Heating a greenhouse can be expensive, especially in winter. Insulation can save money by keeping the greenhouse at a constant temperature and is available in either bubble wrap or silver form. Among the best tips for the installation include digging a trench around the greenhouse and filling it with polystyrene sheets for the exterior. Inside the greenhouse, measure the walls and place the insulation on the walls with duct tape or a staple gun. One of the walls will need silver insulation to reflect sunlight into the greenhouse in winter.
Greenhouse insulation is available in rolls which are 4 feet (1.2 m) wide and can be purchased in most gardening centers. This insulation comes in the form of bubble wrap or reflective silver insulation. Its purpose is to keep the greenhouse temperature the same regardless of the weather.
To insulate a greenhouse from the outside, dig a trench around the perimeter of the greenhouse. Make sure that the trench is at least 2 feet (0.6 m) deep. It should be dug around all four sides.
In order to provide greenhouse insulation against the ground’s temperature, purchase sheets of polystyrene. Fill the trench with these sheets. Shovel gravel and dirt into the trench to keep the sheets in place. The polystyrene should ensure that the floor of the greenhouse stays at a reasonable temperature.
Go inside the greenhouse and start measuring the size of all four walls. This is to find out how much greenhouse insulation is needed in total. Make sure that the doors of the greenhouse are factored into these calculations because every square inch of its surface area must be insulated.
Once the measurements have been determined, cut the bubble wrap greenhouse insulation into sheets that will neatly fit the greenhouse walls. It is important to use additional insulation on window frames and broken seals. These are the areas which offer the greatest risk of heat escaping from the greenhouse.
Depending on the location of the greenhouse, a certain area will require more insulation in winter. For example, greenhouses in the U.S. need more insulation on the north wall. Whatever wall needs the most insulation should be dealt with last. Put the bubble wrap on the other three walls. Use staples to keep it in place on any wooden parts of the greenhouse; otherwise, try duct tape or even glue.
The final glasshouse wall requires silver insulation to ensure that sunlight is reflected back into the greenhouse. This is essential during the winter months. Install the silver greenhouse insulation in the same manner as the bubble wrap.
