Do up existing Polytunnel, New Polytunnel or Another Greenhouse

[MarkHackwell]

I currently have one of the 'blow away' polytunnel's with the green netted cover. I moved it from one plot to another last year and put another cover on it because the first had disintegrated. It took off by the wind in June though so didn't do it much good . The frame is now in it's 3rd year but I replaced the green netted cover last year with another cover (yes another green netted cover) and it has disintegrated again. I was thinking of possibly getting a proper cover for it but not sure how I would go about doing it? and also I would need to build a door for it too so that's another thing I need to try to do if I go down that route.

I was also thinking if I do not get a new cover and improve the existing polytunnel of buying a new one but that would be more expense soo not sure if that would be better in the long run or not.

The third option is to buy a polycarbonate greenhouse to replace the Polytunnel of which I can pick up one quite cheap but not sure if I would get away with replacing the Polytunnel with a Greenhouse due to the space and also I already have a Polytunnel

One more thing to consider is that the plot is exposed and in the middle of the allotment site. Which option would people go for and any advice of what I should do? Thanks in Advance

[unclefudgly]

If your frame is galvanized it would be worth getting a proper polythene cover, which should last you at least 5 years.

[lottie dolly]

depends on what frame your old one is,galvanized i believe are a thicker strong tube,so go for what uncle says,but remember to get some hot spot tape for the frame,now if its a thinner painted,coated frame,i would only cover it with netting as a cage for protecting crops.
Mark,there are lots of how to/hint/tips both on here and on the net,so nothing for you to worry about,there is always a body to help out on here, when you know what path to take

[MarkHackwell]

depends on what frame your old one is,galvanized i believe are a thicker strong tube,so go for what uncle says,but remember to get some hot spot tape for the frame,now if its a thinner painted,coated frame,i would only cover it with netting as a cage for protecting crops.
Mark,there are lots of how to/hint/tips both on here and on the net,so nothing for you to worry about,there is always a body to help out on here, when you know what path to take

I believe mine is galvanised One problem I have is that the tubes of the polytunnel fit into a metal frame at the bottom of the polytunnel and run the length of the Polytunnel. Would I need to take this off to put anchor plates in and then the timber base rail or could I just attach the timber base rail ignoring these?

[bario1]

I think you could ignore the frame running along the ground if you were going to bury your cover to secure it... but if you're planning on base rails, then you will need to attach the frame to the ground somehow or the whole thing will take off in high winds.
Is a commercial quality tunnel completely out of your budget? I got a small one from F@rst Tunnels and I've never regretted the expense, it's stood through hurricane force winds dozens of times and is as good as new, and the kit was relatively easy to put up.

[MarkHackwell]

I think you could ignore the frame running along the ground if you were going to bury your cover to secure it... but if you're planning on base rails, then you will need to attach the frame to the ground somehow or the whole thing will take off in high winds.
Is a commercial quality tunnel completely out of your budget? I got a small one from F@rst Tunnels and I've never regretted the expense, it's stood through hurricane force winds dozens of times and is as good as new, and the kit was relatively easy to put up.

I don't particularly want to spend too much money but at the same time I don't want to do the Polytunnel up and then have it take off or possibly break. I was thinking of buying a new polytunnel if I could afford the expense and it's looking as if doing it that way might be around the same price. Also as it's in an exposed area I'm also quite worried that the wind might tip it over like what happened last year and I lose all my crop

[bario1]

You know what to do, Mark.

[MarkHackwell]

You know what to do, Mark.

Splashing the cash on the new one is the thing thats holding me back lol Also not sure where to get a decent one and also not sure what sort of cover I need or anything :L

[bario1]

Well, I wouldn't want to encourage you to spend money you don't have, but like I say, I've never regretted buying a good quality one. Mine's 12' by 6' and cost about £400. If you buy from an online specialist like First or Premier they'll deliver a kit to you, with the polythene and everything... as long as you put it up correctly, it should last forever, and you only need to replace the polythene every 5-10 years (about £60 for one my size).

[lottie dolly]

have a look at first tunnels site,it will tell you all you need regards the difference between the plastic covers,how to measure the amount and size you will need,they also have a video of putting on the cover,in fact,on utube there are lots of other peeps experience of how to,type in make your own poly tunnel,my thoughts are,if your frame IS the strong one,then just get a cover ext and make your own,our lotty site is exposed,only 1 tunnel,apart from flyaways has flew off,only because it was not fastened down,i have a makeshift through together one at home,the cover is used stuff with holes in it,and it stood well,anyway up,have a look around the net and get more familiar with how other peeps do things,

[Potstubsdustbins]

Mark about half way down this page is a thread called 'scaffolding tubes and blue plastic pipe' which you may find interesting.

[unclefudgly]

I believe mine is galvanised One problem I have is that the tubes of the polytunnel fit into a metal frame at the bottom of the polytunnel and run the length of the Polytunnel. Would I need to take this off to put anchor plates in and then the timber base rail or could I just attach the timber base rail ignoring these?

If you decide to go the fix-up route, all you would need to do is to this - first secure current frame to the ground at each corner by zip tying frame to a post you gave knocked into the ground by at least 18". I used those 10mm cheap fencing pins (£15 for 10) to secure, and very good they are! link.
Then build a base rail frame around your polytunnel using whatever timber you can source. Buy good polythene cover, (mine was £80 for 6m x 3m polyunnel) and stretch over frame and secure on base rail with 1x 1/2 batons, leaving enough polythene to also dig in by a foot or so. You will need to build a door, but not very hard. Then your tunnel should be good for 5 years and cost you £80-100 depending on scavenging skills

[MarkHackwell]

If you decide to go the fix-up route, all you would need to do is to this - first secure current frame to the ground at each corner by zip tying frame to a post you gave knocked into the ground by at least 18". I used those 10mm cheap fencing pins (£15 for 10) to secure, and very good they are! link.
Then build a base rail frame around your polytunnel using whatever timber you can source. Buy good polythene cover, (mine was £80 for 6m x 3m polyunnel) and stretch over frame and secure on base rail with 1x 1/2 batons, leaving enough polythene to also dig in by a foot or so. You will need to build a door, but not very hard. Then your tunnel should be good for 5 years and cost you £80-100 depending on scavenging skills

Thanks for that advice Im just a bit worried about the frame structure itself being honest, so considering going down the road of buying a new polytunnel (maybe) so that way I then don't need to worry about it at all for a few years . Then I could turn this polytunnel into a cage of some sort. Still thinking about what is the best option as I don't want to spend money like I did last year buying a cheapy cover to have to do improvements again the year after and further years.

[lottie dolly]

Mark,how big is the frame in question,if it's the nice fat galvanised,then yes it is worth the effort in,transforming it,if done as recommended it WILL last,it will also maybe make you want a bigger wider tunnel,just a thought,i am a very penny pinching gardener,especially for the lottie

[MarkHackwell]

Mark,how big is the frame in question,if it's the nice fat galvanised,then yes it is worth the effort in,transforming it,if done as recommended it WILL last,it will also maybe make you want a bigger wider tunnel,just a thought,i am a very penny pinching gardener,especially for the lottie

It was one of these Woodside Polytunnel Greenhouse Galvanised Steel Frame Poly Tunnel Pollytunnel | eBay

Its the 3m length by 2m wide one. I put a new green cover on it last year but it took off which makes me wonder if the structure is actually 'sound'.