Replacement polytunnel cover advice

[NickG]

Hi.

I purchased my first polytunnel last year and after moving it this year to another plot I have noticed that the clear plastic between the green netting has started to split in a number of areas. This may be a result of my having it too tight to be fair although I know these type of covers have a limited life span.

I am looking at now having to prepare to recover it either this year or in the spring next year. The frame is a thicker like type so was going to reuse this as it is quite sturdy.

The polytunnel is the feelgooduk polytunnel which is a 3x2x2m frame with a door which is framed. I wanted to ask for advice on where best and reasonable priced you would recommend getting a second cover from.

I did consider buying a replacement one from the manufacturer but don't want to have to keep doing this every other year.

I wanted to ask if it would be worth getting some clear plastic cover from somewhere and putting it over the cover that is currently in place, or if I should remiv3 completely at the end of the season and cover the frame from start.

Hope that makes sense, look forward to some advice

[bario1]

Hi Nick,

I wouldn't put a second cover over the first if I were you, sounds messy. If the current cover will last till the end of the season, I'd leave it till then, remove in the Autumn and re-cover next Spring. You can buy proper horticultural plastic from polytunnel suppliers, but have you thought about how you'll attach it to the frame? Most commercial tunnels have wooden door frames that the plastic can be stapled to once tensioned... personally, I think you'd be better off with a replacement from the manufacturer, or save up and buy a commercial quality tunnel that'll last 5-10 years between covers.

[Thelma Sanders]

On most of the major polytunnel sites there are calculators that tell you how much you need to order to recover a tunnel by typing in its measurements.
That way you can easily compare prices between sites. Any of their covers will be better, and last much longer, than the green mesh ones.
My green cover only just lasted into its second year as well

I'd repair it for now with polytunnel repair tape and then replace it when the summer crops are out of the way.