Commercial Greenhouse Kits: Costs, Sizes, and What to Know Before You Buy

A commercial greenhouse kit is a complete structure package: galvanized steel frame, connectors, roll-up sidewall hardware, end-wall framing, and doors — everything except the covering and the ground it sits on. Buying it as a kit instead of piecing it together saves money and guarantees the parts fit.

What sizes are available?

Our kits run from 18 to 37 feet wide and 50 to 100 feet long, with gutter heights of 10 to 13 feet. Common commercial sizes:

• 18-foot wide — starter houses and tight sites
• 24-foot wide — the all-around workhorse for vegetables and nursery
• 30-foot wide — serious production, room for equipment inside
• 37-foot wide — maximum space per house for large operations

Length is flexible: 50, 70, and 100 foot kits are standard, and we build custom lengths at the factory. When in doubt, go wider rather than longer — wider houses cost less per square foot.

Frame types

Oval hoops — stronger than round pipe of similar weight; our heavy-duty kits use oval hoops for high wind and snow loads.

Round pipe hoops — economical and proven; fine for mild climates.

Gothic style — the pointed-arch shape sheds snow and stands up to wind. If you get real winter, look at gothic first.

All of our frames are galvanized steel. Galvanizing is what keeps a greenhouse standing for decades instead of years — do not buy an uncoated steel frame for outdoor use.

What drives the cost?

1. Size — width and length, in that order.
2. Frame duty — heavy-duty oval hoops vs. standard.
3. Covering — 6 mil greenhouse film is the economical standard; twin-wall polycarbonate costs more and insulates better.
4. Add-ons — exhaust fans, evaporative cooling, shade cloth, heaters, irrigation.
5. Light deprivation — a blackout system adds cost over a regular kit.

Exact pricing is on each product page. For custom sizes, call for a factory-direct quote.

Before you buy: five questions to answer

1. What will you grow, and how much? Crop and volume decide width and length.
2. What is your wind and snow load? This decides frame duty — gothic or heavy-duty vs. standard.
3. Where will it sit? You need level ground, good drainage, truck access for delivery, and sun exposure. Check local permit requirements before you order.
4. Who builds it? Our kits are designed for assembly — many buyers build with their own crew. If you would rather not, our professional installation team can do it.
5. How will it be cooled? Plan ventilation and cooling now. A house without airflow is an oven by June.

Delivery and installation

Our kits ship on our own dedicated truck — no freight-terminal surprises. Our installation team is available if you want it built for you. Either way, you are dealing directly with the factory, not a reseller.

Covering options in detail

The covering is a separate decision from the frame, and it is worth thinking through:

6 mil greenhouse film. The standard. UV-stabilized, anti-drip coating, multi-season life. Lowest cost, easiest to replace. Most commercial growers use film and plan on replacing it every few years.

Twin-wall polycarbonate. Rigid panels with an air gap between two walls. Better insulation, hail-proof, longer life. Costs more up front. Popular for end walls even on film-covered houses — the ends take the most abuse.

Shade cloth. Not a full covering — it goes over the film in summer to cut heat. 35% and 50% shade are the common picks for vegetables and nursery stock.

Blackout fabric. Only for light deprivation houses. Heavy, multi-layer, breathable so the house does not cook under the cover.

Fastening matters as much as the material: wiggle wire and lock channel is the professional way to hold film to the frame. It grips along the full length instead of at points, so the film does not tear in wind.

Plan cooling before you build

A greenhouse without ventilation is an oven by June. At minimum, plan for roll-up sidewalls (included in our kits) plus exhaust fans sized to the house. In hot climates, add evaporative cooling — a water wall on one end with exhaust fans on the other is the standard commercial setup and the cheapest cooling per degree you can buy.

Size cooling to your worst month, not your average month. A house that is comfortable in April and deadly in August is a failed investment. If you are unsure what your site needs, call us — we size ventilation and cooling with growers every week.

Talk to us before you order

Call Henry at (630) 408-2201. Tell us what you grow, where you are, and how much space you need — we will point you at the right kit and give you straight factory-direct pricing.