1. 10/10/2010
The type, size, etc. of the doors on high tunnels are important to their users. Doors
influence ease and safety of access, high tunnel structural integrity, and the ability to
maintain the targeted set of conditions in the structure. Doors also vary in cost.
The Extension Vegetable Physiology Lab (EVPL) at The OSU-OARDC in Wooster, OH
operates nine high tunnels. Three measure 30 ft x 80 ft while the remaining six
measure 21 ft x 48 ft. The large structures were installed in October 2008 by CVS
Supply of Dundee, OH and contain 2-panel sliding doors the all metal and poly frame
and track for which are on the inside of the tunnel. Four of the small structures were
installed by the EVPL in March 2003 and contain two-panel, wood and poly swinging
doors. The remaining two small tunnels were installed by CVS Supply in Oct-08; they
contain metal-poly two-panel sliding doors the track of which is on the outside of the
tunnel.
Recently, participants in the hightunnels.org list-serve expressed an interest in seeing
pictures of the doors on the EVPL high tunnels, in part to help identify which type of
door may be best for their high tunnels. We hope the following images are useful to
you. Please contact us if you would like additional information about these images or
about other high tunnel-related issues.
The Extension Vegetable Physiology Lab
Matt Kleinhenz; ph. 330.263.3810, kleinhenz.1@osu.edu
• 2, 4 ft x 8 ft sliding panels
1

2. 10/10/2010
• 2, 4 ft x 8 ft sliding panels; weather stripping on frame
• 2, 4 ft x 8 ft sliding panels; easy to control opening size
2

3. 10/10/2010
• each 4 ft x 8 ft sliding
panel is suspended
from the track at two
points
• each 4 ft x 8 ft sliding panel is suspended from the track
at two points; still “square” and sliding easily after 2 years
3

4. 10/10/2010
• doors can be removed easily
4

5. 10/10/2010
• access easier when snow in
front of sliding door
5

6. 10/10/2010
• simple latch installed after hanging
6

7. 10/10/2010
• 2, 4 ft x 8 ft sliding
panels removed from
outside track
7

8. 10/10/2010
• 2, 4 ft x 8 ft swinging doors still good after heavy use but
more tricky to manage and repair or replace
8

9. 10/10/2010
• fewer, less stable ventilation
options than sliding panels
9

10. 10/10/2010
10

11. 10/10/2010
• the center brace is on
the winter “stabilize”
position, fixing the right
side door in place
11

12. 10/10/2010
• less costly,
reliable
swinging doors
with wintertime
bracing on far
end
12

13. 10/10/2010
• the horizontal braces
are in the winter
“stabilize” position
facing prevailing winds
13

14. 10/10/2010
14

15. 10/10/2010
15

16. 10/10/2010
• stuff happens when
winds are high, wood is
old and doors are open
16