FAQ’S

Find answers to your questions about choosing, building and caring for your polytunnel.

Choosing your polytunnel

What size polytunnel should I choose?

Start with the space available, then plan your beds, paths and access. Think about what you want to grow and how you will move tools or a wheelbarrow inside. Send us your measurements and intended use if you would like help comparing suitable sizes.

Before choosing, sketch a simple layout showing beds, a main path, any staging and the door positions. Check that you can reach the centre of each bed and move comfortably when crops are fully grown. Measure the usable site rather than the whole garden, allowing for boundaries, obstacles and working space outside. This gives us a clearer starting point than floor area alone.

How much room should I leave around it?

Allow working space around the outside for construction, fitting the cover and future maintenance. Hinged doors need opening space, while sliding doors need clearance beside the opening. The space required depends on the model and fixing method, so check the construction guide before settling on a position.

Measure from the widest part of the proposed structure and consider anything alongside it, including hedges, fences, sheds and raised beds. Leave access to check and clean the cover without having to lean across it. If space is tight, send us a sketch with the boundary distances and proposed doors so we can discuss the layout before you commit.

What comes with the kit and which extras do I need?

Our basic polytunnel kit includes the hoops, central ridge, storm braces, corner stabilisers, standard hinged doors at both ends and a Super Therm polythene cover. Anti Hotspot Tape is also included to help protect the cover where it touches the metal framework.

You can then tailor your polytunnel to suit your site and growing plans using the options on each product page. The choices available depend on the model:

Foundations: Choose foundation tubes, anchor plates or screw anchors for suitable soil, or base plates for fixing to an existing timber or concrete base. The right choice depends on your ground conditions and installation method.
Cover Fixing: Secure the cover by trenching it into the ground, or choose timber or aluminium base rails to avoid trenching. Foundations anchor the frame; base rails secure the cover.
Alternative Covers: Super Therm is the standard growing cover. Smart White and net covers are available for uses where shade or reduced heat is preferred.
Additional Frame Support: Crop bars provide attachment points for crop supports, canes, nets and hanging baskets. Twin support braces add support along the tunnel’s length. Selected domestic models also offer a Super Upgrade with larger-diameter hoops.
Side Ventilation: Add ventilation to one or both sides to increase airflow. Timber and aluminium options are available, with an adjustable screen offered for compatible timber systems.
Door Upgrades: Choose sliding doors to save opening space, or wider and double doors where available for easier access with wheelbarrows and equipment
Ground Cover: Help suppress weeds and keep paths and growing areas tidy.
Staging Supports: Create a raised area for seed trays, pots and potting work. The staging legs and brackets support a worktop of your choice; the worktop is not included.
Irrigation: Add overhead watering, with an automatic timer option for scheduled watering.
Polytunnel Care Kit: Add cleaning products and repair tape to help maintain your cover.

You do not need every extra. Start by choosing suitable foundations and a cover fixing method, then consider access, ventilation and how you plan to grow. Timber base rails may already be selected in the configurator, so check your choices and order summary carefully.

If you are unsure, contact us before ordering. We can talk through your site and help you choose a specification that suits your needs.

Can I order a different size or alter the frame myself?

If your available space falls between our listed sizes, send us your measurements before ordering. We can discuss suitable options and help you make the most of your growing space.

Existing polytunnels can also be extended, refurbished or relocated. We recommend planning this work for when your cover needs replacing, as reusing the existing polythene is not recommended.

If you need replacement foundation tubes, crop bars or ridge tubes, our tube design service allows you to specify the dimensions and end fittings you require. If you are unsure which parts to choose, contact us for advice before ordering.

Please speak to us before cutting tubes, changing the frame’s shape or attaching your polytunnel to another structure. These alterations can affect its strength, the fit of the cover and your guarantee. We can help you explore suitable options before you make any changes.

Which doors should I choose?

Choosing the right doors is an important part of planning your polytunnel. Alongside ventilation, consider how much space you need to move comfortably through the entrance with wheelbarrows, tools or other equipment.

Our polytunnels come with a hinged door at each end as standard, providing convenient access and helping you manage airflow throughout the growing space.

Sliding doors are also available as an option. They are particularly useful where space is limited, as they slide alongside the polytunnel rather than needing room to swing open. They also avoid swinging in the wind, while our ground bolt system allows you to secure them at your preferred opening to adjust ventilation.

Our timber doors and frames are made from substantial timber for strength, rigidity and lasting performance, with bevelled edges for a smoother finish and comfortable handling.

Before choosing your doors, check the clear opening width and height, including the clearance beneath the top rail. If you need a replacement door, send us photographs and measurements of your existing frame so we can help you find a suitable option.

Prefer to make your own doors? If you have your own timber or would like to build a different door design, you can choose to exclude the timber doors and door frames from your order and receive a discount.

Can you help schools and community gardens choose a tunnel?

Yes. Tell us the available space, expected number of users and any access requirements. Include plans for raised beds, paths and teaching activities. We can discuss a specification and quotation; any funding, discount or payment arrangements need to be agreed for your project.

Preparing your site

What is the difference between foundation tubes, anchor plates and base plates?

Foundation tubes support the hoops in soil. Buried anchor plates help secure those tubes without concreting. Base plates fix the frame to a suitable timber or concrete base. Screw anchors are another soil option where ground conditions allow. The correct choice depends on the site and cover fixing method.

The foundation system and the cover fixing system do different jobs. Choosing base rails does not remove the need to anchor the frame. When asking us for advice, describe the ground beneath the proposed tunnel, whether it has recently been dug or filled, and whether you already have a concrete or timber base.

Do I need concrete?

Not every installation needs concrete. With a trenched cover, foundation tubes may be driven into suitable ground; for other configurations, foundation tubes may need concrete or an appropriate alternative anchoring system. Follow the instructions for your chosen model and ask us if the ground is loose, rocky or recently disturbed.

Can I install on a slope or uneven ground?

Yes. Our polytunnels can accommodate sloping ground, so your site does not have to be completely flat. A gradual slope running along the length of the polytunnel can be accommodated, provided the hoops remain upright and the framework follows an even slope.

Where the ground slopes across the width, the foundation tubes can be adjusted to keep each hoop level from side to side. Our construction instructions allow the foundations on the lower side to be raised by up to 15cm, with longer foundation tubes available where required.

If your site has a steeper slope or significant changes in level, send us photographs and measurements showing the fall along its length and across its width. We can help you choose suitable foundations and advise on any preparation needed before you start. Always follow the construction instructions for your chosen polytunnel and foundation system.

Can I install on concrete, paving or mixed surfaces?

A suitable concrete or timber base can use the appropriate base plates. Paving and mixed soil-and-hard-surface sites need individual assessment: the underlying base must hold the fixings securely. Send us photographs and dimensions before selecting foundations or arranging groundworks.

Should I choose a trenched cover or base rails?

A trenched cover is secured by burying the polythene in the ground. Timber or aluminium base rails secure the cover above ground and avoid the perimeter trench. Compare access for digging, ground conditions and future maintenance. Foundation anchoring remains a separate part of the installation.

Timber rails provide a treated wooden fixing surface, while aluminium rails offer a metal cover-fixing system. Compare the purchase cost and the fitting and maintenance instructions for the options available on your model. If you expect to replace the cover later, look through the recovering instructions as well. We can help compare the systems for your ground and available working space.

Do I need planning permission or allotment approval?

A garden polytunnel may be installed without a planning application where it meets the relevant permitted development rules. However, requirements depend on its location, size, height, position and intended use, so check with your local planning authority before ordering if you are unsure.

In England, the rules for domestic outbuildings include limits on height, proximity to boundaries and how much land around the house can be covered. Do not assume that a polytunnel qualifies for the height allowance for a dual-pitched roof. You can find more information in the Planning Portal’s outbuildings guidance. Different rules apply elsewhere in the UK.

Additional restrictions apply within the grounds of listed buildings and in protected locations, including conservation areas, National Parks and National Landscapes, formerly known as Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Allotment tenants should also check their tenancy agreement and site rules.

Agricultural and commercial projects can be subject to different planning requirements from domestic garden installations. If you are considering a large polytunnel or several structures, speak to your local planning authority about your proposed site and use before placing your order.

If you need drawings to support a planning application, we can provide scaled CAD elevation drawings for a small charge. This charge will be credited back if you order your polytunnel from us once planning permission has been granted. View an example of our elevation drawings, or contact us to discuss your requirements.

Construction and installation

Can I build it myself and how long will it take?

Basic DIY skills and suitable helpers can make self-build a practical option. Read the guide and watch the videos first. Ground conditions, size, foundation choice and weather all affect the work, so allow time for preparation and covering rather than relying on a single fixed build time.

Break the project into stages: setting out, foundations, framework, doors and rails, and covering. Read ahead so you know which stages need extra help or a suitable weather window. Unpack and identify the parts before starting, and check measurements as you go. A careful start can prevent having to alter the frame once later components are fitted.

How many people and what tools will I need?

Use your model’s guide for the tool list and arrange help for handling hoops and the cover. Measuring equipment, suitable digging tools, a drill and safe access equipment may be needed. Ask us about your chosen size before assuming that two people will be sufficient for every stage.

Can you build my polytunnel and how much does it cost?

We offer a construction service. Send us the tunnel specification, postcode and site photographs. Installation is quoted separately from the kit. Check availability before committing to a deadline.

To help us quote with fewer follow-up questions, include the width and length, your chosen foundations and cover fixing, door and ventilation options, and a photograph of the whole site. Say whether this is a new kit or an existing structure.

What must I prepare before your team arrives?

Agree the site preparation and access requirements when booking. Tell us about slopes, rubble, existing bases, restricted gates and any structure that needs removing. Confirm who is responsible for clearing the area, groundwork and disposal. Your written quotation should set out the agreed work.

Before the visit, make sure the agreed route to the site is accessible and explain where the team can park or unload. Identify any gates that need unlocking and provide a contact for questions on the day. Ask us before digging holes or setting tubes in concrete yourself: their positions and heights must suit the agreed specification. Discuss any known buried services before groundworks.

Can you recover an existing tunnel or finish a partly built one?

Contact us with photographs, measurements, the manufacturer if known, and details of the parts already on site. We can assess the proposed work before confirming whether we can help. A recovering job may also need new timber, doors, tape or fixings, rather than just a sheet of polythene.

Useful photographs include a view of the full tunnel, each end frame, the way the current cover is fixed and close-ups of damaged parts. Tell us whether the tunnel was supplied by First Tunnels and give the original order number if available. For a partly completed kit, list the work already done and any missing components. We will need to confirm the scope and availability before booking.

What weather is suitable for fitting the cover?

Choose calm, suitable conditions and follow your model’s covering instructions. Wind makes a large sheet difficult to control, while temperature affects tension. Ask us before covering in cold conditions. If the weather is unsuitable, keep the cover stored and wait for an appropriate opportunity.

Delivery

What are your current dispatch times?

Our delivery page currently lists dispatch within 1–3 working days for domestic tunnels, fruit cages, mini tunnels and accessories, including covers. Commercial tunnels are listed at 5–7 working days. Dispatch is when goods leave us; allow for the journey afterwards and check current timings before ordering.

Can I request a delivery date and do I need to be home?

Tell us your preferred date and when someone can accept the goods before dispatch. We will need to check what can be arranged with the carrier. A request is not a confirmed booking until agreed. Give us a contact number and explain any locked gates or limited opening hours.

What if access is narrow or unloading equipment is needed?

Tell us about narrow lanes, sharp turns, weight limits and gate widths before ordering. Ask us to confirm vehicle arrangements, package sizes and unloading requirements for your kit. Do not assume a truck-mounted forklift, smaller vehicle or help carrying items to the installation area is included.

For a restricted site, include the narrowest usable gate or lane width and any tight turns, overhead obstructions or limits on arrival times. Schools and allotments should explain who will open the site and where goods can be left. If you need a particular unloading method, tell us before dispatch so we can establish whether the carrier can provide it.

Will every package arrive together?

We always try to send all the packages in your order out together. However, orders can contain several separate packages, and these may sometimes arrive at different times or in separate deliveries. Check the delivery against your checklist. If anything is missing, send us your order number and details of what has arrived so we can check the consignment and advise you.

Keep a simple record of the package labels and the number received. A delivery notification may relate to one part of a consignment, so check the contents against the supplied checklist rather than assuming the whole kit is present. If a build is booked, check the parts in good time so a missing component can be investigated before work starts.

Do you deliver to islands, Northern Ireland or overseas?

Delivery availability and charges depend on the destination and products. Check the delivery page and obtain a quotation for your full postcode or country before ordering. We do not currently ship to the USA.

Can I store the kit before building it?

Ask us for storage advice if construction will be delayed. Keep the cover and smaller components protected from damage and retain identification labels and the checklist. Timber and packaged items may have different storage requirements, so confirm those instructions rather than leaving the complete delivery outdoors in its wrapping.

Replacement covers and spare parts

How do I measure for a replacement cover?

Measure the tunnel length, height and distance over the outside of a hoop from ground level on one side to ground level on the other. Tell us how the cover will be fixed. Use our cover calculator, or send the measurements to us for help selecting a sheet.

Use a flexible tape to follow the outside curve of the hoop; the straight distance across the floor is a different measurement. Record all dimensions in the same units and tell us about unusual end frames or altered hoop heights. For an older or second-hand tunnel, use the actual frame measurements rather than relying only on the size it was advertised as.

Does the cover size include the ends and fixing allowance?

Check that the sheet selected allows for your end frames and your chosen fixing method. Trenching needs additional material to bury; base rails have different requirements. If you are unsure about the calculator result, send it to us with your measurements before ordering. Separate door covering requirements should also be checked.

Our calculator asks whether the cover will be trenched or fixed to base rails. Its published allowance is 2m in total for trenching, or 1m in total for base rails. Enter the requested frame measurements without adding those allowances yourself, then review the calculated sheet size. Ask us to confirm end and door coverage for your arrangement before ordering.

Will your covers and parts fit another manufacturer’s tunnel?

A replacement sheet can be selected using the frame measurements and fixing arrangement. Fittings need closer checking. Send photographs, tube outside diameters and relevant dimensions before ordering clamps, doors or staging. Similar-looking parts and nominal sizes do not establish compatibility.

Measure the outside diameter of the tube at the point where the fitting will sit. For a replacement tube, include its overall length, end shape and any hole positions. A clear photograph with a ruler alongside the part can help. Please ask us to check an uncertain fit before ordering; a 50mm clamp should not be assumed to suit a tube measuring 52mm.

Can I reuse base rails and timber when recovering?

Check their condition and the requirements of the replacement cover system. Some existing components may be reusable, while damaged, corroded or rotten parts will need attention. Send photographs of the rails, doors, battens and fixings so we can help identify what is required.

How much anti hot spot tape should I order?

The amount depends on the frame size and the surfaces that need protecting. Check the guide for your tunnel and tell us the tube diameter, hoop count and tunnel length if you need help. Inspect existing tape when recovering and replace it where the instructions require.

Which cover should I choose and what guarantee applies?

Choose the cover for the intended use. Super Therm is our growing film and comes with a seven-year guarantee against sunlight degradation. Specialist covers have their own specifications and terms. Keep a piece showing the printed identification code and read the applicable guarantee; it is not a promise against every kind of damage.

Ventilation weather and maintenance

Are doors enough or do I need side ventilation?

This depends on the tunnel size, crops, position and how regularly you can open it. Discuss ventilation when choosing your specification. Keep access to doors and vents clear, and monitor conditions so you can adjust airflow. Existing tunnels may need an assessment before side ventilation is added.

Consider the hottest conditions your tunnel is likely to face and whether someone can attend to it during the day. A sunny position, dense planting or a sheltered site can change the ventilation needed. Side ventilation may be useful where end openings do not provide the airflow required. Ask us how the available systems open and whether screens are included in the chosen option.

Will an unheated tunnel keep plants frost free?

Do not assume an unheated tunnel will remain frost free. Choose crops for the season and monitor the temperature. Tender plants may need additional protection or suitable heating. Ventilation and watering also need adjusting as conditions change.

A cover shelters crops from the weather, but it does not supply heat. Conditions inside can still become too cold for tender plants overnight. Use a thermometer to understand your own tunnel, choose crops suited to the season and plan extra protection where needed. If considering a heater, check its suitability, ventilation needs and operating instructions for the space.

What should I do before strong winds or snow?

Follow the maintenance and weather instructions for your model. Check fixings, cover condition and door security before severe weather. Ask us about suitable reinforcement for an exposed site. No general statement that a tunnel is stormproof should replace the instructions or a site-specific assessment.

Can you provide wind or snow load information?

Contact us with the exact model, dimensions, specification and site location. Explain whether the information is for a risk assessment, planning application or another purpose. We need to confirm the relevant information for that structure; a storm video does not establish a certified load rating.

How should I clean the cover or repair a tear?

Use cleaning products and methods suitable for your particular film and follow their instructions. Ask us before combining treatments. For a small tear, an appropriate polythene repair tape may help; larger damage needs assessment. Contact us before repairs if you are raising a possible guarantee claim.

Can a polytunnel be used for organic growing?

A polytunnel can form part of an organic growing system, but the structure alone does not make crops certified organic. Your growing methods and any certification requirements still apply. If certification matters to your project, check the proposed materials and practices with your certification body.

Orders guarantees and other products

Can I change my order or add accessories?

Contact us as soon as possible with your order number and the changes required. We will confirm what is possible and any effect on cost or timing. Please wait for confirmation rather than assuming a message has changed an order already being prepared or dispatched.

What should I do if something is damaged or missing?

Contact us with your order number, the checklist reference and photographs where useful. Tell us which packages you received and describe the issue. Keep the affected item and packaging while we advise on the next step. Avoid fitting a damaged component before checking with us.

For a missing part, quote the code or description from the checklist and tell us whether a complete package or an item inside a package is absent. For damage, photograph the component and its packaging without putting yourself at risk. These details help us identify the item and the next step. Contact us promptly if the problem could affect a planned installation.

Can I return an item ordered in the wrong size?

Contact us with the order number and item details before returning it. Our returns policy explains the conditions for unwanted goods and who pays the return cost. Please also check the terms applying to your order. If the goods are faulty or incorrectly supplied, tell us so we can deal with that separately.

What does the frame guarantee cover?

Guarantees vary by product. Check the guarantee supplied with your chosen frame and contact us if you need clarification before ordering. Keep your proof of purchase and follow the construction and maintenance instructions. The product guarantee sits alongside your statutory rights.

Can you provide a quotation or VAT invoice for our organisation?

Send us the specification and the organisation’s billing details, delivery address and any purchase-order reference. Tell us if these differ from the installation address. For a copy invoice, quote the order number. Any credit account or alternative payment terms must be agreed separately.

Can fruit cages be customised or used as animal enclosures?

Send us the space available and intended use before ordering or cutting tubes. Check door position, netting and spare-part requirements. A fruit cage’s suitability for protecting crops does not establish suitability for containing animals or excluding predators, so discuss that use specifically.

Can I see your products or request a brochure?

Our website includes product information and a virtual showroom. Contact us if you would like help comparing options or arranging a visit. We do not currently produce printed brochures. Check viewing arrangements before travelling.

Still have a question?

Our team are on hand to help with any questions about your polytunnel.