8 Reasons to Build a Geodesic Dome

A geodesic dome is a type of structure shaped like a half of a sphere or a ball. Think of a soap bubble on the surface of water. This structure is comprised of a complex network of triangles that form a roughly spherical surface. The more complex the network of triangles, the more closely the dome approximates the shape of a true sphere. The category of Geodesic Domes Fall in to are 2v 3v 4v 5v 6v and so on. Dome calculators can be found Here on the internet and can be quite beneficial to you in calculating the building of your own Geodesic structure.

Geodesic structures save on building materials.

A 2184 square foot geodesic dome will use 1838 board feet of lumber to create the frame (the dome itself). It takes 1648 board feet just to create the walls of a 50×50 traditional house or building, which does not include the roof.

Geodesic structures conserve energy for heating and cooling.

These Geodesic Domes will save 60% to 75% of the energy costs as compared to conventional buildings. The energy savings will pay for the building in total in less than 20 years. And in most cases, they save money on first cost for the construction.

Meet higher wind and snow load rating requirements with a dome home.

Geodesic structures are very strong due to their shape, and can withstand earthquakes and severe storms such as tornadoes and hurricanes. Monolithic’s technology meets FEMA criteria for a structure that can provide near-absolute disaster protection.

Equipment needed to build a geodesic Dome

The tools you will need really depends on the type of dome being created, but in most cases socket wrenches, hammers, ladders, and rolling scaffolding are desirable and nail guns for attaching the roofing shingles. Domes are completely free-standing during construction. No shoring up is needed. No special tools or expensive equipment, like cranes or forklifts, are necessary to assemble most domes. Depending on the purpose of the dome, there are several types of connectors for building.

Asphalt shingles are the most common roofing material as they are easy to work with and very attractive.  They come in a variety of colors and textures and are affordable. Other options include wood shingles, metal shingles, and spray on roofs such as concrete in a Monolithic Dome Construction.

Geodesic Greenhouse

Geodesic greenhouses are becoming an increasingly popular way of self sustainable green living, competing with traditional greenhouses for performance and strength. A sphere-like dome greenhouse offers several advantages over regular greenhouses. For a start, the plants within will be better insulated and less affected by temperature fluctuations, guaranteeing a more even average temperature all year round.

Downsides to Geodesic domes

There are problems with moisture and dampness in a tightly sealed house. Moisture will accumulate inside a house as a result of washing, cooking, showers, and transmission of vapor through the walls and conduction of damp air into the house through gaps. With air conditioning the moisture level will be controlled because the air conditioner extracts the moisture and condenses it at the evaporator coil. When the house is being heated, the moisture level will be controlled by the fact that as air is heated, its relative humidity decreases. Opening a vent at the top of the dome’s cupola during warmer weather will supply a ventilation to dry the air or briefly running the air conditioner can control the moisture.