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PVC Hoop House Calculator

Easily calculate PVC pipe length for your hoop house with our free online PVC Hoop House Calculator. Accurate, fast, and supports all units.

Building a hoop house is one of the simplest and most affordable ways to create a greenhouse. Whether you’re growing vegetables year-round or just extending your growing season, hoop houses made from PVC pipes offer a budget-friendly solution. But before you start cutting and bending pipe, you need one crucial thing: an accurate calculation of how much PVC you’ll need for each hoop.

That’s exactly why we developed the PVC Hoop House Calculator. This free online tool helps you find out the precise length of pipe required to form the hoop, based on the span and rise you enter. No more guesswork, no more wasted material just the right measurement every time.

What Is a PVC Hoop House?

A PVC hoop house is a simple, semi-circular structure made using flexible PVC pipes and covered with clear plastic sheeting. It acts as a mini greenhouse to trap heat and protect plants from wind, frost, and rain. Gardeners love them because they’re lightweight, affordable, and easy to build with basic tools.

How to Use the PVC Hoop House Calculator

Using our calculator is super easy. You just need to enter:

  • The span (width) of your hoop house
  • The rise (height) from the ground to the peak of the hoop
  • Choose your preferred measurement units (feet, inches, cm, meters)

The calculator then uses a mathematical formula to give you:

  • The radius of the hoop
  • The central angle in degrees and radians
  • The PVC pipe length required for half or full hoops

This way, you can plan how many hoops you need and how much total PVC pipe to buy.

The Calculation Formula Explained

To ensure you get 100% accurate results, our calculator uses the arc length formula from geometry. Here's how it works:

  1. Radius (r):
    r = (H² + (W² / 4)) / (2H)
    This formula calculates the radius of the circle that forms the hoop.
  2. Central Angle (θ in radians):
    θ = 2 × arcsin(W / (2r))
  3. Arc Length (L):
    L = r × θ
    This is the actual length of the PVC pipe needed to form one hoop.

Where:

  • H = Rise (height)
  • W = Span (width)

The final result gives you the pipe length in your selected unit.

What Size PVC to Use for a Hoop House?

The most common choice is 1/2-inch or 3/4-inch Schedule 40 PVC. It's flexible enough to bend into shape but sturdy enough to handle tension and light snow. For larger or longer hoop houses, 1-inch PVC is recommended for extra strength.

How to Measure Plastic for a Hoop House

To cover the hoop house with plastic, measure:

  • Width: Add the height of two sides plus the width (span)
    TotalWidth = (2 × Rise) + Span
  • Length: Add a few extra feet on both ends for securing
    For example, if your hoop house is 20 feet long, consider at least 24 feet of plastic.

Make sure the plastic is UV resistant and at least 6 mil thick for long-lasting use.

Do You Need a Permit for a Hoop House?

In many rural and agricultural areas, small hoop houses don’t require a building permit. However, it varies by location. If you're in a city or building a large structure, it’s best to check with your local planning or zoning office.

How Much Warmer Is a Hoop House?

A hoop house can be 5 to 15 degrees Fahrenheit warmer than outside temperatures. This makes a big difference during cold nights or early spring. The plastic cover traps sunlight and creates a greenhouse effect, helping your plants stay warm and thrive.

Final Verdict

Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned gardener, building a hoop house is one of the smartest ways to extend your growing season. But accuracy matters when cutting PVC. Our PVC Hoop House Calculator eliminates all the hard math and helps you build your structure right the first time.

It’s fast, reliable, and 100% free. Just enter your span and rise, and get instant results in any unit you choose. So don’t waste material use the calculator and build with confidence.

FAQs

What’s the best pipe size for a hoop house?

Most small hoop houses work well with 1/2-inch or 3/4-inch Schedule 40 PVC. Larger structures may need 1-inch pipe for stability.

Can I use this calculator for any unit of measurement?

Yes. You can input your span and rise in feet, inches, meters, or centimeters. The calculator handles conversions for you.

Does this calculator work for arched greenhouses only?

Yes. It is specifically designed for arched or semi-circular hoop houses made with flexible PVC.

How long will 6 mil plastic last on a hoop house?

With proper installation and UV protection, 6 mil greenhouse plastic can last 3 to 4 years.

Can I use metal conduit instead of PVC?

Yes. The calculator still works as long as you’re forming an arc. Just make sure the pipe is bendable or pre-curved.