Geodesic dome structures – a new word in building. Dome structures appeared in the early 2000s in Japan, which is known for frequent earthquakes destroying usual houses.
What are some pros and cons of using domes in construction?
Then the geodesic dome was noticed by architects looking for original ideas for residential buildings. But what about the well-known churches? In churches and cathedrals, domes were used as decorative elements, as were huge doors, spires and crosses. With a little experience from all over, we put together our first in-house design for a domed building, which we built for our director in 2008. While living in it, he noted the strengths and weaknesses of the structure and worked to improve the design so that future customers would get better geodesic dome homes. Strengths that have been noticed by us and our satisfied customers.
Strengths of dome construction
The greatest strength is the great economy of building materials. In housing, we are primarily interested in comfort, especially the living space and volume of the geodesic dome house. For the same area of a spherical and a square dwelling, a geodesic dome requires 30% less building materials. It is not necessary to use special materials, the usual battens for the cladding, wood for the frame and a simple mixture for pouring the foundation.
The second strongest point is the lightness of the structure. Metal and wooden frames are covered by batten and glass walls. Even dense and warm walls with heavy insulation will be lighter than traditional brick walls and heavy roofing. As a consequence, you do not need a strong foundation to build, windows can be installed in any place you want, and for building dome house no need to use heavy machinery, our team of builders with a set of specialized tools will cope with the geodesicdome construction.
The third strong point is the savings in the running costs of the house. As we have said, the wall area of a dome house is on average 20% less than that of an identical “box”. This means that the dome home exchanges less heat, saving you up to 30% of what you spend on heating your home. Some customers have told us that by using high quality wall insulation and the best windows available on the market, they have been able to achieve savings of 50% on their utility bills. The lack of load bearing walls connected to the outside world only helps to keep the heat inside the dome house.
Fourth strong point – design. Dome houses are not included in architectural training, they are not described in books and they are not designed for term papers. This means that only a talented and experienced architect, who understands the subject well and can penetrate into the peculiarities of dome house construction, can work on a dome house. So his project will be truly beautiful and well thought out – a template project will not stand up. These are the kind of architects who work in our company.
Disadvantages of Dome Structures
Weaknesses are as follows: non-standard windows and doors installed in frame dome houses, complicated calculations for construction. Building materials are designed for rectangular houses, not for domes made of triangles. But if you choose your materials wisely, you can use almost no waste. We have experience in the selection and cutting of materials for domes, and we offer a claimed saving of 20% on materials.
Also one of the main disadvantages of dome structures is the difficulty in arranging furniture and organizing the interior space. Due to the curved walls, standard furniture might not fit properly, requiring custom solutions. Additionally, the slope of the walls can make it challenging to install shelves, cabinets, and other interior items, leading to extra costs for specialized equipment and furniture. Another drawback is the complexity of repairs and maintenance due to the unique design and the need for special materials and tools.
Conclusion on Geodesic Domes
Despite some disadvantages, the benefits of building a geodesic dome are significant. A geodesic dome is highly durable and resistant to extreme weather conditions, making it an ideal choice for construction in areas with high seismic activity or strong winds. Additional benefits include improved energy efficiency and savings on building materials. These geodesic dome advantages and disadvantages make them an interesting option for those seeking innovative and sustainable housing solutions.
For those interested in purchasing, there are various dome homes for sale that offer unique architectural designs and energy-efficient living spaces. These homes provide an opportunity to experience the distinctive benefits of dome living, such as reduced heating costs and increased structural durability.
For more detailed information or consultations on geodesic domes, or if you have any other questions about the pros and cons of dome structures please leave a request on our website.