Purpose vs. Functionality 

The main and most obvious distinctions between a commercial and residential greenhouse are their purpose and their overall functionality. A residential greenhouse is mostly used by gardening enthusiasts who are more fond of growing specific herbs and plants not for consumption but for sports.

It’s a hobby, a passion, a life calling. Many herbalists and gardening enthusiasts take quite a lot of pride in their work and achievements and are more than willing to go the extra mile if needed and build a greenhouse to grow specific plants and herbs. Their function is often centered on nurturing a small variety of plants, fostering a passion for gardening, or growing organic produce for family consumption. Notice how the last bit is for “family consumption”, so it’s not commercial, and often the production capacity doesn’t exceed a specific amount.

For comparison, a commercial greenhouse is everything the residential is not, it’s a large-scale operation crafted for agricultural production. So, naturally, their main purpose is to maximize production to make a profit as fast and as efficiently as possible.

The Difference in Size 

The difference in size is bound to its purpose, and as you can conclude from the above-mentioned, a commercial greenhouse exceeds the size of a residential one, as its main purpose is production efficiency for the sake of generating as much profit as possible. The residential is more soothing to the needs of an individual who simply wants to have fresh produce without having to pay outrageous prices for food often labeled organic.

If you’re looking to go down that road and start growing your fruits, vegetables, and plants, you can always look for reliable greenhouse contractors that are available and more than capable of making your dream come true. Why is it better to let someone more experienced handle it? Although most people prefer making a greenhouse on their own, a greenhouse is a bit more complex to make than putting seeds in the ground. If you want to have the right facility with the right conditions for your cucumbers and tomatoes, maybe leave it to someone professional, as you’ll still get a chance to take part in food production yourself a bit later.

Materials Used 

Another difference you’d never think of when it comes to greenhouses is the materials used for constructing a commercial and a residential one. How come? Residential greenhouses serve a certain purpose, the capacity of production is not on the same level as a commercial one, and so the materials used are often more cost-efficient and lightweight. Simply said, they’re perfect for your average hobbyist looking to grow something.

A commercial one requires a bit more “up-to-date” technology and because its focus is on agricultural production, we’re looking at more durable and heavy materials, often more expensive, as they’re made to last longer. 

The construction of commercial greenhouses is simply more sophisticated and requires a more serious level of engineering and knowledge.

Costs

The price of a residential greenhouse essentially depends on the demands of the owner. You can often purchase and find used construction for a low price on the open market, but then again you’ll have to take into account factors such as sustainability, size, and purpose. 

As you can imagine, the costs of a commercial one are quite high, but for a good reason, as the purpose often is more complex, requiring a more sophisticated layout and more space. 

All in all, the difference between the two comes down to their main objective and goal, and everything else is related to this. Overall, the purpose determines the materials used, the overall cost, size, and other factors.