more permanent covering for polytunnels ?

[nickdub]

Hi,
I have two PTs one a 3x2m off-the-peg job which is about 5 years old and still has its original cover, and the other 10x3m DIY - buy the metal hoops and made the rest using proper horticultural plastic sheeting for the roof and sides and Polycarb sheeting for the ends - one, about 3 years old.

OK I am both lazy and mean so there is a basic trade off here. What I have been thinking about is what to do when the polythene sheeting fails completely. Ideally I'd like to use something more durable to re-roof the PT's with, such as clear corrugated plastic sheets, which I could attach to say battens fairly easily and bend to fit - the only real problem with this approach is that it will cost the thick end of £300 to do both tunnels, unless I can buy the sheets second hand - I keep looking but no luck so far, Twin wall Polycarb is much the same story, and also harder to bend.

I've been wondering if anyone-else has tried something along these lines .... ? Also looking at what clear plastic sheeting is available, I wondered if clear tarpaulins might be a compromise solution for me - I reckon I could recover both PT's for under £100 that way, but of course the lifespan of the tarp would be an issue - if it would only be likely to last less than 10 years, I'd probably bite the bullet and spend more now, I'm 65 this year so clambering around on stepladders etc in say 8 years time could be a problem.

Cheers

Nick

PS any and every idea welcome, but I'm hoping someone who has tried something different for this type of job will report in on either their success or failure.

[lottie dolly]

no ideas,but,we had second hand poly sheets on our old plots grow house,it worked wonderful,the only downside was,when we had those bolder hail stones,it did them no good,put some holes in it,ours were the twin and trebble type,but others who only had the thin corrugated ones,got obliterated,to see about getting the used twins ext,MR got them from a window place,it just luck,if they are replacing them for a customer,however,what is this clear tarp,that sounds maybe a better solution,i am interested,on account of next year will look at repacing my big home tunnel,as to replace said cover,is the£ 100 mark,1 of them green jobs,

[nickdub]

Hi Lottie,
this was the sort of option I was wondering about (obviously not specified as suitable for roofing, so ....)

200gsm Heavy Duty Reinforced Mesh Clear Waterproof Tarpaulin

https://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_f...dhi=60&_sop=16

[Mamzie]

I love this forum. I am attempting to persuade hubby to build me an extra wooden grow house as some of the cheap ones seem to last just a season. You have given me a way to cover it as well now.

[nickdub]

I love to his forum. I am attempting to persuade hubby to build me an extra wooden grow house as some of the cheap ones seem to last just a season. You have given me a way to cover it as well now.

No worries, that's the main point for me, to exchange ideas. BTW there are loads of inspiring growing structures which people have built and photo'd/ documented on the internet - one was like a church in shape, made on a wooden frame but covered with polycarb sheeting - which in my opinion is much the best material for a transparent roof, if you can afford the initial cost.

BTW its always worth keeping an eye on eBay for anyone taking down an old GH or Conservatory as quite often you can get enough for at least starting a build for under £50 second-hand. I bought 6 large PT hoops for £15 last year and a few years ago a whole triple wall polycarb 4x 5m roof off an old conservatory including the mega strong glazing bars for under £150 and got a load of double-glazed windows and doors chucked in - I rebuilt it, patched together a new wooden wall, on one side and that's my current workshop complete with a black Hamburg grape vine, lathe and big band-saw etc :-)

Cheers

Nick

[veggiechicken]

BTW there are loads of inspiring growing structures which people have built and photo'd/ documented on the internet - one was like a church in shape, made on a wooden frame but covered with polycarb sheeting - which in my opinion is much the best material for a transparent roof, if you can afford the initial cost.

That sounds like your Growhouse, Lottie.

Baldy is doing summat with polycarb and a PT, https://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gr...th_100622.html

[lottie dolly]

it sure does VC,we not got it now,had to be left on other plot,but we did get £50 for it and more for barrels,i do really miss it,funds went towards the new smaller shed.
Nick,i see what you mean thanks,it is only a white version of the green stuff,we originaly had some on the roof,but changed it for the poly stuff,quite a faff sorting it all out,but well worth it,been looking for the pics,but no find yet.

[veggiechicken]

Here's your Growbarn, Lottie, so that Nick can see your masterpiece.
https://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gr...ml#post1587687

[lottie dolly]

Thank you VC,not a masterpiece,bodged together out of scrounged stuff,with many thanks to my MR,when we were both just that bit younger and definalely fitter,he was always out in the old seddon looking for things ext,the good era has gone,is now onto a new chapter,boohoo

[nickdub]

Here's your Growbarn, Lottie, so that Nick can see your masterpiece.
https://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gr...ml#post1587687

Thanks VC - now that's what I call a GH Lottie - great effort :-)

[SarrissUK]

I got the polythene for my tunnel last year from Premier polytunnels for £80, a length of 7.3m.

[Nick_The_Greek]

I just had a thought which might be useful, I remember an article years ago which was involving PVC coated fibreglass mesh traditionally used as an insect screen on doors. I believe it was being used for a fruit cage but I distinctly remember there was some mention of its insulating properties but its very hazy. I am considering it for my cabbage cloches... The cabbage-death butterfly and me are not friends!!

Nick

[Starch]

I bought a 6x3 green one with fibres in to cover my 5x3 one and made an extra hoop out of some 50mm underground water pipe with some rigid plastic inserted in it pushed on 2 lengths of rebar hammered in
the ground seems to work but not had too many windy days so time will tell

[Baldy]

I picked up corrugated pvc with cracked ends 10 for £50 - maybe the diy-sheds would have similar reduced prices - didn't matter to me but would be no good for most people...

[nickdub]

I picked up corrugated pvc with cracked ends 10 for £50 - maybe the diy-sheds would have similar reduced prices - didn't matter to me but would be no good for most people...

Yes there's a chap in Gloucester that is selling some sheets like that on Ebay - I had a quick measure up and I reckon the fewest I can get by with is 12 sheets, and that's if I just do the curved part of the roof not the sides. I reckon I'll email this bloke and see how much he'll sell me that many for; if its under £100, I'll probably go for it.

A bit of an extra outlay and more time to fit obviously, but the likelihood that I'll never need to do any more to the roofs once the sheets are on, outweighs the downsides for me.