Types of Greenhouses

Detailed Greenhouse Comparison

We’ve compared various types of greenhouses and found out that low-cost greenhouses such as hoop houses and pit greenhouses are readily available and are quite popular. Your initial investment upfront is less; they only extend your growing season by a small amount, cost a lot to heat and cool, and the covering needs to be replaced frequently. The other thing to consider when you look at your climate is that they are not as strong and are liable to be damaged by heavy snow, hail, and high wind.  Higher-quality greenhouses cost more, but they are stronger and last much longer. Many of them can significantly extend your growing season. Refer to our chart below to see a comparison of the main different greenhouse types

Types of Greenhouse	Hoop House	Walipini / Pit Greenhouse	Attached Greenhouse	Traditional / English Style	Fabric Domes	Growing Dome®
Some of the things you may want to compare when buying a greenhouse
Price	$	$$	$$$-$$$$	$$-$$$$	$$	$$$
Growing Seasons	2	3	4	3	3	4
Heating Costs	High	Low	Low	Moderate	High	Low
Longevity	3-5 Years	10-15 years	10-15 years	5-10 years	3-5 Years	> 30 Years*
Foundation	None	Yes – Underground	Yes	Possibly	None	Three options
Strength of Framework	Low-Moderate	Good	Good	Moderate-Good	Moderate-Good	Excellent
Snow Load Strength	Low	Low	Good	Moderate	Moderate	High
Wind Resistance	Low	Moderate	Moderate	Low/Moderate	Moderate	High
Glazing	Plastic, single or double layer	Single layer, thin film	Multiple options	Multiple options	Nylon or Vinyl	Polycarbonate Panels, 8mm or 16mm
Meets Local Building Codes	Possibly	Possibly	Possibly	Possibly	Possibly	Yes
Available Light	Good	Poor	Good	Good	Good	Excellent

High-quality greenhouses like the Growing Dome Geodesic Greenhouse Kit offer an exceptional return on your investment and will provide you with fresh produce in all 4 seasons for years to come! Break up with the produce aisle permanently. The Growing Dome offers reliability, energy efficiency, ease of assembly, and low maintenance at a reasonable greenhouse cost as compared to other types of greenhouses.

*With proper care and maintenance your Growing Dome will last over 30 years. The aircraft sealant will need to be replaced every 10 years, and the polycarbonate may need to be replaced after 15-20 years. The struts are treated with a non-toxic protectant called Lifetime that does not need to be reapplied. But in more humid environments, you can protect the life of your struts with a sealant or stain.