Structural characteristics for standard models of single-span plastic greenhouse in Korea and high tunnels in North America were analyzed, and comparative analysis for greenhouse environments measuring in Korean farmhouse and Rutgers high tunnel was carried out to find structural and environmental improvements of single-span plastic greenhouses that occupy most of Korean greenhouse. Widths of high tunnels are similar to single-span plastic greenhouses but their heights are high comparatively and their side heights are fairly higher than single-span plastic greenhouses specially. Rafters, which are main frames, section sizes of high tunnels are bigger and their intervals are wider than single-span plastic greenhouses. Relative bending resistances compared with representative Korean greenhouse were analyzed by 0.92 to 1.42 in single-span plastic greenhouses, and 1.38 to 2.96 in high tunnels. Frame ratios of single-span plastic greenhouses were 6.8 to 8.6%, and those of high tunnels were 5.5 to 8.7%. We analyzed air temperatures and solar radiations measured in single-span plastic greenhouse and high tunnel on clear days in late March. There were outside temperatures in generally similar range, and judging by rise of indoor temperatures, ventilation performance of high tunnel is more excellent than single-span plastic greenhouse. Solar radiations of two areas were no big difference but light transmittance of high tunnel was a little bit higher than single-span plastic greenhouse. Single-span plastic greenhouses are disadvantageous in environmental managements such as ventilation performance and light transmittance because distance between greenhouses is too narrow and length of greenhouse is too long compared to high tunnels. To get the environmental improvement effects as well as to increase the structural resistance of single-span plastic greenhouses are achievable by widening the width of greenhouse in possible range, widening the space between rafters, and enlarging the section size of rafters. Also, we need to secure enough distance between greenhouses and to restrict the length of greenhouse by maximum 50 m in order to improve the ventilation performance and the light transmittance.