Should You Buy A Tension Fabric Building??

Should You Buy A Tension Fabric Building??
This video shows two different types of construction for tension fabric buildings. One type of construction that has lasted for over 10 years, and one building that was about four years old when it collapsed.

[@hankelrod7315]

I have one of the very first Farmtec buildings they ever sold - paid $2800 for a 30x72 building which I built on 6x6 posts. Its pic is still on their website & in their catalogs. I moved it to another location when I moved & used it again. The original cover split across the top transparent roof during a high wind storm when it was 21 yrs old. I replaced it with solid white fabric. Love my building & looking to put up another this yr. I wouldn’t put one up wider than about 36ft bc the wider you make it the flatter the roof is on top. Great hay & equipment storage that’s nice to work in

[@BiLB-DIY]

Thank you for showing us your building failure. But, Your building didn't fail because of the lateral (beam) bracing. It failed because the arches were not strong enough for the load. Arches are structural, beams are not laterally structural as you showed in your video. If the arch had not buckled, the building would not have failed regardless of the lateral supports. If the arches were properly matched to the load (larger in diameter and/or of a thicker, stiffer tubing) this structure could have only had crossed cables to provide lateral stability between each arch and it would have been just fine. Once the weakest or most loaded arch began to collapse, it pulled on the lateral supports which placed a portion of its snow load force to the adjacent arches and they all failed in a domino effect. Trussed arches (comparably super strong considering the amount of steel used) can be stabilized laterally with your same tubes and it would be just fine.

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

Great video! Thanks for sharing this. We bought a small greenhouse and it lasted in the wind for about one day. We learned our lesson. When we do it again, we know what to avoid. Your findings are critical for a long life for the greenhouse. Sorry you had to go through the learning curve. Cheers!

[@dehavenfamilyfarm]

Thank you! It sure can be hard to know what style or manufacturer to purchase from 🙂

[@crslyrn]

Good points to consider when looking for storage options. Thanks for taking the time to go over the buildings. Take care.

[@dehavenfamilyfarm]

Thank you Ron, I appreciate you watching 🙂

[@larsonvalleyfarm]

My neighbor put up 2 of those cover-all buildings one year. The bigger one has the trussed type hoops, been up for 12 years, the second was a pipe type truss like yours that failed. Theirs also failed at 3 years old. Snow and winds took theirs down. Luckily the one thats still standing is the one that houses animals and the cheaper one was a hay shed

[@dehavenfamilyfarm]

I wonder if the one they had that failed was the same brand as mine. It was basically some Chinese manufacturer. I think they are sold under the gold mountain name or something similar now. Thanks Brad 🙂

[@MySliceOfHeavenoutdoors]

Thanks for the heads up Chris, I can definitely see how the difference in pipes makes it more sturdy

[@dehavenfamilyfarm]

I appreciate you watching 🙂

[@pinesedgefarm1155]

That's very interesting, I often thought about getting one of those, just haven't gotten serious about it yet. It definitely makes sense to clamp it together. Thanks for sharing!

[@dehavenfamilyfarm]

Thank you for watching 🙂

[@deanbarr5740]

I remember when this happened to you Chris. That was a sad day. Thanks for taking the time to explain some things. I'm kinda in the market for some additional cheaper storage. This came at good timing for me.

[@dehavenfamilyfarm]

Thanks Dean, I hope the info will help you make a decision 🙂

[@Pennies_on_the_dollar]

I remember that was one of the first vidoes I watched on your channel about the collapse of the building! I can totally see the weak points with that pipe mashed for sure!! Very good info and details on the difference! I have many times considered one like the second one you showed, no snow worries here! Thank you Mr Chris for the insight, and bringing us along!! Look fwd to more sir!! 😁👍

[@dehavenfamilyfarm]

Thank you 🙂 I hope the info saves people the headaches I went through!

[@Pennies_on_the_dollar]

@@dehavenfamilyfarm Yes sir!!!

[@RandWFarmstead-TonyWalsh]

Thanks for showing the differences in the construction types Chris, sorry this happened to you. I forgot you were in Pennsylvania and I just made two trips through there. I’m coming back through in the spring and maybe I can make a detour. Take care and have a blessed week my friend.

[@dehavenfamilyfarm]

Yes, I am in Northeast PA. If you're coming through again, let me know!

[@jankotze1959]

Great explanation Chris, thanks for the tips

[@dehavenfamilyfarm]

Thank you!!

[@weldersandblaster]

Thank for the information. Sorry for your loss.

[@farmerpete]

Good information for anyone considering these buildings.

[@dehavenfamilyfarm]

Thanks Pete! I hope your less black and blue now 😁

[@brycewiborg8095]

Thanks Chris. Time is always in short supply. The New Idea picker appears to be in good condition.

[@dehavenfamilyfarm]

Very true!

[@HumbleHaymakers]

Great video!

[@dehavenfamilyfarm]

Thank you 🙂

[@AgWildNebraska]

Good information.

[@dehavenfamilyfarm]

Thanks 😀

[@jonstevensmaplegrovefarms3754]

tough way for an education. toured a farm and they had a hoop building. i asked how they like it, they said it survived the tornado just fine so what more to say. it had a heavy tube truss setup, lots of X bracing and a pony wall.

[@dehavenfamilyfarm]

It sure was. This building just wasn't built very well. You get what you pay for!

[@703am]

I do remember when you posted that winter catastrophe. if anything, maybe you could use the pipes somewhere on the farm for whatever need might arise

[@dehavenfamilyfarm]

I am hoping to do something with them, just not sure exactly what yet. Thanks for stopping by 🙂

[@TAHDAHFarm]

I see what you are getting at and hindsight 20 20 it makes sense. I wonder if the welded cross systems would work also. Menard's Shelter Logic uses the welded system and I thought it would be pretty good but I don't know. The one that is still up has some hight to it. That is the one thing that has turned me off is to get hight they are narrow and seen to be short to have any width. That is why I ended up with the barn I just built. Those buildings have an appeal but just didn't seem to work for what I wanted to do. Good luck with whatever you decide.

[@dehavenfamilyfarm]

I've never seen the welded style your referring too- sounds like it might be good construction. I really like your new building and would love to have one just like it, but sadly it's not in the budget 😢 Thanks Tim!

[@TheGrumpyFarmer]

For me I wouldn’t get one I’d prefer a steel building for machinery storage and I’d be leery storing fertilizer under them but that’s just my opinion 🤷‍♂️ and like everything some companies build things better than others

[@dehavenfamilyfarm]

I would prefer a steel building as well. These buildings do have a few advantages though- usually they are less expensive to build and in my area they are not taxed. Hopefully I can get something permanent soon 🤞

[@terrylutke]

None of this was avoidable on your part. Premature tarp failure was probably an early quality indicator, however the total collapse really sucks. The flattened cross brace ends might have been a contribution to failure, but there are other substantial differences btw the 2 buildings. Firstly the design/width of the failed structure will stack more snow load than the narrower/taller structure. The cross braces look like they are intended to act as stiff 'spreaders' to maintain arch spacing, and to provide better shape to the roof tarp when under load. Excessive roof snow loading might create a 'bow' feature at the mid-section of the small cross tubes, while placing some tension load at the flattened tube ends/arch connection. There's no doubt that snow/wind brought her down, but I think the first failure was probably one or more collapsed arches; one arch failure would initiate a fail-chain to pull down rest of the arches. If I'm correct, the actual culprit is poorly designed arches (wrong sizing, wrong arch wall thickness, wrong profile, insufficient arch spacing). I see these structures in crates at local heavy equipment auctions. They seem like inexpensive storage solutions, which is why they sell I suppose.

[@user-gz7iq1qe9u]

Single pole, aluminum building with regular tarp material and not high grade polyethelene. The webbed truss polyethelene are night and day difference.

[@GosselinFarmsEdGosselin]

My opinion, never have had one, but seen many.. They are definitely not created equal!! The survivors are all a trussed bow, and much heavier cover. There are a few here that are 20-30 years old, still with the original covers. Your failed building is just a greenhouse frame, even with one piece bows, no flat sports to bolt them together... They go flat with 6"+ of wet snow.. they're also covered with clear plastic...

[@dehavenfamilyfarm]

I've seen some of the trussed style. They look like they would last a long time, especially in my area. Thanks Ed 🙂

[@ohbrother3792]

Where or who makes patches for these types of buildings ? (Thank you in advance for your time)

[@grizzlymetalworks8867]

Would it be fine as a shop in the south with no snow

[@MrCountrycuz]

If you live in snow Country Paint the fabric black for UV protection and to get hot from the Sun and keep the snow melted.

[@barrybowman6929]

I was always wanted to know if you spray phoned insulated one of them what would happen can you elaborate on that for me

[@FarmallFanatic]

If you live south of the Mason Dixon Line...sure

[@noahscott110]

Was the cover tightened end to end with ratchets or rope?

[@FarmallFanatic]

3 foot difference on centers 😳

[@dehavenfamilyfarm]

Yes- really big difference. Another reason it failed I'm sure. Lesson learned. Thank you for stopping by 🙂

[@undertheradar9295]

Just curious, but was it "Ritchie Bros" auction that you bought the shelter through?

[@juliangrenon-grekin5954]

Haha. I automatically asked the same question. I just bought one last week there

[@davidgrason161]

Who made the shelter that has lasted 13 years? I live in Kentucky not too far from the Tennessee line. Snow loads are not a problem here but still, I would rather pay more to get quality and peace of mind.

[@jessecota6639]

I would also like to know the name of manufacturer that lasted longer? Why the secret? Would be thumbs up video to know which one held up rather than the one that failed.

[@horacesawyer2487]

@@jessecota6639 : Yes Jesse inquiring minds what to know who / what the offending structure was. Like you, don't know why the information is kept secret. However, I'm of the opinion some of the cheaper options can definitely be improved upon and made double or triple strength by a few simple additions, Such as the base tubular along the sides. Simple enough to purchase and clamp on. It won't be going anywhere. Huge snow, particularly a wet snow -- that's a problem for anything. We don't have that thank goodness in the deep south.

[@nadagabri5783]

I think he said the one that lasted 13 years was Farmtek - mentions at approx. 7:55. The other looks like Golden Mount PE fabric building. The ones I’ve viewed don’t have a peak, they are rounded so not positive. Either way, agree it would 100% be great to have the info of company names.

[@Brextynne]

Hit up bright span or Calhoun next time twice the building. Cover all is really shady and cheap

[@WorldsOkayestFarmer]

*a lot of good helpful information sorry for your misfortune* #WorldsOkayestFarmer

[@dehavenfamilyfarm]

Thanks 👍 I hope your building situation is going ok!

[@farminstoltzfus]

oof

[@garthodsgaming9795]

What brand/model/or specific type of fabric building is the one thats still standing? Greatly appreciate the information.