Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Hi everyone - I live near pittsburgh and of course we get some pretty cold weather over winter.

Of the people that have greenhouses, in climates like mine, is it better to buy a greenhouse kit or build a hoop house? The hoop house is more appealing to me due to cost but I'm not sure if it'll hold the heat like a kit model would?

I see many people saying that hoop houses are intended to "extend" the growing season, but I'm looking to keep an AP system running year round. I'm prepared to pull the trigger either way, I just want the best bang for the buck. I can get a smaller kit, or build a much bigger hoop house for the same price.

Any input is greatly appreciated.





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Once you start down the aquaponics path you'll find extensions are on the cards and therefor more space will be required. The poly ethylene material they put on commercial hoop houses have got a high quality three layer construction that is expected to last about five years.
So I'd go the hoop house with quality materials that way you can expand into it.

Pete.

I'd go with the hoop house as well if it's big enough. Small ones tend to overheat although with an AP setup inside that should moderate the temperature swings so probably won't be a problem. Whatever you get, realize that there is more to the cost than just the greenhouse struction - you have to figure in the cost of ventilation/fans, heating if needed, shade cloth, and a bunch of other things that add up. This sort of thing is usually true for the kit greenhouses as well though . You may be able to raise the side walls to give more height if desired but weight the heating costs when considering this.

Buried greenhouses are worth a look too. https://www.niftyhomestead.com/blog/underground-greenhouse/

What is the difference between a hoop house and a green house? I have never heard of a hoop house.

A hoop house is a type of greenhouse although you could split this category down quite a bit further (caterpillar tunnels, high tunnels...). Sometimes hoop houses are seasonal and sometimes they are designed to run throughout the year. They all use an arch shaped hoop to support the roof/plastic.

Thanks for all the replies! The underground method is interesting, and I just happen to have a hillside I could dig into.


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I think a hoop house is the lower cost and shorter term version of a green house. Green houses are commonly built to higher performance specs. Structurally able to support glass, heat walls, curtains, shading, mechanical ventilation etc.