[Anke]

Our First Tunnel (smallest commercial size) has been up for over 7 years now, it gets pretty windy here, but no problems at all. Still the first lot of plastic on it, no tears only a few holes in the bottom where the rats/mice/voles have decided to make an entrance    , but yes would go for them again, and we went with all the possible stabilising bits and pieces we could get. Ours survived the two heavy winters recently where we had a good few feet of snow dumped on it, and many in the area just collapsed.... but really wind and actually snow is your biggest enemy - stronger bars mean it doesn't buckle quite so quick.

So spend the money now and then you can relax.

PS.: Make sure you get it put up properly though!

[Bramblecot]

 And another happy customer . 
We bought a secondhand First Tunnel, and even managed to save and re-use the cover (so mean ).  They supplied all the extra bits we needed , great service.
I can't believe it has withstood the recent storms, we are on the top of a hill less than 1 mile from the coast.

[MikeM]

I am so sending this thread to first tunnels, we all deserve a commission

[Bob Ayers]

Hi
We bought a second hand First Tunnels, 20 foot model in the Autumn. We had to dismantle it and rebuild it at home. The installation we removed, we thought was a bit over the top, with the ground tubes wedged and screwed into sunken lengths of scaffold pole. Removal was hard work, to put it mildly!
We put it up just before the Great Storm in October on a slightly sheltered part of our place, just as we had removed it. We bought some odds and sods from First Tunnels after studying their free installation videos on their website. They were a joy to deal with and the videos, superb
The tunnel has survived some horrific storms since then and i cannot recommend the structure highly enough
Good luck with your research
Bob

[mattswanathome]

Thanks everyone for your suggestions! It certainly seems that First Tunnels come out top based on this sample. I will be choosing them.

[Dreich Pete]

I'm finalising my polytunnel specification and wanted to open up this thread one more time to see if any company other than First Polytunnels gets a look-in. I haven't looked into their range yet, but had short listed two other companies.

Highland Polytunnels do a range of extra strong tunnels that have 50mm hoops and are clearly aimed at those of us who expect strong and frequent winds throughout the year. They supply their kits with everything I think I need plus a choice of covering.

Premier Polytunnels offer theirs as a basic that you select options for, and although they use thinner hoops, they do offer double sliding doors, and adding all the extras puts them up to a similar price as Highland.

Does anybody have any experience with either of these?

I'm considering a 14' x 30' at the moment, although I might go a little bigger. It's just for extra growing, not commercial crops.

[Fleecewife]

In the first reply to this thread I mention that mine is a Northern Polytunnels.  It has done us proud and we can get some scary winds here.
I have no experience of Highland but their spec sounds similar to NP  Go for the sturdiest you can get.

[Dreich Pete]

I had read the whole thread but Northern got lost in the tidal wave of First customers. I'll go have a look at them as well.

We get the wind coming down off the Cairngorm National Park so you can imagine what'd happen to a 25mm garden variety. I was planning on nothing less than 40mm.

[ScribbleUk]

I'm considering a 14' x 30' at the moment, although I might go a little bigger. It's just for extra growing, not commercial crops.

I think the 14' wide domestic tunnels from FirstTunnels use 35mm hoops.  The others in the domestic range use 25mm I think.  Commericals are 50mm. 

We live in a bit of a wind tunnel ourselves but have found the 14' wide from FirstTunnels to be have lasted well.  We do get a fair bit of movement in the frame but no sign or damage or premature wear and tear.  Having said that we are planning to re-site them this year for other reasons, and when I do I will add some additional braces similar in design to their commercial model to add a bit more rigidity.

[County Dangler]

Yesterday i finished construction of our commercial range 24 x 72 premier polytunnel and i cant say anything other then that i am very pleased with it. It's rock solid. Having never built a tunnel before i couldn't say if it's better or worse then any other but i can't see how any tunnel could be stronger then this. We went for a timer base rail, upgraded cover, crop bars, storm strengthening kit and triple ridge kit. I took pictures throughout the process if anyone wants any further details? For what it cost (circa £3k inc vat) it seems very good value for money too.

[Dreich Pete]

I saw the photos of the frame going up. Big job, eh?

[Foel Isaf]

Being in the market for two commercial sized polytunnels I had looked at several suppliers, thanks to all the positive testimonials First Tunnels will be getting another customer, thanks

[Dreich Pete]

Yup. I spent an hour last night doing a comparison, and with the resounding contentment of the customers on here it looks like First will be getting my business too. The only one that came close was Gighland with their 50mm frame tubing, but the reality is that with a good anchoring and an extra couple of ridge bars 35mm should more than cope with a couple of winter gales. Thanks to everyone here for their input.

[Rainyplace]

Hi DP,
just reading through this thread and wondering how you got on with your poly tunnel purchase? Did you go with First Tunnels and are you pleased with it?
Just researching as hoping to buy in next few weeks.
Thanks

[Marches Farmer]

I took a good look at the Haygrove Tunnels stand at the Royal Three Counties last year- looked solid as a rock.