Selecting the right Polyhouse.

We have attempted to make this website as informative as possible, to give you all the information you need to select, cost and order a Polyhouse from us. We suggest you read the Single and Multispan Polyhouse pages, which explain how our designs work for you and the differences between our Standard, Euro and Multispan ranges.We have included case studies in this site, which will be updated on a regular basis, which cover most of our product range. The perspective drawings on each page give an idea of scale and illustrate the bracing layout and optional timber end frame arrangement. We separate these from the main Polyhouse to enable you to source your own timber if so desired.

Cladding

The hoop circumference of each Polyhouse is shown to calculate the width of cladding required. The cladding prices outlined on each page takes into account trenching of the polythene or netting at the sides of the tunnel, unless a ground level rail is used. If providing your own cladding, you must add at least 0.75m (2ft 6ins) each side to trench into the ground, or at least 0.3m (1ft) if cladding to a side rail.

Please note that anti-hot spot tape is included in the price of polythene when ordered with a new Polyhouse.

Cladding Systems for Polyhouses

The web site covers a number of different cladding systems, which are available on our Polyhouses.

1. Timber on gutters or side rails
   This is a low cost, simple system, easy to use, although slightly more time consuming to reuse.
   The edge of the film is wrapped around a batten, which is then nailed, screwed or bolted to the Polyhouse.
   Timber is used on the gable ends of many Polyhouses and for side rails.
   Steel gutters have a lip into which a square timber batten can be fixed by screws underneath.
2. Fordingbridge Grip Rail
   Fordingbridge Grip Rail is an extruded aluminium cladding system for securing flexible sheeting.
   A base extrusion is secured to the Polyhouse framework and the cladding film stretched over it. The extruded aluminium infill section is then inserted into the base, securing the film between the two components.
   Grip Rail is extremely versatile and can be used with a wide range of different film thicknesses, simply using a different infill to match the cladding material used.
   It can be used for single or twin skin cladding and also combinations of netting and polythene as required.
   A wide range of extrusions is available including full or side gutters: single and twin cladding rails, door or vent cladding extrusions and very heavy duty sections for spanning over 3m The all aluminium construction ensures indefinite reusable service life. Due to the cam locking action the gripping force increases with sheet tension under heavy load conditions.
   Grip Rail ensures fast, easy cladding and recladding, including retensioning when required.

Ventilation

Our Polyhouses are much better sealed than a conventional glasshouse and therefore ventilation and air circulation are important factors when choosing a particular Polyhouse. The options pages cover ventilation and doors in detail. Don't forget to ensure the doors you select are of sufficient size for your requirements. You will find that wider Polyhouses tend to have much better air circulation due to the large volume of air within them. Side ventilation can be necessary, particularly on long Polyhouses and in sheltered locations. Ask us for advice if in doubt.

When determining the size of your Polyhouse, clearly crop requirement is a major factor. Orientation of Fordingbridge Polyhouses to prevailing wind is not critical since they are built to withstand extremely high loadings. It is usually beneficial, however, to build a Polyhouse with the ridge up and down a slope, and to avoid cross-falls on tunnels and multispans if possible. Contact us if you are unsure about any aspect of this..

Foundations

We recommend that all our Polyhouses be anchored in concrete foundations. Actual base sizes are covered in our instructions but as a guide you will need 1 cubic metre for every 10 foundation tubes. A 7m x 18m would therefore need around 2 cubic metres. For larger projects we would normally use ready mix. A 20 Newton metre/GEN3 mix should be ordered. A ready mix load is normally 6 cubic metres so you will need to work fast!

For larger sites we would suggest you hire a mechanical auger with a 500mm bit. A tractor-mounted unit with hydraulic lift is available from many plant hire companies.

Dimensions

All Polyhouses dimensions are quoted centre of foundation tubes down the length of the building. Single span foundations tube measurements are given as the outside dimension across the hoop span at ground level. On multispans the inner span dimensions given are centre of gutter to centre of gutter.

Planning

In nearly all instances planning permission needs to be obtained for these types of building. We are happy to supply drawings of the relevant Polyhouses showing the necessary dimensions on the understanding that the ordered will be confirmed with ourselves on receipt of the necessary permissions. Our investment in a tailor made CAD drawing computer package enables us to give you a very rapid response for this work.