Advertisement
Help Keep Boards Alive. Support us by going ad free today. See here: https://subscriptions.boards.ie/.
If we do not hit our goal we will be forced to close the site.

Current status: https://keepboardsalive.com/

Annual subs are best for most impact. If you are still undecided on going Ad Free - you can also donate using the Paypal Donate option. All contribution helps. Thank you.
https://www.boards.ie/group/1878-subscribers-forum

Private Group for paid up members of Boards.ie. Join the club.

Polytunnels & recent storms

  • 01-01-2014 08:42PM
    #1
    Conmaicne Mara
    Closed Accounts Posts: 6,543 ✭✭✭


    How did they fare out folks? Any expensive kites?


Comments

  • #2
    gazahayes
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 458 ✭✭gazahayes


    Conmaicne Mara wrote: »
    How did they fare out folks? Any expensive kites?

    +1 was thinking of putting one up here 60x30 it'd be sheltered enough so I'd be hoping it'd be ok.


  • #3
    5live
    Closed Accounts Posts: 4,438 ✭✭✭5live


    Conmaicne Mara wrote: »
    How did they fare out folks? Any expensive kites?
    The plastics used now should do 10 years or more. The secret is to patch both inside and out when a pinhole appears, when plastic is dry.

    Even with that the sheeting can go even with patching if the wind is strong enough in the right direction.

    The last cover lasted 6 years so a cost of 250euro a year so its not the end of the world if it goes after a few years.


  • #4
    gozunda
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 18,992 ✭✭✭✭gozunda


    5live wrote: »
    The plastics used now should do 10 years or more. The secret is to patch both inside and out when a pinhole appears, when plastic is dry.

    Even with that the sheeting can go even with patching if the wind is strong enough in the right direction.

    The last cover lasted 6 years so a cost of 250euro a year so its not the end of the world if it goes after a few years.


    PolyDome in Birr used to do a model that was designed for the Aran Islands. Re the patching - you can get special tape from most of the Coops that is designed for polytunnels and is U V resistant.


  • #5
    Conmaicne Mara
    Closed Accounts Posts: 6,543 ✭✭✭Conmaicne Mara


    5live wrote: »
    The plastics used now should do 10 years or more. The secret is to patch both inside and out when a pinhole appears, when plastic is dry.

    Even with that the sheeting can go even with patching if the wind is strong enough in the right direction.

    The last cover lasted 6 years so a cost of 250euro a year so its not the end of the world if it goes after a few years.

    What size is your tunnel 5live, wondering about the cost of cover.


  • #6
    5live
    Closed Accounts Posts: 4,438 ✭✭✭5live


    Conmaicne Mara wrote: »
    What size is your tunnel 5live, wondering about the cost of cover.
    60x30. Plastic and labour about 1500 euro. That is 2 men for 1 day and all the plastic and fittings stripped off for them to go straight to work.


  • Advertisement
  • #7
    Conmaicne Mara
    Closed Accounts Posts: 6,543 ✭✭✭Conmaicne Mara


    5live wrote: »
    60x30. Plastic and labour about 1500 euro. That is 2 men for 1 day and all the plastic and fittings stripped off for them to go straight to work.

    Don't answer if you mind me digging but is €1500 not very dear, or am I missing something important.

    Was looking at a 50x19 foot tunnel and Googling sites and the cover was coming in much less than that :confused:


  • #8
    5live
    Closed Accounts Posts: 4,438 ✭✭✭5live


    Conmaicne Mara wrote: »
    Don't answer if you mind me digging but is €1500 not very dear, or am I missing something important.

    Was looking at a 50x19 foot tunnel and Googling sites and the cover was coming in much less than that :confused:
    I get the plastic from the company that supplied the tunnel so i know the quality is good. I would say a good proportion of the cost is labour and travel as i am a 4 hour drive from them.

    From talking to the guys working on it, it seems they can put up 2 covers a day if they are fairly close together so there is a premium paid for them doing less work also.

    I would expect the cover to be on at least 7 years so 200 euro a year in maintainance of the tunnel is the way i look at it. The longer it lasts, the lower the cost.

    Also if you are looking at tunnels be sure to find out where the timber is coming from. A friend up the country put one up a few years ago and the timber was rotten after a few years. And compare the guage of the plastic between suppliers also.


  • #9
    Conmaicne Mara
    Closed Accounts Posts: 6,543 ✭✭✭Conmaicne Mara


    I was looking at a tunnel a bit shorter and narrower than yours (50x19), if I read the site correctly the cover comes in at under 300, guaranteed UV protection for 5 years. Not sure what gauge it is, what is good? The structure itself looks very sound, and they have a fastening system can be done with two people.

    I supply the timber AFAIK with these so can specify that at the local builders supply.


Advertisement