What do our customers think of our aluminium polycarbonate greenhouses?

What's so great about our greenhouses?

Don't ask me! Check out what our customers think, here's a few of the emails, reviews, and messages we have received over the years. Some glowing, some with tips, some with improvements. We have taken on board the comments about the instruction sheets and they have been updated.
Feel free to send me you're comments and I'd be happy to include them in future

Customer photo

• Thank you for my green house. I am thrilled to bits. It is very sturdy. The parts were well labelled. I attach a photo, to show what a 60+ lady can achieve! It requires the trims fitting, but I am so pleased. Thank you. On 20 Aug 2015

• Brill and great help from customer service excellent thanks brigitte and jim. By brigbib on 21 Mar. 2015

• Good practical starter greenhouse and good value for money. Easily assembled, I erected mine in my garage and two people easily carried it into position. By Ian Taylor on 4 April 2013

• Well,well, I bought this green house and left it for 2 weeks in the box. This week I put it up, everything was there and it was not that bad to erect, but a few tips. Read the instructions twice, it is far easier to follow the step by step guide. Don't be frightened by the first few pages, just really make sure your base is level AND keep checking it, take both wrapps off the pollycarbonate, before you slide them in (or they get trapped and are hard to remove tidy, do use gloves to put them in (they can be a little sharp)). Keep instructions close to hand and keep looking. But apart from that great greenhouse. It took me alone about 6ish hours from start to finish (except for base) I made sure again and again that was spot on. I would recommend this product to anyone. Great greenhouse. Yours Alan Jaina ,Derbyshire. By alan jaina on 26 Jan. 2012

• Wonderful Greenhouse. Went through the internet looking for a good but cheap (there is a recession on) aluminium greenhouse for my beloved tomato plants. Used temporary plastic walk-in ones in the past but they didn't last more than 2 years at the most. Found this one and after reading the reviews decided to go for it. Ordered it Friday evening and received it on Tuesday in good condition with all the parts present. The instruction book although basic was in my opinion clear and concise enough for any average flat packer to put up in under 5 hours with a extra pair of hands now and again. A similar size greenhouse from B&Q bought by my in-law was 40 pages long and took her over 7 hours to put up with sore thumbs at the end of it. The great thing with this greenhouse is that the polycarbonate sheets slide into place and not pushed into place like many other greenhouses. This seems to add rigidity and stability to the greenhouse. A base is included which when added to the greenhouse makes it a even more solid structure. I have screwed the base to my patio stones with simple wall plugs and screws and now the greenhouse does not budge at all. So far I have had gusting winds of up to 30 km/h and the greenhouse is ok. Not 100% sure of the window mechanism yet but it works and only time will tell how long it will last. At the time of writing this review (22/4/12) I have 10 young tomato plants in it and all appear to be fit and healthy. I have had a few frosty nights but the use of a parasen heater (superwarm 4 version) has been enough to protect my plants. All in all I am very happy with the delivery, ease of assembly and overall quality of this greenhouse and would recommend this to anyone on a budget. May give this 5 stars if the greenhouse window lasts. By Denise on 22 April 2012

• great value for money. By Alan D. on 18 May 2015

The Perfect Banana Parasol Cover for British Weather

If you are planning special outdoor events such as weddings, hot tub parties or a summer BBQ, then a large banana parasol can often be the perfect protection from the weather. Parasols can be a savior to an event as they protect the guests from unpredictable British weather conditions from drizzle to excess sunshine. However, it is also important to protect your parasol when your parasol isn’t in use. As most of you know, British weather can be very changeable, in the morning it may be pelting it down with rain only to be bright and sunny by the afternoon. To ensure your banana parasol is protected from this unreliable weather, it is important to get a high quality specialist banana parasol cover to prevent long-term damage. Speedwellstar’s Large Banana Parasol Covers are the perfect accompaniment to protect your banana parasol from all weathers. Please read on for more information on how parasol covers can protect your parasol

Found this little guy in the warehouse!

Mold and rain

Even if you store your parasols inside over winter, you are guaranteed to be caught out in the summer months when suddenly a weeks-long heatwave turns into torrential downpour. To prevent damage to your parasol, it is important that your parasol cover is breathable and water resistant. This will ensure your parasol won’t stay damp when condensation forms preventing mold

Heat and high UV rays

Rain is not the only problem when protecting your parasol, UV rays can also have significant damaging effects in the height of summer. Speedwellstar’s Banana Parasol Covers prevent UV damage by using a aluminised silver coating to protect from UV, preventing discoloration and disintegration, prolonging the life of your parasol.

Other factors

Lastly, it is important to ensure you have strong, tear resistant material to prevent snags from trees or transportation. Speedwellstar's Banana Parasol is made of the Oxford 150 Denier. This tough material is often used for boat, caravan and car coverings so it is a proven high quality material.

What sort of parasol is right for your garden?

Why do you need a cantilever parasol rather than a regular brolly? I have the answers so keep reading

Regular brollys are so useful, you can chuck them in the boot for a picnic, stick them in the sand on the beach and generally grab them at a moments notice. All useful but for the annoying fact that when your brolly is over your garden table you end up peering around the pole to talk to your friend on the other side, food can't be placed in the middle of the table, and you end up passing items around it again and again.

So what to do? It's time to take a look at a cantilever (also known as banana) parasol. These parasols are off set meaning that the pole is to the side and the huge canopy can hang over a table causing absolutely no obstructions. Handy eh?

Cantilever Parasol

Cantilever parasols can look precarious, well I guess they are if you don't secure them! Securing them is straight forward and actually if you are in a sheltered area not much effort is required on your part. Heavy slabs can be used to hold the base down, or the whole base can be fitted into the actual patio slabs. Alternatively you can screw the base to the ground or bury a pole to drop the parasol pole into. 

The design of a cantilever parasol means that the canopy can be very large and easily moved around to follow the sun, just swing the arm into position, they even tilt. This means that you have a very large shade on hand and in place at anytime of the day and a quick gust of wind is not going to send it sailing over the fence into the neighbours garden.

I think for me though the best reason to get a cantilever parasol is that they just look fantastic. As soon as I put mine up my garden is transformed into a swish terrace that reminds me of past holidays in far away lands.

Don't forget to get a parasol cover for it. The winter months and even harsh summer sun could take its toll so slide a cover over the parasol to keep it in tip top condition all year round.

Happy summer, Laura

Do you really need a BBQ cover?

As you dust off your barbecue after the winter or even buy yourself a new one for the summer maybe you are wondering if you need to get a cover for your barbecue. Well if that's the case, read on to find out

I just did a little research on this and read a post from an American in Louisiana who swears by his barbecue cover especially when it gets cold. The other day it got a chilly as 20 degrees and he was still out there cooking up a storm. My British school girls just left for the day in summer dresses and bare legs and it's 8 degrees. Warm to us after the winter! :)

Barbecue cover with 2 zips & elasticated hem

So the result of my research was that the Americans, surely among the keenest barbecue users, largely swear by a BBQ cover with one caveat. Do not use a water tight cover.

This might sound strange but it makes sense to me, when you get fluctuations in temperature or have a high humidity, moisture can build anywhere, especially under a cover. The covers we supply at Speedwellstar are breathable meaning that the moisture is still able to evaporate away from the barbecue so moisture is not held under the cover indefinitely. This will help to keep your barbecue rust free for much longer


The other obvious benefits of using a cover is keeping your barbecue clean. Nobody wants to start their barbecue getting out the bleach to remove bird poo and tree sap, it's bad enough doing the washing up afterwards! A covered barbecue is also of less interest to prying eyes. Barbecues are targeted by opportunistic thieves more often than you might realise

So do you need a barbecue cover? Well you could manage without one but why would you? Keep your barbecue safe, clean, dry and rust free for longer with the right barbecue cover and you wont regret it.

The thing to remember though, get one with an elasticated hem so it can't blow off. My informant in Louisiana may have to deal with hurricanes (apparently the barbecue comes in handy when the power is out) but it can get pretty windy in the UK as well!

Happy grilling guys

Laura

Shaggy sheep waiting for a shave (I know, this is nothing to do with BBQ's but hey, they are cute!)

What to Consider When Choosing Parasol Covers

Spring is well under way and with it comes longer days and brighter weather, and our thoughts turn to summer. This is the time when many of us start to think more positively and actively about summer, and may start planning summer trips and barbecues. Most people choose to have parasols in their gardens to protect their skin from harmful rays, especially if children are playing in the garden, but it’s also important to have parasol cover too.

Parasol covers protect the parasol from those harmful UV rays and from the harsh weather when the parasol is not in use, ensuring that the parasol lasts as long as possible. When choosing parasol covers, there are a number of things you should consider to ensure that you get the best value for the money and the best protection for your parasol. Read on to find out more

Water-resistant

First of all, one of the most important aspects to consider when choosing parasol covers is whether they are water-resistant rather than waterproof. A waterproof cover will cause condensation to build up on your parasol as temperatures fluctuate. With a completely waterproof material the condensation will remain on your cover and have no way to evaporate, making your cover wet and warm will encourage mould to grow. A water-resistant fabric will resist the worst of the rain whilst still being breathable enough for any condensation to evaporate keeping your parasol dry and in great condition all year

Make sure you protect your parasol with a parasol cover

UV Protected

Another aspect to consider when choosing parasol covers is whether they are UV protected. Harmful UV rays cause both the parasol and parasol covers to fade, shortening their lifespan and causing them to need to be replaced quicker. UV protected parasol covers extend the life of both your parasol and its cover, so you get the best value for your purchase.

Tear Resistant

When choosing parasol covers, you also need to ensure that they are tear resistant. Since the cover is used outside, it’s easy to accidentally snag it on branches or even on the parasol itself. This can lead to water and bugs getting into your cover, causing irreparable damage and leading to you needing a new parasol as well as new parasol covers.

Drawstring Tie

A drawstring tie is another feature of parasol covers that can be easily neglected but are nevertheless an important factor to consider. In windy weather, parasol covers can easily blow away if they are not properly attached. A simple drawstring tie will ensure your parasol cover is securely fixed in place.

If you would like to buy good quality parasol covers, then head over to SpeedwellStar today where you can browse their range or contact a member of the friendly staff.

Find the right pet pen for you and your pet

Do you need a standard pet pen or something heavy duty?

There are many reasons for buying a pet pen. I use mine to give Benson his own space in the garden that he can rest or play in without getting messed about by the my little girls. It also means I don't have to do a poo sweep before the girls go out to play!

Benson's patch

Sometimes pets need separating due to age or illness, or a new litter has arrived. Maybe your brand new pet has been chewing the corner of your staircase or taking a leak on the carpet and you want to keep them confined whilst they are still learning the ropes.

All our pens fold flat so many people have used them on holiday or just for visiting friends for a weekend to make sure their pet doesn't make it's self too at home on the white sofa.
Often the new arrival is a little person and whilst it is great that your pet wants to meet the new addition it doesn't mean you want them sleeping on the babies face!

Arthur & Max relaxing in a lightweight pet pen

Speedwellstar has two types of pet pen to fit all these eventualities and more. Our lightweight pet play pen is very versatile folding up to a very narrow and compact size it is easy to store when you are not using it or to pop in the boot of your car. The pet pen can be shaped into many different configurations to fit all sorts of spaces, opened out straight and flat, curved around a wall, or joined together and made into a circle, square etc. If you add another pen you can make an even larger area with more versatility.

Our new heavy duty whelping pen is much sturdier, it still folds flat but is a larger and heavy pen all over. This pen is perfect for bigger animals, we have even sold some to petting zoos for when the animals are brought out to the see public which gives you a good idea of how sturdy they are. They are also perfect for big dogs as they wont be able knock the pen over.
The most popular use for this pen is for whelping puppies, they are safe and secure in the pen whilst you can see in and keep an eye on them.
Again the pen is very versatile in shape and you can add more pens to create your perfect size and shape.

Two mini pet pens joined together make a great hamster run

Lastly, lets not forget all those little pets who need a home and a space to run about. Our Mini Pet Pens are just as useful and versatile but designed especially for little paws.

For more details on these useful pet pens give us a call or click on the links

Laura

Protect Your Parasol with Parasol Covers

Summer is fast approaching, and with it comes the cleaning of benches and the opening of parasols for relaxing days out in the sun and barbecues. Parasols are a great way of keeping the sun off you to avoid sunburn and sunstroke. This is especially important if you have children, or if you have any conditions potentially worsened by the hot weather. The sun can be dangerous, but parasols help keep you safe.

Unfortunately, however, lots of people neglect to buy parasol covers and come summer find that their parasol is damaged from the elements. Throughout the winter months, rain and wind can damage your parasol, and mould can even grow on it which could completely ruin it. You may also find that bugs and spiders have settled in over the months it has not been used, and might have a nasty surprise when you come to use your parasol! Although it is especially important during the winter months for it to be protected against the elements and the ‘wildlife’, Britain is no stranger to wet summers so it’s just as important to have a parasol cover for the rest of the year too.

On top of this, UV rays can also damage and fade your parasol, leaving it looking old and drab. The last thing you want when having family or friends over for a barbecue is to realise your parasol looks past its lifespan at the last minute! Investing in good quality parasol covers stops this problem in its tracks, as they resist the UV rays and stop it from getting to the material of the parasol itself. Dense, good quality parasol covers extend the lifespan of your parasol, and keep it looking as good as new all year round.

If you have a parasol and would like a parasol cover to keep yours in the best condition possible then visit SpeedwellStar today. Our parasol covers are made from high quality material that is also used on car, caravan and boat covers, so you know it’s going to provide the ideal amount of protection for your parasol. Best of all, there’s free delivery, so there’s no extra charges to surprise you.