Let’s explore the distinctions together:
1. Felt: The greenhouse felt we commonly use is familiar to most. It comes in a wide variety of types, primarily in colors such as floral, black, and gray. In contrast, geotextiles are predominantly white.
2. Density: Geotextiles have a higher density. Within a unit square area, the density of geotextile is slightly more than double that of felt.
3. Unit Weight: Although felt may appear thicker per u
nit square area compared to the thinner geotextile, the unit weight (grams per square meter) of geotextile is significantly higher than that of felt.
Similarities: Both felt and geotextile share the same manufacturing process. They are produced using needle-punched technology through multiple processing steps, from carding to final shaping on a needle loom—a commendable craftsmanship we can acknowledge. Previously, geotextiles were perceived to be of superior quality compared to felt, leading some to question whether their manufacturing processes differed. However, this is not the case; there are other underlying reasons, though it is undeniable that their manufacturing processes are indeed identical.
Differences: There are notable distinctions between the two, primarily in terms of raw materials used. Geotextiles, typically white, are made from superior raw materials, offering greater tensile strength and density. Felt, on the other hand, serves primarily as an insulation material for greenhouse covers, with its main function being thermal insulation. Consequently, the raw materials used for felt are not as high-grade, which explains the significant price difference between the two.
Non-woven geotextiles exhibit excellent filtration properties. When water flows from a fine-grained soil layer to a coarse-grained layer, the geotextile’s breathability and permeability allow water to pass through while effectively retaining soil particles, fine sand, and small stones, thereby maintaining the stability of earthworks. Additionally, geottextiles provide reinforcement by enhancing the tensile strength and deformation resistance of soil, improving the stability of building structures and enhancing soil quality. They also effectively disperse, transfer, or redistribute concentrated stresses, preventing soil damage from external forces. Furthermore, geotextiles serve as an effective barrier, separating construction materials with different physical properties (such as particle size, distribution, consistency, and density) like soil and sand, sand and gravel, or soil and concrete. This prevents loss or mixing of materials, preserving their overall structure and function while strengthening the load-bearing capacity of structures.
