| Why Buy a Polytunnel? |
| A Polytunnel can give you a Mediterranean or even Tropical climate right in your garden. Grow exotic fruit and vegetables and enjoy traditional fruit and vegetables out of season. Because a polytunnel encloses a larger volume of air than a greenhouse, a polytunnel stays warmer longer, providing a frost free environment for a greater proportion of the year. For an even longer growing season, bubble insulation can be used or the polytunnel can be heated. Another big advantage is shelter from wind and rain - for your plants and you! |
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| Robust and Economical |
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For the same price as a small greenhouse you can buy a large polytunnel. Polytunnels are also a safer alternative to glass houses. The polythene cover lasts 5 to 7 years and replacement covers generally cost about 20% of the complete polytunnel i.e. less than 4% of the tunnel price per year.
Tanalised timber posts are supplied for each end of the frame and the
polythene cover is attached to these. A roll up type door closure is
provided (extra door blind £12). Hinged wooden door kits can be
supplied as an option (£50). |
| Complete Polytunnel Kits from Knowle Nets |
| Supplied as a complete
package consisting of steel
frame, polythene cover,
timber door frames, door
blind and full instructions. We supply
4 widths;
2.5m (8ft),
3.0m (10ft),
3.5m (11½ft),
4.0m (13ft).
Hoop spacing 1.2m (4ft) for
a strong frame. |
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| The Framework |
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We use steel for the framework as this gives the strength required at an economical cost.
The wind resistance of a Polytunnel is much higher than a Fruit Cage. We heavily galvanise the inside and the outside of the
tubing to give it a long life. The main framework is 25mm (1 inch) diameter and the foundation tubes are 32mm (1¼ inches)
with a polythene retensioning system. The hoops are spaced at 1.2m (4 feet) intervals, connected by tubes along the ridge. The four corners also have brace bars at a height of about 0.9m (3 ft). |
| Polythene Cover |
Our standard cover is a heavy 150 micron Thermal polythene
with UVI inhibitors giving a life expectancy of approximately 5 to 7 years.
It has been designed specifically for the UK where low light levels are
common. Light is transmission approximately 88%.
As an option the cover can be upgraded to 180 micron UV blocking polythene
which has all the advantages of our standard film but also blocks ultra violet light.
The major advantage of this is for organic growers because it reduces Mildew, Botrytis and insect attack as
insects only see in ultra violet.
A further option is that the frame can be lined with 20mm wide anti
hot spot tape which insulates the polythene from the steel tubing to
give more even polythene wear, and extend the life.
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