Greenhouse
glass is just like any other piece of glass that is used on windows,
but often has a coating which prevents condensation on the surface.
The glass is the most important material in a greenhouse, it allows
for sunlight to enter but trapping the radiant heat that is created.
This makes it a passive solar collector, some of which are used to create
electricity or hot water.
The larger the pane of greenhouse glass the more light that can enter.
Smaller panes are cheaper, but there will have to be more connections
which block light. A large pane will be expensive to replace and heavy
requiring a more durable frame but will greatly improve the amount of
light that is allowed into the greenhouse. Glass is not the best heat
absorber itself, so a heater might have to be used during the night
on large pane greenhouses.
A popular alternative to greenhouse glass is fiberglass. It is much
cheaper and lighter than glass, but has less light transmission and
yellows and cracks over time necessitating regular replacement which
negates the saved costs over glass and looks cheap as well. Polycarbonate
sheeting is comparable to glass in light transmission, but is better
at retaining heat than glass and is less prone to breakage, but also
deteriorates over time.
