Introduction
For individuals, living in a geodome house is a very good choice. As a form of housing, earth dome housing shows significant advantages in energy saving, environmental protection, space utilization, etc., but there are also some challenges and limitations. This article will delve into the pros and cons of a geometric dome home and explain why a geometric dome is a place worth living in.
History of Geodome Houses
A French engineer (Buckminster Fuller) first proposed the concept of a geodome house in 1948. The design combines principles of geometry, physics, and engineering to create a living space that is both economical and sustainable.
In the 1970s, as the energy crisis emerged, people began to look for more energy-efficient housing solutions. Dome houses have attracted attention to their unique shape and energy-saving properties. So dome houses began to be widely used.
What are the Benefits of Living in a Dome？
Reduce Resource Consumption
The dome shape of geodome homes minimizes surface area to volume ratio. This means that while maintaining the same interior space, relatively fewer building materials are required, thus reducing resource consumption.
Energy Saving
Some geodome houses use transparent or translucent materials as roofs, allowing natural light to penetrate. This light distribution not only improves the quality of indoor lighting but also reduces the need for artificial lighting.
Disaster Resilience and Weather Resistant
The geodome has excellent disaster resistance due to its semicircular shape and stable structure. When an earthquake occurs, its structure can absorb and disperse the energy of seismic waves through its elasticity and toughness, thereby reducing the degree of damage to the building. It is very suitable for use in earthquake-prone areas such as Japan.
The sturdiness of the geodome house enables it to withstand harsh weather conditions such as high winds, heavy snow, etc. The rounded roof can diffuse the wind, thus avoiding structural damage caused by wind concentration at a certain point. It can even withstand hurricane-force wind gusts. In addition, the shape of the geodome house allows snow to slide off, preventing structural damage caused by excessive snow accumulation. Compared to other tents, geo dome homes are more stable.
Layout Flexibility
Because the geodome house shape supports itself, no load-bearing walls are needed to support the exterior. The lack of right angles gives the interior space a sense of fluidity and continuity. This provides more innovative options for interior decoration.
Flame Retardant
The geodome house uses PVC (polyvinyl chloride) material as the building shell, which has excellent flame-retardant properties. PVC materials will not burn as quickly as some flammable materials, but will form a char layer to prevent the flame from spreading further.
Good Thermal Insulation Effect
The thermal insulation effect of the geodome house is due to its sealing and airflow characteristics. The dome shape helps create an enclosed space, reducing heat loss.
Recycle and Reuse
Geodome houses are often made from recyclable materials, such as metal. At the end of the structure’s life, these materials can be recycled, reducing the need for new resources and reducing environmental pollution.
Autonomous Decoration
As a place where you live, the geodome can be decorated like your home, giving you a greater sense of belonging. So soft furnishings are important. Occupants can lay green vegetation around the geodome house, such as lawns, flowers or small gardens. Vertical greening or wall gardens are also great options, making efficient use of limited space while adding greenery.
What are the Disadvantages of Geodome Houses？
Water Leakage
Due to the unique spherical structure of geodome houses, their seams and connections become potential risk points for leakage. During the splicing process, if the sealing is not done properly, rainwater may seep into the interior of the house along the joints. Especially in severe weather conditions, strong winds and heavy rains can exacerbate leaks.
Noise
Compared with traditional buildings, geodome houses have weaker sound insulation capabilities. In a noisy urban environment, this means that occupants may be more susceptible to external noise, such as traffic, human voices, etc.
Insufficient Supply of Building Materials
A geodome house may require different building materials and techniques than traditional construction, making it difficult to find suitable suppliers and qualified contractors in some areas.
Furniture Installation Issues
Due to its circular structure, the geodome house may not be suitable for traditional rectilinear furniture. This means occupants may need custom-made furniture, or find non-standard furniture that can fit into the dome’s shape.
Shelter Structures Help You, Regardless of How You Build
The above shortcomings can be solved with additional facilities. Choosing a reliable supplier is very important. As an expert in the tent field for over 20 years, Shelter is good at solving various problems.
1. Enhance waterproofing measures:Shelter Structures carefully design and install waterproofing to ensure that all seams and connections effectively prevent moisture penetration. And use special waterproof tape to enhance the sealing effect. For minor water leaks that have already occurred, you can use a waterproof patch to make temporary repairs.
2. Install sound insulation equipment:Shelter Structures carefully design and install waterproofing to ensure that all seams and connections effectively prevent moisture penetration. And use special waterproof tape to enhance the sealing effect. For minor water leaks that have already occurred, you can use a waterproof patch to make temporary repairs.
3. Strong after-sales support:You can find Shelter offline factories for supply or find us through the online platform. We have multi-lingual team support and strong factory production capabilities. This eliminates the need for you to consider the adaptation of subsequent accessories and after-sales issues. You can also seek Shelter to solve the problem of inappropriate furniture.
How to maintain geodome houses?
Maintenance is essential to its beauty and longevity. Preventive maintenance is always more economical and effective than repair after the fact.
Daily maintenance suggestions
1. Clean the surface of the geodome house regularly to remove dust, fallen leaves and other debris.
2. For domes of glass or transparent materials, use a soft cloth to wipe gently and avoid using hard brushes or chemical cleaners, which may cause scratches on the surface.
3. Regularly check the structural integrity of the geodome house, including brackets, connections and fasteners.
Long-term maintenance tips
Perform a comprehensive inspection at least once a year, including structural, and electrical systems, heating and cooling systems, etc. Any problems found should be repaired or replaced promptly. In coastal areas, special attention should be paid to anti-corrosion measures. In windy areas, the stability of the structure should be enhanced.
Conclusion
Before deciding whether to use a geodome house as a long-term residence, you need to comprehensively consider your personal living needs and financial capabilities. Whatever your choice, knowing the pros and cons of a dome home will help you make a more informed decision. If you need more information, you can contact Glitzcamp！
