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 it is a place worth living in.
What Is Geodome Houses?
Before determining whether the geodome is worth investing in, it is necessary to have a basic knowledge of its structure. A geodome house (or a geodesic dome home) is a geometrically framed structure made of interacting triangular panels.
These triangular grids disperse external pressures evenly and are less prone to deformation or collapse. It is structurally highly stable and capable of withstanding high wind and snow loads. From a distance, a geodesic home looks like a perfect hemisphere, smooth, full of technology, and has a modern feel.
History of Geodome Houses
An American engineer (Buckminster Fuller) first proposed the concept of the term geodesic in 1948 and patented the geodesic dome structure in 1954. 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. The geo dome has re-entered the public eye due to its unique shape and energy-saving properties. So dome houses began to be popular, especially in eco-conscious communities.
What Are the Benefits of Living in a Dome?
People choose to live in a dome because a dome has irreplaceable advantages. It not only reduces resource consumption, but also is durable, etc. Many more advantages are waiting for us to explore.
Cost-effective Alternative Living
Compared with traditional buildings, it requires relatively fewer building materials while maintaining the same interior space. Tent manufacturers use metal and fabric instead of reinforced concrete, saving costs while ensuring the stability and durability of the tent itself.
Energy Saving
Some geodome homes 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.
In addition, the geodesic house has plenty of headroom and air can circulate and circulate well. So, you’ll realize that it doesn’t use as much energy to heat or cool. Additionally, you can customize the windows, exhaust fans, etc. to help further accelerate air circulation and reduce the reliance on energy, so as to reduce energy savings.
Disaster Resilience and Weather Resistant
The geo dome homes 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. This reduces 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. The maximum wind load is generally designed to be 120km/h. If you need reinforcement, you can contact Glitzcamp for customization.
In addition, the shape of the geodesic house allows snow to slide off, preventing excessive snow accumulation. Compared to other tents, geodome homes are more stable for long-term living.
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
At Glitzcamp, our geodome house uses PVC (polyvinyl chloride) material as the building material for the exterior, which has excellent flame-retardant properties. Its flame retardant standards are B1 for DIN 4102 and M2 for NFP92 507.
PVC materials will not burn as quickly as some flammable materials and will form a char layer to prevent the flame from spreading further. This means you have more time to put out fires, if any.
Good Thermal Insulation Effect
The geodome is ideally suitable for year-round living due to its good insulation. This is due to its airtightness and good air circulation. The shape of the dome helps to create an enclosed space and reduces heat loss.
During cold winter temperatures, to maintain the interior temperature, you can add a layer of internal insulation to insulate the ceiling and wall. Or set up a stove or tent heater to create a warm dome environment.
In the summer heat, a custom luxury dome tent with air conditioners and exhaust fans can help you enjoy comfortable temperatures without being affected by the heat outside.
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.
Self-Decoration
As a place where you live, the geodome can be freely decorated like your home, giving you a greater sense of belonging. So soft furnishings are important. You could lay green vegetation around the geodome house, such as lawns, flowers, or small gardens. Vertical greening or wall gardens are also great options, making full use of limited space.
What Are the Disadvantages of Geodome Houses?
Although the geo dome house has so many advantages, it still has some disadvantages that cannot be ignored, such as water leakage, noise, complex building techonology, furniture layout, stove setup, etc. We need to face these disadvantages to take targeted measures to improve the accommodation environment.
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.
Stove Setup
Installing a chimney in a dome can be difficult as the chimney needs to find an upstanding wall for installation, yet domes have curved surfaces.
Fortunately, at Glizcamp, with improved building practices, we can install chimney exhaust waste vents internally. At the same time, there is no risk of damaging the structural integrity of the dome house.
Glitzcamp 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 10 years, Glitzcamp is good at solving various problems.
Enhance Waterproofing Measures: Glitzcamp 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.
Strong After-sales Support: You can find Glitzcamp 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 Glitzcamp to solve the problem of inappropriate furniture.
| PVC Dome House | Glass Dome House | |
| Frame Material | Q235 steel pipe available in white, black coating, or galvanized | Aluminum alloy 6061/T6 |
| Cover Material | 850g opaque PVC/950g transparent PVC | Laminated tempered glass for good sound insulation, not easy to break |
| Best in | Cost-effective choice for long-term living | A modern look for those who desire full natural light and enjoy outdoor landscape |
| Budget | Relatively low | Higher cost |
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. So Glitzcamp offers some tips for routine and long-term maintenance as follows.
Daily Maintenance Suggestions
- Clean the surface of the geodome house regularly to remove dust, fallen leaves, and other debris.
- 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.
- Regularly check the structural integrity of the geo dome, 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 by contacting your dome supplier.
- 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！
FAQs About Geodome House
Yes. It is well known that the structure of interconnecting triangles is quite solid in nature. Geodesic dome homes benefit from this. Even though they require few building materials, the heavy-duty steel frames, and strong anchored foundations provide them with the same strength as traditional buildings.
In addition, they are built quickly and easily. Thanks to their prefabricated modular design, their materials can be easily transported and installed.
Yes. Even for innovative alternative housing like geodesic domes, there is a high probability that the structure will require a licence due to its permanent or long term use. Usually, you will need to consult with your local planning department as to what information and reports need to be submitted.
To help you comply with applicable building regulations, Glitzcamp can provide the relevant dome structure test reports about the wind and snow load.
The cost of a geodesic dome home ranges from $100-$300 per square foot. On average, it costs around $10,000 to $200,000 to build a cosy geodesic dome. This is because there are many customization options involved.
If you think of a bigger dome with stronger materials and more customized accessories, then this cost will naturally be high. Conversely, if you just need a simple geo dome kit for just 1-2 people, this budget could be around $10,000.
Objectively, a geodesic dome home has a lifespan of 10-15 years. With the use of strong and durable materials, good routine maintenance and regular repairs, and not excessively harsh weather conditions, dome life tends to be around 15 years. The exact number of years depends on its materials, the frequency of routine maintenance, and the weather conditions.
