What is condensation and how does it form?
In general, most glazing materials are highly susceptible to condensate formation, especially when used to cover totally enclosed environments such as greenhouses. Condensate forms on the inner surface of most any building material when the temperature inside the structure is warmer than the outside of the structure, and when moisture vapor is present inside the structure.
Moisture vapor is almost always present in greenhouses due to plant transpiration. What's more, given its sole purpose to maintain a controlled growing environment, a greenhouse will often have warmer temperatures inside compared to outdoor temperatures – especially during early morning and evening hours. Consequently, condensation formation regularly occurs throughout the year, but especially during the colder, shorter days of the winter months – the time of year when growers need all the light they can get.
Because polycarbonate maintains approximately the same surface tension throughout it's useful life, it is especially susceptible to condensate formation. All DynaGlas products, with the exception of DynaGlas "SE*" products, are manufactured using an exclusive and proprietary manufacturing process that permanently alters the surface tension on the underside of the panel, which results in excellent condensation flow.
* The SE in "DynaGlas SE" stands for "Sides and Ends." DynaGlas SE features condensation control that is as effective as the condensation control found in most other competing products – which is to say that it is not very effective at all – and therefore is only recommended for use when glazing greenhouse sides and ends or where condensate drip is not objectionable. |
