Reliable and easy to grow, it’s no wonder that beans are a favorite amongst home gardeners! However, some varieties can grow well over head height and require the support of a metal runner bean frame or trellis to keep them upright, ensuring healthy growth. Today, I’ll go over two of the best climbing bean frames on the market: TinkTube and Agriframes, evaluating their features, benefits, and suitability for different gardening needs.
Whether you’re a DIY seeker or looking for a well-designed, done-for-you option, there’s something for everyone here.
So, without further ado, let’s get started!
Metal Garden Frames vs Wooden Garden Frames
Garden frames can take many forms and be constructed from different materials. But when the situation calls for a heavy-duty runner bean growing frame, metal and wood are the most popular options.
This is primarily due to their unmatched durability and sturdiness. When built and appropriately protected, they can withstand all kinds of weather, supporting your climbing crops all year round. With that being said, here’s a quick rundown of metal vs. wooden garden frames.
Metal Garden Frames
Whether aluminium, iron, or stainless steel, metal garden frames are a reliable choice as a long-term trellis solution. Their ornate design adds a touch of stylish charm wherever they’re used.
On the flip side, these frames tend to be heavier on the pocket and may conduct heat during extremely hot temperatures (which could potentially harm your plants).
| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
| Metal garden frames are the toughest and sturdiest option available and can hold plenty of weight. | Metal frames can rust in contact with humidity if not protected or painted properly |
| Can be treated or painted to resist rust and corrosion so will last for many years | Can be more expensive |
| Boasts a sleek, beautiful finish | Some gardeners prefer the natural look of wood to metal |
| Folding construction of some models makes for easy assembly and storage. |
Wooden Garden Frames
Wooden garden frames are an affordable and more basic option for home gardeners. From bamboo poles to wooden stakes, these supports come in many varieties and usually be moved anywhere.
The main downside is if you’re not using treated wood, they can quickly rot and only last a season or two. And treated wood has its downsides when it comes to chemicals potentially leaching into the soil.
| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
| Wood frames’ natural look blends well in the garden | Doesn’t hold up as well in outdoor environments and must be carefully treated with preservative chemicals |
| Simple to work with and can be cut to your preferred size | The lighter weight of these frames makes them more vulnerable to storms and winds. |
| The structures are often lighter than metal ones and allow easier fixtures in your shed or backyard. | Depending on your wood type, you’ll need specific tools to create your trellis (screwdriver/hammer, sandpaper, saw…) |
| Metal Garden Frames | Wooden Garden Frames | |
|---|---|---|
| CONSTRUCTION MATERIAL | Aluminium, Iron, Stainless Steel | Larch, Chestnut, Oak, and other confiners (softwoods) |
| APPEARANCE | Sleek and stylish finish with a more contemporary look | A natural look that blends well with the outdoors |
| WEATHER RESISTANCE | High | Medium to Low |
| DURABILITY | High | Low |
| PORTABILITY | Generally heavy and difficult to move (the folding design of some models makes them travel-friendly) | Depends on the wood type |
| COST EFFECTIVENESS | Expensive | Pocket-friendly |
TinkTube Metal Runner Bean Frames
Building a DIY climbing bean frame has several advantages. For starters, it can save you money. Buying a prefabricated structure can be costly, especially if you’re looking for one that’s both functional and attractive. By building your own, you can get the same benefits for a fraction of the cost.
Secondly, you can customize your do-it-yourself garden frame to fit your specific needs. You may have a vision in mind or want something more elaborate; either way, you can adapt your frame accordingly.
Choose the design, materials, and the plants that will go on it; that way, your structure will reflect your unique taste and style.
So, what’s the best DIY bean frame, you might ask? You guessed it: TinkTube. With such an extensive collection of premium-quality tube options, TinkTube lets you create a stylish and fully customizable metal runner bean frame with absolute ease.
Benefits of Tinktube
1. Easy Assembly
Aside from dealing with high-quality, easy-to-assemble parts, TinkTube’s user-friendly approach makes things a whole lot simpler. It includes illustrations, step-by-step guides, and even video tutorials on practically everything, from cutting pipes to joining connectors, ensuring hassle-free assembly.
2. Lightweight Yet Sturdy Building Material
TinkTube’s connectors and steel pipes are among the sturdiest materials you’ll come across. Once the tubes are locked and fitted, your garden frame is practically indestructible. And despite the reinforced strength, the lightweight components aid portability, allowing you to carry your heavy-duty trellis just about anywhere.
Take a look at this fantastic guide on how to build a heavy-duty trellis!
3. Weather Resistance
The painted joints are E-coated, and the pipes are galvanized, meaning they’re designed for all weather conditions.
Designed to last, you’ll be using your frame for many years to come!
4. Customization Options
From add-on modules to different color options, TinkTube provides opportunities for customization, letting users personalize their garden trellises according to their preferences. Construct in a raised garden bed or directly on the ground
Alternatively, if you are looking for more of a done-for-you solution, Tinktube has a garden trellis kitset option too.
5. Adaptability
Whether you’re looking for a small-sized frame or something that’s on the larger side, TinkTube has you covered. The availability of different-sized pipes and the ability to add (or remove) sections brings more adaptability.
This ensures that you can easily alter your creation even after you’re done with the initial build.
6. Community Support
TinkTube fosters an active and supportive community where gardeners can connect, ask questions, share their ideas, and seek guidance—the primary objective of the community is to provide additional learning opportunities and enhance the overall experience.
Customer Experiences and Testimonials for TinkTube
“I’m so thrilled to discover TinkTube! Undoubtedly the easiest way to build any kind of project. I’ll keep on tinktubing for sure!”
“The TinkTube modular system enables me to create and adapt various structures to meet my business’s needs. I love recycling my previous project’s components to make new ones.”
“The structures are sturdy, and the creations last forever!”
Agriframes Metal Runner Bean Frames
Building a DIY climbing bean structure has benefits, but there is a certain appeal and standard of the ready-to-use metal runner frames that these traditional units can never match.
First, these prefabricated runner bean growing frames are made from high-quality and reliable materials designed to last several years. They are also designed to withstand harsh weather conditions like strong winds, and promise to stay functional throughout all seasons.
More importantly, building a bean frame yourself requires plenty of time, hard work, and skills, which amateur gardeners often lack. In such scenarios, it’s best to invest in a prefabricated metal runner bean frame like that of Agriframes.
With a diverse collection of products, supreme build quality, and other specialized features, Agriframes is our top pick in the prefabricated garden frames category. Here’s why:
1. Durability
Agriframes are known to make no compromises regarding the quality of their structures. The brand ensures that all its handcrafted products are made by skilled craftsmen using only top-notch materials.
The galvanized tubular steel coated on the frames adds extra durability and guarantees functionality for 10 years from the production date. If, during this warranty period, you discover a workmanship or material defect, Agriframes will replace or repair your product as per its subject conditions.
2. Versatility
Agriframes’ wide assortment of bean support structures caters to every gardening need. You can choose between different frame sizes, arches, and arbors depending on what goes best with the theme of your garden.
3. Design Aesthetics
Agriframes takes pride in using textured matt black polymer coating that’s both effective and visually appealing. They’ve also recently developed a “Forged” frame style featuring welded joints and slimline for a neat finish.
Adding to this, their exclusive Elegance range collection combines delicacy with practicality, offering tons of intricate yet subtle wirework designs.
These garden frames are available in various colors and coatings such as sage green, bath stone, and warm rustic, perfect for adding a cottage-core, homey feel to your surroundings.
Some of there designs use Biodegradable Jute Netting, perfect for growing soft-stem climbers!
4. Extra Features
Some other specialized features of Agriframes’ structures include their UV-resistant coating that effortlessly prevents gradual fading even after long-term use.
These bean trellises also use robust tubular galvanized steel for strength and rust protection. With a simple installation and included biodegradable jute netting and extension, the company allows everyone to start their gardening venture in no time!
Customer Experiences and Testimonials for Agriframes
“Very pleased with this item, easy to assemble, sturdy, and fantastic.”
“We found Agriframes straightforward to construct thanks to the clever design and helpful instructions. It looks really stylish and ideal for growing our sweet peas.”
“This wall arch turned a boring walk into a feature wall.”
Comparative Analysis Table: Which Metal Runner Bean Frame is Best?
| TinkTube | Agriframes | |
|---|---|---|
| PRICE RANGE | $80 to $85 | $40 to $350 |
| EASE OF ASSEMBLY | More time-consuming but includes illustrations and video tutorials to simplify the process | Self-assembly within an hour by just one person |
| DIY or PREFABRICATED | DIY | Prefabricated with a little assembly required |
| WEATHER RESISTANCE | Yes (e-coated and galvanized pipes) | Yes (use of tubular galvanized steel) |
| DURABILITY | Modular, tough, and indestructible steel tubes | High-quality polymer-coated steel |
| FINAL VERDICT… | Better choice for customizability and skilled gardeners on a tight budget. Also very light weight! | Very aesthetically pleasing and would be a practical feature in the garden. Good value for money for a long-term, easy-to-install support system for bean varieties |
| SHOP TINKTUBE | SHOP AGRIFRAMES |
Suitability for Different Gardeners
Users can opt for TinkTube or Agriframes, considering their different gardening needs. For urban gardeners with limited space or beginners looking for straightforward assembly, TinkTube frames might be more suitable.
On the other hand, Agriframes frames might be a preferred choice for those seeking premium, ready-to-use designs and a long-term investment.
Maintenance and Care
Once you have set up your runner bean growing frame, the next step is to develop the correct maintenance and care plan to ensure it is kept in good condition all year round.
Several issues can arise over time, regardless of what brand you go for. Paint can peel off; metal structures can develop rust or bend out of shape.
So, make sure to repair any chipped paint on your frame quickly to protect it from rusting. Liquid wood preservatives can also be applied to unpainted wooden frames to keep them from rotting.
Another effective method is to store your runner bean growing structure under cover during off-seasons to avoid rust or corrosion.
Both TinkTube and Agriframes take pride in dealing with weather-resistant frames.
Conclusion
With their thoughtful specifications and user-friendly installations, TinkTube and Agriframes are undoubtedly the most reliable names for providing high-quality climbing bean frames to customers.
While TinkTube does better regarding customizability, flexibility, and budget, Agriframes outdoes the former in terms of ease-of-use and durability.
If you are looking for a custom-made metal runner bean frame with sufficient weather resistance and strength, TinkTube should be your go-to option. Whereas, if you are willing to spend a little more in return for a long lifespan and sturdy structure, Agriframes is the right choice for you.
Make sure to keep the strengths and weaknesses of each brand in mind before making your final decision. After all, the right type of bean frame is responsible for supporting and protecting your plants and transforming your gardens’ look.
So, don’t shy away from researching each option till you find the best metal runner bean frame option that will work for you. After all, gardening is all about having fun and experimenting!
About the Author
Elle Reed is a passionate gardener and advocate for teaching beginner gardeners how to grow their own food. Elle’s mission is to inspire and empower people to get back to basics, grow their own produce, and embrace a sustainable lifestyle. “Whether it’s a few herb pots in an apartment, a potager or a full garden plot, we can all ‘start somewhere’ to grow our own food, and in doing so, provide healthier food for ourselves and those we love”.
