$500 Greenhouse: How To Build A Hoop House

Sharing is caring!

What is a hoop house?

A hoop house (also called a polytunnel or hoop greenhouse) is a greenhouse with a plastic roof wrapped over a flexible structure of hoops. The interior heats up because incoming solar radiation from the sun warms plants, soil, and other things inside the building faster than heat can escape the structure.

The large hoops or bows can be made of metal, plastic pipes, or wood. The heavy greenhouse plastic “skin” is then stretched tight over the hoops and fastened to baseboards with strips of wood, metal, wire, or even used irrigation tape and staples.

The following information is from One Community Global’s hub of resources to help others build their own hoop house: 

How to Build a Hoop House

Hoop houses are affordable, fast and cheap to build, and can extend a growing season by at least a month or more on each end. Click here for an extensive article on hoop houses if you’d like to read more.

Here’s a 60 second video on small hoop house construction for under $50:

WHY BUILD HOOP HOUSES?

The goal with hoop houses is to add a couple months to any short growing season. In some places this will allow people to quickly begin food production while we are waiting for other larger Phase II food production structures to be built. We will use this page to open source share our evaluation of hoop houses as a growing option, how they work in our specific location, productivity and maintenance requirements, and related topics like manual venting needs, effects of weather, wildlife, etc.

Our initial objective is to construct eighteen 11’ wide x 90’ long x 8’ high hoop houses for:

• Seedling starts of warm-season crops (tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, etc.)
• In-ground growing of cool season greens (spinach, arugula, lettuce, etc.)

HOOP HOUSE CONSTRUCTION AND COST

CONSTRUCTION COSTS

Here is a complete materials list and costs for an individually applicable 11’ wide x 15’ long x 8’ high walk-in hoop house design. This design can be enlarged or decreased by simply adding or removing hoops and associated materials. We will enlarge them (see below) to 90′ long. Be certain to have accurate measurements for determining plastic size before ordering!

MATERIAL	DESCRIPTION	PRICE	QTY/House	TOTAL
PVC	20′x3/4″ PVC schedule 40 plumbing pipe	$4.57	6	$27.42
Gray Conduit*	10’x1 ¼” gray conduit schedule 80*	$5.85	12	$70.20
Wood Stabilizers	1x6x8′ pressure treated (cut to 1×3’s)	$8.97	6	$53.82
Wood	2×4′ stud (cut into 1×2’s)	$2.25	3	$6.75
Wood	1x4x12′ pressure treated	$8.77	2	$17.54
Wood	2x4x16′ (cut into 2x2s)	$7.06	1	$7.06
Posts	8′ Steel “T” fence post	$5.77	4	$23.08
Rebar Anchors	20’x½” (cut as needed – based on soil consistency)	$7.10	1	$7.10
Ties	8” plastic zip ties – 100	$8.97	1	$8.97
Screws	1 ¼” x   5lb drywall screws	$21.97	1	$21.97
Wire for X Braces	16 gauge galvanized utility wire – 25′ roll	$6.47	1	$6.47
Staples	3/8″ t-50 staples – 1250/pack	$3.22	1	$3.22
Plastic***	6 mm IRAD poly film 25’x35′ sheet	$150.00	1	$150.00
Plywood	For reinforcements… scrounged	–	–	–
		TOTAL/HOUSE		$376.18
		BUDGETED TOTAL**		$500.00

* Gray conduit is a sturdier option and is also UV resistant, resulting in extended longevity over standard white PVC. This is beneficial because PVC is susceptible to brittleness and breakage over time due to UV degradation. Prices include sizes of 1″, 1 ¼”: and 1 ½”. Because it comes in 10′ lengths instead of 20′ lengths, use the bell end of one of the lengths to join the two 10′ lengths for a single 20′ piece. We will likely use 1″ or 1 ¼” for the hoop bows.

** For budgeting $500.00/hoop house, no shipping has been included. The one exception would be for IRAD film. IRAD film will be shipped and shipping price is included in sheet pricing. The budgeting cushion is for other missed expenses and taxes for components other than IRAD film (No tax has been assessed by our IRAD seller) and allows us to expand each house on-site (if deemed necessary) while remaining within our budget parameters.

*** Be sure to check and double check that your plastic size is correct. Cutting fees can range from $12-$20/cut. Cut your own on-site from a roll to avoid this charge. Here is one way to calculate the size of plastic required:

Width of plastic is determined by these hoop house structural measurements:  Width + Height + 2′ (round to standard width size – always good to have more than not enough)

Using this formula our 11’ wide x 15’ long x 8’ high hoop houses would require a plastic width of 21’ (11+8+2 = 21’). So we would buy a 22’ wide plastic roll.

Length of plastic is determined by these hoop house structural measurements:  Length + Height + Height + 2′ (assuming the cover is bottom to bottom including both end walls)

Using this formula our 11’ wide x 15’ long x 8’ high hoop houses would require a plastic length  of 35’ (15+8+8+2 = 33’). So we are calculating a 35’ length. Thus, one sheet of 22’x35′ IRAD poly film ($150) will cover one hoop house this size and we are ordering two 22’ x 105’ rolls that will provide for 3 of our starter houses per each roll, so enough for 6 hoop houses total. 

This formula will give you some leeway with the plastic; yes there will be some leftovers, but if you are short, you will have to reorder or downsize your hoop house. Also, be careful when using online calculators as they generally provide surface area measurements and may or may not include built-in leeway, and you do want at least one foot excess on all sides so you can stretch the plastic taut.

MORE HOOP HOUSE PLASTIC INFORMATION

Here’s a link talking about the best plastics for greenhouses: Click Here.

Based on our own research, UV-treated polyethylene (or IR film which greatly reduces or eliminates interior condensation and is about $0.02 more per square foot over standard UV treated polyethylene film) is our recommended choice for hoop houses due to durability and eliminating the yearly labor replacement efforts of non-UV plastic. The UV-treated is guaranteed by most wholesalers for 4 years, some stating that many consumers report a longevity of 6-7 years.

We have not substantiated this claim and will determine its true longevity over time. It can be ordered in rolls from 6’-64’ wide. Most companies carry rolls 100’ in length or more and some cut to whatever your desired length, 1000’ or more. When ordering in large quantities, the square foot price is $0.10 – $0.12 cents/sq. ft. Prices are quoted both by the square foot and lineal foot. Some distributors will offer dealer pricing which will decrease the overall price. Most large sellers seem to have only a fractional difference in price. Shipping is variable, 15-20% of the cost is a guideline but exact rates can be determined at the time of your order placement. Some offer prepaid shipment over 3000 lbs. Small orders under 21’ widths are generally shipped UPS while 21’ widths and larger are by semi-trucks. Global shipping is done by many. Six mil polyethylene is also referred to as 150 micron poly, depending on your geographic location. Some websites provide prices but due to fluctuations, you will have to order via phone for up-to-date pricing.

Though there are numerous suppliers worldwide, here are four that we researched:

Gempler’s: Website  ::  Customer Service: (800) 382-8473  ::  Technical Support: 800-874-4755
FarmTex: Website  ::  (800) 327-6835
U.S. Global Resources: Website  ::  (206) 722-3999
Gothic Arch Greenhouses: Website  ::  (800) 531-4769

No matter who you contact, check for the closest dealer to minimize shipping costs. Order larger quantities for better price breaks.

We also researched 6mm polycarbonate from China that claims to have a 10 year warranty. We spoke to several US vendors and they said this new flexible polycarbonate plastic is not as durable as stated. We’re not sure if this is accurate or marketing for their advantage.

Three hoop house videos with a wealth of hoop house information we think most people will find useful:

LARGE SCALE GROUND-BASED HOOP HOUSE CREATION