Key Types of Ridder Screens
Sunburn on leaves, heat loss during cold nights, or condensation dripping from the greenhouse roof are challenges every grower faces. However, modern commercial horticulture isn't about passively reacting to the weather — it's about precise microclimate management. Climate screens are one of the most vital tools in achieving this control.
Ridder’s broad spectrum of innovative climate screens allows growers to flexibly regulate temperature, light, and humidity, tailored specifically to the needs of their crops.
Key Types of Ridder Screens and Their Functions
Light Diffusion Screens (Ridder Light Diffusion – RLD):
These screens scatter direct sunlight, spreading it evenly throughout the greenhouse canopy and protecting delicate growing points and fruit from scorching. Closed versions combine light diffusion with night-time energy savings, while open versions (RLD Open) offer high diffusion alongside maximum ventilation.
Energy Saving Screens (Ridder Energy Saving – RES):
Designed for full climate control while maximizing natural daylight transmission and energy retention. Used primarily at night to trap heat, significantly reducing heating bills. Also available in roll-up formats (RES Rolling).
Sun Shading Screens (Ridder Sun Shading – RSS):
Help manage light levels and lower temperatures during hot summer days. Open variants (RSS Open) provide effective shading while maintaining free airflow.
Blackout Screens (Ridder Black Out – RBO):
Create complete darkness inside the greenhouse, which is essential for managing photoperiods in short-day crops (such as chrysanthemums). Their multi-layer construction (e.g., black-aluminum top layer and white-black bottom layer) ensures 100% light control.
Light Restriction Screens (Ridder Light Restriction – RLR):
Prevent artificial assimilation lighting from escaping the greenhouse, helping growers comply with light pollution regulations (up to 99.5% light attenuation) while preserving a stable internal climate.
Side & Overhang Screens (Climate Screens for Overhang):
Flame-retardant perimeter screens installed along greenhouse walls to eliminate cold edges and protect the screen mechanism from wear.
How Ridder Screens Support Crop Growth
Protection Against Light and Thermal Stress:
By converting direct light into soft, diffused light, radiation penetrates deeper into the lower canopy. This boosts photosynthesis without risking tissue overheat.
Energy Savings and Temperature Stability:
Closing the screens at night creates an insulating air buffer that retains heat, guarding crops against sudden temperature drops and cutting fuel costs.
Disease Prevention (Condensation Control):
The specialized knitted pattern allows excess moisture to escape upward toward the roof vents. This stops water from condensing on the underside of the roof and dripping onto plants, drastically reducing the risk of fungal and bacterial diseases like Botrytis.
Higher Yields and Consistent Quality:
Eliminating microclimate fluctuations results in faster vegetation, healthier root systems, and uniform, high-quality yields year-round.
How Open FR O Screens Work
The FR O designation in Ridder screen specifications refers to two key features: FR (Flame Retardant) and O (Open structure).
The operation of these screens relies on engineered structural design to deliver both shading and active air exchange.
1. Alternating Pattern Construction Rather than being a solid sheet of fabric, FR O screens feature alternating strips of active textile and open gaps. The ratio between open and solid strips determines the degree of shading and light diffusion:
RLD 15 FR O: Pattern consists of 2 transparent diffusion strips to 1 open strip.
RLD 25 FR O: Uses a sequence of white diffusion, transparent diffusion, and open strips.
RLD 35 FR O: Layout includes 1 white diffusion, 1 open, 1 white diffusion, 1 open, and 1 transparent diffusion strip.
RLD 55 FR O: Features a denser pattern of 3 white diffusion strips to 1 open strip.
RSS 15 FR O: Alternates aluminum-white strips (heat and light reflection), open strips, and transparent strips.
RSS 17 FR O: High-density shading layout featuring 3 aluminum-white strips to 1 open strip.
2. Free Ventilation without Heat Trapping Because of the open gaps in the fabric, warm, humid air accumulating directly above the crop can naturally rise and exit through the roof vents. This prevents a "heat pocket" from forming beneath the screen while reducing condensation risks.
3. Daytime Cooling and Light Management On hot, sunny days, FR O screens can remain fully drawn without restricting ventilation. Aluminum-white strips (in the RSS series) reflect infrared radiation away from the structure, while diffusion strips (in the RLD series) turn harsh light into soft, uniform illumination.
4. Enhanced Fire Safety (FR) The polyester materials used in FR screens comply with strict international fire safety standards (such as NTA 8825:2018 and NFPA 701-2015). The material does not propagate fire, helping to protect greenhouse infrastructure.
