Is a Hoop Building a Quonset Hut?

The short answer is no.

"Quonset", when it comes to buildings, is a trade mark owned by the Great Lakes Steel Corporation since 1946. They are frameless steel buildings. They were not designed as fabric buildings.

These are Quonset huts:

Maybe the trademarked name is why there are so many variant spellings. People ask us about our kwanset, quasi, kwanzaa and many other spellings of q huts (also a recent inquiry). The truth is there are many things the same about the two types of buildings.

Why were governments so quick to embrace this Quonset hut?

Quonset huts, with their distinctive semi-circular shape, were initially developed during World War II as a quick and economical solution for military housing and storage. These prefabricated structures, made of galvanized steel and designed for strength and economy, never really gained popularity in the private sector except as military surplus.

Hoop barns more or less became popular in Canada for the same reasons as the qwansets as they are strong and economical. We utilize hoop buildings for many applications today where they are prized for their durability and versatility.

What is the Difference between a Quonset Hut and a Hoop Building?

One of the most notable differences between quonset huts and hoop buildings lies in their structural composition. Quonset huts are typically constructed using galvanized steel arches that are anchored to a concrete or wooden foundation, often without framing. The arched shape of the roof extends down to the ground, creating a distinctive semi-circular profile. This design not only contributes to the hut's structural integrity but also facilitates efficient water and snow shedding.

In contrast, hoop buildings employ a curved steel framework that serves as the primary support for the tightly woven fabric cover. This framework, often consisting of single or double truss systems, is designed to distribute loads evenly and provide a clear-span interior space. It uses the same science as the quanset type buildings but extends its versatility. The fabric cover, which is engineered to withstand harsh weather conditions, is tensioned over the steel frame, creating a seamless and weather-resistant enclosure that is also a cheap building solution.

Both quonsett huts and hoop buildings offer a high degree of versatility, allowing them to be adapted for various applications. However, hoop buildings tend to have an edge when it comes to customization options. Their modular design and the use of a fabric cover enable greater flexibility in terms of size, shape, and overall configuration.

Hoop buildings can be tailored to suit specific requirements, whether it's a large-scale industrial facility, a livestock barn, or a recreational space. The fabric cover can be customized with different colors, translucency levels, and even insulation properties to meet specific needs. Additionally, hoop buildings can be easily relocated or expanded, making them a practical choice for temporary or evolving projects.

While quoson huts offer versatility in their own right, their anchoring needs and framework can impose certain limitations on customization. Modifications such as adding windows, doors, or partitions may require specialized fittings or alterations to maintain the structural integrity of the hut.

More about Quonset Huts and Similar Huts:

https://varnumcontinentals.org/2016/04/the-quonset-hut-a-rhode-island-original/

http://www.kadiak.org/quonset/quonset.html

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Quonset.jpg

https://www.historylink.org/File/9430 (Pacific Hut)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nissen_hut

Just for fun, we're going to list all the spellings of quonset that people send to us, here are a few we've gotten lately:

• Kwansa Hut
• Kwanset Huts
• Qounset Hut
• Quancet Huts
• Quansen Hut
• Quantson Huts

2024 End of Season Sale

Our annual end of season sale is here!

We are discounting any building ordered before November 15th, 2024 for delivery by March 15th, 2025. The good news is our single-pipe buildings are included this year but the discount is smaller. In times such as we're experiencing though, it all helps

We are also, for the first time, discounting our covers sold before November 15th, 2025. No sense trying to make it through another winter with a leaking, ripped, hoop building cover.

New Website, Same Friendly Faces

We've recently been re-educated in some new things. Yes we still have some old dogs here but we're learning.

One of the new things we learned is just how green hoop buildings are. So we had to write about that, of course. Then, we found out that more of you are using your cell phone to visit us so we changed our navigation to make it easier for you!

Maybe the most important thing we found out though is that our annual "End of Season Sale" is going to be earlier and run longer this year. The boss says that, with the crazy weather we've had this year, you never know when Winter will hit and make building hoops harder so we're not taking chances.

We'll let you know when the sale actually starts and tell you all about it then. In the meantime, enjoy our new website and let us know how you like it if you can find the time.