Get a complete material list for your hoop house — hoops, pipe footage, plastic sheeting area, wiggle wire, and cost estimate.
Hoop houses (also called high tunnels) are one of the most cost-effective season extension tools available to small farmers and homesteaders. A basic 14×96 ft Quonset-style hoop house can be built for $2,000–$5,000 in materials and extend your growing season by 4–6 weeks on each end of the season. This calculator gives you a precise material list based on your dimensions.
A standard hoop house consists of semi-circular metal hoops (typically 1–1.5 inch galvanized EMT conduit or schedule 40 PVC pipe) spaced every 4–6 feet along two base rails or ground-driven rebar stakes. The hoops are covered with polyethylene greenhouse film (4 or 6 mil), which is secured using wiggle wire and channel track along the base rails and purlin lines.
Key material choices:
USDA NRCS offers cost-share assistance for high tunnel construction through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP). A standard 14×96 ft high tunnel can receive $8,000–$15,000 in EQIP funding for qualifying farmers. Contact your local NRCS office to apply — funding is competitive and deadline-driven.
The terms are often used interchangeably. Technically, "high tunnel" refers to a structure tall enough to walk in (typically 7+ feet) while "hoop house" can refer to any size from low row covers to walk-in structures. Both are unheated (or minimally heated) compared to a greenhouse, and both use poly film rather than glass or rigid polycarbonate.
Standard 6-mil greenhouse poly film with UV inhibitors typically lasts 3–5 years before it becomes brittle and tears. High-quality woven poly or IR (infrared) blocking poly can last 4–6 years. Single-season poly can last 1–2 years. Tearing usually starts at the ridge where wind and UV exposure are greatest; replacing just the ridge section can extend the life of the rest of the cover.
Standard spacing is every 4–6 feet. Closer spacing (4 feet) is recommended in areas with heavy snow loads or high winds. In moderate climates with minimal snow, 5–6 foot spacing is fine and reduces pipe costs. Never exceed 6 feet between hoops for structures over 8 feet tall.
Most jurisdictions do not require permits for temporary hoop houses without permanent foundations. However, if the structure is anchored to a poured concrete foundation or exceeds certain dimensions (varies by jurisdiction, commonly 200 sq ft), a permit may be required. Always check with your local building department. USDA EQIP-funded high tunnels typically have specific design requirements to qualify for funding.
Yes, but it requires a heat source (propane heater, wood stove, or in-ground heating cables). Double-layer poly with an inflation fan significantly reduces heat loss. Many farmers use hoop houses for overwintering cold-hardy crops (spinach, kale, carrots) without any supplemental heat — just the passive heat gain from the poly tunnel is enough to keep temperatures 10–20°F above outdoor lows in most climates.