Commercial and residential bounce houses, while both used for the same purpose, offer drastically different performance over the lifespan of the product. Some of the most important considerations include the most kind of use it will be getting, the amount of use, and subsequently how durable to bounce house will be.
While you can find some options for personal residential inflatables at large retail stores, commercial grade inflatables are a much more sustainable investment, with a wider range of potential uses covering a much longer lifespan. Below you will find some of the direct comparative measures of the quality of a residential vs. commercial grade bounce house to help you find the product you’re looking for.
| Commercial | Residential | |
| Size | Anywhere from around 10 to 80+ feet long | Usually between 3 and 15 feet |
| Lifespan | Between 3 and 5 years, longer with proper maintenance | Between 6 months and 1 year |
| Warranty | 2 years | 3 months |
| Materials | Commercial Grade, 18 Oz PVC Coated Vinyl throughout | Lack of PVC Coating, lack of strong base fabric, replaced with Oxford Cloth Fabric |
| Business Use | Adept for use by rental companies and indoor centers alike | Unsustainable for use by rental companies and indoor centers |
| Safety |
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| Amount of Riders | Between 4 and 10 safely accommodated | Maximum occupancy no more than 4 |
| Accessories available |
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With these things in mind, it becomes clear that a bounce house is an investment that, if done right, can reap rewards for years to come. Essentially, the investment is made based on the desire for use, and a commercial grade inflatable offers safety, security, and durability for years to come as opposed to the decidedly less robust residential option.