A number of plotters have reported problems with their polytunnels recently. Some have reported that the covers perforate after a season or so and some have arrived on site to find that they have taken off in a gale and were last seen heading for the North Sea. When I researched a possible purchase, I found it very difficult to tell which make and model was a bargain and which an investment.
Val on Plot 23 has suggested a novel alternative – the Polycrub.
I didn’t know much about Polycrubs, so I sent off a query to the makers/sellers asking:
Did they make a model close to the 8′ by 6′ that the Council allows?
Are they suitable for self-builders?
Do they deliver to Aberdeen?
What would the costs be?
Here’s the response I got back from the Maree, their General Manager:
“Many thanks for your e-mail. Polycrubs are popular with community groups and of course began life here with us as a community project. Our smallest Polycrub is approx. 3 x 3m (10 x 10 feet) – delivered prices are noted below and we have also attached some info sheets.
The price includes everything required for the external structure of the kit, except cement for the posts. The kit comes with a ground plan and full construction notes for a level site and should be built in accordance with these. We find that anyone with suitable building experience has the capacity to erect a polycrub.
There are two options for delivery to your address:
Option 1 Delivery by ordinary flat-bed/
Option 2 Delivery by Hi-ab truck. With this option, the kit will be lifted off using the crane on the truck. The kit bundle does not need to be opened up when it reaches site and weather conditions are not as important. The cost of a 3 x 3m using this option would be £2928 including VAT.
If a customer decides to place an order, we will invoice for the cost of the kit. Once that is paid, we’ll arrange to have the kit delivered. Delivery usually takes around 2-3 weeks, depending on the weather/ haulier availability.”
For
Jill Dryburgh
Wondering about these polycurbs, Do the sheets go completely over the roof of the polytunnel? And how thick is the polycarbonate they use?
Norman
Sorry Jill, but I have no personal experience of the Polycurbs, so can’t help. I know they reply to info requests and enquiries however. Norman
Richard Davies
Polycrubs are superb really. Very durable and more solid than polytunnels. Pretty much a double glazed greenhouse / nissan hut in one. I use mine to store a boat in all winter. I live in the Outer Hebrides and they withstand our winters, which have 100mph winds most years and gales weekly for a few months each winter. I constructed my own and sourced the black pipe locally from a fish farm and sheeting and fittings independently. This means I have managed a 9 meter by 4 meter for around £2400 (but a fair amount of work to do) and needs access to fish farm scrapped pipes. The size issue may be a problem for many as they are not easy to construct in small sizes. The company is excellent and their kits are great. I helped put one together before making my own.
remoteuiux
Hi Richard, Do you know where I can get the fittings independently?
Richard Davies
There’s lots of places but sheets from Varico, buttons from many online sellers and stainless screws at 50mm by 5.5 from bolt base, same for 6 x 100mm ss screws. The fish farm pipes a tricky one but not that expensive to buy a 100 meter roll of the 100mm feed pipe from a fish farming supplies company maybe? Timber easy enough as are gate hinges and latches for the doors. Me and a friend can build them in 3.5 days from start to finish now but we’ve done loads. We build the Nortenergy ones and our own.
colin
hi richard im trying to source info on type sheet used twinwall and size thickness .
im really hoping to build one any information on this be so grateful for .
warm regards colin neil
Richard Davies
If you see my previous message you’ll see the supplier name. Just google it and the website has the sheets. 7m long, 1050mm wide and 10mm twin wall – don’t go wider as you cannot reach to put the buttons in far away from where your ladder will be in the middle. Good luck
shazz
Hi Richard, I watched a group build one of these on their website. They mentioned that the fish feed pipe had wood inside it where the purlins get attached. Quote – “Wood has been slotted and fixed inside the pipes in the correct place to fix the purlins to – clever.” Is that correct? If I was making my own should I put chunks of wood inside at these points? Would it be glued or screwed into place, or do you think the guy was mistaken? Thanks for any advice.
Richard
You do have to put timber in behind. This is easily done. 75mm round fence post cut into 200mm lengths. Then mark your post (starting from the centre out to both sides) the required distances. Allow 100mm for half the “stub” length and put in a sacrificial screw. Push the stub into that point from either end and screw in the stub itself smack in the middle of it.
You need 7 in total per pipe and 11 for the two end pipes to cope with framing out fixing points. A lot of work but easy enough. Work out locations using Pi and your diameter. Your screws will eventually pull out in a storm if they do not fix into something solid behind the pipe. Not an issue in calm mainland locations but for the Outer Hebrides, belt and braces always.
shazz
Hi again Richard. Just wanted you to know that thanks to some of your tips,and this blog, we built our diy polycrub in the autumn/winter. Approx. 10′ wide and 13′ long. We saved at least 2.5 grand doing it ourselves. So many greenhouses down in these last few storms and ours didn’t budge. Yipee.
Thanks very much.
Richard Davies
Hi Shaz,
well done. Satisfying to do it yourself if you can. I hope your foundations are solid.
As it happens I have now started a business that is BS standards certified supplying kits and instructions and installs in Scotland. Hebcrub.com – basic site for now but we’re busy. We’ve now gone away from wooden posts into the ground, as these can rot over time and our engineers would not give a full structural certificate for wood. Currently have four builds with posts in or ready to go, but the wind we have had means moving sheets is impossible. Roll on spring! Well done again and hope you are a better gardener than me!
shazz
Good luck with your business. I’m sure you’ll sell loads. Forgot to mention (and it’s a wee thing) I bought the brown buttons instead of white, and because of that I think I have the best looking crub in existence. Brown looks GREAT. Try them. Plus we got blue pipe instead of black. Same stuff though. Also, I don’t know how you do it but His Nibs had the (rare) great idea of using plumbing rods to shove the ‘stubs’ inside the pipe. Our pipe wouldn’t straighten, it stayed arced because it had been laying coiled up in a yard for years, so the rods helped immensely, and that job took minutes once we got going. We used loads of concrete and the hardest wood we could find for founds so it should last. Best wishes, hope you make millions. Shazz.
Ben Bullough
Hi Richard , what size polythene pipe is it you use , I’m sure this can be purchased , also the thickness and length of the polycarbonate sheets would realy be helpful to know , I’d love to buy the kit off poly rub but they are quoting me 4600 for a kit delivered for a 4 x 8m
Shazz
Hi Richard, I watched a group build one of these on their website. They mentioned that the fish feed pipe had wood inside it where the purlins get attached. Is that correct? If I was making my own should I put chunks of wood inside at these points?
Also, do the 10mm twinwall sheets curve easily over a 10′ wide arch or should I get the thinner stuff. I wouldn’t want to buy it and it start snapping because I’m bending too much to fit a narrower tunnel. Thanks for any advice/
Ben Bullough
hi Shazz how did you get on?
Red
I am about to be the proud owner of a Peerie Pollie, the 3m x 4m Polycrub. It’s arriving tomorrow so fingers crossed! From everything I have read, and the wonderful Maree at point of contact, it should do everything I want it to. I live near Exmoor and it is windy here. Polycrubs have been sent as far afield as the Falklands apparently so Exmoor should be fine! The self-build sounds excellent……good luck! I lack the skills to do one but it sounds like a good way to go.