aluminet shade cloth

http://tinyurl.com/ykcgcmp

Does anyone know how well aluminet works? how sturdy?

Johanna

I think one of our pro-gals uses it - Tigerlilly, maybe? I was thinking about getting some for my north wall from FarmTek - haven't compared prices yet.

I've had aluminet on my 24' x 40' greenhouse for 4 years and I love it! When I bought it, it cost more than "regular" shade cloth but it was really worth it. Mine still looks the same as the day I bought it. I would recommend it without hesitation!

Super rip resistant, super tough. It only stretches one way, keep that in mind.

Does it keep things cooler than reg. shade cloth?

Well, I am so glad to hear that aluminet is a good product. It looks very good on the site.
Several of us who bought the 10 ft x 10 ft gazebo from box stores have had the canopy rip in various kinds of weather. The only replacement that anyone seems to have found is a $80 canvas top made of thin material that ripped to shreads the first year. So I replaced it with $70 windscreen that didn't last 6 mons!
Aluminet sounds exactly like what I am looking for...but have gotten gun shy. At what point does the cost exceed the usefulness of the gazebo?
I use it as a shade house in our intense summers. And really do want a solution.
Thanks!!
Johanna

Hard for us to answer that because we don't know the extent to which the gazebo is useful to you.

@Jayryunen: Yes, I think so, because it is reflective. However, if you had regular shade cloth with a significant airspace between it and the house, I doubt that there would be much difference. My Aluminet hangs inside, so for me it does make a big difference.

I have aluminet on a 16'x32' green house it works excellent the plants love and so does my wife she loves to work on her plants but gets skin cancers (lots of em) so I built this as a place for her to work it cuts 60% I think might be 70% of the sun rays and its wonderful shade in the hot summers. Right now we have it covered with plastic for frosts but it still works well I would recomend it to anyone. The plants in the GH thrive great I couldn't believe it..........rucky

here is a picture of what it looks like I had to enclose the ends because the deer were haveing a buffet on my tomato starts and hybiscus plants.

Inside picture of the mesh

Rucky,
That looks great! It seems like just what I need. I want the 60% shade, too. How long have you had it up? When hanging it, how much does it stretch?How much rain gets thru?
Do you use this greenhouse in winter?
Johanna

Flicker I have had it up about a year now it weathers really well. I covered it for the winter because of the occasional freezes here and because we usually get a lot of rain in the winters. As far as the stretch goes it was made to order I ordered this one from "Growersolutions" the whole thing with the metal frame came in a complete kit for a little over $500. I did mess up the floor some because I used a sod cutter to take out all of the grass then I put down weed cloth and rubber mulch on the floor. But the rain comming in made the groung really soggy under the cloth so I am pulling up the weed cloth and spreading kwickcrete cement around on the ground and watering it in and that seems to work pretty good. One note on the rubber mulch I love it but if you decide on it shop around I bought 30 bags from Lowes at $12.50 a bag then I found it ata Walmart for $7.50 then I went to my local walmart and found it for $6.50. so the floor cost me as much as the whole GH did. But I do love the rubber mulch it is easy on the feet and pretty much stays put. http://growerssolution.com/ Here is the websight where I bought The GH....rucky

Did the info on aluminet give instructions or warnings about cold or hard rain? Was there a guarentee? I did not see this info on the site. We get occassional hard rain all year. It would be trouble to cover a hipped roof with a pole sticking up at the peak.

Rucky,
I want to use it as a shade cloth only. Eventually, I may decide to make it a greenhouse. What do you cover yours with for cold insulation?
Johanna

Flicker, If I understand it right you are really looking for a replacement for your gazebo top? Look around in your area for people that make or repair canvas boat covers. You may be able to have one made for a reasonable cost.

Thanks holly. I will look around. We had canvas awnnings made and installed on the windows several yrs ago. It was very expensive and the waiting list is at least 6 mons. But we do have lots of waterways and boat owners around here. This may work.
Johanna

Good luck in your search Flicker, I have to replace my gazebo cover this year, too. I haven't priced what I will need yet. Mine has held up for 3 years. My son had a replacement cover made for his pontoon boat made several years ago. I don't really remember what he paid but it was bigger than my gazebo and had things like grommet snaps put on that I won't need.

Yeah, I'm not sure that I'd try Aluminet for your purpose. Isn't it perforated?

Yes it is perferated and the rain comes through I misunderstood thought you were making a shaded growing area it is great shade though even in our hot summers down here we can stay out there much later than anywhere else in the yard.

Yes, I am making a shade area. Perforated is good. Cooler is better.

I think I'll buy it!

Johanna

Hope it does well for you, you've certainly done your homework!

After spending $90 on a new canvas top and $70 on a windscreen and neither lasted 1 yr, I am very leary about product advertizing.
The metal frame is in good shape, it is located right off of my porch and so convenient, so i am determined to make it work!