Choosing a greenhouse frame depends largely on your geographic location. Other factors like growing methodology, plant count limits, and strain type can influence what interior volume your plants will require. Every greenhouse frame type has merits. Below are the pros and cons of each frame type and will help you determine what will work best for your business.
Overview of Greenhouse Frame Types
Gothic: Overall strongest structural strength, highest wind load capacity, highest snow load capacity, gutter connect options
Quonset: Approximately 13ft tall, great beginner greenhouse, economical (low material use), quick assembly
Semi-Gabled: Largest interior volume per sq foot, most usable grow space, highest peak height, good ease of access
Freestanding vs Gutter Connected Greenhouses: In addition to individual frame types, some large commercial cultivators are interested in connecting multiple greenhouses to create a very large greenhouse complex
Gothic Frame Advantages
Best light transmission
Best shape for snow load
Second best at withstanding strong winds
Can eliminate the need for structural trusses
Most overhead space with straight sidewalls
Best aesthetics because of graceful bows
Most durable due to the roll-off of rain, snow, and debris on steep pitch
Shape helps safeguard greenhouse plastic for above reason
Good ease of access due to straight sidewalls
Gothic Frame Disadvantages
Most costly to build due to complex bow shape
Most expensive to heat due to greatest air volume
Most air volume to displace requiring higher CFM exhaust fans
Most expensive to ship due to awkward shape
Tied for tallest structure and is not as discrete as some frames
Worst shape for "pulling tarps" ie manual light dep due to height and pointy peak
Semi-Gable Advantages
Second largest interior volume
Tied for most usable grow space with gothic w/sidewalls
Second highest peak height
Good ease of access due to straight sidewalls
Least expensive to ship
Least labor-intensive to manufacture
Semi-Gable Disadvantages
Not as sturdy as Gothic and Quonset frame types
Tied with gothic for least discrete structure due to peak height
Second most expensive to heat due to air volume
Second most air volume to displace requiring higher CFM exhaust fans
Quonset "Hoop House" Advantages
Lowest peak height making this structure the most discrete
Easiest to "pull tarps" over in manual light dep due to peak height and curved shape
Best shape for withstanding high wind conditions
Second best frame type for snow load due to the curved shape
Uses the least steel in manufacturing which lowers costs
Easiest frame to build yourself
Or Least expensive to have built for you
Quonset "Hoop House" Disadvantages
Challenging to work in due to low peak height and no sidewalls
Can cramp plants vertically at the edges and be a poor fit for some strains
The most awkward and therefore expensive to ship due to length of bows
Poor snow shed capability due to shape
Quonset with Sidewalls Advantages
Discrete low peak height due to having flatter curved bows
Much better working ergonomics than a hoop house due to sidewalls
Uses less steel than most other frame types which saves on costs
Quonset with Sidewalls Disadvantages
Due to having less slope this frame type can't handle high snow loads
Cannot accommodate v-trusses for increased structural strength