight and UV rays, providing a cooling effect.
Moreover, it helps diffuse sunlight, ensuring even light distribution for plants, and promoting photosynthesis. This can lead to more vibrant colors in fruits and plants. While primarily used in agriculture, its unique properties also make it suitable for shading and insulation in other industries.
How long does aluminet net last?
Shade cloth made from standard industrial aluminum strips typically lasts around 1-5 years under normal use. However, aluminet screens crafted using specialized techniques, offering both shading and insulating properties, can last between 3-10 years.
