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Cole_Robbie · November 13, 2016

The clear stuff is probably fine for you. It tends to heat up the fastest. 6 mil is standard and plenty thick. I have the clear on my greenhouse, Sunmaster brand, and it is finally falling apart at the seams after 5 years. Almost all film now has condensation control, which means water runs down the plastic inside instead of dripping off.

Here's what I have on the high tunnel:
https://www.hummert.com/product-deta...-uv-clear-film

It says clear, but it's really not, it's opaque. It does not get as hot, which is good for me, trying to grow tomatoes til June or so, where it can get to 90 degrees outside temp.

Here's a site with some great prices on film: https://www.growerssolution.com/
They had free shipping for a while, not sure if that's still going on.

Choice of film is not as important as your ventilation setup. Keep in mind that almost everyone underestimates how hot it gets inside on a sunny day with calm wind. My greenhouse can run 50 degrees above the outside temp, and that's with just February sun....in Illinois. You want big doors that you can prop open and roll-up sides, or some sort of side vents.

I know a guy who is a market vendor and a very experienced gardener. He went to an extension center talk about greenhouses, where they told him roll-up sides were optional, so he didn't include them in his design....and then he cooked all of his plants.

So go for overkill in regard to ventilation; that's my advice. You will need more than you think you need.

November 13, 2016	#2
Cole_Robbie Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Illinois, zone 6 Posts: 8,407	The clear stuff is probably fine for you. It tends to heat up the fastest. 6 mil is standard and plenty thick. I have the clear on my greenhouse, Sunmaster brand, and it is finally falling apart at the seams after 5 years. Almost all film now has condensation control, which means water runs down the plastic inside instead of dripping off. Here's what I have on the high tunnel: https://www.hummert.com/product-deta...-uv-clear-film It says clear, but it's really not, it's opaque. It does not get as hot, which is good for me, trying to grow tomatoes til June or so, where it can get to 90 degrees outside temp. Here's a site with some great prices on film: https://www.growerssolution.com/ They had free shipping for a while, not sure if that's still going on. Choice of film is not as important as your ventilation setup. Keep in mind that almost everyone underestimates how hot it gets inside on a sunny day with calm wind. My greenhouse can run 50 degrees above the outside temp, and that's with just February sun....in Illinois. You want big doors that you can prop open and roll-up sides, or some sort of side vents. I know a guy who is a market vendor and a very experienced gardener. He went to an extension center talk about greenhouses, where they told him roll-up sides were optional, so he didn't include them in his design....and then he cooked all of his plants. So go for overkill in regard to ventilation; that's my advice. You will need more than you think you need.