SHOP BY SHELTER SIZE
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Hoop barns provide for hay, equipment, and agricultural storage
Agricultural professionals across the country have a very important task in providing “food for the world”. As most farmers realize, commodity prices fluctuate quite frequently making it difficult to manage a profit at the end of the year. As a result, farmers are always in search of the “best bang for the the dollar” when it comes to outdoor storage of equipment, hay, and grain. The cost for a traditional wood or steel framed storage barn has become quite costly as most farmers are quickly finding out. In addition, the cost and time required to obtain building permits for a permanent structure has added to the frustration of most farmers, consumers, and business owners who need outdoor storage space. Polyethylene covered hoop barns have rapidly taken hold as the cost efficient and durable solution for outdoor storage for thousands of applications. Common applications of hoop barns include equipment, hay, grain, and shelter for livestock.
Hoop barn benefits
There are a number of benefits that hoop barns offer when compared to the conventional wood and metal storage building. Cost efficiency, flexibility, and ease of construction are a few of the benefits that should be considered with hoop barns. When comparing the cost of a wood frame or sheet metal barn, a polyethylene covered hoop barn is just a fraction of the expense. This becomes even more notable with larger buildings when the cost difference widens even more. Ease of construction is another notable advantage as hoop barns can be built on any level mounting surface including poured pads, blacktop, dirt, gravel, and even wood header walls for added inside clearance and height. Many farmers will place their hoop barn on a wood post with header wall for additional storage clearance and to prevent structure damage. In situations where livestock and animals are being sheltered, the wall provides a sturdy foundation and barrier for the animals. In addition, hoop barns traditionally do not require permits for construction approval, however, it is recommended to consult with local building authorities prior to purchase.
Hoop barn frame construction
Hoop barn frames are manufactured of round or square galvanized structural steel tubing for corrosion resistance. Most manufacturers utilize swaged tubing for the general framework Swaged tubing consists of two pipes where one pipe end has been shrunk to a reduced diameter. The non reduced end of another pipe slides over the reduced pipe end. The two pieces are then secured tightly using fasteners such as bolts. A variety of other fastening hardware such as framing brackets, pipe clamps, and connectors are used to completely assemble the frame. Many manufacturers use corner struts to provide additional stability in harsh weather conditions. Hoop structures are typically “stand alone” in nature which allows them to stand freely without the use of outside supporting devices. Hoop barns are freestanding, however, a durable anchoring system is required to secure the structure to a mounting surface. If the barn is mounted to a wood header wall, concrete blocks, or a poured wall, the wall provides the security.
Hoop barn cover manufacturing and specifications
Covers (often called tarps) are manufactured from woven coated polyethylene which is thermally fused at the seams to prevent water and moisture intrusion into the building. Some manufacturers may use poly vinyl chloride (also known as PVC) which is a similar material. Regardless of the cover material that is utilized, these materials can offer years of protection with the proper care and upkeep. Covers are tensioned tightly to the hoop barn frame utilizing a commercial grade tensioning system that uses ratchets, straps, and cables depending on the design of that specific building. Pockets are thermally fused into the cover on both sides extending the full length. Swaged steel piping is inserted into the pockets on both sides of the cover. Polyester straps are installed around the steel pipe in the pocket by carefully cutting a small tear into the pocket (being careful not to cut the main cover). The straps are then inserted into rugged steel ratchets that are secured to the bottom of the hoop frame or the wall on which the barn is mounted. Tightening the steel ratchets places tension on the cover in every direction. Proper care and maintenance involves keeping the cover tight to the frame. Loose covers can cause water and debris buildup in certain areas which can reduce the life of the cover. Simply verifying cover tightness one time per year should be sufficient to confirmation. It is also important to keep any debris such as sharp objects from collecting on the cover as this can reduce cover life expectancy. This includes such items as tree limbs and leaves.
Mounting details
As previously discussed, units erected on a poured, concrete block, concrete pad, containers, or wood header wall do not require additional anchoring. Units constructed on dirt, gravel, or asphalt surface require additional security to prevent damage to the hoop barn and its contents. Steel auger or twist anchors are frequently used for dirt, gravel, and asphalt surfaces. The majority of these shelters will include steel base mounting plates with predrilled mounting holes. The mounting holes allow the building to be properly fastened to wood headers, concrete pads, and steel I beams. The mounting plates also help to prevent the hoop structure from sinking on soft surfaces such as sand and dirt.
Applications and sizes
Each consumer ultimately has a different situation when deciding the size of hoop barn that is required to meet their storage needs. Regardless of the size, we feature a large selection ranging from 10’ wide to 42’ wide. 10’ – 14’ wide units are frequently used to store vehicles, watercraft, and garden equipment. Larger units are used for equipment, grain, vehicle, watercraft, warehousing, and manufacturing storage. We invite all prospective consumers to view our large selection of hoop barn products which are organized by size to the left.