POLYTHENE (Alternative coverings?)
Polythene - For all of our polytunnel kits, the initial choice is between a "standard" entry level polythene or an upgraded "thermal anti-fog" polythene. The thermal anti-fog upgrade (well worth considering) gives thermic properties to extend your season into colder months and is designed for inner heating if you are considering this. The table below gives the basic comparison.
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Standard
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Thermal A/F
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UV Guarantee
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5 years
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5 years
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Life expectancy
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7-8 years
If fitted tight from start
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7-8 years
If fitted tight from start
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Thickness
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150mu
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150 - 180mu
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Thermic
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Slightly thermic
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Approx. 85%
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Anti Fog
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Yes
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Yes
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Anti drip
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Yes
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Yes
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Appearance
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Milky white / Opaque
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Milky white / Opaque
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Heating
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No
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Yes
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Winter frost protection
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Minimal
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Up to 5ºC without heating
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Crops
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Vegetables, Flowers, Soft Fruit
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Vegetables, Flowers, Nursery Stock, Late season and early season crops & organic soft fruit.
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Polythene Life - The polythene comes with a 5-year UV degradation guarantee and a 7-8 year mechanical life. In fact, many clients grow well beyond ten years with a polythene sheet. The key to polythene life on your polytunnel is the tightness of fit from the onset. If fitted slack, the thickest of polythenes will start to brittle as they start to move and crease, reducing life over time. Stretched tight with minimum flapping, we have clients that have taken our polythene to 15 years of growing.
Other Polythene Types - Citadel can offer a complete spectrum of polythene solutions such as; SMART GREEN (green tinted), SMART BLUE (blue tinted) growers polythenes, nicotarp (tarpaulin), fire retardent polythene, plus a range of glass clear polythenes in various thicknesses. If you don't see it on the site but you need it, call us.
Other Coverings - Polytunnel frames are extremely durable and adaptable. It is perfectly feasible to fit a shade net or an anti bird-net to a polytunnel structure to create shaded areas (shade loving plants) or fruit cages. If you see a size of tunnel frame that you like but wish to discuss purchasing the frame specifically or obtaining the frame with an alternative covering to horticultural polythene, let us know.