Insulating Film

What is insulating film?

Insulating film is a flat, UV-stable bubble film (bubble wrap) with large 30 mm bubbles or chambers. It is a three-layer, transparent and translucent film. The film can be wound on a roll or cut to size and sold by the metre.

What is insulating film used for? What are the advantages?

Possible areas of application

Our thermal film has found its way into many areas over the years. Originally, bubble wrap was developed for professional horticulture. Of course, the great advantages of this bubble film were quickly discovered in private gardens too. It helps to protect and insulate greenhouses, plants, pots, raised beds, winter gardens, pergolas, terraces. It is also used as window film, or for doors, animal enclosures such as animal stables, rabbit hutches, hare hutches or other small animal enclosures, as a frost protection cover for your windshield / windscreen for cars and mobile homes.

Early, lasting, better and faster harvests

With insulating film, you have longer planting periods, whether in a heated or unheated greenhouse. This means you can plant many plants much earlier and boost higher, better and faster growth. You can also significantly extend the planting period in late spring. Of course, the significantly warmer climate, thanks to the thermal bubble film, promotes faster and significantly better growth and higher crop yields for many plants, such as vegetables and lettuce.

Enormous cost savings thanks to insulating film

It can also save the enthusiastic gardener a lot of money in the form of heating costs, as the frost protection film has an enormous K-value to offer thanks to its special layer structure. Thanks to the high level of protection against the cold, even Mediterranean plants such as palm trees, olive trees, citrus fruits such as lemon trees, orange trees, mandarin trees, kumquat trees and related plants can be saved from frost in the greenhouse during the cold season. Of course, depending on the sensitivity of the plants, it should be checked whether it is sufficient to insulate an unheated greenhouse with insulating film or whether temporary heating is required.

Other possible applications

Our cold protection film can be very easily processed into a frost cover and frost tent, as a winter cover for sensitive (outdoor) plants, basement windows, on construction sites for sealing windows, doors and roof surfaces.

Is there a difference between insulating bubble film and bubble film for packaging?

Yes, there are significant differences. We have listed the most important features and differences for you here:

The bubble diameter

A conventional bubble film has a bubble diameter of just 10 mm. Our professional thermal film has large bubbles with three times the diameter. Each individual bubble therefore absorbs significantly more insulating air mass than conventional packaging film. Since air is a good insulator, this is a decisive factor in favour of the cold protection film. But that's not all...

The bubble height

Winter protection film also differs from packaging film in terms of the bubble height. While the bubbles in the "popping film" are only 4 mm high, the insulating film has a bubble height of 10 mm. As the bubbles are more than twice as high, there is significantly more air volume in the individual bubbles. You might think that's more than enough advantages. But the decisive advantage for storing even more air mass as an insulator is the layer structure of our thermal film...

The layer structure

Since the thermal film consists in total of three layers, cold protection and thermal insulation are increased to a maximum along with the air mass... The film is made up as follows:

• Smooth film layer (smooth outer side)
• Bubble layer
• Smooth film layer (smooth outer side)

In practice, this means that the space between the bubbles is automatically used to store air. It is only thanks to the above-mentioned advantages of the large and higher bubbles and the 3-layer structure that the frost film reaches these outstanding insulation values and therefore retains heat significantly better than simple film. Bubble film is normally made up of just two layers and therefore has a comparatively low insulation value.

The film thickness

The film thickness also contributes to an even better insulation value. The main reason for a significantly higher film thickness compared to packaging bubble film is the stability and tear resistance. While packaging film is a single-use product and is usually disposed of after the first use, this bubble wrap can ideally be used in horticulture for many seasons. This is why the film thickness of our thermal bubble film is many times greater than that of conventional bubble film, so that it can withstand harsh weather, wind and storms. You can find out more about the strength and thickness of our thermal film below.

UV resistance, frost resistance and durability of the film

As mentioned above, film used for plants, gardens and greenhouses should last as long as possible. It is well known that the natural enemy of every material on our planet is the sun as well as hot and cold temperatures. But our frost protection film is also ideally protected against these natural dangers. Our insulating greenhouse film is both UV-resistant and extremely resistant to cold and heat. As this film is made from the durable high-tech polyethylene, it is frost-proof and heat-resistant. Outdoor temperatures in Europe cannot harm the film. The UV resistance of the film is achieved by mixing in additives or masterbatch during production. With our special formula, you can expect UV stability for at least three to five years if used correctly. Since the film is usually used in the cold season, which tends to have fewer hours of sunlight, a longer shelf life is often possible. Normal packaging film is not UV-resistant and has no UV protection outdoors.

Differences between "professional" and "hobby" film quality

If you take a look at our online shop, you will notice that we offer two different qualities. We would like to explain these differences to you here so that you can make the right choice for your winter protection or other purpose.

AGRIplus "Pro" insulating film

As the name suggests, this greenhouse bubble film is designed for professionals. It has a very high film thickness of 150 my (µ) or 0.150 mm. This thermal bubble film has been used in professional horticulture for decades. Professional gardeners ensure that their greenhouses are perfectly and optimally insulated in order to achieve significant savings in heating costs. Professional bubble wrap with 150 my is available in very large dimensions in width (up to 4.5 m) and length (up to 50 m). They are suitable for securely covering even large professional greenhouses and ensure that the greenhouse is winter-proof and has as little cold spots as possible.

But don't worry, we also think of the "small needs" of hobby gardeners. Our professional film will also be available for small plant pots and a small greenhouse for professional wintering and plant covering. That's why we offer this professional quality not only in whole 50-metre jumbo rolls, but also by the metre and cut to size, just as you like. First, select the width (1.5 m, 2.0 m, 2.4 m, 3.5 m or 4.5 m) and then decide on your desired length in metres. We will cut it to the size you need and send it to you.

Summary and conclusion: Large widths, maximum film thickness, also supplied by the metre and cut to size.

AGRIplus "Hobby" insulation film

We have added this film to our range to fully meet the needs of hobby gardeners. This insulation film is ideal for smaller projects in terms of thickness and dimensions. Winter storage and wrapping of tubs, such as plant tubs, flower boxes, lean-to greenhouses, rabbit hutches and other small areas. The difference with the professional film is that this is slightly thinner and comes in much handier small rolls (0.5 x 20 m, 0.5 x 40 m, 1 x 20 m and 1 x 40 m). The insulation value is almost identical due to the large bubbles and the three-layer film. Of course, the price is slightly lower because the thermal insulation film is slightly thinner.

Summary and conclusion: Small rolls and smaller bundles, slightly thinner film, cheaper option.

Insulation value of insulating bubble film

Thanks to the well-thought-out foil formula and the three-layer structure, AGRIplus cold protection films with large bubbles achieve an outstanding heat transfer coefficient / K-value. The heat transfer coefficient of our film is U = 4.0 W1/(m²∙K). This roughly corresponds to a 25 cm thick concrete wall or a double window. There is no comparable insulating material in transparent / translucent form that can demonstrate such a KW value.

In combination with a greenhouse film, the value increases even further. If it is possible for you to place the bubble insulation film at a certain distance from the greenhouse film or glass of your greenhouse, you will increase the K-value even more, as this will create another air layer and completely avoid a cold bridge.

What dimensions are available for insulating film?

AGRIplus Profi

Width in mm     Width in cm    Width in m

1500 mm wide 150 cm wide   1.5 m wide

2000 mm wide  200 cm wide  2 m wide

2400 mm wide  240 cm wide  2.4 m wide

3500 mm wide  350 cm wide  3.5 m wide

4500 mm wide  450 cm wide  4.5 m wide

Available in 50 m rolls or by the metre.

AGRIplus Hobby

 Width in mm    Width in cm    Width in m

500 mm wide  150 cm wide  1.5 m wide

1000 mm wide  200 cm wide   2 m wide

Available in 20 m or 40 m rolls.

Which colour should I choose?

When it comes to colour, there is only one recommended solution: insulating greenhouse film must be transparent, see-through and as clear as possible. Avoid film in green or other colours. The light transmission factor of frost film is extremely important, as plants are generally "hungry" for light and brightness. Particularly in the cold season, when the sun has little "power" and the hours of sunshine are scarce, light transmission is an important factor for the survival of your plants.

Laying, attaching and fastening insulating film

There are various ways of attaching thermal film.

Attaching with adhesive tape

Adhesive tape is a very simple option for attaching and laying winter protection film. Please do not use simple packaging tape, use only our special, transparent and UV-resistant greenhouse tape. Simple adhesive tape is not frost-resistant, heat-resistant and not UV-resistant and will therefore not last long either inside or outside your greenhouse.

Advantage: very quick and easy to use
Disadvantage: somewhat difficult to remove, but not impossible

Attachment with film holders, fastening elements and clamping eyelets

Our online shop also offers a range of fastening elements, film holders and practical eyelets. These will make it much easier for you to attach and remove the film. Here is a list with a direct link to the products:

Film holders / film clips "Omega Clips":

• Fixing element for adhesive insulating film
• "Holdon" eyelets
• Butterfly eyelets
• Two-part eyelets

Attaching the film with eyelets and clips is also quick and easy. It often has the advantage that the film can be removed and reattached.

How should insulating film be laid?

Since this is a three-layer film that is the same on both outer sides, the direction of laying is not important. It is therefore irrelevant which side of the thermal bubble film is at the top when attaching it. You cannot make a mistake here.

Should insulating film be applied inside or outside?

We recommend that you apply the frost protection film to the inside of the greenhouse if possible. Ideally, you should leave some space between the film and the outer surface (greenhouse film, glass or plastic panels) to create additional air insulation. This will significantly extend the durability of the film, as the outer surface protects your insulating film from UV radiation, wind, storms and precipitation.

Cutting insulating film

Cutting bubble wrap is extremely easy. Use a standard pair of scissors or a cutter knife. It is even easier to use our practical film cutter.

Connecting, repairing and gluing insulating film

Unfortunately, it can happen that the insulating bubble film is damaged by weather conditions or by manual garden work. However, even if the damage is minor, that is no reason to throw away this high-quality thermal film. With our high-quality repair tape for greenhouse film, you can repair minor damage, holes and rips in no time. It is best to tape the broken area from both sides so that the break point has a high level of strength and tear resistance.

Our UV adhesive tape also makes it easy to connect several lengths of insulating film. It is best to also glue the overlap from both sides to significantly increase stability. Our special UV tape, in addition to the tape's adhesive, is also frost-proof, UV-resistant, very durable and stable.

Ordering insulating film

If you have decided to buy an insulating bubble wrap, we would be very pleased if you trust us. You can easily buy insulating film in our online shop. Since we not only supply you with whole rolls, but also with any length sold by the meter, you have the option of ordering almost any size. If you have any special requests, require larger quantities or are a reseller/dealer, we would be delighted to hear from you via email, enquiry form, or call-back request. You are also welcome to contact us by phone on +49 7121 9118-0 or in person at our office in Reutlingen.

Delivery, dispatch and packaging

Since insulating bubble film is quite "voluminous", it may be necessary for us to send larger sheets and rolls via a freight forwarder. This is not because the film is too heavy, but because the girth or maximum volume allowed by parcel services is exceeded. However, this is not particularly relevant for you as a customer, as the freight costs are always the same, regardless of the size and type of shipment. If you would like to be notified by telephone upon delivery, we can arrange this with a forwarding agent.

Accessories, similar and related products

• Greenhouse film
• Winter fleece and frost fleece
• Weed fleece
• Garden fabric / weed film (fabric)
• Garden fleece
• Decorative fleece (coloured fleece)
• Shading nets
• UV-resistant repair tapes
• Eyelets / fastening material

Synonyms and slang terms

Cold protection film, frost film, thermal bubble film, air bubble film, thermal protection film, winter protection film, winter film, frost film

Do you still have questions about insulation of greenhouses or about anything else?

Contact us to find out more about our services.