Polytunnel door in Exeter
Professional polytunnel door services in Exeter and surrounding areas. Local, reliable handyman - no job too small.
Price Guide
£85-£160
Typical Duration
1.5-3 hrs
Location
Exeter, Devon
Polytunnel doors fitted, repaired, and replaced. Zips working, frames secure, proper seal maintained. Keep your growing space accessible and protected.
A Working Door Matters
Can't get into your polytunnel properly? Zip stuck, plastic torn, door flapping in the wind? Poor access and ventilation affects your crops - and makes growing harder than it needs to be.
💡 Pro tip: Check polytunnel door zips at the start of each season. A bit of silicone lubricant keeps them running smoothly - much easier than replacing failed zips mid-season.
What Makes a Good Polytunnel Door?
| ✅ Done Right | ❌ Done Wrong |
|---|---|
| Zip runs smoothly full length | Stuck or broken halfway |
| Frame secure to hoops | Loose, flapping in wind |
| Plastic intact, no tears | Ripped at stress points |
| Roll-up ties functional | Rotted ties, door won't stay open |
What You Get
🔧 Professional Door Repair
| Stage | What Happens |
|---|---|
| Assess | Check zip, plastic, frame, attachments |
| Repair/Replace | Fix what can be fixed, replace what can't |
| Secure | Frame attached solidly to tunnel structure |
| Test | Zip works, door seals, opens and closes properly |
📦 You're Left With
- Working door access
- Proper seal against weather
- Functional ventilation
- Easy access to crops
Pricing Guide
| Work Required | Estimated Time | You'll Pay |
|---|---|---|
| Zip replacement or frame repair | 1.5-2 hrs | £85-£110 |
| New door section fitted | 2-2.5 hrs | £110-£135 |
| Complete door replacement both ends | 2.5-3 hrs | £135-£160 |
Based on £60 minimum (first hour) + £50/hr after. Materials additional.
Perfect For Your Growing Space If...
✅ Broken zip - stuck or separated
✅ Torn plastic - rips around door opening
✅ Loose frame - door flapping in wind
✅ Old tunnel - door never worked properly
Why Choose Us for Polytunnel door in Exeter?
Proper seal against weather
Easy access for tending crops
Ventilation when needed
Zips and frames repaired
What to Expect
Step 1: Check Current Setup
I'll assess what's wrong - zip, plastic, frame, or all three. Work out whether repair or replacement makes sense.
Step 2: Source Materials
Get the right door kit for your tunnel size, or prepare repair materials if that's the better option.
Step 3: Fit or Repair
Remove old door section if needed. Fit new one properly attached to hoops and base rail. Make sure zip runs smoothly and seal is good.
🔧 DIY Tips
Fancy fixing your own polytunnel door? Here's what you need to know:
🔧 Tools you'll need
- Heavy-duty thread and needle (or sewing machine)
- Zip repair kit
- Plastic repair tape
- Ties/bungees for roll-up door
- Scissors or knife
- Clips or ties for securing to frame
📋 Common repairs
Zip running off track:
- Work zip to the stuck point
- Remove any debris in teeth
- Realign both sides in zip pull
- Work up and down slowly to reseat
- Lubricate with silicone spray
Small tears in plastic:
- Clean area thoroughly
- Cut repair patch larger than tear
- Apply polytunnel repair tape both sides
- Smooth out air bubbles
- Check seal is airtight
Loose door frame:
- Check all attachment points to hoops
- Retighten or replace ties/clips
- Add extra attachment points if needed
- Make sure base rail is secure
- Test door doesn't flap in wind
⚠️ Common DIY mistakes
- Using regular tape instead of polytunnel repair tape
- Not cleaning plastic before repairs (won't stick)
- Overtightening zip (breaks pull off)
- Not securing door frame at enough points
- Trying to sew with regular thread (not strong enough)
💡 Pro trick: When a zip completely fails, you can convert to a roll-up door with clips. Not as convenient as a zip but works better than a broken one. Use strong clips every 30cm and roll up from the bottom.
Rather leave it to a pro? No problem - that's what I'm here for. Give me a call.
Good to Know
🌱 Prevention - Spray door zips with silicone lubricant monthly during growing season. Massively extends zip life and stops them jamming. Don't use WD-40 - it attracts dirt.
Both ends matter - Most polytunnels have doors at both ends. Check both even if only one is problematic - they usually fail around the same time.
Ventilation - A working door isn't just about access - it's vital for ventilation. Polytunnels overheat fast on sunny days. You need doors that open easily and stay open securely.
Tunnel size - Door kits come in standard sizes (usually 6ft or 8ft wide tunnels). Non-standard tunnels might need custom work or adaptation of standard kits.
UV degradation - Polytunnel plastic degrades in sunlight. If your tunnel is 5+ years old and the door plastic is brittle, it's probably time for a new door section rather than patching failures.
Frequently Asked Questions
What usually goes wrong with polytunnel doors?
Zips fail from constant use, plastic tears at stress points, and the door frame comes loose from the hoops. Also the ties that roll the door up rot in weather. All fixable - don't need a whole new tunnel.
Can you replace just the zip without a new door?
Sometimes yes, if the plastic is still good. But often when zips fail the plastic around them is perished too. I'll assess and advise whether it's worth patching or better to fit a new door section.
How long does a polytunnel door repair take?
Simple zip replacement or tie repair might be 1.5 hours. Fitting a complete new door section takes 2-3 hours. Depends what's needed and your tunnel size.
Do I need to provide the door materials?
I can source standard polytunnel door kits, or work with what you've got. If yours is a specific brand, you might need to get the replacement parts from them - I can fit whatever you provide.
Will my plants be okay during the repair?
Usually yes - I work quickly and most repairs are done with the tunnel still functional. Might get a bit breezy in there for an hour or two but nothing that'll damage established plants.
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