Our client was a family of Christmas Tree Farmers and amateur vegetable growers based in Anglesey. They’d been in the Christmas Tree business for four years and decided they needed to address an ongoing issue. So, they came to us for help. Challenge accepted.
How do you grow healthy produce in a windy environment? Our clients grew fatigued with failed crops; due to their windy location. After planting out, they had to replace many polytunnels and roofs; that had been damaged and blown away by the unforgiving Anglesey winds. A polytunnel was too light-weight to hold up in the high winds, and a glass green-house too fragile to tolerate lacerations from grit and debris. Our clients were in a sticky situation.
Together, we had to develop a practical, money saving solution that allowed them to cultivate their ground without the risk of damaged plants. We needed to create something with high tolerance to windy weather conditions, just like our much-loved steel buildings. However, our solution should not compromise the plant’s ability to photosynthesise. Natural light was a must! Feel free to imagine us all us standing around looking thoughtful.
Our trustworthy team brainstormed and collaborated with the Christmas Tree Farmers to devise the best possible solution. Drum roll, please. We built a Polyhouse. We see you wrinkling your nose and asking, “What on Earth is it?” or “I’m sure this already exists”; read on to have your mind blown; theoretically, that is.
We combined the strength of a Gabitie building with the benefits of a polytunnel, to create an intensive greenhouse or a polyhouse if you like.
For those of you thinking what is the major difference, it’s all in the materials. Many existing polytunnels use a steel or plastic frame and a polyethylene sheet. Polyethylene sheets are just too flimsy, as they allow winds to carry them off if improperly secured, and vermin to weasel their way in. This is okay for moderate conditions, or areas where vermin aren’t too much of an issue.
Existing polyhouses on the market use polycarbonate panels, whilst much stronger than polyethylene sheets, depending on the quality of polycarbonate or other thick plastics, mice may still find their way in into your potting shed.
Some people similar to our clients, need more. Which is why we have our own dependable blend of materials that offer a more long-term and rodent resistant solution.
The polyhouse frame is made from galvanised steel. Galvanised steel provides long-lasting structural support due to its high strength and anti-corrosion properties.
The polyhouse cover (walls and roof) is constructed of GRP rooflights (Glass reinforced panels) instead of polyethylene sheets. These panels provide robust strength against high winds and hailstones; whilst still allowing natural light in. The panels are coated in a gel that protects against the effects of harmful UV rays, and they are even available in a selection of fire ratings.
It is safe to say that our polyhouses offer more strength and longevity than a traditional polyhouse, polytunnel or greenhouse.
A Gabitie polyhouse provides the perfect growing conditions for your plants, our clients in Anglesey were able to grow their seedlings in a protective environment. They no longer had to contend with damaged crops and had the extra advantage of having more room to pot Christmas trees; because their polyhouse was custom made to their specifications using quality materials.
Our pre-galvanised sturdy steel frames offered more resistance in high winds. They withstood erosion and provided long-lasting strength, making them durable and convenient. On the other hand, our GRP daylight panels let natural light flood in, giving plants a natural food source.
Not just big plant room
Our Polyhouses aren’t just a big room to store your plants and seedlings. You can upgrade and enhance your polyhouse to suit your needs.
The Christmas Tree Farmers added large doors to drive a mower with a trailer all the way through. But why stop at big doors?
If you are feeling extra fancy, go all out and shake it all about with automatic opening skylights. These will open and close depending on the temperature of your polyhouse. Keep the temperature just right so your plants don’t overheat or freeze. Who thought gardening could be so modern?
The Gabitie Polyhouse allows you to grow your produce in a protective and sun-filled environment. It’s perfect for use as preliminary or permanent home for your plants, and also for polyhouse farming.
Enjoy gardening earlier and later in the season (or even all year round) with a Gabitie Polyhouse.
