Guide to Using Shade Cloth - Bootstrap Farmer

Shade cloths are an essential tool for a successful growing season. They are usually made of woven polypropylene fabric and can be added to any structure. The main function of shade cloth is to protect the plants. The light diffusion percentage is chosen based on the plant's light needs and the local climate. 

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Shade cloth not only provides UV protection, but it also helps to keep your greenhouse cool, improves plant ventilation, and reduces water usage. Plants can reduce the amount of excess light energy that they are absorbing, which leads to cell damage and often sunburn.

White Shade Cloth or Black Shade Cloth?

Whether you choose black or white-colored shade fabric will depend on several factors.

• White shade cloth reflects light, making for a cooler environment for the plants. White shade fabric is better suited for warmer climates and flowering and fruiting plants. 
• Black shade cloth absorbs light while also blocking excess light. Black shade cloth is better for those growing heat-loving crops such as tomatoes and peppers and those in colder climates that benefit from more solar gains in the shoulder season.

Related: Black vs White Shade Cloth: Maximize Greenhouse Yields with the Right Shade Cloth Color

What About Aluminum Shade Cloth?

Aluminum shade cloth offers the highest level of heat reflection and is ideal for extremely hot climates or sensitive crops prone to heat stress. It reflects both light and radiant heat, keeping structures cooler than black or white fabric. While more expensive, aluminum shade cloth is often used in commercial greenhouses for its superior cooling efficiency and light diffusion. Flower farmers love it for extending spring blooms that require cooler temperatures.

How to Install Shade Cloth?

Installing shade cloth is straightforward with the right tools. Whether you’re covering a hoop house or a low tunnel, the goal is to keep the fabric tight and secure to prevent flapping or sagging.

For hoop houses, attach the cloth using shade cloth clips on each corner and every three feet along the sides. These clips grip tightly without tearing the fabric and include a loop for tying off with rope or attaching hardware like bolt snaps or eye connectors. Another option is to use spring wire and lock channel along the hip board or peak to hold the fabric securely in place.

For low tunnels, drape the cloth over the hoops and secure it with snap clamps that grip tightly onto the EMT conduit. You can also weigh down the edges with sandbags.

Watch the video below for a full walkthrough of shade cloth installation on a hoop house.

How long does shade cloth last?

Shade cloths are a great investment, that when taken care of properly, can last up to 16 years. They help to reduce energy usage and increase the productivity of plants as less stress is being put onto the plants. Factor in your plant variety's light and temperature needs when choosing your shade cloth diffusion percentage for best results.

Shade netting is a sun protection material widely used in construction, agriculture, fisheries and other fields.

Its different shading rates determine its applicable application range. The following are the application classifications of shade nets with different shade rates.

30% shading rate shading net:

It is suitable for agricultural planting, flower gardening, fishery and other fields. This kind of shading net can reduce the intensity of direct sunlight, reduce the damage to crop leaves, increase photosynthesis and improve crop yield. At the same time, it can also prevent the water temperature of fish ponds from rising and protect fish from over-exposure to the sun.

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50% shading rate shading net:

It is suitable for buildings, open-air parking lots, swimming pools and other fields. This kind of shade netting can effectively reduce the intensity of direct sunlight, reduce the temperature rise indoors or outdoors, and improve the effect of air conditioning or ventilation. In places such as open-air parking lots or swimming pools, shading nets can provide shading and sun protection for vehicles or people.

Shade netting with 70% shading rate:

It is suitable for flower gardening, fruit tree planting, home gardening and other fields. This kind of shade netting can provide good shading effect for crops and prevent excessive direct light from causing leaf sunburn or fruit burn, and also reduce indoor or outdoor temperature to improve the growth quality of crops.

Shade netting with 90% shading rate:

It is suitable for greenhouse planting, fish pond breeding and other fields. This kind of shading net can provide more complete shading and sun protection, provide the best growing environment for crops, reduce the intensity of light and prevent over-exposure to the sun. In fish pond farming, shade nets can prevent the water surface temperature from rising and protect fish from over-exposure to the sun.

The application range of shading nets with different shading rates is different. Choosing the right shading net can provide good sun protection for different fields, improve crop yield and protect the health of people and fish.

How to choose the right shading rate?

In addition to the 30%, 50%, 70% and 90% shading rates mentioned above, shade nets can also have other different shading rates, such as 10%, 20%, 40%, 60%, 80%, etc.

Lower shading rates, such as 10% and 20% shading nets, are suitable for places that need some shading effect but still need sufficient sunlight exposure, such as open-air cafes, playgrounds, leisure plazas, etc.

Higher shading rates, such as 80% and 90% shading nets, are suitable for places that need complete shading and sun protection, such as large botanical gardens, zoos, greenhouse sheds, etc.

These places have relatively low requirements for light, but need to maintain a stable ambient temperature and humidity, so the use of high shading rate shading nets can effectively control temperature and improve environmental quality.

When choosing shading nets, besides shading rate, we also need to consider factors such as breathability, durability and UV resistance of the material. In addition, the climate and light conditions of different regions also need to be considered in order to choose the most suitable shade netting.

Conclusion

Overall, shade netting is a practical sun protection material that provides effective shade and sun protection for construction, agriculture, horticulture and other fields. Choosing a shade net with the right shade rate can provide the best shade for different needs, while factors such as the quality of the material and the environment in which it is used also need to be considered.

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