Aluminet shade cloth at 70% density is designed for high-heat environments where strong radiation control is the priority. It suits crops with lower light requirements, sensitive growing stages, and installations in regions where summer sun intensity is consistently extreme.
What Is Aluminet Shade Cloth?
Aluminet is a special knitted screen made from aluminized polyethylene strips that is desgined to reflect light.
Aluminet vs standard shade cloth
Where conventional black or green shade cloth absorbs incoming solar radiation, aluminet reflects it. Rather than re-radiating absorbed heat downward onto your plants, the cloth redirects solar energy away from the growing area entirely.
Air circulation
The open knit structure allows air to move freely through the fabric, supporting ventilation and reducing humidity buildup beneath the cloth. Combined with its UV protection and thermal reflective properties, aluminet helps maintain a stable growing environment and reduces water requirements without the drawbacks of solid plastic covers or woven alternatives.
Shade rate
At 70% shading, the cloth intercepts about three quarters of incoming solar radiation while still transmitting diffused light through the canopy. That diffused light reaches plants more evenly than direct sunlight, limiting the leaf scorch and heat stress that occur under intense, unfiltered exposure.
What crops benefit from 70% aluminet shade cloth?
A 70% shade rate is well suited to shade-tolerant crops, heat-sensitive varieties, and plants at vulnerable stages of development where strong light control is more important than maximising photosynthesis. Crops that respond well include:
-
Leafy greens and salad crops: lettuce, spinach, Asian greens, and similar varieties thrive under 70% shading during summer production. The reduced light and cooler microclimate significantly limit bolting, tip burn, and quality loss.
-
Brassicas: broccoli, cauliflower, and cabbage benefit from protection against intense heat during heading and development stages.
-
Shade-tolerant herbs: coriander, chervil, mint, and similar herbs perform well under stronger shading and are prone to bolting and bitterness under direct summer sun.
-
Orchids and tropical ornamentals: many flowering and foliage plants require filtered, low-intensity light conditions that 70% aluminet reliably provides.
-
Propagation and seedling trays: newly germinated seedlings and cuttings are among the most vulnerable to heat damage. Strong shading during establishment protects young plants before they develop sufficient root systems to manage heat stress independently.
-
Mushroom cultivation: crops with minimal direct light requirements benefit from the consistently dim, ventilated environment a 70% aluminet screen creates.
Typical applications
-
Greenhouse shade cloth systems: suited to greenhouses growing shade-tolerant crops or located in high-radiation climates. Can be installed as an internal suspended ceiling or as an external covering over the structure. External installation is the more effective option for reducing thermal gain.
-
Summer tunnels: draped over tunnel hoops and secured at ground level to protect sensitive row crops during the hottest months. Easy to remove or swap out as conditions change through the season.
-
Nursery and propagation areas: suspended above benches or ground-level beds, 70% aluminet creates a stable, low-intensity light environment suited to seedlings, cuttings, and shade-dependent stock.
-
Raised bed and garden shade structures: fitted over a support structure using the reinforced grommets and standard wire or tubing, providing a strong seasonal canopy over heat-sensitive beds.
-
Evaporative cooling systems: the strong reflective barrier reduces the cooling load on evaporative systems when used alongside vents and fans, improving overall efficiency and lowering operating cost.
Material and construction
These aluminet shade cloth panels are made from aluminized polyethylene (HDPE) using a tape knit construction. The open mesh resists fraying, holds its shape across seasons, and maintains its reflective properties under prolonged outdoor exposure. Each panel comes hemmed on all sides with reinforced corners and fitted with PVC grommets along the perimeter for straightforward installation with standard wire, rope, or hardware fittings.
We can custom make any size panel to suit your installation. Contact us with your dimensions and any technical questions about your project.
Durability
Designed for sustained outdoor use, this cloth holds up reliably for 5 to 10 years under normal conditions.
The aluminized finish is woven into the fabric itself rather than coated onto the surface, giving it lasting reflective performance without peeling or flaking.
UV breakdown resistance and tear-resistant knit construction make it a dependable choice for permanent or wind-exposed installations.
Avoid prolonged contact with standing water or direct ground burial.
Reinforced fabric, edges and grommets
Reinforced fabric, edges and grommets
