Pros and Cons of Dome Homes

What is “Dome Home”?

Dome Home is a home whose shape is sphere. Dome Homes utilize a shell framework in the build. Dome home started to be popular after BuckMinster Fuller introduced a geodesic dome as a dome home in 1950s. In 1970s, more and more people started to install geodesic domes in their backyard garden. However, they had lots of problems such as water leaking and limited energy efficiency. Because of such defects, dome home didn’t become popular so much in those days.

These days, the popularity of dome houses is rekindle.

Geodesic Dome Home

Pros of Dome Homes

(1) Comfortable internal temperature

Spherical shape enables dome homes to be roomier than regular home, as they enclose more volume under less surface area. In other words, builders don’t need to use lots of building materials to affect internal air temperature.

(2) Stronger structure

Because of spherical shape and less flat area, it can stand for harsh weather and natural disasters such as monster hurricane and powerful earthquake. The bigger the dome home is, the stronger it will be. On the other hand, regular homes have structures that spread the stress load at right angles and not across the whole structure.

(3) Energy efficient

Dome house’s cooling and heating efficiency is at least 30% higher. Natural sunlight will spread evenly with dome home and keep inside of the dome evenly. In short, this structure will enable you to save energy and electricity bill. It is expected that dome houses are 2-4 times as energy efficient as regular homes.

(4) Low cost

Compared with conventional homes, dome homes are considerably cheaper and more affordable for you. It is because of the material they are using and less manpower and time to build.

(5) Easy to install

Not like contemporary ordinary houses, most of the dome homes are portable and easy to assemble. It means you can build the dome home with less manpower and anytime when you want.

(6) Eco friendly

Most of the material used for dome homes are recyclable such as polycarbonate sheets and glass.

Transparent Dome Home

Cons of Dome Homes

(1) Difficult to install chimney

Chimneys play a big role to direct the smoke away from the stove and out of the house. Without a chimney, there are hot gasses and toxic pollutants in the air in your dome home. In order to keep your home clean and cool, a chimney is essential.

(2) More complex to create divisions and rooms inside the dome home

(3) More challenging to decorate and set up furniture in your dome home

Most of the furniture is designed for square houses. If you set up such furniture in your dome home, you’ll have lots of dead space and will waste the rooms.

Dome House

How about building your original and unique dome home with Excelite Domes?

Excelite Domes are made of polycarbonate sheet, which is 250 times as strong as glass. Polycarbonate sheets are famous for the features below.

  • Impact resistant
  • Thermally stable
  • Lightweight and easy to process
  • UV and waterproof
  • Optical clarity (88-92% light transmission depends on thickness)

We sell a variety of sizes of domes, 2.1M / 3.5M / 4.5M / 5.3M and 8.8M. 8.8M dome must be the best size of the dome home. However, you can combine one dome with others (Combo Domes). How about building original and unique dome home with Excelite Domes? Contact us today!