How we transformed a high tunnel to a barn! Cost & what we'd do differently now

We have been using the high tunnel barn for a year now. It's a good time for an update. The building of the barn is the first video we ever put up on KZbin but it came with a lot of questions so we wanted to give you an update!
Watch the first video here: • Converting a High Tunn...
We bought a custom fit cover from Farmtek: www.farmtek.co...
Follow our daily adventures on Facebook and Instagram @RockyKnobFarms
Visit our website www.rockyknobfarms.com
#DIY #farmprojects #sheepbarn #katahdinsheep #DIYfarm #tarpbarn #hightunnel #fabricbarn #farmtek #smallfarm #familyfarm #womeninag
#farmlife #alwaysaproject

[@nolacothren5581]

With so many grow operations going out of business I think we will see alot more of these type structures. Great job!!

[@cindybailey8380]

This has been very helpful. I have a 30x50 Gothic arch plastic greenhouse never in use. I need a goat and chicken barn and now I know this is doable. We have fans and electricity in the building.

[@rockyknobfarms]

Glad it was helpful! Good luck with the transition!

[@EskimoInAlaska]

lol you just made me feel way less concerned about what is coming 💖💖💖 What a blessing!!!

[@Zack-lq9tb]

I have been considering using two high tunnels to build a barn then convert to living space and shop space. Starting first with white sileage tarps for roofing. Later adding 1x4" wood across my trusses and then tin the whole thing with windows amd doors. I can put trusses two ft on center, and use 10' ground posts to make a finished 9' ceiling. My high tunnels are over engineered for load in my climate, more bracing than yours, and 32'x96', so it should work without permits. Thanks for sharing your experiences.

[@rockyknobfarms]

No problem, we wish you good luck!

[@tarekchbeir8299]

To prevent condensation, have you tried only heating it (with minimal air flow)? Condensation only happens when warm air touches the cold surface of the tarp. So keeping it warmer than air temperature should do it, like the windshield on your car. I wouldn't worry about heating the entire space. Just the tarp itself. May be a few strategically placed heaters near the tarp surface....or some low temp heating strips along the tarp (also like rear glass automotive defrost elements)... Just thinking out loud. Also....if you build a regular barn with steel roof, you'll still have the same condensation issue unless you install a thermal break between the purlins and the actual steel roofing....unless you go for plywood/osb sheeting as that in itself would act as a thermal break, but I would still install a protective layer anyway, to protect the wood.

[@EskimoInAlaska]

We have two high tunnels on our property and were thinking of doing exactly the same thing! Didn't think about adding posts though. Wow so awesome to see this. Thank you 😍😍😍

[@rockyknobfarms]

What great timing! Just make sure you have some kind of vent out the top. Good luck! 👍🏼

[@lcecbranch]

For heat you could look into the Jean Pain system. Heat from a compost pile.

[@terrylutke]

late to the video..Most any structure with animals will have moisture vapor control issues. Pole barn builders recommend at least a minimally insulative sheet under the roof tin to prevent dew-point condensation accumulation on the bottom side of the metal, it's a very effective and inexpensive solution. Side wall and roof peak venting encourages air to flow from bottom to top of the underside of the roof. I've never noticed peak vents in a hoop barn. Maybe it's not possible.

[@sonjareer6003]

Great information thinking about one of those for sheep as well

[@rockyknobfarms]

Just make sure you have some type of ventilation at the top of the frame 😉 good luck!

[@sonjareer6003]

@@rockyknobfarms will do for sure

[@anderswonkavaara7544]

👍👍

[@1RyanDaugherty]

Not that it’s doable now, but if you were to do it over, would setting the high tunnel up facing another direction flow more air through and cut down on the condensation, or do you think that’s just the nature of having that large span of plastic with no way to vent the top? You guys definitely did a good job on the construction, I like the ends. My cousin next to me put up two clearspan hoops to replace a shed that burned, and they have the tarp end walls on one end of each of them, they lasted about 10 or 12 months before they started blowing in the wind and eventually tore, rest of the tarps look great 8 years later. No support on the endwall on a 32x16 end and it’s just too much area for the wind to grab ahold of. I like your frameout idea better.

[@rockyknobfarms]

It's in line with the wind direction at the moment so when there is a breeze it flows through as much as possible. I think the biggest issue is no ventilation out the top. Once the sheep aren't in there creating heat I don't think it'll be a problem any more.

[@1RyanDaugherty]

Rocky Knob Farms ah, gotcha. Makes sense the condensation would stop or at least decrease tremendously once the sheep are out. I’ve got a 36x80 machine shed closed in on 3 sides with the closed in long side against the wind 90% of the time, so it doesn’t breathe at all... right time of year with a cool overnight and temps come up quick in the morning it’ll rain in there pretty good for awhile. Nothing major, but you can tell the rock floor is darker.

[@mcleanfarmsryan3897]

I was a thinking about doing one for hay do one of my biggest concerns with it heating up with the hay in it and possibly causing hay to catch fire if it’s a little damp

[@rockyknobfarms]

@mcleanfarmsryan3897 we used ours to store about 125 round bales this year. Two layers high. We left both ends completely open for the rest of the summer and fall. We didn't have any issues but hay fire is always a worry!

[@mcleanfarmsryan3897]

@@rockyknobfarms okay that is great to know thanks

[@rickngerricromarty7172]

What would happen if u put in some vents down on the bottom in your steel walls that U can open and close with a slide? U think that would help with your ventilation issues?

[@rockyknobfarms]

We have some at the end of the barn with the doors (from the direction the wind comes) and they do help. I imagine if we put them in along the sides of the barn it would help too. But I still think the majority of the heat would rise, I think some type of ventilation out the top would be the most ideal fix.

[@vasukarishma9487]

Where is the custom tarp from please? I wanted to buy the same :)

[@rockyknobfarms]

We ordered it from FarmTek

[@thanosunciftligi9730]

👏👏

[@yayaNursinghoodClub]

Where did you find the frame? And how big is yours?

[@rockyknobfarms]

We bought it second hand from an nursery going out of business. It originally was 24'x96' but after we took the bent ends off it's probably closer to 80' long now.

[@patsybishop7008]

Where did you get your canvas top?

[@rockyknobfarms]

We got it from FarmTek 🙂

[@marsogreen2411]

Where do you buy the custom tarp from? I can only find them as part of a complete building

[@rockyknobfarms]

We got ours from FarmTek

[@tarekchbeir8299]

@@rockyknobfarms Thank you much for the fast response. I called them and I was quoted about 3 times more. It seems that for only a small amount more, it's better to just buy the whole building from them (albeit for extra labor cost), especially if you want the pockets (for the pipes) and ratchet straps on both ends of the fabric. Or may be prices have just recently skyrocketed so much that all that has changed since you did it. Thanks again.

[@jthepickle7]

My kit didn't include directions or a ridge pole. I only thought to put one in after a heavy downpour - too late. Bye-bye thousands of dollars and a broken heart to see most of the tubing bent and touching my grow tables and a two ton puddle of water.

[@aidanblythe]

What weight and thickness is the cover?

[@rockyknobfarms]

I think it's a 7oz canvas

[@poopeeman78]

We have one high tunnel we put all our chickens and rabbits in for the winter. We are going to get another one this year for a milk cow and goats and pigs. Seems like the cheapest option... and then during spring summer fall they will be out on pasture with pasture shelters.