Allotment Gardening Advice Help Chat

Growing => Growing in Greenhouses & Polytunnels => Topic started by: Lulu on March 09, 2019, 21:17

Title: Hotspot tape
Post by: Lulu on March 09, 2019, 21:17

Like Goose I am thinking of getting a small polytunnel, just noticed something called Hotspot tape is often bought with it - what is it for - I'm thinking vulnerable areas of wear?

Title: Re: Hotspot tape
Post by: Pescador on March 10, 2019, 08:31

Hot spot tape is used to help prolong the life of the plastic cover.
The metal structure of a polytunnel will heat up in the sunlight more than the surrounding air. This means that the plastic sheet that is in direct contact with the framework  will become hotter than the area of the sheet not in contact. As a result that part of the sheet can start to breakdown faster.

To prevent this, Hot Spot tape is used, for example, on the outer side of each metal hoop, so that the plastic doesn't come into direct contact with the hoop.

Title: Re: Hotspot tape
Post by: Lulu on March 10, 2019, 13:31

Thanks, this is really useful information, I am guessing then you need to get wide enough for the hoops.  So the shopping list should include the polytunnel, anchorage and hotspot tape.  Anything else do you think?

Title: Re: Hotspot tape
Post by: Pescador on March 10, 2019, 14:39

Plenty of beer/wine/cider. Got to keep your fluid intake up.

Title: Re: Hotspot tape
Post by: grinling on March 13, 2019, 20:07

Polytunnels are anchored by the plastic being buried in the soil unlike the green sheeted greenhouses  which disintergrate after a few years and blow over easily

Title: Re: Hotspot tape
Post by: Plot94 on March 14, 2019, 16:43

I would also add repair tape, I find this essential for patching up any small tears (mainly caused by Seagulls down here on the coast  :tongue2:)
Both of my tunnels are anchored with a wooden frame connected to the steel hoops, this makes fitting much easier in my opinion and also much easier to change when you need to. Trenching is a good method but hard work if you need to get it off again.

Title: Re: Hotspot tape
Post by: Lulu on March 16, 2019, 07:54

Thanks this is al really useful stuff, I am only going to get a small one to begin with, and I think I will wait until all this wind has gone ::).  It will be trenched in - hadn't thought about the work to remove it. OH has promised me some big anchors for it.  Might ad a photo once it up but it's a few weeks away yet, got ground to clear.

Title: Re: Hotspot tape
Post by: Lulu on April 24, 2019, 20:59

Polytunnel is up - there is photo if it worked.