Greenhouses are one of the most useful gardening tools for any gardener, because they allow you to extend the growing season and grow vegetables that would normally not do well in the UK climate.
But two things are very important when it comes to greenhouses: ventilation and shading. Because heat and intense sunlight can damage plants. So a shade cloth for greenhouses is a vital accessory.
There is a lot of choice on offer, though, so our experts have picked the 5 best shade cloths available at the moment to make it easier for you.
The main factor for shade cloths is the density, which is given in percentage. For vegetables, the density should be between 30% and 50%, so in our review of the 5 best shade cloths for greenhouses, we are focusing on this range.
#1: E.share 40% 10′ x 12′ Black Shade Cloth
Features:
- 40% density
- size: 3m x 3.6m (10ft x 12ft)
- colour: black
- brass grommets and reinforced tape
To Consider:
- number one on our list of best shade cloths for greenhouses
- made from UV stabilised polyethylene, which means it’s lightweight and durable
- great customer reviews
- versatile
- available in different sizes
This 40% density shade cloth will provide the vegetables in your greenhouse with the shade needed. Its durable design will ensure that you can use it for more than one season. And because it is available in different sizes, you will be sure to find a size that fits your greenhouse.
It’s also versatile and can be used for other tasks too, this means you get more for your money. No wonder it made it to the top of our list.
- Black Shade Cloth Size: This black outdoor shade is 10 FT by 12 FT (3.05 x 3.66meters) and provides 40% to 50% shade for maximum garden protection, preventing plants from wilting and providing a relaxing space for patio or outdoor activities.
- Durability & Long-Lasting Material: This mesh is made of UV-stabilized polyethylene, tear resistant, high temperature resistance, safe and odorless, ensuring lightweight durability.
- Mesh and Breathable Design: The shade netting is designed for long-term outdoor use. It can withstand various weather conditions, including sunshine, wind and rain. It provides cold protection, frost protection, winter heat preservation and summer shading.
#2: Winemana 40% Black Shade Cloth
Features:
- 40% shade density
- size: 3m x 4.2m (10ft x 14ft)
- lock stitch design to prevent unravelling
- colour: black
To Consider:
- great customer reviews
- different uses
- durable and lightweight – taped edge reinforced by 6 stitch rows
- available in different sizes
The winemana 40% density greenhouse shade cloth will regulate your greenhouse temperature while at the same time letting in enough light for your plants to thrive.
Its design makes it durable, and you can choose from different sizes to find the right one for you. That’s why this is our best alternative on our list.
- High Shade Rate - Our Shade Cloth can resist rays and most sunlight while air can still flow through so as to create a comfortable cool and shaded place for people or plants.It blocks 40% of the sunshine and bring 40% the shadow, so 60% of the sunshine can through it.
- Best Material - Shade Cloth Made from high density polyethylene which is lightweight but durable, provide maximum airflow and stretch-ability. Provide shade in Summer and anti-freezing in Winter, used for greenhouses, plant, flowers, fruits cover, block the sun, with heat, moisture, also for livestock housing, poultry buildings, hoop structures, barns kennels.
- Best Technology - Lock-stitch knitting technology can prevent unraveling and accumulating. Designed with taped edge and reinforced corner, our Sun Shade Cloth ensures durability and extra strength.
#3: Greena Greenhouse Shading 55%
Features:
- shade density: 55%
- size: 1.2m x 2.5m (4.9ft x 6.5ft)
- colour: green
To Consider:
- great customer reviews
- versatile – can be used outside or inside
- lightweight (0.31kg)
- affordable price
This 55% density shade netting can be used in summer to protect your greenhouse plants from intense sunshine and in winter to keep your greenhouse warmer. So you can use all year round.
- Our premium greenhouse shading is designed to provide superior UV protection and is ideal for maintaining optimal conditions and enhancing plant growth.
- A simple and cost-effective way of providing shade during the Summer months and reducing temperatures inside the greenhouse. The shade netting allows enough light for growing plants to thrive but reduces the UV rays by 55% so leaves don't get scorched.
- Crafted from robust materials, our Greenhouse Shading is easy to install, either inside or outside the greenhouse, and can be cut to size if needed. Designed to fit most styles of greenhouse.
#4: Elixir Gardens 40% Shade Netting
Features:
- 40% shade density
- colour: green
- size: 3m x 5m (10ft x 16ft)
- material: knitted polyethylene
To Consider:
- good customer reviews
- affordable price
- UV treated – tear and fray resistant
- different uses
The Elixir Gardens 40% Shade Cloth is durable, because it has been made with UV treated knitted polyethylene. This means it will last for several seasons. With the very affordable price, it makes this shade cloth ideal for anyone who is new to greenhouse gardening.
- To select your desired LENGTH in meters, choose from the Size Name options. To select your desired WIDTH in meters, chose from the Colour Name options.
- Made from High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) which is tear & fray resistant. This netting should last many seasons before showing any signs of degradation.
- Ideal for use in greenhouses, polytunnels, conservatories. Use externally on fences, gates and walls as a privacy screen to create a secluded outdoor area. Our Shade Nets feature stong woven eyelets for quick and easy installation.
#5: BeGrit 50% Shade Cloth
Features:
- 50% shade density
- size: various sizes available
- anti-rust aluminium grommets for safe attaching
- material: high-quality polyethylene
To Consider:
- good customer reviews
- durable – reinforced corner guards, lock-stich knitting technology
- suitable for multiple uses
- available in various sizes
This 50% shade cloth has been made to last, which means you don’t need to worry about replacing it any time soon.
- Cool Down Your Greenhouse Temperature - Our Plants Shade Cloth can resist rays and most sunlight while air can still flow through so as to create a comfortable cool and shaded place for people or plants.It blocks 50% of the sunshine and bring 50% the shadow,so 50% of the sunshine can through it.
- Anti-Rust Grommets& Anti-UV - BeGrit greenhouse shading net has double stitched with aluminum alloy grommets prevents rusting of the grommet after prolonged outdoor use.It can also provide extra holding power.The sunshade net can prevent UV, so that your plants will not be exposed to UV for a long time, which is more conducive to plant growth.
- Sustainable Use - The main material of greenhouse shading mesh net is a high-quality polyethylene (PE), all 4 sides taped by double stitched.Each Corner also comes with reinforced corner guard.So the shade cloth has a long service life and is not easy to be torn.Lock-stitch knitting technology can prevent unraveling and accumulating.
What Colour Shade Cloth Is Best For Greenhouses?
While the main factor for choosing a shade cloth for greenhouses is the density, the colour can also have an impact.
The main colours for shade cloths are black and green. You can also get white ones, although they are less common.
But what colour is the best shade cloth for greenhouses? Well, that depends on what you are growing. Because different colours have different properties in terms of sun reflection and absorption.
The lighter a shade cloth is, the more heat it will reflect. So a white shade cloth will cool down your greenhouse the most. However, a light shade cloth is not so good at blocking out sunlight.
Black shade cloths are good at blocking out sunlight, but they also absorb heat. This means that it is not so good at cooling down the greenhouse. As cooling down the greenhouse is one reason for using a shade cloth, this is important.
However, even a black shade cloth will still lower the temperature in the greenhouse, just not as much as a white one would. But there are other ways to cool down your greenhouse, such as opening windows, doors and vents.
For all these reasons, most gardeners think that the best shade cloths for greenhouses are green. They are better at blocking out sunlight than white ones, at the same time, they reflect more heat than black ones.
A green shade cloth also allows wavelengths to pass through that are useful for plants, namely red and blue light. This is the light that is absorbed by the leaf surface during photosynthesis.
Although one study concluded that red shade cloths give the best results for chillies. (Stephens 2007) However, it’s difficult to get red ones, so a green one is probably a good option.
The best shade cloths are actually aluminet shade cloths. These are a silver colour, which is efficient at both blocking out sunlight and reflecting heat.
But this type of shade cloth is not readily available for domestic use and is mostly used for commercial greenhouses. As a result, it is also very expensive to get.
So, taking all this into account, a green shade cloth is the best option for a greenhouse. But you still have to make sure you choose the right density for the plants you grow.
50% Shade Cloths – Are They Best?
When it comes to selecting the best shade density for your greenhouse, it depends on what you are growing. Different plants will need various amounts of sunlight to thrive.
As already mentioned above, for vegetables, the range is between 30% and 50%. Sun-loving vegetables, such as tomatoes, need more sunlight and do best with a 30% shade cloth.
On the other side are vegetables such as lettuce or spinach, that need more shade in the summer months and will do better with a 50% shade cloth.
So covering your greenhouse with a 50% shade cloth might be too much for some plants.
Here is a general guide on what kind of plants need what shade density.
- Plants that love the sun and heat, like tomatoes, cucumbers, strawberries and peppers, will do best with a 30% shade cloth.
- Most other vegetables and fruits will do well with a 40% – 50% shade cloth.
- Plants that need it cooler and prefer partial shade in summer, such as lettuce or spinach, will benefit from a 50% shade cloth.
Is A Woven Or Knitted Shade Cloth Better?
There are two types of shade cloths, woven and knitted. Both are made from polyethylene, but the way they are made is different.
Both can be used for greenhouses. However, the knitted type is generally lighter and more durable due to its structure. The woven type is heavier, which means it will also be less breathable and keep more heat inside.
Most people prefer to use a knitted shade cloth for their greenhouse, as it’s lighter and more durable. But both types can be used to shade your plants and keep them from getting damaged by the sun. That’s why we have included both types in our list.
What To Look Out For When Buying A Shade Cloth For A Greenhouse
When buying a shade cloth for your greenhouse, there are a lot of factors to consider. This can make it a bit tricky to decide. Our experts’ pick of the 5 best shade cloths are all suitable, but there are things you should keep in mind.
What Do You Want To Grow?
Before you can decide what greenhouse shade cloth to get, you have to know what you will grow under it. As we have already mentioned, different plants have different shade needs.
This is the starting point, because it will determine what shade density you will need and what colour would work best.
If you are planning to grow plants that have different shade needs, you could divide your greenhouse and cover one half with a higher-density cloth and the other with a lower-density cloth. This will provide different light levels in the same space.
But even so, you still need to get the best shade cloth for your greenhouse.
Shade Density & Colour
As already discussed, you need to ensure that the cloth lets through enough light for the plants you want to grow. This is a vital factor, but once you have decided what you will grow, it should be easy to decide.
Colour-wise, if you also want to lower the temperature in your greenhouse, a white cloth will be more efficient. If you need to block sunlight more efficiently, black works better. However, most gardeners opt for a green shade cloth as this will be efficient in both.
Durability And Quality
The best shade cloth for greenhouses will last for several seasons, so make sure you buy one that is made of good-quality materials.
A knitted cloth will last longer than a woven one, so if you live in a windy area, you want to look out for a shade cloth that is resistant to tearing and fraying.
However, this won’t matter as much if you are planning on installing the cloth inside the greenhouse as internal shades. The best shade cloths for greenhouses can be fixed inside or outside, so it depends on what your preference is.
Price
Finally, the price is also important. While you don’t want to spend a fortune on this, equally, you don’t want to buy a cheap cloth that needs replacing halfway through summer.
Our experts’ picks include both cheaper and more expensive options. I always try to buy the best quality I can afford, so I don’t have to replace it too often.
Now that you know what to look out for, check again our list of the 5 best shade cloths for greenhouses. You will be sure to find the one for you.
