Shade cloths can be classified in various ways, such as by location (interior or exterior) or by purpose and function (energy-saving, shading, or both). In this discussion, we`ll focus on the two main material types: traditional knitted shade cloth and modern aluminet shade nets.
1. Knitted Shade Cloth
Knitted shade cloths are made of HDPE (high-density polyethylene) monofilament or PVA (polyvinyl alcohol formaldehyde fiber) monofilament. These cost-effective shade nets usually offer shading rates between 35% and 80%. They are mainly used for sunshade structures and exterior greenhouse shading. Under normal use, their quality assurance period is around three years.
2. Aluminet Shade Nets
Aluminet shade nets are comprised of aluminum foil, HDPE film, and HDPE monofilament. These shade cloths offer various advantages, including shading and cooling, water conservation and insulation, ventilation and energy conservation, anti-condensation and no dripping, and minimal shadows when retracted. Some high-end aluminet nets even include a UV protection layer that resists pollution and effectively absorbs ultraviolet rays, enhancing wear resistance.
Aluminet shade nets are primarily used for indoor shading and insulation in modern greenhouses, with shading rates typically ranging from 40% to 100%. Their shrinkage rate is no more than 1%, and under normal use, their quality assurance period is at least five years indoors and three years outdoors. They usually come in widths of 3.2m, 3.5m, 4.3m, 4.8m, and 5.3m, with custom lengths available upon request.