[animal mad]

I have made a polytunnel frame from an old trampoline and are now looking for a cover, has anyone got any ideas, is it worth paying out for proper polytunnel cover ?

[baldy-bob]

It really is worth shelling out for a proper UV cover. I've just built a 7' x 12' polytunnel this summer and the polythene cost me £65 from First tunnels. It should last 5years. If you put any old plastic up, you run the risk of it tearing in the winter winds. That stuff is just not up to the job. I had plenty of polythene left over as well, so I will be making some cloche's out of it.

[GrannieAnnie]

It will probably last you longer than the 5 years.

in 2006 we bought a 2nd hand polytunnel.  The adivce generally is the poly shouldn't be re-used.  The polytunnel was already 5 years old and now we've had it for 6.  Okay, there are rips in it which I've repaired, but the worst rips were, rats eting through the polythene, One top piece not having hotspot tape and the poly melted, and chickens pecking when they were let in there the other year because the weather was so wet!

[animal mad]

Ok thanks any type best or are they all basically the same

[carlrmj]

 Gardman sell polythene which can be used to make a polytunnel


  Gardman Polythene Sheet - (2m wide - sold per metre) £1.19 per m

 also Harrod Horticulture 2.6m wide -sold per metre

 Price: £2.00 per m

  Cheers Carl

[ivor mace]

Visqueen polythene make one called Luminance which blocks some of the far red light so it keeps cooler

There's another poly tunnel cover manufacturer that make the equivalent to Luminance called Sunmaster.

I've used both and they are well worth the money because heat on a sunny day is one of the biggest problems in poly tunnel growing.  Big doors each end are a must.
Regards
Ivor Mace   

[finleyfreyaseth]

is this any good for polytunnels etc
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/GENUINE-VISQUEEN-TEMPORARY-POLYTHENE-SHEETING-4m-x-25m-FREE-POSTAGE-/180888855193?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&var=480140830300&hash=item2a1dd0e299

[Trillium]

I wouldn't recommend construction/indoor poly as it's very IV sensitive and you'll find it becoming weak, even breaking apart by the end of the first summer. I use it to line my 2ft high raised beds and any bits that stick up above the soil are soon brittle and falling to pieces.

[mumofstig]

That doesn't appear to be UV stabilised so will indeed be 'temporary' as it is listed.

that's a snap Trillium!