Covering with 32 mm polycarbonate: a smart way to save energy.
With energy prices rising sharply, saving energy in a garden centre is more important than ever. Replacing the glazing with 32 mm polycarbonate can sigficantly reduce energy consumption without compromising light transmission or comfort.
Energy savings in a garden centre
There are several ways to reduce energy consumption in a garden centre, such as energy-efficient LED lighting, heat pumps and smart climate control systems. However, the foundation of an energy-efficient garden centre starts with a well-insulated building envelope.
Today, new-build projects are subject to strict requirements for high-quality insulation. For existing garden centres, the situation is often different. The insulation materials used at the time met the standards of their day, but more efficient solutions are now available. This makes it worthwhile to explore how the existing structure can be upgraded to improve energy efficiency.
Where is most energy lost?
A significant amount of heat loss occurs through the roof. Many garden centres built over the past decades are equipped with single glazing and 16 mm polycarbonate.
Single glazing provides very little thermal insulation, while 16 mm polycarbonate already offers an improvement. However, there are now solutions that deliver significantly better thermal performance.
32 mm polycarbonate offers an effective way to significantly improve the roof’s insulation performance and further reduce energy loss.
What solutions can we propose?
-
An interesting solution is to re-roof the structure with 32 mm polycarbonate. Compared with 16 mm polycarbonate, this can result in energy savings of around 35%. Especially for older garden centres where the existing polycarbonate panels are due for replacement, 32 mm polycarbonate is therefore well worth considering.
In addition, 32 mm polycarbonate provides pleasant, diffuse light transmission. The daylight is evenly distributed, creating a bright and comfortable shopping environment.
- Another option is to renovate the roof using sandwich panels. These offer even higher thermal insulation performance than 32 mm polycarbonate, but do not allow daylight to pass through. For areas such as a pet or timber department, this can be an excellent choice. Above a plant department, however, a closed roof is obviously less suitable.
The importance of natural daylight should not be underestimated. It not only creates an optimal environment for plants, but also contributes to a pleasant shopping experience and visitor comfort. The right roofing solution therefore depends largely on the function of the space.
Do you want to know more?
Would you like to learn more about the advantages and disadvantages of the different materials and discover which solution best suits your garden centre? Feel free to contact us on +32 (0)51 30 37 01 or info@thermoflor.com.
Or get in touch directly with our representative in your regio. Click on the map to find their contact details. 🗺️
