Aluminet

 

Aluminet 30%	Aluminet 40%	Aluminet 50%
Aluminet 60%	Aluminet 70%	Aluminet 80%

Aluminet is a metallized fabric that works like a thermal blanket. Its manufacturer, Polysack calls it a thermal shade net. When this material is used for example for a greenhouse, it keeps the interior cool in daytime, warm at night. For geodesic dome structures it creates a comfortable space letting in a breeze.

 

 

Fastening and tarp fabrication

Aluminet is usually warrantied for a 4-year lifetime, can be sewn (best when you fold the edge to make a strip) and can be fastened with grommets. A reinforcing tape is often used to stenghten the grommets. Tape reinforcement and grommets every 12″ is a good rule of thumb. You can also use various types of clips to hold the cover into place.

 

Facts about Aluminet

• Made from metalized HDPE (High-density Polyethylene).
• Recyclable and UV resistant.
• Tapes are manufactured with an anti-oxidation and UV-resistant coating.
• Moderates both day and night temperatures, enabling microclimate control in greenhouses and nurseries.
• Controls air movement and provides both uniform shadow and optimum diffused light.
• Dual functionality: both shades and cools.Aluminet reflects unwanted heat and radiation during the day. During the cooler seasons, it preserves heat within the greenhouse.
• Can be edged with tape and grommets for extra strength and durability.
• Available in 30% -80% shade grade.
• Usually sold by linear foot.

 

Aluminet vs. black shade cloth

Aluminet provides for more diffused light in the canopy. With black shade cloth, the fabric will absorb rays of light coming from low angles. Because Aluminet is reflective, it will allow much of this low angle, ( or diffused) light to pass through the fabric into the canopy. In permanent installations, this can allow for more light into the canopy during the low light periods in early morning or late afternoon.

 

How durable is Aluminet?

Aluminet can tear or shred if it flaps or something rubs against it creating a rip or hole. But Aluminet does not run like nylon stockings; holes and rips can be easily sewn up with lightweight nylon twine no needle or sewing machine required.

Although this open weave does not catch the wind, you can still get a significant balloon or sail effect, so fastening and anchoring are critical. Grommets can be used but like anything else they can rip out under heavy stress.

Aluminet has good load bearing properties though its intended use is for warm climates. Still, it can withstand some snow and ice accumulation but only to a point. .

 

Aluminet technical information

Aluminet is sold in various grades of shading, usually 30% to 80%. Below are Aluminet properties according to shade grade. Standard Aluminet roll widths are listed below. This varies slightly from one supplier to another. .

PROPERTIES
Shade Level	30	40	50	60	70	80
Actual Shade Level	30-35%	38-43%	50-55%	58-63%	70-75%	78-83%
Energy Savings	N.A.	15%	20%	40%	45%	50%
Direct LightTransmission	65-70%	57-62%	50-55%	35-40%	25-30%	17-22%
Burst Strength (kg/cm2)	3.9	3.6	3.7	4.3	4.7	5.2
Weight (oz./sq.ft.)	1.97	1.86	2.01	2.53	2.57	3.4
Diffuse LightTransmission	79%	70%	60%	56%	44%	32%

 

 

Shade %	Standard Widths (feet)
30%	6.5′	13′	19.5′	26′
40%	7′	14′	21′	28′
50%	7′	14′	21′	28′
60%	7′	14′	21′	28′
70%	7′	14′	21′	28′
Shade Cloths can usually be ordered in any lengths. Larger Shade Cloths can be made by sewing two or more stock sheet sizes together, then trimming if necessary.

You can make your Aluminet geodesic cover last longer with edging and grommets. The fabric itself has some stretch, but the tape does not.

Compared to a traditional blue plastic tarp, it’s fairly expensive ($0.25 to $0.40 per square foot), but with the added benefits of silence (no snapping of fabric in the wind), comfort (air breezes through), and durability. Any Aluminet used in structures needs to be properly measured and trimmed with professional-grade reinforcement tape and brass grommets.

 

Aluminet covering for Burning man

www.shadeclothstore.com offers a “Desert Festival Shade” , a two-layer panel with 50% Aluminet shade cloth on the outside to deflect the intense sun and 50% White shade cloth on the inside to provide a light, cool environment. They use #4 brass grommets and 2 3/4″ reinforcement tape. The taped edges are double stitched for extra holding power. The material is 100% UV stabilized polyethylene and claim it will not unravel.

 

Typical uses for Aluminet

The following is taken from Polysack’s website. :

Aluminet 30-O Minimal Shade Net

• Minimal shading in a broad variety of crops.
• The net is designed for external coverage of shadehouses, tunnels and greenhouses, and for internal use to be spread permanently as a ceiling beneath a greenhouse roof, or to be installed as a movable thermal screen.
• The net prevents irradiation damage in plants and fruits and reduces heat in greenhouses during hot days.
• Knitted in widths of up to 10 m. Other widths are available upon request. Available with drawstrings for suspended installations and movable screens. Flexible, light, strong and easy to spread.
• Recyclable and UV resistant.

 

Aluminet 40-O Minimal Shading for External Coverage

• Minimal shading in a broad variety of crops.
• The net is designed especially for external coverage of shadehouses, to cover tunnels and for linked spreading above plastic covering greenhouse roofs.
• The net prevents irradiation damage in plants and fruits and reduces heat in greenhouses during hot days.
• Knitted in widths of up to 10 m. Other widths are available upon request. Flexible, light, strong and easy to spread.
• Recyclable and UV resistant.

 

Aluminet 50-O Moderate shading for external coverage

• Moderate shading in a broad variety of crops.
• The net is designed especially for external coverage of shadehouses, tunnels and for linked spreading on plastic covering greenhouse roofs.
• The net prevents irradiation damage in plants and fruits and reduces heat in greenhouses during hot days. Efficient for energy conservation in winter.
• Knitted in widths of up to 10 m. Other widths are available upon request. Flexible, light, strong and easy to spread.
• Recyclable and UV resistant.

 

Aluminet 60-O Moderate Shade netting for shade houses, tunnels or crops

• Moderate shading in a broad variety of crops.
• The net is designed especially for external coverage of shade houses, tunnels and for linked spreading on plastic covering greenhouse roofs.
• The net prevents irradiation damage in plants and fruits and reduces heat in greenhouses during hot days. Efficient for energy conservation in the winter.
• Knitted in widths of up to 8 m. Other widths are available upon request. Flexible, light, strong and easy to spread.
• Recyclable and UV resistant.

 

Aluminet 70-O, Heavy shading for external coverage

• Heavy shading for a broad variety of crops.
• The net is designed especially for external coverage of shade houses, tunnels and for linked spreading on plastic covering greenhouse roofs.
• The net prevents irradiation damage in plants and fruits and reduces heat in greenhouses during hot days. Efficient for energy conservation in winter.
• The net is also used in poultry, cattle and fish-breeding installations.
• Knitted in widths of up to 8 m. Other widths are available upon request.
• Flexible, light, strong and easy to spread.
• Recyclable and UV resistant.

 

Aluminet 80-O Heavy shading for poultry, cattle and fish-breeding

• Heavy shading in a broad variety of crops.
• The net is designed especially for external coverage of shade houses, tunnels and for linked spreading above plastic covering greenhouse roofs.
• The net prevents irradiation damage in plants and fruits and reduces heat in greenhouses during hot days. Efficient for energy conservation in winter.
• The net is also used in poultry, cattle and fish-breeding installations.
• Knitted in widths of up to 8 m. Other widths are available upon request.
• Flexible, light, strong and easy to spread.
• Recyclable and UV resistant.