To create the best climate for planting and growing British gardeners have traditionally turned to greenhouses and cold frames. The bottom of many gardens would feature an often-ramshackle greenhouse and they were a common sight on allotments. Commercial growers would erect vast tracts of greenhouses to house their crops.

Nowadays though many gardeners and professional horticulturists are eschewing greenhouses in favour of polytunnels. Arguably you are more likely to now see a polytunnel on an allotment and nursery and many home gardeners are now benefiting from the excellent growing conditions provided by a polytunnel. Perhaps previously seen as the domain of the commercial grower high-quality polytunnels are now available to everyone.

So, why are polytunnels more popular than ever and what are the differences, and indeed similarities, between a polythene clad tunnel and a traditional greenhouse?

Before looking at how they differ let’s look at what they have in common.

Both types of structure have metal frames and transparent ‘walls’. In the case of greenhouses, they have panes of glass or sometimes polycarbonate sheeting. As the name suggests polytunnels have polythene covers.

Both greenhouses and polytunnels provide a temperate climate and sheltered conditions in which crops, plants and shrubs can be grown. Both structures can be heated so that the gardener can be active more or less all year round and can potter amongst their plants even during inclement weather.

You can also buy both types of structure in many different sizes. So, those are the similarities. But how do greenhouses and polytunnels differ?

The differences between polytunnels and greenhouses

The cost of a polytunnel compared to a greenhouse

Cost and value for money is one of the biggest differences between the two types of structure. There’s no way of getting away from it. Greenhouses are expensive. Polycarbonate versions cost less but a traditional glass greenhouse needs a fairly hefty investment. And of course, the bigger the greenhouse so the cost exponentially rises. Once you go beyond the smallest sizes a greenhouse can run into thousands of pounds putting them beyond the means of many home and hobby gardeners.

Polytunnels on the other hand provide outstanding value for money. As a comparison a 14x12 greenhouse can cost around £3,500. A similar sized British made commercial quality polytunnel  costs less than £700 from our website.

The cost of polytunnels enables any gardener to enjoy their hobby all year round at a reasonable cost. And of course, for commercial growers polytunnels have been an absolute godsend. Now professional growers can have huge swathes of polytunnels at an absolute fraction of the cost of the glass structures they previously had to rely on.

Building polytunnels and greenhouses

A big difference which most of us will appreciate is how easy it is to put up a polytunnel in the garden, small holding or allotment compared to building a greenhouse.

A greenhouse requires a flat base and a lot of work has to be put into levelling the ground and laying paving slabs. A lot of time will need to be taken even before you begin erecting the frame and installing the glass. By comparison a polytunnel doesn’t need as much preparation and levelling the ground isn’t as essential.

Whichever structure you’re building you will need help. It’s definitely a two-person job whether you’re building a polytunnel or a greenhouse.

Safety concerns

There are obvious concerns about safety with a glass greenhouse. Glass can smash or shatter whereas the polythene cover of a polytunnel presents no such dangers.

Polytunnels are easy to repair

If a pane of glass breaks it is a major inconvenience to have a fresh piece cut and installed. As a consequence, it’s not uncommon to see greenhouses repaired with boards or plastic sheeting. By contrast the cover of a polytunnel is surprisingly strong and should it tear it can often be easily repaired with tape. A polytunnel cover willl need replacing every five to eight years but doing so is a simple and inexpensive operation compared to replacing the glass in a greenhouse.

You can move a polytunnel

You wouldn’t plan on doing it. But, should you for any reason need to move your polytunnel, it can be done. You can even extend the size of your tunnel should you wish to do so. You can’t do either of those things with a greenhouse. Once in situ a greenhouse is there for good.

Direct Polytunnels are one of the leading manufacturers of commercial grade polytunnels in the UK. Our tunnels are used by professional growers and home gardeners throughout the country. Should you need any advice or information on picking the best tunnel for you don’t hesitate to  contact us direct.

You may also be interested in:   Buyers Guide   Traditional Polytunnels   Replacement Covers   Commercial Polytunnels