Greenhouse Screens UK: A Grower's Guide to Slashing Energy Costs and Boosting Crop Yields

For UK growers, managing a commercial greenhouse has become a battle against soaring operational costs. With energy prices surging by as much as 218%, heating, which can account for 90% of a glasshouse's energy consumption, is threatening profitability. The crisis is real; in 2022, half the growers in the Lea Valley, a hub for UK salad crops, couldn't afford to plant.

If you're looking for a proven way to reduce your energy bills, improve crop quality, and increase yield, the solution is right above your head. Modern greenhouse screens are one of the highest-impact investments a UK grower can make. This guide explains the technology, the financial benefits, and how to get the right system for your facility.

What are Smart Greenhouse Screens? From Simple Shading to Total Climate Control

Forget the basic shading cloths of the past. Today's intelligent greenhouse screens are high-tech, automated systems that give you precise control over your growing environment. By managing key climate factors, they create the perfect conditions for your crops to thrive.

  • Heat Retention & Energy Saving: On cold nights, thermal screens act as an insulating blanket, trapping heat inside the greenhouse. This simple function can dramatically reduce your heating costs.
  • Sunlight & Heat Management: During peak summer, reflective shading screens block excess solar radiation, preventing the glasshouse from overheating and reducing plant stress.
  • Optimised Light Diffusion: It's not just about blocking light; it's about perfecting it. Light-diffusing screens scatter sunlight evenly, eliminating shadows and allowing light to penetrate deep into the crop canopy. The result is more uniform growth and healthier, more productive plants.
  • Humidity Control: The specific weave of a screen helps manage condensation, allowing moisture to escape and reducing the risk of fungal diseases like Botrytis.

Choosing the Right Greenhouse Screen: Energy, Shading & Blackout Solutions

Leading manufacturers like Svensson, Phormium, and Ridder offer a range of specialised screen cloths designed for specific horticultural needs.

  • Energy Screens for Maximum Heat Retention: If cutting your heating bill is the number one priority, a thermal screen is essential. Ridder's RES 10 FR screen offers up to 47% energy savings while remaining highly transparent to let in valuable winter light. For the ultimate in insulation, Phormium's Noctis Thermo is a 100% aluminium screen that achieves an industry-leading 72% energy saving.
  • Shading & Light Diffusion Screens: To protect sensitive crops from scorching and promote balanced growth, a diffusing screen is key. Svensson's Harmony range is specifically engineered to scatter sunlight, which can increase crop yields by 10-15%.
  • Blackout Screens for Photoperiod Control: Essential for short-day crops or growers using supplemental lighting, blackout screens provide total control over day length and help you comply with UK light pollution regulations.

The Business Case: A Fast Return on Investment for UK Growers

The financial argument for upgrading your greenhouse screens is compelling. A UK-based commercial trial funded by the AHDB demonstrated that installing a modern thermal screen led to an overall energy saving of 24%.

Crucially, the payback period for the investment was less than 18 months.

This technology doesn't just save money—it makes money. An optimised climate leads to healthier, higher-quality crops. In the UK soft fruit sector, moving to protected cropping boosted the share of strawberries achieving a premium Class 1 grade from 50% to almost 90%. By cutting your largest operational cost while simultaneously increasing revenue from higher yields and quality, modern screens deliver a powerful, compounding return.

An Unrivaled Partnership for UK Greenhouse Screen Installation

Choosing the right screen cloth is only half the battle. The performance of any screen depends entirely on the quality of the drive system that moves it and the precision of the installation.

This is why BM Greenhouses, a leading UK expert in turnkey greenhouse projects, has forged a strategic partnership with Alweco Screen Systems B.V. Alweco is a world-renowned Dutch specialist with over 35 years of experience engineering and manufacturing the high-performance drive systems, motors, and components that ensure flawless, reliable screen operation.

This partnership provides UK growers with a unique advantage. BM Greenhouses can design a completely bespoke system, selecting the perfect screen fabric from any top manufacturer (Svensson, Ridder, or Phormium) and pairing it with a robust, tailor-made Alweco drive system. This integrated approach, combining Alweco's engineering excellence with BM Greenhouses' expert UK project management and installation, guarantees an optimised solution that delivers maximum performance and longevity.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Why are modern screens a good investment for UK growers?

Modern screens are a crucial investment due to volatile energy costs. They offer significant energy savings (up to 72%), which can lead to a payback period of less than 18 months. They also improve crop quality and yield by providing better light and climate control, directly boosting revenue.

2. What is the difference between a thermal screen and a shading screen?

A thermal screen is primarily designed for insulation to keep heat in, reducing energy costs during cold periods. A shading screen is designed to reflect sunlight to keep the greenhouse cool during warm, sunny periods. Many modern systems use a combination of screen types to manage both heating and cooling effectively.

3. Why is the installation system so important?

The mechanical drive system is critical because it ensures the screen operates reliably and closes without gaps, which is essential for effective energy saving and blackout. Our partnership with Alweco ensures that the high-quality screen fabric is paired with an equally high-quality, purpose-built drive system for long-term performance.

Your Next Steps

In a challenging market, investing in efficiency is the key to a sustainable and profitable future. Modern greenhouse screens offer one of the fastest and most effective ways to reduce energy consumption, improve crop quality, and increase your yields.

If you're ready to see how a modern screening system can transform your operation, the next step is to get expert advice tailored to your specific needs.

Contact the UK specialists at BM Greenhouses to discuss your greenhouse screening strategy.

 

 

REGISTER TO RECEIVE OUR BLOG NEWSLETTER

          
       
* indicates required