Polytunnels - where is yours from and how has it survived so far?

[purplekat]

I'm currently saving up for a polytunnel and have no idea where to start. In my dreams it will be a 12 x 20ft but that plan is likely to be downsized at some point (especially as it will be at the allotment).

My plot is fairly exposed, but all the websites seem to say that their products are able to survive storms. I ideally want one with base rails, rather than having to dig a trench (bad back means I struggle digging), but am a bit worried that it would leave it more exposed to wind damage. I am going to be installing a bit of a windbreak but don't know how much protection that will give.

Then there are all the extra rails you can get/types of door etc. What are people experiences with the different styles/add ons?

[Small pumpkin]

Go have a look at first tunnels website. I have one of there's 12 x 20 and yes it's in an exposed spot. I have base rails brilliant things. I don't quite understand why you think they would increase the risk of wind damage. My tunnel is in it's 3rd year now and it has stood up to some very strong winds/ storms over that time.
If you're in an exposed spot I would definitely go for anchor plats, crop bars, twin support kit, up grade tube size.
Personally I wouldn't go for sliding doors I would have hinged.
I also found the ground cover and staging kit very useful.
Hope this helps

[roitelet]

Mine came from Serres Tonneau. Don't know if they are available in the UK. Really strong frames and the covers are tough as well. I have had mine about 5 years and a friend inherited one and the cover lasted at least 12 years. Mine has lower side panels that roll up. With hind sight I would not go for them again but would have a door at each end for ventilation. It has base rails and the anchors are long and are screwed into the ground with a special tool which is provided as part of the kit. Expensive but you get what you pay for.

[Alison]

The thing is with polytunnels us that there is a lot of variety re quality. On an exposed site a cheapo blow away won't last a season but people still call them polytunnels. If you get a proper one from the likes of First Tunnels it will cost more but will happily withstand gales. I have base rails and they're fine.

[MarkPelican]

Mines from Solar Tunnels and its 12 years old. The cover has its first split this year when I thumped it with a lump of wood from inside.

[purplekat]

I don't quite understand why you think they would increase the risk of wind damage.

Maybe I'm misunderstanding how base rails work but wind obviously can't get under a polytunnel cover if the side plastic is dug into a trench in the ground. With base rails surely there is a small gap under the rail that it can?

I've looked at First, Premier and Northern and all look really good. But obviously as they are in the business of selling them, so are going to say nice things about their products, and they all seem to think theirs are the best.

[purplekat]

Mines from Solar Tunnels and its 12 years old. The cover has its first split this year when I thumped it with a lump of wood from inside.

Thanks, I'd not seen those before so they're now added to my shortlist

[Small pumpkin]

I left about half a meter of plastic sticking out the bottom of the base rail ( didn't cut it flush with the rail) then I just lifted the turf or dragged back the gravel ( depending which side of the tunnel I was on) lay the plastic down covered it over again very little digging. Before I covered it I layed my ground sheet so the turf / gravel is pinning that down tight at the same time. I did stab lots of holes in the plastic that was to be laying under the turf / gravel so I didn't end up with a moat around my tunnel. Wind & weed free tunnel.

[MarkPelican]

Thanks, I'd not seen those before so they're now added to my shortlist

I think the Solar Tunnels polytunnels are different to those from most providers in that the covers fit to base rails rather than being laid over the frame and buried in the ground. My cover is also the sort with "little green squares" (much more substantial than the things you get with cheap blow-away greenhouses but similar in appearance). I've often wondered whether there would be more light if it was clear/white plastic. Its held down with screw-in anchors and my better half and I have (once) picked the whole thing up and moved it full assembled when we changed the garden and wanted it somewhere else.

[purplekat]

Its held down with screw-in anchors and my better half and I have (once) picked the whole thing up and moved it full assembled when we changed the garden and wanted it somewhere else.

They sound like they are pretty good anchors if it's light enough to move in one piece!

[MarkPelican]

They sound like they are pretty good anchors if it's light enough to move in one piece!

I didn't say it was light! Its only 20ft x 10ft but because its a "solid" structure I seem to remember it moved quite easily.

[land_girl_dani]

We got our allotment polytunnel from Northern Polytunnels, easy to build with paper and video instructions and they are quite pleasant to deal with. Especially since we had never owned one before. All alluminium too, no cutting wood so that's what stood out to me.