I have just acquired two poly tunnels.
One needs the cover replacing - the owner we bought from suggested hot spot tape was a waste of money .. the tunnel cover supplier recommends ( obviously ) putting the hot spot tape on.

What do you experienced polytunnel owners suggest ?

the cover will cost £166.50 and the tape an extra £54

Your thoughts much appreciated !! yummyveggies

Yes, yes , yes

If makes the cover last longer. If you don't the poles will get hot and and cause damage to the cover.

Worth the extra money

I second the last reply

YES

If you don't spend on tape you'll be facing a new cover in no time.

And me. Yes!

Hi Yummyveggies,
I know that £54.00 is a high price to pay but without hot-spot tape your investment of £166.00. would be very short lived.
Hot-spot tape is to prevent the heat from the steel bars deteriorating the polythene. Without the tape a cover could only last one year if we do ever manage to get a hot summer again.
You can use pipe insulation cut into strips but that is now a hell of a price and you need to buy adhesive as well. If you price this up you need to cut into 25mm (1") strips and several tins of adhesive.
My tunnels were last recovered in 1995 and are still going strong. I used top quality Visqueen covering with anti-drip coating and of course hot-spot tape.
JB.

thank-you for your replies - I had read elsewhere that it was worth putting the tape on and was surprised when the previous owner suggested it wasn't worth it.

I knew I could rely on you all !!! thanks again. hot spot tape it is - and I look forward to not having to recover again for a good while