Frequently asked questions
What are the domes made of?
Our dome frames are made with powder coated galvanised steel poles and stainless steel nuts and bolts and the covers are made using a heavy duty, UV resistant, fire and flame retardant, 100% waterproof PVC. We are now also taking orders for custom made timber doors for domes made from sustainably grown Australian cypress timber.
How long will they last?
According to The galvanizers association of Australia the life expectancy of galvanized coatings on typical steel structural members is far in excess of 50 years in most rural environments, and 20 to 25 years plus, even in severe urban and coastal exposure. Your frame will last indefinitely if it is not exposed to excess moisture or salty air. The life expectancy of the cover is approximately 10 years, possibly longer depending on UV exposure and can be extended with the application of Thermoshield insulation paint. You can easily order a replacement cover for your dome if needed.
How do they go in storms and strong winds?
Geodesic domes are the strongest structure invented by man (in relation to the materials used).We have have found the covers to be 100% waterproof and strong enough to withstand hail without damage. The shape is aerodynamic and as you can see in the video below, domes fare very well in extreme winds.
Do they come with a warranty?
Golden Domes warrants its domes and products against manufacturing defects for 1 year from the date the dome is received by our customer.
Do they come with a floor?
Our dome prices do not include a floor. However we can send you free floor plans to build your own floor.
Most of our customers choose to build wooden platforms – they can be elevated off the ground, erected on uneven or sloped terrain, are low-impact on the environment and cost effective.
Other options for flooring are poured concrete slabs (potentially insulated with radiant heat), or earthen/ cob floors. For a temporary setup, heavy duty waterproof ground tarps can be spread directly on the ground.
Please note that we recommend building a circular platform to fit the dome exactly – that way it is easy to seal the cover skirt around the edges with some trim to keep weather and insects out. An outside deck can be built off the side of it. If you want to put your dome on a larger, rectangular deck, you need to account for a drainage gap around the dome perimeter to ensure rainwater cannot run under the edge of the dome. Usually in this case, you will want to build up a slightly raised sealed floor on the inside.
Can I put a bathroom and kitchen inside my dome?
Absolutely, you can install a partial or full wall, or enclosed space. We recommend an exhaust fan in any bathroom or kitchen to draw out excess moisture.
Do you supply bathrooms and kitchens for your domes?
No we don’t. Due to the many ways a dome can be used, styled and outfitted, we decided to leave the creativity up to the customer instead of trying to supply these. You will be able to get much better quality and unique design by sourcing furniture, appliances and fixtures locally or online, hiring local contractors and going with your own style. We are happy to share images and information to show how we have done our kitchens and bathrooms.