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greenhouses

Geodesic dome covering

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posted 11 years ago

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I have some friends with a 6m high, metal framed geodesic dome that needs covering. I am interested in any permaculture views of the choice of materials, especially relating to sustainability, low embedded energy, durability, and cost.

The plan is to use the space as a workshop/tool shed, but it might be best left as a greenhouse.

Thanks

John Elliott

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posted 11 years ago

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Cob is a cheap, durable, sustainable building material for the walls, if you were to use the edges of the geodesic for anchoring your laths to spread the cob.

As far as a roof material, if you want to keep light coming in and rely mostly on natural lighting, polycarbonate sheeting is commonly used for skylights and greenhouses. It's not cheap though, but it's pretty durable and as far as sustainability, it can be recycled when its useful life is over.

R Scott

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Location: Kansas Zone 6a

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posted 11 years ago

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Trying to figure out a good covering stopped me from building a dome. I figured ferrocement was about the best for minimal waste. Everything else is made in rectangles and needs expensive stuff to waterproof the seams.

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John Adamz

Posts: 126

Location: Springfield, mo

posted 11 years ago

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I used 6mil marine shrink wrap to cover my 22ft 3v 4/9 dome IIRC at a cost of about $60. Got enough to do it 2x since it will only last 2-3 years.
I chose white, but you can get clear as well.
Using a RMH to heat the Aquaponics inside.

domecvr.jpg

domecvr0.jpg

"Necessity is the mother of invention" That's why I'm a Jack of all trades, Master of some and have learned that Knowledge is power, but information isn't necessarily knowledge.

Van Taylor

Posts: 18

posted 11 years ago

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any pics after it was shrunk?

John Adamz

Posts: 126

Location: Springfield, mo

posted 11 years ago

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Van Taylor wrote:any pics after it was shrunk?

Well surprisingly I couldn't find any so I took a few. I had to pleat the bottom few feet about every 5 or so feet. There was just way too much to shrink up without doing so.
The $60 price I stated before was for the 1 time. The 120x17ft roll was $138.

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"Necessity is the mother of invention" That's why I'm a Jack of all trades, Master of some and have learned that Knowledge is power, but information isn't necessarily knowledge.

Van Taylor

Posts: 18

posted 11 years ago

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Looks great, how is it working out with all this cold weather we are having? I am accumulating materials right now for my own which I hope to have finished by the end of Febuary so I can get an early start this year. I would love to see some pics of the inside and some data on temps in and out. Thanks Van

Kevin EarthSoul

Posts: 135

posted 11 years ago

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Jason Nicoll wrote:I have some friends with a 6m high, metal framed geodesic dome that needs covering. I am interested in any permaculture views of the choice of materials, especially relating to sustainability, low embedded energy, durability, and cost.

The plan is to use the space as a workshop/tool shed, but it might be best left as a greenhouse.

Thanks

I would explore adding lathing between the struts as a support framework (wattle) and then cobbing (daub). The main problem thereafter would be water-proofing. Perhaps a lime plaster? I recently found a product called "Izonil" that claims to be "environmentally friendly". I suspect it's a proprietary lime-based mix.

Kevin

Kevin EarthSoul (real, legal name)
Omaha, NE

Shannyn Gump

Posts: 2

Location: Red Hill, New Mexico

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posted 7 years ago

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I see its been three years, kevin how is the cover holding up? I have a 30ft dome that is on its third cover and i need something better for number four.

Shannyn Gump and family
Nyn Acres

Robert Jack

Posts: 3

posted 7 years ago

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How about yurt canvas and a skylight using PVC not very cheap but makes for a beautiful space

dome-covered.jpg

Peter VanDerWal

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Posts: 596

Location: Southern Arizona. Zone 8b

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posted 7 years ago

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Robert Jack wrote:How about yurt canvas and a skylight using PVC not very cheap but makes for a beautiful space

Hmm, I'm betting that canvas is probably the most sustainable and environmentally friendly choice. Creating plastic generally requires a lot of energy and results in a lot of toxic waste products.

Glass requires a tremendous amount of energy, but it can last for hundreds of years (as apposed to less than 10 for clear plastics, less than 2 for some). For letting light in, you an't beat glass in the long run, at least not with modern technology.

My opinions are barely worth the paper they are written on here, but hopefully they can spark some new ideas, or at least a different train of thought

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