Which Greenhouse Blackout Tarps Are Right For Me?

It’s no secret that light deprivation growing has the potential to boost your greenhouse production. If you’re reading this, you’re likely here to find out how you can best adopt blackout farming techniques. At its core, light deprivation boils down to two main components: the greenhouse blackout tarp you choose and the method you choose to extend and retract it over your greenhouse.

These tarps are the main way that growers simulate light changes to better manage their plants’ yield. Here’s a closer look into what greenhouse blackout tarps are and which thickness you should look for:

What Are Greenhouse Blackout Tarps?

Greenhouse blackout tarps are your most valuable resource when growing using light deprivation. They can create periods of complete darkness for your plants in order to encourage growth. This, in turn, often leads to growers enjoying multiple harvests throughout the year instead of just one or two.

There are four main categories that greenhouse blackout tarps fall into:

• Standard Poly

1. 1. • Inexpensive and lightweight, these greenhouse deprivation tarps are the most accessible for most customers. With that said, they are also less durable due to their low mil thickness.

• Woven

1. 1. • Woven tarps are hailed for how durable they are while remaining quite flexible. The only downside is that they can get quite heavy, and have a higher price per square foot when compared to other types of greenhouse blackout tarps.

• Breathable

1. 1. • Breathable tarps are designed to keep light out while still allowing air in. While not suitable for outdoor light deprivation greenhouses, they are great for reducing excess heat and humidity buildup in an indoor setting.

• Reinforced

1. • On the higher end of the durability scale comes our BOLD line of greenhouse blackout tarps. These products are reinforced for extra strength, but not all reinforced plastic sheeting can block UV light.

Related Article: What’s the difference between Light Dep Greenhouse Growing and Indoor?

How is Tarp Thickness Measured – What Is Mil Thickness?

When choosing the right greenhouse blackout tarp, it’s important that you understand what mil thickness is. Mil refers to a unit of measurement equivalent to one one-thousandth of an inch. 

Plastic sheeting is commonly measured using this unit, and the mil thickness will affect your prospective greenhouse blackout tarps’ durability, flexibility, pricing, and weight. Each of these can come into play as important factors to consider when setting up your light deprivation greenhouse. Depending on your project’s unique needs, thicker or thinner materials may be warranted over the typical standard.

Related Article: What Size Light Dep Tarp Should I Get For My Greenhouse?

What Mil Thickness Is Ideal for Greenhouse Blackout Tarps?

Finding the right balance between flexibility and durability is the key to buying the right tarp. Greenhouse blackout tarps come in a range of thicknesses, generally from 5 mil to 12 mil. As a rule of thumb, we typically recommend starting with an 8 mil thickness, as it offers a lightweight yet durable option that’s ideal for most light deprivation systems. 8 mil tarps provide a good level of flexibility to work with manual or automatic setups while also offering decent protection against rips and tears.

With that said, you may be in the market for something more flexible, for which you’d need to go down in thickness or invest in a woven style. Conversely, the weather conditions in your region may require something stronger – for which you could buy something a bit thicker, such as the BOLD line of tarps. Just keep in mind that while thicker tarps can offer exceptional durability, they will be significantly more expensive. 

What To Look For When Buying Greenhouse Blackout Tarps

Outside of the flexibility requirements for your setup, local environmental conditions are going to be your biggest consideration when deciding which greenhouse blackout tarp is right for you. For example, if you operate in an area with high winds, you’ll need tarps that are strong enough to withstand blowing debris and other harsh conditions. If you’re located in a region with a relatively calm climate, however, a thinner tarp may suffice.

The same concept applies to UV exposure – areas that receive high levels of UV light can cause thinner mil thickness tarps like 5 mil or 6 mil to degrade quicker. Whereas, 8 mil BOLD lasts multiple seasons. Opt for greenhouse blackout tarps that are up to your local area’s standards without breaking your budget. After all, there’s no need to overspend on features that might not be necessary for your region.

Related Article: Prevent Greenhouse Covers From Tearing Along a Greenhouse Rib

Find The Right Greenhouse Blackout Tarps  With Americover

As an Americover customer, you will receive the personalized support of a dedicated account manager to simplify the ordering process and ensure the best solution for every one of your projects. 

Our friendly, knowledgeable staff is here to answer your questions and fulfill orders Monday-Friday from 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Pacific Standard Time. For more information or a free sample, call us at 760-388-6294 or visit our Contact Us page.