This guide covers the installation of greenhouse cover plastic: checking the structure, unrolling the roll from one side, even tensioning, securing with H-type profiles or twine, and managing ventilation. Follow these steps so the cover lasts the full season without tearing, with the expected transparency and thermal control.
Product specifications
Polyolefin (PO) film coextruded in 5 layers with an EVA middle layer, 200 µm thick (Gauge 800), anti-drip, anti-fog and dust-repellent treatments, UV stabilization with HALS and a thermal IR additive, with 70% light diffusion and a declared service life of 3 years (700 KLy in the High-Weather-Resistant category) under Caribbean sun. Available in four widths according to the width of your greenhouse, with a standard length of 50 m per roll.
| Specification | 4 m | 6 m | 8 m | 10 m |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SKU | 854790 | 707537 | 974976 | 576426 |
| Width × length | 4 × 50 m | 6 × 50 m | 8 × 50 m | 10 × 50 m |
| Coverage | 200 m² | 300 m² | 400 m² | 500 m² |
| Material and thickness | PO 5 coextruded layers with an EVA middle layer · 200 µm (Gauge 800) | |||
| Treatments | 70% diffuse, anti-drip, anti-fog, dust-repellent, HALS UV, thermal IR · 3 years (700 KLy) | |||
Step-by-step installation
Installing the plastic is the moment when the real lifespan of the greenhouse is decided. Poor fastening leads to plastic that wears out from rubbing against the structure and tears in less than a year.
Check the structure
Before unrolling the plastic, inspect the greenhouse structure: tubes without sharp edges, smoothed welds, no protruding screws. Any sharp metal point will pierce the plastic after a few weeks. Cover edges with foam tape or plastic sleeving. Plan the day with dry weather, no wind (strong wind during installation is dangerous) and with at least 2-3 people.
Unroll the roll from one side
Position the roll parallel to one side wall of the greenhouse and start unrolling, passing the plastic over the roof. One person pulls the free end from the opposite side while another controls the roll at the origin. The correct direction is: anti-drip side facing inward (condensation droplets slide down the wall instead of falling onto the crop).
Tension evenly
With the plastic covering the roof, tension from the sides by pulling gently and simultaneously from several points around the perimeter. The tension must be even: wrinkles mean rubbing zones that will tear; too much tension can rip it when the temperature changes between night and day.
Secure with H-type profiles or twine
Professional system: aluminum H-type profile on each arch with a locking spring that holds the plastic mechanically without piercing it. Economical system: polypropylene twine crossed in a zigzag between the arches, holding the plastic against the structure. Avoid screwing the plastic directly: each screw perforation is a future point of failure.
Manage ventilation
A 100% sealed greenhouse cooks the crop during midday hours. Plan for openings: roll-up ridge, side windows on the gable ends, or sections of the side wall that roll up with a crank. The ideal total ventilation height is equivalent to 15-25% of the cover area. Without that open fraction, your greenhouse goes from being a tool to a crop-destroying oven.
For Dominican territory, the critical factor is the interior temperature. Although the 70% diffuse plastic reduces heating from direct radiation, in July and August the greenhouse can easily exceed 45 °C inside if ventilation is insufficient. Consider combining the plastic with shade net (40-50% shade) over the exterior during the hottest months: the crop breathes better and keeps its productivity.
Do not use this greenhouse plastic as agricultural ground cover for mulching. They are different products: this one is translucent diffuse to let light through, while agricultural ground plastic is opaque to block weeds and warm the soil. Confusing them ruins both applications. For mulching, use the specific agricultural ground plastic.
Complementary products
A complete greenhouse combines the cover with interior floor elements and auxiliary fastening elements.
The weed-control net is the interior floor cover of the greenhouse between crop rows: it blocks weeds and keeps the soil clean. The agricultural ground plastic is the alternative for mulching beds inside the greenhouse. The plastic clamp handles spot fastenings: irrigation hoses on the structure, probes, stakes tied to the roof guides.
Maintenance and care
Greenhouse plastic requires seasonal attention to reach its maximum service life:
- Roll storage: in a cool, dark, rodent-free place. A roll exposed to the sun for months loses its service life before it even reaches the structure.
- Monthly inspection: check fastening points and rubbing zones. A small tear (5-10 cm) is repaired with polyurethane tape specific to greenhouses (do not use standard adhesive tape, it does not withstand the sun). A larger tear forces you to change the panel.
- Cleaning dust and dirt: every 6 months, wash with a hose and neutral soapy water. Dust and salt reduce light transmittance and lower productivity.
- Real service life under Caribbean sun: 3 years declared without maintenance (700 KLy certification in the High-Weather-Resistant category). With regular cleaning and fastening checks, it reaches 4-5 years.
- Planned replacement: when the plastic yellows, loses transparency and shows microcracks, schedule the replacement. Waiting for it to tear can ruin a crop in full development.
Frequently asked questions
Why 200 µm and not thicker?
200 µm (Gauge 800) is the international standard thickness for a warm tropical greenhouse. It provides sufficient mechanical strength, adequate light transmittance (≥88%) and allows on-site handling without special equipment. Greater thicknesses (250-300 µm) are for areas with frequent hail or extreme sustained winds; in the Dominican climate they are oversized and reduce useful light.
Can I leave the plastic installed during hurricanes?
It is not advisable: the plastic behaves like a sail and can drag the entire structure away. Before announced hurricanes, open all vents to equalize exterior-interior pressure, or remove the plastic and store it. Some growers roll the plastic up to the ridge and secure it there during the active cyclone season, leaving the structure bare.
What do I do with the plastic at the end of its service life?
Polyolefin (PO) film is 100% recyclable, just like polyethylene. There are recycling plants that accept large quantities of used agricultural plastic and transform it into pellets for new products. Before throwing it into general waste, contact the nearest recycling center. The amount of plastic from a 500 m² greenhouse exceeds 100 kg: it is worth recycling.
