Growers want as much light as possible in their greenhouses but without pesky insects. To get that light when building a new greenhouse, they have, for years, opted for frameless windows on their structure's roof. To keep insects out, you need insect netting, and many growers think erroneously that you cannot install that netting on frameless windows.
That is, in fact, possible in two ways. For over a year, it has been possible to add harmonica netting to a frameless window by attaching an aluminum profile. However, for much longer, it has been possible to install insect screens. SchermNed can provide growers with both and has developed a patented insect mesh filter in-house.
SchermNed project manager Peter van der Lingen
Ease of installation
You can fit the insect gauze from the inside without having to modify the ventilation system. That makes it cost-effective and completely eliminates the risk of leakage, explains Jack van der Voort. "That's because you don't have to clamp an aluminum profile onto the window, which may require adjusting the venting mechanism. When installing the insect mesh filter, that's unnecessary," he begins.
With winter on the way, this kind of installation is convenient. "When you install harmonica mesh, you must open the window about 35 centimeters. That's something growers would rather not do in the winter. Plus, bad weather can complicate installing from the outside."
This Dutch family has recently been getting plenty of mesh inquiries from growers with frameless windows. "Maybe half of the projects we have on right now are for those kinds of windows," SchermNed's director estimated in mid-September.
Among the projects starting soon is installing insect netting at a seed and tomato grower. The latter involves ten hectares. "It's easiest to do these installations when there's no crop in the greenhouse. There are peaks in spring and fall, but with the insect mesh filter, installation in winter is also quite possible. Anyone wanting netting before the summer of 2024 would do well to order now."
Climate
Growers are increasingly opting for insect gauze, and those who get this insect mesh filter can keep cultivating as usual, Jack assures them. "Growers tell us they can do that, according to their know-how and their climate computer settings. For example, window gaps remain unchanged with our filter. There's no mesh covering those gaps, so no new settings are needed. The temperature rises, at most, one degree Celsius. Growers love it," he concludes.
Frameless windows with insect gauze at Wim Peters Kwekerijen
Wim Peters Kwekerijen is one of those growers. After visiting fellow grower WPK, this tomato grower installed SchermNed's insect mesh filters at one of its four cultivation sites. The greenhouse on this site has frameless windows. That is evident from the window latches attached through the glass, slightly from the frameless window's edge since there is no profile, and from the metal fixing on/through the glass.
After this first site, the others will follow, the grower announced on social media this summer. "The results speak for themselves. We have far fewer issues with harmful insects, thus allowing our biological agents to keep the greenhouse ecologically balanced. We also kept our bumblebees - some of which escape through the vents - inside, much to the chagrin of the wild bumblebees outside."
For more information:
Carl Stougie
John van Hasenbroek
Jack van der Voort
SchermNed B.V.
Tel: +31 (0) 174 622 214
Email: [email protected]
www.schermned.nl