Comparing greenhouse film quotations can be more difficult than it first appears.
Two suppliers may both offer:
200 micron PO greenhouse film
but one quotation may be significantly cheaper than the other.
That does not necessarily mean one supplier is overpriced.
The two films may differ in:
UV stabilization
Expected service life
Light transmission
Light diffusion
Anti-fog performance
Anti-drip
IR thermal properties
EVA content
Layer structure
Thickness tolerance
Packaging
Order quantity
Incoterm
Freight
Payment terms
The correct way to compare quotations is to make sure you are comparing equivalent specifications under equivalent commercial terms.
Quick Answer: What Should You Compare?
Before comparing price, make sure every quotation includes the same basic information:
| Item | What to Compare |
|---|
| Film Type | PO / PE / EVA |
| Thickness | 150 / 180 / 200 micron |
| Width | meters |
| Length | meters |
| UV Life | expected years |
| Light Transmission | % |
| Diffusion | % |
| IR | Yes / No |
| AF | Yes / No |
| Anti-Drip | Yes / No |
| EVA | Yes / No / content if relevant |
| Layer Structure | 3 / 5 / 7 layers |
| Thickness Tolerance | specification |
| Packaging | standard / OEM |
| MOQ | tons |
| Lead Time | days |
| Incoterm | EXW / FOB / CFR / CIF |
| Freight | included / excluded |
| Payment Terms | deposit / balance |
| Price | kg / ton / roll / m² |
Only after these items are aligned does the final price become meaningful.
1. Compare the Same Film Type
The first step is to confirm whether the suppliers are quoting the same product category.
For example:
Supplier A: PE greenhouse film
Supplier B: PO greenhouse film
These products may have different formulations and cost structures.
Even within the same category, two PO films can still be very different.
So do not compare only product names.
Ask for the complete technical specification.
2. Compare the Same Thickness
Thickness directly affects material consumption.
Common greenhouse film thicknesses include:
100 micron
120 micron
150 micron
180 micron
200 micron
A 200 micron film contains more material per square meter than a 150 micron film.
Assuming similar density and formulation:
200 ÷ 150 = 1.33
So 200 micron film uses approximately 33% more material per square meter than 150 micron film.
If Supplier A quotes 150 micron and Supplier B quotes 200 micron, price per kilogram alone does not tell you which quotation is better.
3. Compare Actual Thickness Tolerance
Nominal thickness is not the whole story.
Two suppliers may both write:
200 micron
but their thickness-control standards may differ.
Ask:
What is the permitted thickness tolerance?
How is thickness measured?
Is thickness checked online during production?
Can inspection data be provided?
If one film has wider thickness variation, some areas may be thinner than expected.
This can affect:
Mechanical strength
Film weight
Uniformity
Durability
4. Compare UV Lifetime
UV stabilization is one of the most important factors affecting greenhouse film cost and service life.
Ask each supplier:
What UV life is the film designed for?
Under what climate conditions?
What factors can reduce lifetime?
Is the UV formulation customized by region?
Possible specifications may include:
1 year / 2 years / 3 years / 5 years
A 3-year film should not be compared directly with a 5-year film only by price.
The UV stabilization system may be different.
5. Compare Light Transmission
For greenhouse crops, light transmission can be critical.
Ask suppliers to provide:
A higher-priced film may use better optical materials or a more carefully designed layer structure.
Do not assume all transparent films have the same optical performance.
6. Compare Light Diffusion
Light diffusion helps distribute sunlight more evenly inside the greenhouse.
Two quotations may both be for PO greenhouse film, but one may have:
20% diffusion
while another has:
70% diffusion
These are not equivalent films.
Ask:
What is the diffusion percentage?
What crop is it designed for?
How does diffusion affect transmission?
Is it suitable for high-solar-radiation regions?
For dense crops such as tomato or cucumber, diffusion may be an important performance factor.
7. Compare Anti-Fog Performance
AF can significantly affect the greenhouse environment in humid or condensation-prone conditions.
Ask whether each quotation includes:
Anti-Fog: Yes / No
Then ask:
Is AF built into the inner layer?
How is it tested?
Is it suitable for long-term use?
What conditions affect AF performance?
A quotation without AF should not be treated as equivalent to one that includes a more advanced anti-fog system.
8. Compare Anti-Drip Function
Anti-drip helps prevent large condensed droplets from falling onto crops.
Check whether:
Different suppliers may use different terms, so clarify exactly what is included.
9. Compare IR Thermal Performance
IR film can help reduce long-wave heat loss from the greenhouse.
This may be important for:
If one supplier includes IR and another does not, the products are not directly comparable.
Ask:
10. Compare EVA Content and Purpose
EVA can influence:
Do not compare EVA only by asking:
What percentage of EVA is used?
Also ask:
Why is EVA included in this formulation?
Higher EVA content is not automatically better.
The important question is whether it improves the performance your greenhouse actually needs.
11. Compare Layer Structure
Greenhouse film can be produced using:
3-layer
5-layer
7-layer co-extrusion
Different layers can be designed for different functions.
For example:
Outer layer: UV and weather resistance
Middle layers: mechanical and optical properties
Inner layer: AF or anti-drip
However:
More layers do not automatically mean better film.
A good quotation should explain the performance, not just advertise the number of layers.
12. Compare Mechanical Properties
If the project is located in a windy or demanding environment, ask about:
Tensile strength
Elongation
Tear resistance
Puncture resistance
A cheaper film may have lower mechanical performance even if the thickness appears the same.
For heavy-duty commercial greenhouses, this can matter more than a small unit-price difference.
13. Compare Width and Length
Make sure every supplier is quoting the exact same dimensions.
For example:
12 m × 100 m
should not be compared with:
10 m × 100 m
without calculating total area.
Different roll dimensions affect:
square meters per roll
roll weight
installation
packaging
total order quantity
14. Compare Price per Roll Carefully
Price per roll can be misleading.
A roll may differ in:
width
length
thickness
weight
Instead of only asking:
How much per roll?
also calculate:
Price per square meter
and:
Price per kilogram
This creates a fairer comparison.
15. Compare Price per Kilogram
Price per kilogram is useful for distributors because greenhouse film is often sold by weight.
But price per kilogram alone can still be misleading.
Two films may have the same price/kg but different:
UV lifetime
additives
diffusion
EVA content
mechanical strength
So use price/kg as only one comparison metric.
16. Compare Price per Square Meter
For greenhouse contractors and growers, price per square meter is often more useful.
A simple formula is:
Total Film Cost ÷ Total Film Area = Cost per m²
This shows how much it actually costs to cover the greenhouse.
For thickness comparisons, this is especially useful.
17. Compare Square Meters per Ton
For distributors, another useful metric is:
Square meters covered per ton
Thinner film covers more area per ton.
Thicker film covers less area per ton.
This affects:
freight efficiency
inventory
resale cost
container coverage
So two quotations with the same USD/ton may still offer different commercial value.
18. Compare MOQ
Ask:
What is the minimum order quantity?
Is MOQ per specification?
Can different widths be combined?
Can multiple film types be combined?
Does custom packaging change MOQ?
A lower unit price may only apply at a much larger quantity.
Make sure the MOQ matches your actual purchasing plan.
19. Compare Order Quantity on the Same Basis
Suppose:
Supplier A quotes for 5 tons
Supplier B quotes for 25 tons
Supplier B may offer a lower price simply because the order is larger.
Ask suppliers to quote the same quantity whenever possible.
This makes the comparison more accurate.
20. Compare Packaging
Packaging differences can affect final cost.
Ask whether the quotation includes:
Woven bags
Protective film
Paper core
Pallets
OEM printing
Labels
Custom logo
A quotation with palletized OEM packaging should not be compared directly with a basic unpackaged quotation.
21. Compare OEM Costs Separately
If you are a distributor, ask suppliers to separate:
Film Price
and:
OEM Packaging Cost
This helps you understand whether the difference comes from the product or the branding requirement.
22. Compare Production Lead Time
A cheaper quotation may have a much longer production schedule.
Ask:
How many days for production?
When can production start?
Does custom film require extra time?
Does custom packaging affect lead time?
For seasonal greenhouse projects, late delivery can cost more than a small price difference.
23. Compare Quotation Validity
Agricultural film prices can change because of raw-material markets.
Check:
How long is the quotation valid?
Can raw-material changes affect the price?
Is the price fixed after deposit?
A quote valid for 7 days should not be treated the same as one guaranteed for 30 days.
24. Compare Incoterms
This is one of the biggest sources of quotation confusion.
Common Incoterms include:
They do not include the same responsibilities.
EXW
Mainly covers goods at the factory.
FOB
Includes delivery to the agreed loading port and export-related responsibilities.
CFR
Includes freight to the destination port.
CIF
Includes freight and agreed insurance coverage.
Therefore:
USD 1.70/kg CIF
cannot be compared directly with:
USD 1.60/kg EXW
The logistics content is different.
25. Compare Freight Separately
If freight is included, ask:
Destination port
Container type
Freight validity
Shipping line
Estimated transit time
Freight rates can change quickly.
A supplier with a higher film price may still offer a lower total CFR or CIF cost.
26. Compare Destination Charges
Some quotations include only freight to the port.
The buyer may still need to pay:
destination port fees
customs clearance
import tax
local delivery
handling charges
Ask what is excluded.
This avoids unexpected costs after shipment.
27. Compare Landed Cost
The best commercial comparison is often the landed cost.
A simplified formula is:
Product Cost
Freight
Insurance
Import Duty
VAT / GST
Port Charges
Customs Clearance
Local Delivery
= Landed Cost
A lower factory price does not always produce a lower landed cost.
28. Compare Payment Terms
Payment terms affect commercial risk and cash flow.
Check:
Deposit percentage
Balance timing
Payment currency
Bank fees
Payment method
For example:
30% deposit + 70% before shipment
and:
100% advance payment
are not commercially equivalent.
Payment terms should be included in your supplier comparison.
29. Compare Warranty Conditions
Ask:
Is there a warranty?
What does the warranty cover?
What evidence is required?
Are there chemical-use restrictions?
How are claims handled?
A very cheap film with no clear warranty procedure may create more risk.
30. Compare Quality-Control Process
Ask suppliers how they check:
thickness
width
length
roll weight
appearance
optical performance
mechanical properties
A supplier with stronger quality control may have a slightly higher price but lower risk of inconsistent batches.
31. Compare Test Data
For more demanding projects, ask for available data such as:
light transmission
diffusion
tensile strength
elongation
tear resistance
thickness tolerance
Do not expect every small order to come with a full laboratory package, but the supplier should be able to explain its testing process.
32. Compare Factory Capability
Ask:
Are you a manufacturer?
What extrusion technology do you use?
What maximum width can you produce?
What layer structures are available?
Can you customize the formulation?
A quotation from a technically capable manufacturer may offer more value for customized greenhouse projects.
33. Compare Communication Quality
This is often overlooked.
A reliable supplier should:
ask about your country
ask about crop
ask about climate
explain why a film is recommended
confirm specifications in writing
answer technical questions consistently
If one supplier only says:
“Best price, best quality.”
and another explains the film design in detail, that difference matters.
34. Create a Normalized Comparison Table
Use one table for all suppliers.
For example:
| Item | Supplier A | Supplier B | Supplier C |
|---|
| Film Type | PO | PO | PO |
| Thickness | 200 μm | 200 μm | 200 μm |
| Width | 12 m | 12 m | 12 m |
| Length | 100 m | 100 m | 100 m |
| UV Life | 3 years | 3 years | 5 years |
| Transmission | 90% | 88% | 90% |
| Diffusion | 60% | 30% | 70% |
| AF | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| IR | Yes | No | Yes |
| EVA | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Layers | 7 | 5 | 7 |
| MOQ | 5 t | 5 t | 10 t |
| Incoterm | FOB | FOB | FOB |
| Price/kg | XX | XX | XX |
| Lead Time | XX | XX | XX |
This makes hidden differences much easier to identify.
35. Do Not Automatically Choose the Lowest Price
The cheapest quotation may be the best option.
But only if the specification is equivalent.
A lower price may result from:
There is nothing wrong with choosing a simpler film if it meets the project requirements.
The mistake is assuming all quotations are identical.
36. Do Not Automatically Choose the Most Expensive Film
The opposite mistake is also common.
More functions do not automatically mean better value.
For example, a buyer in a hot climate may not need the same thermal-retention system as a buyer in a cold region.
Pay only for the functions that support the actual greenhouse project.
37. Compare Total Cost of Ownership
Initial film price is only part of the real cost.
Consider:
purchase price
installation
replacement
labor
shipping
downtime
service life
A film costing slightly more initially may become cheaper over several years if it reduces replacement frequency.
This is why professional buyers should compare:
Total Cost of Ownership
not only:
Initial Price
38. Example: Two 200 Micron PO Film Quotations
Suppose you receive:
Supplier A
200 micron PO
3-year UV
AF
30% diffusion
No IR
FOB USD X/kg
Supplier B
200 micron PO
5-year UV
AF
IR
EVA
70% diffusion
FOB USD Y/kg
Supplier B is more expensive.
But the quotation also includes:
longer designed UV life
IR
EVA
higher diffusion
These are not equivalent products.
The correct question is not:
Why is Supplier B more expensive?
It is:
Do I actually need the additional functions offered by Supplier B?
39. Example: Cheaper Film May Still Be the Better Choice
Suppose the project is:
Seasonal vegetable greenhouse
Moderate climate
Low wind
No heating
The buyer may not need:
5-year UV
high EVA
strong IR
full diffusion
A simpler PE or PO film could provide a better return on investment.
The correct film is the one that matches the application.
40. Greenhouse Film Quotation Evaluation Checklist
Before selecting a supplier, confirm:
Technical
Film type
Thickness
Thickness tolerance
Width
Length
UV life
Transmission
Diffusion
AF
IR
EVA
Layer structure
Commercial
MOQ
Price/kg
Price/m²
Packaging
Lead time
Quote validity
Logistics
Incoterm
Freight
Destination port
Container loading
Delivery time
Supplier
Factory capability
Quality control
Test data
Export experience
Warranty
Communication
The 10 Most Important Things to Compare
If you want a faster comparison, focus on these 10 items:
Film type
Thickness
UV service life
Light transmission
Light diffusion
AF / IR / EVA
Layer structure
Price per m² and per kg
Incoterm and freight
Quality control and supplier reliability
If these ten items are aligned, the quotation comparison becomes much more meaningful.
Frequently Asked Questions
How should I compare greenhouse film prices?
Compare the same technical specification under the same Incoterm and order quantity.
Do not compare price alone.
Is price per kilogram enough?
No.
Also compare:
price per square meter
square meters per ton
UV life
film functions
landed cost
Why is one 200 micron film cheaper than another?
The two films may differ in UV stabilization, resin, EVA, IR, AF, diffusion, layer structure or thickness tolerance.
Should I compare EXW and CIF prices directly?
No.
EXW and CIF include different logistics responsibilities.
Convert them to the same cost basis first.
Is a 7-layer film always better than a 5-layer film?
No.
The actual formulation and performance matter more than the number of layers alone.
Should I choose the supplier with the lowest price?
Only if the specification, commercial terms and supplier reliability are comparable.
What is the best metric for greenhouse contractors?
Price per square meter and total project cost are often more useful.
What is the best metric for distributors?
Price per kilogram, square meters per ton and landed cost are all useful.
Compare Greenhouse Film Quotations With a Manufacturer
GH Agricultural Film manufactures customized greenhouse films for commercial agricultural projects.
Our product range includes:
Our production capabilities include 7-layer co-extrusion technology.
Available customization includes:
Thickness
Width
Length
UV service life
Light transmission
Diffusion
IR
AF
Anti-drip
EVA
Packaging
OEM branding
Maximum film width can reach 20 meters.
Send Us Your Existing Greenhouse Film Quotation
If you already have a quotation from another supplier, you can send us the specification, including:
Film Type
Thickness
Width & Length
UV Lifetime
Diffusion
IR / AF / EVA
Quantity
Incoterm
Destination Port
We can help compare the technical specification on the same basis and provide an alternative quotation for evaluation.