[Middlesexbloke]

I have a plastic polytunnel on my allotment, it's in it's 2nd year now and today one of the door zips has gone. Am slightly stressed lol, what can I do to fix this? I'm thinking of replacing the zip door with a wooden framed one, does anyone have any good, detailed instructions on how to do this? Cheers.

[Middlesexbloke]

Hi, I have a 4m x 2m polytunnel on my allotment which is in its 2nd year. It has a zippered, roll-up door and today one of the zips went. I've looked for replacement covers online but they are all sold out 'til June! What can I do? Was thinking of replacing the zip door with a wood frame door, does anyone have a link to a good construction guide or has anyone done this themselves? Thank you 😀

[Steveharford]

Yes I've done this with a few lengths of 3x2 for the frame and same for the door. Just cut the plastic door off and fix it to the new door which is hung inside the frame. Finding something to fix the frame to is the only awkward bit but it's surprising what you can do with some cable ties in a howling gale when the job can't wait! I would take a pic but these phone pics are always too big to attach here.
Edit: changing to a rigid door which you can swing open normally instead of faffing with the zip makes using the pt a lot more pleasurable so I would recommend it.

[snow white]

I will take some pictures and post them.

[Middlesexbloke]

Thank you for the replies  Have a few more questions, how much 3x2 would I need? What do I attach the polytunnel cover to the wood with? I think I could get this job done in an afternoon if given some pics/diagrams, if any of you could help with this I'd be massively grateful! Won't be able to do the repairs til Sunday now, hopefully no gales in the meantime lol...

[barley]

when mine broke I used cable ties on one side of zip to make a loop and on other side of zip I used old hooks off hanging baskets ( also attached with a cable tie ) you will need to make a small hole in the plastic to do this attach at least 6 hooks so you can do it up from top to bottom

you can then link the 2 sides together - it does leave a small gap but better than leaving it wide open

it won't last forever but it will get you through this season

I no longer have a zip up blow away greenhouse ( waste of money  )

[mumofstig]

Look at this, it may help

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[3 allotments]

Yes i had the same problem so i put a door and frame at both ends with an autovent

[Middlesexbloke]

Looks good 3 allotments, any chance you could run through how you made the doors? I've got a fair idea but don't want to mess it up lol.

[3 allotments]

Yes i uesd 2x3 wood, cut top and bottom just wider than the opening, 2x 8foot uprights. 6 foot up i put another piece across so the window can close on it and added a bayliss autovent opener screw hinges to top piece of frame.I used bits of flat metal to bend over top of hoop and screwed to frame front and back,then bits of thin wood to nail plastic to frame on the uprights,simples  :lol:then made another frame smaller for the door and clad it with a sheet of clear corrugated plastic, took me couple  of hours,good luck 

[Middlesexbloke]

Great stuff, thank you for that  Doesn't sound too difficult, famous last words hehe...will nip up to my local B&Q in the morning to get all the materials together. The bits of metal you used to attach the door frame to the top of the hoop, what are they called? P clips?

[Middlesexbloke]

Thank you Barley for your reply. I'm going to put a timber frame door in next week and get rid of the zip door altogether like many people seem to do with these types of polytunnel. The quality of the cover isn't amazing but I had so much produce from my tunnel last year that I wouldn't live without it now!

[m1ckz]

ebay have the covers in stock 4x2 42 pound free delivery

[3 allotments]

Great stuff, thank you for that  Doesn't sound too difficult, famous last words hehe...will nip up to my local B&Q in the morning to get all the materials together. The bits of metal you used to attach the door frame to the top of the hoop, what are they called? P clips?

Yes p clips will do the job i used old joist hanging brackets and cut them to size.darren

[mumofstig]

Merged your 2 topics Middlesexbloke so the answers are together.

It's easier for all of us if you just post the question once