Case Study: How BlueTex Reflective Insulation Transformed A Gardener’s Greenhouse for Winter
One customer recently shared his experience on Facebook after experimenting with several types of insulation. In the past, he relied on double bubble reflective insulation from big-box stores, but he found that it struggled to retain heat efficiently. As he prepared for another winter with his Riga 14’ x 20’ aluminum-frame greenhouse, he decided to upgrade to BlueTex™ Reflective Insulation to see if it could improve performance.
Background: For many greenhouse owners, maintaining stable temperatures during cold months is a constant challenge. When temperatures drop into the 30s and 40s, most heating systems are forced to run frequently, consuming significant amounts of propane or electricity.
Type of Structure: Greenhouse (Riga with aluminum framing and 16mm triple polycarbonate walls)
Install Date: August 2025
Location: Mid-Atlantic, inland
Goal: Keeping a greenhouse warm through cold winter nights
Product Used: 2mm BlueTex™ Pro
Install Details: To prepare for winter, he installed BlueTex™ Pro insulation on the north wall and ceiling of his greenhouse — the most critical areas for preventing heat loss. Instead of permanently fastening it, he used clamps to hold the insulation in place, making it easy to remove and store when warmer weather returns in spring.
Finish: The BlueTex™ was installed so that the foil was facing in, toward the interior of the greenhouse and the heat source. The customer plans to take it down in spring, when outdoor temperatures are stable, and reinstall it next winter to continue reaping the energy savings. While he noted that BlueTex costs more than traditional double bubble insulation, the superior materials and performance have already proven well worth the investment.
“BlueTex is more expensive than double bubble, but so far it seems to be worth the extra cost, and it looks like it will help throughout the winter.”
Results: He immediately noticed key differences between BlueTex and the double-bubble insulation he had used before.
Within weeks of installation, the results spoke for themselves.
“Last spring, when I was using double bubble, and temps dropped to the 30s and low 40s at night, my heat (vented propane) would come on numerous times per night. Now, this fall, with temps already dropping into the 30s and low 40s, my heat has not come on once.”
That’s a dramatic difference — a clear indication that BlueTex™ was helping retain more radiant heat overnight.
The customer also noted that his brick floor, which absorbs and radiates heat, worked even more effectively with BlueTex in place. The improved thermal performance created a more stable growing environment, helping seeds sprout within just 3–4 days and producing healthy, vigorous seedlings early in the season.
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Interested in improving your greenhouse’s performance this winter? Learn more or request a free sample here.