Choosing the Right Shade Net – Knitted or Woven
It is undoubtedly a very good experience to watch the plants quickly growing. The temperature should be comfortable and at the same time, the environment should be friendly for enhancing the growth of the plants. During the summer season, the temperature rises when there is an increased need for watering the plants. But have you ever thought that is it enough or something more needs to be done? Have you ever thought that how would it be if you could apply sunscreen to the plants? Does it sound odd? No, it is not. You can use a shade net for providing the plants with the necessary protection from the heat of the summer.
What is Shade Net?
Shade net, as can be understood from the name is used to protect the plats from the fierce heat of the sun during the summer season. These shade nets are readily used in the agriculture industries, horticulture, and others.
How to Select the Right Net?
The selection of the right shade net is of immense importance for helping the plants to grow properly. The shade nets are usually made up of loosely woven polyester or at times aluminum. The shade nets come in different densities or degrees of shades. The nets need to be chosen as per the type of plant that is being grown and the amount of shade required to beat the heat. Before the selection of the shade nets, it is to be made sure that the nets are water-permeable so that hydration is never a problem.
There are two most common types of shade nets available in the market that are as follows.
- Knitted Shade Net
- Woven Shade Net
Now, the problem that arises here is regarding the selection between the two. You need to keep a few points in mind which are discussed below.
Structure
The knitted shade nets are made up of lightweight polyethylene but the woven shade nets are up of hundred percent polypropylene. The knitted shade nets come with an open lockstitch design that resists wind damage and at the same time reduces building up of heat as well as wind speed inside the structures. On the other hand, the woven nets are heavier than the knitted nets and allow more building up of heat. Thus, the selection of the nets depends on the exact requirements of the users.
Installation
The knitted shade nets are easier to install as compared to the woven shade nets. Edge tapping is not required in the case of the knitted ones but in the case of woven ones need edge tapping for resisting fraying and the nets unravel if cut. So, it is important to choose the nets as per the exact need of the users.
Resistance to Ultra Violet Rays
Both the nets are resistant to ultraviolet rays of the sun but the woven shade nets can withstand even the most extreme exposure to the sun. So, depending on the amount of exposure to the sun, the knitted shade nets or the woven shade nets should be chosen.
Shrinkage
The knitted shade nets allow about two to three percent stretch or shrinkage whereas the woven shade nets allow minimal stretch or shrinkage. Thus, if more shrinkage is required, the knitted shade nets are the appropriate choice.
Life Expectancy
The knitted shade nets can resist most of the horticultural chemicals as well as detergents and have a longer life expectancy as compared to the woven shade net. So, if you are looking for a longer-life shade net, select the knitted ones.
Checking the Usage
The knitted shade nets find a wide range of applications in shade houses, hothouses, and greenhouses. On the other hand, the woven shade nets are useful in shading for solar protection of plants, pet kennels, windscreens, shading for patios, and privacy screens. Thus, the selection between the knitted shade nets and woven shade nets depends on the usage.
Keeping all the above-mentioned points in mind at the time of selection of shade nets would make sure that the right one is selected. In addition to this, it would always be a very good idea to choose a trusted, reputed, and reliable manufacturer such as Green Pro to get the best quality shade nets.
*The blog is the personal opinion of the author.