Greenhouse types
Structure choice sets your light level, climate control ceiling and energy cost for the next twenty years. These pages compare the four systems we specify most often for commercial projects.
| Type | Key characteristic | Investment level | Typical scale |
|---|---|---|---|
| Commercial Glass Greenhouse | Highest light transmission and longest service life, engineered for high-value year-round production. | High | 1 – 50 ha |
| Venlo Greenhouse | The Dutch reference structure for professional horticulture: slim profiles, high transmission, proven engineering. | High | 1 – 50 ha |
| Multi Span Greenhouse | Cost-efficient covered production at scale, with film or polycarbonate glazing and flexible climate packages. | Low to medium | 0.5 – 20 ha |
| Hydroponic Greenhouse System | Substrate and water-culture growing systems that raise yield per square metre while cutting water use. | Medium to high | 0.5 – 30 ha |
Glass remains the reference glazing for professional horticulture. Diffuse and low-iron glass options give growers the light levels needed for high-wire crops while supporting precise climate control and long asset life.
The Venlo structure combines narrow trusses with large glass panes to minimise shading while carrying screens, heating and crop wires. It is the most widely documented greenhouse system in commercial horticulture, which makes engineering, sourcing and financing straightforward.
Multi span structures deliver protected production at a fraction of glass capital cost. With the right screen and ventilation package they support strong commercial results in moderate climates and are the pragmatic choice for phased expansion.
Hydroponics moves the root zone under full control. Combined with recirculation and fertigation automation, it delivers higher yields, predictable quality and dramatically lower water consumption than soil production, which is decisive in water-scarce regions.
FAQ
There is no single best type. Glass and Venlo structures win where light is the limiting factor and year-round quality is paid for. Multi span film structures win where capital efficiency matters more than maximum transmission. The correct answer follows from your climate data, crop programme and target market.
Normalise every offer to the same scope: glazing type and transmission, gutter height, ventilation percentage, screen package, heating capacity, irrigation and controls. Without that levelling step, price differences usually reflect missing scope rather than better value.
Yes, and it is often the most capital-efficient answer. Propagation and high-value crops go into glass, while volume production or seasonal crops go into multi span structures on the same site with shared utilities and logistics.
Send us your location, available area and target crop. You will receive a structured first assessment with technology direction and an indicative investment range.