The Southern River Otter inhabits the rivers, lakes, and coastal marine habitats in Chile and Argentina. They have an elongated body reaching up to 3.8 feet and 22 pounds.
Their diet is varied, from fish to crustaceans and mollusks. However, they also prey on small birds and mammals when the opportunity arises.
Geodesic dome builders use few materials during construction, making it easy to move around.
They don’t use concrete for construction. Instead, they use glass, wood, metal, and polycarbonate building materials to build the geometric components of geodesic domes. These building materials are easy to lift, ensuring the easy assembling of your home at your desired location. Natural Spaces Domes, a geodesic dome-building company, has patented connection hardware for easier installation.
According to Pacific Dome, another company, the separate parts of their dome house are packed in a box truck. It shows just how easy transportation is during construction compared to other structures.
Instead of cold air hitting a flat wall, the dome shape has a concave interior that creates natural airflow. It also acts like a headlight reflector that reflects interior heat, preventing radiant heat loss. Overall, it saves heat and reduces energy costs spent on air conditioning.
They provide natural light. The light comes in through their panels, saving electricity until nighttime.
Unlike traditional homes, it efficiently improves the relationship between indoor spaces and nature. Geodesic domes are great for gardens, an art studio, or a music room.
It uses a few materials to create a living space with less surface area. Dome homes have no corners, making more room for activities.
Geodesic domes require low maintenance because they are made from durable materials that can withstand outdoor weather like heavy snow, high winds, and rainfall. They are suitable for people who live in areas with high winds because they can withstand wear. You can also clean geodesic homes made with glass and polycarbonate materials by wiping them with water, mild detergent, or power washing.
Some geodesic dome home builders use bioceramics to construct these domes, which makes them fire-resistant. A geodesic dome home is an excellent housing option for people who live in areas regularly ravaged by wildfires.
Another benefit of geodesic homes is their versatility. You can use them as shelters for living, work, and studio space. Uses for geodesic domes also include weather observatories, glamping tents, retreats and community spaces, and children’s playrooms. You can customize dome homes to suit your needs and taste.
You can also deconstruct geodesic dome homes quickly and transport them to another space.
Their aesthetically pleasing features are another plus.
While geodesic domes have incredible benefits, they also have disadvantages. Constructing a dome home can cost a lot because they are unique structures that are less common than conventional building structures. So, the construction labor will cost you.
Another thing that might cost you money and energy is getting building permits. Depending on the location of your land, you might need them. Some areas have strict building codes and regulations that make it challenging to build unique structures.
Also, installing some features we enjoy in traditional homes in dome homes can be challenging. An example is chimney installation. It is difficult to include chimneys and fireplaces. Installing fire escapes in larger domes will also cost a lot.
Furthermore, because of its spherical shape and panels, rooms and divisions within a dome home are not easily created. It will be difficult for you to get off-the-shelf fitting materials because most of the materials in the market are for right angles for traditional homes with square and linear structures.
Dome owners might also encounter leaking problems if the builders don’t install them properly. Sometimes, people install domes themselves without adequate knowledge or employ the services of an unskilled dome builder.
The frame structure of geodesic domes is one of the most crucial parts of the structure. The dome’s structure is self-supporting with interconnected triangles, which form a series of hexagons, reducing the materials used.
Connect the various parts of the structure with bolts, nuts, zip ties, and special connectors. Use bolts and nuts for larger domes. Some structures already come with pre-cut holes to help you join them accurately. Zip ties work well for small geodesic domes, especially if they are temporary structures.
After setting up the structure, the next step is to add openings for windows and doors. You must plan these fittings properly because fitting them into a spherical structure can be challenging.
Consider ventilation, natural light, and the dome layout before marking the locations of the windows and doors with chalk or tape. Along the markings, create openings for doors and windows. Some geodesic kits come with a pre-drilled door, which makes fittings easier.
Let's not forget the covering for your dome. You can use many covering materials, including PVC (polyvinyl chloride), polycarbonate panels, tarpaulin, and canvas. Canvas has good insulation, breathability, and water resistance qualities, while tarpaulin is UV-resistant, waterproof, and lightweight.
Tarpaulin is excellent for temporary domes, but polycarbonate panels are more suitable for permanence. They are lightweight, durable, and resistant to UV rays. PVC covers can also withstand harsh weather conditions and ultraviolet rays. However, you'll need to sew it together to make it leak-free.
You need to consider how to attach the covering to the structure securely. Thread cords or doors through the turkeys on the edges of your covering. You can use straps and buckles to allow flexibility to tighten and loosen the covering as needed. You can also use clips to grip the covering to the spherical structure. However, they are only suitable for temporary use.
Conclusion
Geodesic homes have unmatched energy efficiency and can still withstand heavy snows, winds, and storms. Given their futuristic aesthetics, believing they were developed about 100 years ago is challenging.
A dome house makes adequate use of the available space. Most dome home builders use PVC, polycarbonate panels, glass, and canvas to build domes. Some use concrete, which makes concrete domes much more expensive. If you want to be one of the dome people, consult expert builders to construct your dream home.
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