Nebraska presents a wide range of climate challenges for greenhouse operators: cold, windy winters with heavy snow in parts of the state, hot summers with intense sun, and frequent hail in spring and summer. Selecting the right glazing and insulation is one of the most important decisions you will make. The right choice reduces heating and cooling costs, protects plants from weather damage, and improves crop quality and season length. This article walks through factors specific to Nebraska and gives concrete selection and installation guidance for hobbyists and commercial growers.
Nebraska covers several USDA hardiness zones and a variety of microclimates. However, several common factors matter for greenhouse glazing and insulation decisions.
These realities mean you must balance light transmission, thermal performance, impact resistance, and durability when choosing materials.
Choosing glazing and insulation comes down to balancing a few technical properties. Understand these and prioritize according to your goals.
Plants need photosynthetically active radiation (PAR). Light transmission varies by material and thickness. Single-pane glass and thin, clear plastics offer the highest visible light (up to about 90-92%), while thicker multiwall panels and diffusing surfaces reduce direct light but can improve evenness.
Glazing has limited R-values compared with building walls, but small differences matter in cold climates. Higher R-value (or lower U-value) reduces heat loss.
Typical order of thermal performance, roughly:
Note: R-values vary by manufacturer and panel construction. Use manufacturer data for final selection.
In Nebraska, hail and wind resistance are critical. Polycarbonate panels are far more impact resistant than glass and can prevent downtime and repair costs after storms. Tempered glass is stronger than annealed glass but still more fragile than polycarbonate.
Diffused light reduces shading and hot spots, improving canopy photosynthesis across the day. Multiwall polycarbonate and diffused glass reduce direct glare and can benefit some crops.
Plastics degrade under UV unless stabilized. Use panels with UV coatings or manufacturer UV protection warranties. Acrylic and polycarbonate differ in their UV performance: acrylic can have good clarity and UV resistance but is less impact resistant than polycarbonate.
Below are common choices and how they fit Nebraska conditions.
Advantages: Excellent clarity and high light transmission, good longevity when tempered.
Disadvantages: Poor thermal performance, fragile in hail and wind, higher heating costs in winter.
Best use: Commercial greenhouses in protected areas with high investment in heating and where maximum light is essential (for example, tomato or cut-flower operations that require glasshouses).
Advantages: Better thermal performance than single glass, reasonable light transmission.
Disadvantages: Heavy, more costly, still vulnerable to hail; seals can fail over time.
Best use: Higher-budget operations that need improved R-values but want glass clarity.
Advantages: Much better impact resistance, improved thermal performance versus single glass, diffused light, lighter weight, easier to install.
Disadvantages: Lower visible light transmission as thickness increases, some reduction in long-term clarity if not UV-protected.
Practical tip: Use 8mm to 16mm multiwall polycarbonate for Nebraska. 8mm offers a balance of light and insulation; 16mm maximizes thermal benefit for winter crops and overwintering. Ensure edge sealing to prevent dust and condensation in the channels.
Advantages: High impact resistance, good light transmission, lightweight.
Disadvantages: Lower insulation than multiwall, will need supplemental insulation for winter.
Best use: Structures where storm resistance is key but the grower plans to use removable insulation in winter.
Advantages: Low cost, easy to replace, can be inflated as a double layer to add insulation (air-inflated double film has decent R-value).
Disadvantages: Shorter life span (3-8 years depending on quality), lower hail resistance than polycarbonate if thin, variable light diffusion.
Practical tip: Use high-quality, UV-stabilized double-layer inflated film for low-cost hoop houses or temporary structures. Keep inflation systems and backup fans to ensure the insulating air space.
Advantages: Economical way to add R-value for the cold months, easy to install and remove, reduces heat loss at night significantly.
Disadvantages: Reduces light transmission (but diffused light can be beneficial), must be kept clean, not a permanent exterior solution.
Practical tip: Apply bubble wrap or horticultural thermal blankets to the lower half of sidewalls and over benches for night insulation. Use clips designed for bubble wrap to avoid tearing.
Advantages: Retractable screens at night provide insulation and can reflect heat back to plants; during day can be opened to maximize light.
Disadvantages: Additional cost and maintenance, must be installed correctly to avoid drafts.
Practical tip: A motorized thermal screen that closes automatically at dusk is a high-payback investment for growers who heat extensively in winter.
Glazing performance depends on framing and roof pitch as much as material.
Initial material cost is only part of the calculation. For Nebraska, heating bills in winter can dominate operating costs. When evaluating glazing, calculate annual heating savings from better insulation and compare to the incremental cost.
Simple payback approach:
If the payback is reasonable (commonly under 5-10 years for commercial operations), invest in higher-performance glazing and thermal curtains.
Proper installation maximizes performance and longevity.
Different crops and operation types justify different glazing choices.
Nebraska growers must balance seasonal extremes. For most hobby and many commercial operations in Nebraska, multiwall polycarbonate (8mm to 16mm) combined with a motorized thermal screen or temporary bubble-wrap insulation provides the best balance of impact resistance, thermal performance, and light diffusion. Glass remains a valid choice for very high-value, protected operations that demand maximum clarity, but the fragility and heating costs of glass make polycarbonate the smarter choice in most Nebraska settings.
Invest in quality edge sealing, proper framing, and a thermal screen or internal insulation. Calculate heating savings to justify higher upfront costs. Finally, design with maintenance in mind: easy access for cleaning, panel replacement, and screen repair will keep your greenhouse performing reliably through Nebraska’s challenging seasons.