Greenhouse Shade Cloth - 50% Black
Best cooling solution for greenhouse gardeners managing intense summer heat.
Protect your plants from intense summer heat with Bootstrap Farmer's 50% black shade cloth. This UV-stabilized, rot, and mildew-resistant polyethylene knitted fabric provides essential light diffusion and UV protection. It effectively cools your greenhouse, enhances ventilation, and reduces water usage, preventing sunburn on delicate plants. With an 8-year warranty and a 16-year life expectancy, this shade cloth is a durable and reliable component for successful plant cultivation during warmer months. Available in various sizes to fit your specific greenhouse needs.
$80.99
Owner Satisfaction
4.7
/ 5
Category Rank
4
/ 586
#4 in Gardening
Price vs Category Average
-22%
Below average
Material
Black polyethylene knitted fabric
/ Black polyethylene knitted fabric
Who it's for
- Gardeners growing sensitive crops needing balanced light
- Commercial growers seeking long-term, durable equipment
- Farmers managing heat stress in peak summer months
Who should skip it
- Growers in extremely hot climates preferring reflective materials
- Producers of light-hungry crops needing maximum intensity
- Gardeners with limited storage or lightweight support structures
Performance breakdown
Thermal regulation
Effectively lowers internal temperatures to prevent heat stress in delicate crops.
Material longevity
Industrial-grade polyethylene construction ensures years of reliable outdoor service.
UV protection
Stabilized fabric blocks harmful rays while maintaining optimal light diffusion levels.
Environmental resistance
Knitted design resists rot and mildew even in high-humidity growing environments.
Water efficiency
Reduces evaporation rates, significantly lowering your overall irrigation requirements.
Structural integrity
Knitted fabric prevents unraveling, maintaining a clean edge throughout the season.
Key Specs
Material
Black polyethylene knitted fabric
Shade Percentage
50%
Light Transmittance
50%
UV Treated
Mold & Mildew Resistant
Warranty
8 Year
Life Expectancy
16 Year
Frame Material
PVC
Features
- Provides 50% shade and light diffusion
- Protects plants from sunburn
- Maintains a cooler greenhouse environment
- Enhances plant ventilation
- Reduces water consumption
- Resistant to rot and mildew
- Durable knitted fabric won't unravel
- Backed by an 8-year warranty
What customers say
Customers overwhelmingly praise this shade cloth for its exceptional durability and professional quality. Users confirm the material is significantly thicker and more robust than standard options, resisting tearing and UV damage effectively. This perceived longevity makes the higher initial cost feel like a sound long-term investment. Key features like reinforced edges and high-quality brass grommets ensure secure installation, easily withstanding strong winds. The 50 percent shade rating successfully mitigates heat stress while allowing sufficient light for healthy plant growth. While the material's weight can make handling slightly challenging, the consensus is that this superior sturdiness delivers excellent value by eliminating the need for frequent replacements. Serious growers express high confidence in its reliability.
Know before you buy
A 50% shade rating means the fabric blocks half of the incoming sunlight, which helps prevent heat stress and leaf scorch on delicate crops. It is an ideal balance for most vegetable gardens, providing enough light for photosynthesis while keeping temperatures manageable.
No, the fabric features a knitted construction that is designed to resist unraveling. You can cut it to fit your specific greenhouse frame without worrying about the edges fraying or falling apart.
By lowering the ambient temperature inside your greenhouse and reducing direct solar radiation, the cloth slows down the rate of evaporation from your soil and transpiration from your plants. This keeps your plants hydrated for longer, meaning you don't have to water as frequently.
While it is UV-stabilized and resistant to rot and mildew, it is primarily intended for use during the warmer months. With a 16-year life expectancy and an 8-year warranty, it is highly durable, but we recommend storing it during the off-season to maximize its lifespan.
Yes, the knitted polyethylene is versatile and can be used to shade cold frames, hoop houses, or even outdoor patio areas. As long as you have a structure to secure it to, it will provide consistent light diffusion.
Still have a question?
Ask Hayley anything about this product before you decide.