Greenhouses do an excellent job of controlling the temperature to provide the right conditions for plants. Unfortunately, these structures can get extremely hot, creating an unfavorable condition for plants to thrive. Here are several ways to cool a greenhouse. 

1. Create a Shade

By strategically placing a shade in your greenhouse, you will block out a lot of light. For this one, you can use external blinds to prevent excess heat from getting into the greenhouse. Also, ensure that you place the shade such that it blocks harmful UV light while allowing enough light to come in.

2. Damp Down the Greenhouse

For your plants to grow and remain healthy, you need to hydrate them. An easy and cost-effective way to do this is by damping down the hard surfaces in your greenhouse to raise the humidity level. 

By hosing down with plenty of water, the water evaporates into the air and will eventually hydrate your plants. This can also keep pests at bay. For best results, damp down in the evening or at night if the climate is hot.

3. Install External Blinds

Blinds are another option for keeping your warehouse cool. It is, however, advisable to use external blinds rather than internal blinds. 

This is because the former acts as a barrier against excess heat while the latter absorbs lights and traps hot air. When selecting blinds for your structure, keep in mind the color, location, and shade percentage.

4. Install Fans

Fans can help to push warm air out and allow cool air into the greenhouse. It helps to place several fans around your greenhouse to ensure proper airflow and lower the temperature. The good news is that there are plenty of fan systems to choose from and you just need to choose the right one for your structure.

Factors to keep in mind when making your selection include size and location. A good tip is to combine exhaust fans to get rid of hot air from the top and a louvered vent (intake shutter vent) to pull in cooler air from the bottom.

5. Shading Cloth

Shade cloths are also a cost-effective way to lower sun exposure and keep your greenhouse cool. These clothes come in different colors and are measured in percentages, indicating the amount of sunlight blocked. Hence, the best density will depend on the typical climate of your area. 

Plus, you can install internal shade cloths or external shade cloths for better heat insulation. Besides being affordable, quality shade cloths are durable and can last

between 12 and 13 years. 

6. Shading Netting

Like shading cloths, shade netting will protect your plants from harmful UV rays. A major difference is that this material is much stronger and can withstand heavy snow and strong winds. 

However, shade netting is only available in three shade percentages including 50%, 55%, and 85%. You also need to be cautious since it can obstruct vents. 

7. Shade Paint

There are different types of shade paints that you can use to reflect light odd your structure, keeping it cool. For instance, most greenhouses are painted white on the glass to help with this. A downside, however, is that paint can be expensive and may need to be removed at the end of summer.

8. Active Cooling

This involves using a cooling system to encourage proper airflow and cool the greenhouse. For this, you will need electrical tools like evaporative coolers and fans. Although you will use a bit of electricity, this method is quite effective.

9. Evaporative Coolers

These are active cooling systems that blow moist air to hydrate your plants and keep the temperatures low. They can effectively lower the temperatures up to 20 degrees F below the external temperature. You just need to ensure that the pads have enough water.