Home ​​​​>​​​​ Knowledge Center​​​​

What is a shading agent?

Shading agents reflect the light of the sun and thereby improve the climate in the greenhouse. Not many crops can bear full sun or high temperatures. This is where a greenhouse shading paint can offer protection. The crops in the greenhouse can be protected with a layer of chalk, to reflect light and heat in the summer. This prevents climate peaks within the greenhouse, protection the crop throughout the entire season.
Greenhouse shading screens
Roger de Jagher
Specialist Shading and Coating | 20 May 2022 | 4 min. reading time

What is greenhouse shading?

Shading reflects light and lowers the temperature in the greenhouse. As a result, less evaporation within the crop occurs, preventing the plant from drying out and hanging loosely. It can be stated; the shading improves the climate in the greenhouse. Eventually, this leads to less stress for the crop and a better result. There are various types of shading that you can use. Well known are:
  • Shading agents and coatings
  • Shading screens
  • Shading nets
Video: shading agents
Video: Q&A with our specialist Roger de Jagher

Preventing roof-ridge wear off

The roof-ridge is very important in greenhouse shading, as this part of the greenhouse gets the most sun, from morning to evening. Wear marks on the ridge are therefore very detrimental to the crop and should be minimized. The ridge of the roof is also affected by rain, hail and wind and it is therefore crucial that the ridge is properly covered.  For this, you can use a high-quality greenhouse shading product which is wear-resistant. It is also possible to chalk (meaning: apply greenhouse shading paint) several times with a relatively cheaper product, which is less wear resistant. It is recommended to always ask for advice when choosing a specific product. 
No sign of roof-ridge wear
No signs of roof-rigde wear
Signs of roof-ridge wear
Signs of roof-ridge wear

What does the shading rate mean?

The percentage of screening indicates the effect that the shading has on solar radiation. This allows you to compare screen products before you make a choice.

The importance of the shading rate

Many automated systems react to brightness in the greenhouse. Think for example about the closing of a shading screen. With the influence that the brightness has, it is useful to know how much light a particular (screen) agent reflects.

Difference between gross and net shading rate

The gross shading rate is shown on the packaging of a shading agent, but there are more elements that influence the brightness in greenhouses. These include:
  • A coating
  • Specific glass
  • Window sizes
Together this is called the gross screening percentage. If you are talking about the contribution of one specific product to the incidence of light, then you are talking about net shading. Therefore, it is important to know whether the percentage on the packaging refers to the gross or net shading rate.

Apply greenhouse shading paint

Most growers apply shading paint using a machine like the Top Cleaner. This guarantees a correct application of the product, in the right quantity. If you choose to spray coatings fully automatic, no one has to ride along an no one can fall. It is a safe way of applying greenhouse shading paint. With a small expansion, the machine can also be used to apply a layer of chalk or coating. We can also deliver rails and a movement platform if desired.
Related products
Shading agents application
Shading agents preparation

What is a diffuse coating?

Diffusion coatings ensure that the light in the greenhouse is better distributed, both horizontally and vertically. As a result, there are no longer any light or dark areas. The advantage is that the crop experiences less stress and grows better. In addition, the light penetrates deeper into the crop. This increase in light makes the leaves much more active further down the crop.
Video: How does a diffuse coating work?

What is the difference between a shading agent and a diffuse coating?

The difference between shading agents and diffuse coatings is that shading agents provide reflection and diffuse coatings provide transmission. So shading agents help you reduce greenhouse temperatures by reflecting light. Diffuse coatings scatter sunlight over a larger area and thus simultaneously "distribute" radiant energy over a larger surface.

Overview of properties shading agents vs diffuse coatings


Shading agent
Diffuse coating
Reflects excessive sunlight through shading


Prevents shadow formation through light diffusion


Reduces greenhouse temperature


Reduces plant temperature


Becomes transparent when wet
*
Adjustable shading percentage


Ensures an even temperature distribution in the crop



* Only Temperzon T74 has this property

What are the benefits of diffuse coatings?

By highly diffusing incoming sunlight up to three times more valuable photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) will reach the middle a bottom parts of the crop and eliminates shadow formation of the greenhouse construction. All this ensures a higher reception of light in the greenhouse which in turn leads to more and better growth of crop and fruit. In floriculture diffused light has proven to lead to more growth and in the cultivation of vegetable crops it has shown to increase production and at the same time improve fruit quality. In the video below, the effect of diffuse light is explained.
Related products
Contact form
Can't find your answer? Fill out the contact form and our specialist Roger de Jagher will get back to you. On weekdays, even within 24 hours.

What is a shading agent?

Shading agents reflect the light of the sun and thereby improve the climate in the greenhouse. Not many crops can bear full sun or high temperatures. This is where a greenhouse shading paint can offer protection. The crops in the greenhouse can be protected with a layer of chalk, to reflect light and heat in the summer. This prevents climate peaks within the greenhouse, protection the crop throughout the entire season.
Search in the Knowledge Center
​​​​​​​​Find answers to your question in our Knowledge Center. 600+ articles, written by our specialists.​​​​
Roger de Jagher
Roger de Jagher
Specialist Shading and Coating | May 20, 2022 | 4 min. reading time
Share this article
Greenhouse shading screens
Topics in this article

What is greenhouse shading?

Shading reflects light and lowers the temperature in the greenhouse. As a result, less evaporation within the crop occurs, preventing the plant from drying out and hanging loosely. It can be stated; the shading improves the climate in the greenhouse. Eventually, this leads to less stress for the crop and a better result. There are various types of shading that you can use. Well known are:
  • Shading agents and coatings
  • Shading screens
  • Shading nets
Video: shading agents
Video: Q&A with our specialist Roger de Jagher

Preventing roof-ridge wear off

The roof-ridge is very important in greenhouse shading, as this part of the greenhouse gets the most sun, from morning to evening. Wear marks on the ridge are therefore very detrimental to the crop and should be minimized. The ridge of the roof is also affected by rain, hail and wind and it is therefore crucial that the ridge is properly covered.  For this, you can use a high-quality greenhouse shading product which is wear-resistant. It is also possible to chalk (meaning: apply greenhouse shading paint) several times with a relatively cheaper product, which is less wear resistant. It is recommended to always ask for advice when choosing a specific product. 
No sign of roof-ridge wear
No signs of roof-rigde wear
Signs of roof-ridge wear
Signs of roof-ridge wear

What does the shading rate mean?

The percentage of screening indicates the effect that the shading has on solar radiation. This allows you to compare screen products before you make a choice.

The importance of the shading rate

Many automated systems react to brightness in the greenhouse. Think for example about the closing of a shading screen. With the influence that the brightness has, it is useful to know how much light a particular (screen) agent reflects.

Difference between gross and net shading rate

The gross shading rate is shown on the packaging of a shading agent, but there are more elements that influence the brightness in greenhouses. These include:
  • A coating
  • Specific glass
  • Window sizes
Together this is called the gross screening percentage. If you are talking about the contribution of one specific product to the incidence of light, then you are talking about net shading. Therefore, it is important to know whether the percentage on the packaging refers to the gross or net shading rate.

Apply greenhouse shading paint

Most growers apply shading paint using a machine like the Top Cleaner. This guarantees a correct application of the product, in the right quantity. If you choose to spray coatings fully automatic, no one has to ride along an no one can fall. It is a safe way of applying greenhouse shading paint. With a small expansion, the machine can also be used to apply a layer of chalk or coating. We can also deliver rails and a movement platform if desired.
Related Products
Shading agents application
Shading agents preparation
  

What is a diffuse coating?

Diffusion coatings ensure that the light in the greenhouse is better distributed, both horizontally and vertically. As a result, there are no longer any light or dark areas. The advantage is that the crop experiences less stress and grows better. In addition, the light penetrates deeper into the crop. This increase in light makes the leaves much more active further down the crop.
Video: How does a diffuse coating work?

What is the difference between a shading agent and a diffuse coating?

The difference between shading agents and diffuse coatings is that shading agents provide reflection and diffuse coatings provide transmission. So shading agents help you reduce greenhouse temperatures by reflecting light. Diffuse coatings scatter sunlight over a larger area and thus simultaneously "distribute" radiant energy over a larger surface.

Overview of properties shading agents vs diffuse coatings


Shading agent
Diffuse coating
Reflects excessive sunlight through shading


Prevents shadow formation through light diffusion


Reduces greenhouse temperature


Reduces plant temperature


Becomes transparent when wet
*
Adjustable shading percentage


Ensures an even temperature distribution in the crop



* Only Temperzon T74 has this property

What are the benefits of diffuse coatings?

By highly diffusing incoming sunlight up to three times more valuable photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) will reach the middle a bottom parts of the crop and eliminates shadow formation of the greenhouse construction. All this ensures a higher reception of light in the greenhouse which in turn leads to more and better growth of crop and fruit. In floriculture diffused light has proven to lead to more growth and in the cultivation of vegetable crops it has shown to increase production and at the same time improve fruit quality. In the video below, the effect of diffuse light is explained.
Related Products
Contact form
Can't find your answer? Fill out the contact form and our specialist Roger de Jagher will get back to you. On weekdays, even within 24 hours.
Roger de Jagher
Also interesting for you
Which different diffuse coatings are available?
Every crop has other needs in case of light and warmth. Therefore various diffuse coatings have been developed that differ from each other in terms of light distribution (Haze) and light transmittance (transmission).
What is the difference between diffused glass and a diffuse coating?
Even though diffused glass and diffuse coatings have similar results, a big difference can be seen. Diffused glass has several advantages and is especially suitable for tomatoes, while a diffuse coating allows the grower to be and remain flexible throughout the entire year.
Whitepaper: Shadings agents and diffuse coatings
Many crops cannot withstand full sun, high temperatures, or both. In that case, a chalk agent or diffuse coating is the solution. But which product is most suitable for your crop? And how do you use it? You will find al the answers in this whitepaper!