Polytunnels have quickly become the structure of choice for everyone, from experienced commercial growers throughout the world to first time hobby gardeners looking to purchase their first polytunnels....

Polytunnel

Polytunnels, or "plastic greenhouses", were originally designed as a cost effective replacement for glasshouses and this still holds good today with the equivalent cost per square metre/foot of floor area considerably less. By using one complete sheet of polythene to cover the whole structure, polytunnels offer reduced draughts – and there are no panes of glass to break. These plastic greenhouses provide a growing environment suitable for most plants, with reduced heating costs and lower maintenance. Millions of commercial growers throughout the world have relied on polytunnels for many years to produce crops at a cost and a quality that will return a profit.

There is a continuous development in the commercial and garden polytunnel, and especially in polythene of which Premier Polytunnels are at the leading edge.

Why choose Premier Polytunnels?

When a bird goes “cheep” it wants attention. When a polytunnel goes cheap it needs attention! A ‘Premier’ polytunnel, however, just stands there quietly year after year while you tend your plants. Quality is not cheap, but it does offer excellent value! To buy cheap is to buy twice.

The quality and materials of our polytunnels cannot be matched. Our specialist and improved design is the only one to include all of the following AS STANDARD:

LARGER diameter hoops than our competitors, THE UK’s ONLY, NEW 5-layer Thermal Anti Drip polythene cover, WIDE ‘wheelbarrow’ doors, and UNIVERSAL fixing brackets for ease of construction.

A family business with more than 25 years experience, we are experts in polytunnel design and development – A Rolls Royce trained engineer, Martin Wood of Premier Polytunnels is the man responsible for bringing you many of the polytunnel design innovations since 1991, including Anchor Plates which have been successfully used for many years and are now used by many other companies.

All of our polytunnels, cloches, and fruit and veg cages are manufactured in-house by our highly skilled and experienced team and are regularly updated and tested on our design and development site.

But we don’t just offer the highest quality product at a great price – We also understand the importance of offering a ‘Premier’ service, including after sales support.

Premier Polytunnels are proud to be the ONLY polytunnel company to offer an out of hours Construction Advice Helpline, 7 days a week until 9pm. And when you contact us you can be sure to speak to the boss!

A polytunnel is a great investment which will last the grower for years and years, so why not visit our Show Site in Lancashire to see and feel the quality of our products for yourself, meet the team and pick our brains. You can also click here to see what our customers say about us.

What does a standard polytunnel kit include?

All ‘Premier’ polytunnels are supplied as a complete unit ready for assembly onto a soil base. Our standard kits include an all-steel framework – made from Z35 high tensile galvanised steel and using larger diameter hoops than our competitors – including foundation tubes, hoops, corner stabilisers, and ridge. Kits for garden polytunnels include a timber door frame and hinged door at the front end and a timber end frame with a dummy door at the rear end, and kits for commercial polytunnels include timber door frames and hinged double doors at each end. All kits also include a full Thermal Anti Drip polythene cover.

When comparing prices with other polytunnel companies, please be aware that unlike many of our competitors, you do not need to add doors/end frames and a cover to your order to complete your ‘Premier’ polytunnel.

A full range of additions are also available and are highly recommended to enable you to customise and enhance your polytunnel to suit the needs of your chosen plants. Additions include Anchor Plate kits, Crop Bar kits, Storm Strengthening kits, Triple Ridge kits, and Timber Base Rail kits.

All of our polytunnels and cloches are manufactured in-house by our highly skilled and experienced team, and are regularly updated and tested on our design and development site.

Why is there a big price difference between some polytunnel suppliers?

Polytunnels are available in a variety of shapes and sizes and using a range of different materials, therefore it is important to remember when comparing prices with other companies that “you only get what you pay for”. The polytunnels available on auction websites or pre-packed on the shelves of garden centres for around £50.00 are only suitable to be used as temporary covers for short periods of time on sheltered sites – These plastic greenhouses will not stand up to being placed on a permanent site because of the lack of structural stability and the unsuitable polythene covers. “Real” polytunnels vary in price depending on what is included in a standard kit, for example; the size of steel hoops, the type of polythene cover and doors/end frames, VAT, and delivery charges – Always check before you buy and don’t miss those extra charges on our competitors’ websites!

There is no such thing as a "like for like" comparison with a 'Premier' polytunnel.... The quality and materials of our polytunnels cannot be matched.

How are polytunnels constructed?

Polytunnel construction has remained the same since their inception and has proved reliable, simple and effective. Sections of Z35 high tensile galvanised steel hoops are placed at regular intervals and held together with steel stabilisers and ridge – similar to putting up a tent. Polytunnels are normally placed straight onto a soil base with the only preparation being a simple site clearance. Sloping ground is easily accommodated as long as the polytunnel ends are in-line with the slope. At Premier Polytunnels we have designed a simple clamping system, which is used almost universally throughout the structure, and this allows fully adjustable fixing and no worries about using the wrong bracket for the wrong job. For a standard polytunnel, a trench is dug around the outside of the framework and the one-piece cover is buried into the trench, resulting in a structure firmly anchored to the ground. Most importantly, the polythene cover should be as taut as possible.

A polytunnel is not a difficult structure to build - Constructing a standard garden polytunnel really is a two person job for a still, warm weekend.

Some of our competitors may offer an instructional DVD or online/YouTube videos, but when it comes to constructing your ‘Premier’ polytunnel we are confident that our simple and user-friendly design will allow even the most novice DIY-er to build their polytunnel without any problems.

Premier Polytunnels supply a detailed Construction Guide with every polytunnel, which includes step-by-step instructions and accompanying photographs. Together with the Construction Guide, our customers receive a detailed ‘Polytunnel Parts Check List’ to help them identify each polytunnel part. (Take your Construction Guide out to your garden or allotment with you for reference, and don’t worry about having to run back inside the house to rewind your DVD!)

And most importantly, Premier Polytunnels are proud to be the ONLY polytunnel company to offer an out of hours Construction Advice Helpline, 7 days a week until 9pm. So if you do have any queries or questions, or if you just want a little bit of personal reassurance when building your ‘Premier’ polytunnel, we are only a telephone call away with all the answers!

View the most commonly asked polytunnel construction questions and our expert answers via the Construction page of our website.

Do polytunnels blow away?

No. It is a common misconception that a piece of polythene stretched over a frame could never resist a British winter. Many people believe that they cannot have a polytunnel as their garden or allotment is a very windy site - But there is no need to worry. Commercial growers, whose livelihoods depend on polytunnels, would not accept a structure that disappeared over the nearest hill in a gust of wind just when their tender shoots are at their most susceptible. If constructed according to the instructions, a polytunnel will give many years of uninterrupted use. When constructing a polytunnel it is important to ensure that the framework is well anchored to the ground and, most importantly, that the polythene cover is tight - Everything else has a huge margin for error.

For those sites exposed to extreme weather conditions, we recommend purchasing Anchor Plates, Timber Base Rails, Crop Bars, Triple Ridges, and P Clips to act as Storm Strengthening collars.

What can a polytunnel be used for?

A polytunnel is designed for use as a plastic greenhouse and should be used to nurture plants just as you would in a glasshouse. However, over the years their uses have covered a multiple of customer requirements and, if you can think of anything that requires protection from the elements, then a polythene tunnel is an economical alternative. Swimming pool covers are a popular alternative.

What is the life expectancy of a polytunnel?

There is no reason why our polytunnel frameworks, which are all made from Z35 high tensile galvanised steel hoops, would not last 20 years and more. The polythene cover will need replacing periodically, although the polythene supplied by Premier Polytunnels has been developed with resistance against polythene’s deadliest enemy – sunlight. The additives in a polytunnel cover prevent UV degradation for up to 4-5 years and it is not uncommon for a cover to last 8-10 years. The cost of a replacement cover is minimal.

Can I move or extend my polytunnel?

Yes. A polytunnel can be moved and extended, although we would suggest this is done when the polythene cover requires replacing in order to keep costs down.

What happens if my polythene tears?

The polythene used for polytunnel covers is very strong and will not readily tear or split. Puncture holes can appear when contact with a sharp object occurs, but splits do not radiate outwards from these holes as they do with glass. Tears are easily repaired with a UV resistant repair tape and there is no reason why the cover will not last its full term.

Can I heat my polytunnel?

Yes. You can heat a polytunnel the same as you would heat a glasshouse. Heat must not be directed at the polythene. Gas, electric, solid fuel, free standing or suspended heating units are all suitable. Using fleece and bubble insulation, sectioning off an area inside your polytunnel, or using a Polythene Cloche to "double glaze" your polytunnel will reduce heating costs.

Why do Overhead Irrigation systems vary in price and design?

Polytunnel Irrigation

All Premier Polytunnels’ Overhead Irrigation systems are designed for domestic and small commercial use, with the systems being fed from a tap and hose pipe and without the use of storage tanks or pumps. This limits the supply of water available due to the size of hose used, the distance from the tap, and the water pressure – These limitations vary considerably from area to area. With this in mind, our unique overhead watering systems are designed to work under most, if not all, circumstances with a single or twin line.

For further information about our standard Overhead Irrigation kits, please click here.

We also offer upgraded Premier Irrigation kits.

A watering system that does not work can be very costly to you and your plants, therefore Premier Polytunnels have designed systems that work under all circumstances, no matter how big the polytunnel. The different systems necessary to bring water to your plants contain a varying amount of materials – hence the variation in price.

How will my polytunnel be delivered?

Polytunnels up to approximately 30ft long are delivered in disassembled bundles and boxes via a nationwide courier. Larger units and most commercial polytunnels may be delivered on pallets. A garden polytunnel is normally received within 1-3 days of placing an order, however this may increase to 7-10 days during the busy period (February to May). A commercial polytunnel is normally received within 1 week of placing an order, however this may increase during the busy season. A polytunnel is dispatched on Next Day Service. At the time of dispatch, our dedicated Dispatch team will contact customers by e-mail (or telephone, if requested) to advise them that their order has left our warehouse. Premier Polytunnels will endeavour to accommodate any special delivery requests.

Delivery of a polytunnel is FREE to Mainland UK, excluding some areas of the Scottish Highlands. Offshore destinations in the UK (islands and Northern Ireland), and addresses in the Republic of Ireland and France will incur a delivery surcharge. Please see our Delivery page for further details.

If you have any queries or questions regarding delivery, please do not hesitate to contact us.

What is the 5-layer technology used in Premier Polytunnels' polythene films?

Sophisticated polythene films contain a number of special chemical additives which make up the many properties of the films. These include light diffusion, stabilisation against UV breakdown, thermal and anti drip properties, blocking of ultra violet radiation, anti mist, and others. In addition, the films are often produced using more than one base resin.

Until the introduction of multi-layer extruders more than 25 years ago, the additives and resins were all mixed in together in the one and only layer that was available at the time.

However, among the additives there are those which are incompatible or, when mixed together, give undesirable results such as haziness or reduced transparency. It was recognised that for a polythene film to be as efficient as possible it was necessary for a particular additive to perform on the upper or lower layer of the film and not randomly wherever it was found.

The multi-layer co-extrusion technology (first 2-layers and, later, 3-layers) allowed polythene producers, to a certain extent, to place materials where they need to be. It also allowed them to separate particular additives that were incompatible into different layers.

In 2001, Premier Polytunnels’ polythene extruders installed the first (and only one in the world) large-size 5-layer extruder, allowing the additives within the film to be divided more evenly still – making for an even more efficient polytunnel cover.

Is the timber used Forest Stewardship Council approved?

Yes, all the timber supplied by Premier Polytunnels is FSC approved and is always traceable back to source. The batten we use is Scandinavian soft wood and is tanalised. Other timber used is soft wood tanalised (green) timber from Scandinavia or Scotland. All the timber is pressure treated with a wood preserver to protect against rot.

Do I need planning permission for a polytunnel?

Normally you do not need planning permission for a domestic size/garden polytunnel. However, the permitted development regulations (the rules for what does and does not need planning permission) changed in October 2008, therefore it is always best that you contact your local planning authority if you have any doubts.

If the polytunnel meets with any of the following criteria, you should contact your local planning department to determine if planning permission is required (it will not be required in all cases):

If the polytunnel would have any part forward of the front of the house.
If the polytunnel would be more than 3m in height.
If the polytunnel would be within 2m of the boundary of the site and would be more than 2.5m in height.
If the polytunnel will result in more than 50% of the area around the house being covered by buildings or structures that were not part of the original house.
If the site on which you intend to construct the polytunnel has a listed building or is in a Conservation Area, a National Park, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, or the Norfolk or Suffolk Broads – There are further restrictions to planning within these areas.
If the polytunnel would be for commercial use or any other use that is not "incidental to the enjoyment of the dwellinghouse."

If you want to build a large commercial polytunnel or more than one tunnel, or if you have any queries or questions, please contact your local planning department for further advice.

For further information about planning permission, please click here.

Manufacturer Specifications and Scale Drawings available from Premier Polytunnels on request.

What is VAT?

VAT (Value Added Tax) is a tax that is charged on most goods and services provided by VAT registered businesses in the UK. Companies add VAT to the sale price of most goods and services that they provide to other businesses and to the general public/non-business customers.

In January 2011, the Government raised the VAT rate to 20%.

Therefore, if a customer purchases an item for £100.00, a VAT registered company will charge VAT at a rate of 20% meaning that the total price the customer pays is £120.00 with the extra £20.00 going to the Government.

I still have a question.

Please do not hesitate to contact us by e-mail at info@premierpolytunnels.co.uk or by telephone on 01282 811250. We will be happy to answer any further queries or questions you may have regarding our polytunnels, polytunnel accessories, and polythene covers.

All prices shown are inclusive of VAT

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