Polytunnel Greenhouses for Commercial Berry & Vegetable Growing
A semi-open polytunnel greenhouse built on repeating hot-dip galvanized steel arches. Film, anti-insect netting, roll-up side walls and rainwater gutters are specified to match local rainfall, pest pressure and heat load, rather than supplied as a fixed kit.
Polytunnel Greenhouses for Commercial Berry & Vegetable Growing
A polytunnel greenhouse is a semi-open, hot-dip galvanized steel structure clad in UV-stabilized plastic film or anti-insect netting for commercial protected cropping. Roll-up side walls keep air moving through the canopy without mechanical cooling. Our modular hoop-and-leg arches install on sloping or uneven ground without full site levelling, making large-area field coverage practical for berry and vegetable growers.
What Is a Polytunnel Greenhouse
A polytunnel is an arched frame covered with plastic film or mesh rather than glass or rigid sheet. Each bay repeats the same hoop-and-leg arch in hot-dip galvanized steel, which keeps engineering simple, shortens on-site assembly and lets the layout follow the natural contour of the land. Covering, side ventilation and foundation are specified together for the crop and the site, rather than bought as a fixed catalogue kit.
Polytunnel arches on a commercial soft-fruit farm. Application photography.
Covering & Ventilation Options
The covering is the main specification choice. It is selected against local rainfall, pest pressure and heat load, and can differ between bays on the same site.
Option
What it does
UV-stabilized plastic film
Sheds heavy rain and hail while transmitting light for crop growth
Anti-insect netting
Limits pest entry and maintains high airflow in warm climates
Roll-up side walls
Adjustable natural ventilation along the full length of the tunnel
Rainwater gutters
Optional roof-runoff collection for on-farm water management
Technical Specifications
Polytunnel greenhouse — standard configuration
Item
Parameters
Frame material
Hot-dip galvanized steel, corrosion-resistant for outdoor farm use
Span width
6 m / 8 m / 8.5 m / 9.6 m / custom
Arch spacing
2.2 m
Leg height
1.5 m / 2 m
Covering options
UV-stabilized plastic greenhouse film or anti-insect netting
Optional accessories
Roll-up side ventilation, rainwater-collection gutters
Suitable Crops & Applications
Designed for soft fruit — strawberry, blueberry, raspberry and blackberry — plus speciality vegetables and nursery / seedling production. Most relevant where heavy rainfall, hail and heat build-up are the main production risks.
Strawberry rows under film cover.
Raspberry rows under semi-open arches.
Young plants raised under netting.
Installation & Foundation
Screw-pile foundation being installed.
Because the arches repeat, the frame can be set out on ground that has not been fully levelled. Screw-pile foundations can replace a poured concrete base where soil conditions allow. Our engineering team confirms the foundation type, covering and roll-up ventilation options after reviewing wind exposure and local requirements for each project.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a polytunnel and a sealed greenhouse?
A polytunnel is a semi-open, film- or net-covered hoop structure ventilated through roll-up side walls and usually founded directly on the field. A sealed greenhouse uses glazing or rigid sheet, controlled ventilation and a permanent levelled base. Polytunnels trade full climate control for lower cost, faster assembly and large-area coverage.
Which covering should I choose — plastic film or anti-insect netting?
UV-stabilized plastic film is the standard choice where heavy rain, hail and rain-induced fruit rot are the main risks. Anti-insect netting suits sites where pest exclusion and maximum airflow matter more than rain protection. Both can be combined with roll-up side walls, and the choice is confirmed against local pest pressure and climate.
Can a polytunnel greenhouse be built on sloping land?
Yes. Because each bay repeats the same arch, the frame follows the existing ground contour and full site levelling is usually unnecessary. Screw-pile foundations can replace a poured concrete base where soil conditions allow; the foundation type is confirmed per project.
