Green house V Polytunnel

I bought a small plastic cold frame but the late winter storms kept blowing the doors off and it's pretty much kaput now. It is too small anyway, so I am wondering what to go for - a green house or a poly tunnel.
What is the difference in purpose between the two?

 

Louise - I know this doesn't answer your question but I am showing below my own DIY coldframe.



I have simply used breeze blocks and bricks, with old bits of glass on top. For me it works very well. Its very cheap, and very flexible. I can make it any length or shape I want - to fit the glass available, then in the summer its all dismantled and stacked neatly away. This year I had some taller plants to protect, so one part was three breeze blocks high. I lean it against the house to save on bricks, but also any heat lost from the house helps to raise the temperature inside slightly. The weight of the glass means that I have never have any problems with wind.

But get a greenhouse or polytunnel as well. :D

 

They look very impressive Peter.
I have tried various places in the garden but the wind manages to catch mine from all directions.
I did think about using glass but then I was worried about things smashing them. Maybe I will give it a try if I can get some thicker glass cheap or free.

 

My glass came from old widows of mine and from the local tip, which is not far away.

 

How many old widows have you got Peter and have you left them all without glass in their windows now?

Shame on you:hehe:

 

:lollol:

I had to read your post twice Aaron - to see what I said.

 

Personally I wouldn't use a polytunnel especially if you've a very windy garden. If you want glass - which tends to be heavier than plastic anyway - and want to follow Peter's example, keep your eyes open for old windows/frames in skips (don't forget you must ask before you take stuff out of a skip 'cos even though 'they' don't want it, it's still theft if you don't ask).

I've got one plastic cold frame but I put a brick laid on top which keeps it firmly closed even during the most fierce gales. If you still have a problem with wood and glass cold-frames, screw a metal eyelet or two into the opening part of the wooden fame, insert some metal (barbeque type) skewers into the ground at an angle - tent peg fashion - and tie some string between the two.

 

The main difference is that a greenhouse is usually a bit warmer and can be insulated and heated thus you can get seeds started in it and place tender plants earlier than a tunnel. Size for size a tunnel will be much cheaper. It will give you about an extra six weeks or more growing at both ends of the gardening year.
A good quality, well errected tunnel will stand up to strong winds - ours has withstood 80mph. The only damage it has sustained is a small hole (now repaired) where a red hot Nov 5th rocket landed on it!