Greenhouse and High Tunnel Accessories
From attaching plastic with lock channels to repairing tears and managing heat with shade cloth, find the right accessories to build, maintain, and optimize your greenhouse.
How to Choose the Right Greenhouse Accessories
Your greenhouse is an investment, and the right accessories are key to its longevity, performance, and ease of use. Whether you're building a new high tunnel, making repairs, or managing summer heat, this guide will help you select the essential components for a thriving growing environment.
For New Construction: Attaching Greenhouse Plastic
Securing your greenhouse film properly from the start prevents costly damage from wind and weather. To create a tight, durable seal without puncturing the film, a spring wire and lock channel system is a widely used professional solution.
- Spring Wire and Lock Channel: This two-part system involves screwing aluminum lock channels directly onto your greenhouse frame (wood or steel). The greenhouse plastic is laid over the channel, and then the PVC-coated spring wire is pressed into the channel's groove, locking the film in place. This creates a continuous, secure grip that holds up to high winds and allows for easy re-tensioning if needed. These components are available as a bundle or can be purchased separately.
- Snap On Clamps: Suited for temporary applications or smaller structures, snap on clamps are designed to clip over a covering and onto a specific size of pipe, typically EMT conduit or PVC. They are excellent for securing interior row covers, frost blankets, or for situations where you need to remove the cover frequently. Always be sure to match the clamp size to your pipe's exact outer diameter for a secure fit.
For Repairs and Maintenance
Even durable greenhouse plastic can get nicked or torn. Addressing small issues immediately prevents them from becoming major problems. For minor damage, a specialized repair tape is your first line of defense.
Our greenhouse repair tape is 6 mil thick and UV-stabilized to match the durability of your film, ensuring a long-lasting patch that withstands sun, wind, and temperature swings from -4°F to 140°F. For detailed instructions, see our guide on how to properly repair greenhouse plastic. If you notice the film becoming brittle or see widespread damage, it's time to consider replacing the entire sheet.
For Climate Control and Crop Protection
Managing heat and light is crucial for plant health, especially during peak summer months. Shade cloth is the primary tool for this job.
- Choosing a Percentage: The percentage on shade cloth refers to the amount of light it blocks. A 30% cloth is often sufficient for general crops in northern climates, while a 50% cloth provides more robust protection for high-heat southern zones and sensitive crops like lettuce or tomatoes.
- Choosing a Material: Different materials offer different benefits in durability and lifespan. To learn more, read our comparison of monofilament vs. tape shade cloth.
- Securing Shade Cloth: You can attach shade cloth using a lock channel and spring wire for a season-long, secure fit. Alternatively, use dedicated shade cloth clips at regular intervals to tie it down, allowing for easier removal when the seasons change.
For Weed Prevention
Maintaining the area inside your greenhouse is just as important as the structure itself. Laying down a durable ground cover like landscape fabric or a silage tarp is an effective way to suppress weeds, reducing labor and improving cleanliness. This simple step helps create a more manageable and productive growing space. For more on this technique, explore our guide on using silage tarps for weed control.
Which option is right for you?
Spring Wire & Lock Channel
- Accessory Type
- Attachment System
- Primary Use
- Securing main cover (film or shade cloth)
- Material
- PVC-coated Wire, Aluminum Channel
- Key Compatibility
- Mounts to wood or steel frames
Snap On Clamps
- Accessory Type
- Fasteners
- Primary Use
- Temporary or interior covers
- Material
- UV-stabilized ABS Plastic
- Key Compatibility
- Specific EMT or PVC pipe diameters
Repair Tape
- Accessory Type
- Maintenance
- Primary Use
- Patching small rips and tears
- Material
- 6 mil Polyethylene w/ Adhesive
- Key Compatibility
- Bonds to polyethylene greenhouse film
Shade Cloth Clips
- Accessory Type
- Fasteners
- Primary Use
- Spot-securing fabric covers
- Material
- Recycled Polypropylene
- Key Compatibility
- Use with rope/bungee via ⅜" loop
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between spring wire lock channel and snap on clamps?
A spring wire and lock channel system provides a continuous, secure grip along the entire length of your frame, making it ideal for attaching the primary greenhouse cover. It distributes tension evenly and creates a weather-tight seal. Snap on clamps provide a strong grip at specific points and are designed for particular pipe diameters, making them better for temporary covers, interior applications, or quick-release needs.
How do I attach plastic film to my greenhouse frame?
A secure, puncture-free method is using an aluminum lock channel and PVC-coated spring wire. First, screw the lock channel to the greenhouse frame. Next, drape the plastic film over the channel. Finally, press the spring wire into the channel over the plastic to lock it firmly in place.
How should I repair a tear in my greenhouse plastic?
For small rips and tears, use a specialized, UV-stabilized greenhouse repair tape. Start by cleaning and drying the area on both sides of the film. Then, apply a piece of tape that extends a few inches beyond the tear on both the inside and outside of the plastic. This creates a durable, weather-resistant patch. For large tears or brittle plastic, replacing the sheet is often the most effective solution.
What is the difference between 30% and 50% greenhouse shade cloth?
The percentage refers to the amount of sunlight the cloth blocks. A 30% shade cloth blocks 30% of light, ideal for general crops or cooler, northern climates. A 50% shade cloth blocks 50% of light and is recommended for high-heat southern regions or for protecting heat-sensitive plants like tomatoes and lettuce from sun scorch.
How do I secure shade cloth to a high tunnel?
You have two main options. For a secure, season-long installation, use the same spring wire and lock channel system as your greenhouse plastic. For a more temporary or adjustable solution that's easy to remove, use specialized shade cloth clips spaced at regular intervals along the edges to tie the cloth down with rope or bungees.
What key accessories are needed for installing the cover on a new high tunnel?
To install the cover on a new high tunnel, you will need the greenhouse film, an attachment system like spring wire and lock channels, and the appropriate hardware (such as self-tapping screws) to mount the channels to your frame.