hoop or dome or something else?

There is so much information about greenhouses it's really overwhelming... can someone point me in a direction or break it down for me? I get that there's different materials and types, ways to heat with RMH etc... I'm in Northern California... we don't have wretched winters like some of you do, but I'd love to have protection from frost and critters with a greenhouse in the winter. Where do I start?

Natasha Bailey wrote:There is so much information about greenhouses it's really overwhelming... can someone point me in a direction or break it down for me? I get that there's different materials and types, ways to heat with RMH etc... I'm in Northern California... we don't have wretched winters like some of you do, but I'd love to have protection from frost and critters with a greenhouse in the winter. Where do I start?

Anybody?

if you're only concern is frost protection and you dont get much snow, simple row covers or quick hoops over your beds is enough to extend the season.
next step up would be simple pvc hoop house facing east/west. next might be passive solar greenhouse of wood and greenhouse plastic or twin-wall polycarbonate panels.
geodesic domes are getting into more $,time,planning, and other considerations. i'm not sure how well they match up against hoops or passive-solar lean-to types designs.

I live in SW Missouri and choose a dome for a few reasons. 1-We have frequent severe weather with high winds and moderate snowfall (17"/yr avg) A dome will stand up to my conditions much better.
2- I had some of the materials already laying around. I spent about $140 on a 22ft 3v 4/9 Kruschke. If you had to buy everything to build a +/- 20ft dome DIY it could be done for around $3-400. Check here for ideas Domerama