About Pacific Domes

General	Back to Top
Q: What does Geodesic mean? A: Sometimes called the golden mean or the golden ratio. An irrational number. It has a special symbol, the Greek letter Tau (or, in some texts, the Greek letter Phi), and is calculated as 1 plus the square root of 5, divided by 2 (approximately equal to 1.618033989). It shows up many places in geometry and nature. For instance, it is the ratio of one of the diagonals of a regular pentagon to the length of its edge.
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Q: What is a dome? A: A structure consisting of a partial sphere (usually about half of a sphere) used to enclose space. Domes are commonly used for homes, greenhouses, or to enclose equipment.
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Q: What is a frequency? A: When talking about domes, frequency refers to the number of pieces that each edge of the base figure is divided into in the process of triangulating its sides. For instance, we might start with a base figure of an icosahedron and divide each edge of each triangular face into 3 equal lengths. Those new points are connected to divide the original triangle into 9 smaller triangles. Since the original edges were divided into 3 parts, we call this a 3-frequency dome. The frequency is commonly abbreviated as "f", so a 2-frequency dome is called 2f, 3-frequency is 3f, and so forth.
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Q: Do people live in Pacific Domes? A: The majority of our customers purchase their domes to live in. The different cover materials we offer allow for use in any climate. We have insulation packages available that, in conjunction with a wood stove or other heating system, make the dome a comfortable space in cold weather. Larger domes can accommodate lofts, walls, and other partitions to create separate rooms. To see pictures of homes that people have created out of the domes, click here.
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Q: What does the Basic Dome package contain? A: The Basic Dome package includes: the ¾” galvanized steel tube frame with hardware.
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Q: What does the Deluxe dome package contain? A: The Deluxe Dome package includes the Basic Dome package, zip-off roof screen, door screen(s), window screens, and base rollup screens. It also includes stove vent flashing and pipe cap, anchors and a solar fan.
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Q: Does Pacific Domes make a greenhouse dome? A: We offer Greenhouse Domes in all sizes.
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Q: Warranty information? A: Pacific Domes guarantees the workmanship and craftsmanship of its products. If any defect in construction is found, Pacific Domes will gladly correct the problem.
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Q: Do you have domes available for rent? A: Yes! Pacific Domes are a wonderful space for parties, weddings, trade shows, festival booths, and retreats. We have an experienced and competent crew available to help with setup and takedown. Please call us for updated information on availability and prices.
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Q: Do you have a payment plan? A: Our payment terms are 50% deposit at the time the order is made with the balance due before we ship.
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Q: Do you offer any additional resources that I could consult other than your web site? A: If you provide us with a mailing address, we will send you a packet of information with a DVD and fabric samples.
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Q: Can you connect two domes together? A: We are capable of connecting two domes together with either a pre-hung door or a hoop-door.
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Q: Do you sell used domes? A: On occasion, we have demo domes for sale at a discount. Please contact our sales department.
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Frames	Back to Top
Q: What are the dome frames made of? How strong are they? A: Our dome frames are made from galvanized steel tubing. The steel, in conjunction with the geodesic design, creates an amazingly strong structure using a minimal amount of material. Geodesic domes are world-renowned for their integrity. Depending on your situation and needs, we offer heavy-duty frames in addition to our standard frames. Shelter Frames Event Frames
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Q: What type of frame do I need? A: The geodesic dome geometry is one of the sturdiest and most aerodynamic structures ever designed. In most situations, our standard frame diameter is more than adequate. Our standard ¾” frame can handle any wind. For areas with snow, we will check our engineering program to calculate the tubing diameter required. You will need to contact your local County Building Department for your snow load and combined wind requirements. We can make a frame strong enough to handle any snow and wind load on the planet! Seismic rating is also required to run our engineering program, although the dome is the safest building to be in during an earthquake!
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Q: What are the diameters of your frames and is there an extra charge for heavy duty frames? A: The standard diameter of our galvanized steel frames is ¾". If a sturdier frame is required for snow loads, there is an additional charge. A 1" frame will satisfy most snow load requirements. We can make up to a 2” diameter for special load bearing needs.
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Q: Can we order only the dome frame? A: Yes, we offer the frame, without a cover. Many of our customers use our frames to cover with concrete, shot Crete, or ferro-cement. We have even had a few people cover their dome frame with paper Crete. Pacific Domes does not offer any advice or information in regards to these types of construction.
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Q: How are the joints constructed? A: Both ends of each strut are flattened and a hole is punched through the flattened area. Four to six of the struts meet at each joint, or “hub”, and a bolt with a washer and a nut run through the holes at the ends of the struts.
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Q: How does the frame attach to the flooring? A: Conduit clamps are provided that secure the frame to the wooden decking or perimeter boards. For high wind areas, we recommend our heavy duty anchors.
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Covers	Back to Top
Q: What type of cover do I need? A: The main consideration in choosing fabric for your dome is longevity. The two causes of deterioration are UV and mildew. If you live in an area with high UV, we recommend SunLite with Thermoshield because Thermoshield, our UV protection paint, adheres perfectly to SunLite fabric. We also recommend Tropical Plus because of its Fluorex-P protection against UV. If you live in an area with high mildew we recommend Tropical and Tropical Plus because they have a smooth surface and are easy to clean. Shelter Covers Event Covers
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Q: What type of fabrics does Pacific Domes offer? A: Our three main fabrics we use for Shelter domes are SunLite, Tropical, and Tropical Plus. Occasionally we use 100% cotton Army Duck for the natural alternative.
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Q: What is the life expectancy of the dome cover? A: The manufacturer warranty for Sun-Lite is 5 years. With proper care, it will last 5-8 years. With Thermoshield the life of SunLite can be extended indefinitely. The manufacturer warranty for Tropical FS is 8 - 12 years. With proper care, it will last 8-12 years. The manufacturer warranty for Tropical Plus is 12 - 20 years. With proper care it will last 12-15 years.
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Q: Can I apply the Thermoshield to the Tropical or the Tropical Plus materials? A: Thermoshield will not adhere to Tropical or Tropical Plus. It will adhere to SunLite.
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Q: Can domes handle high winds? A: As long as they are properly anchored, our domes can withstand any wind speed.
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Q: Can Domes handle heavy snow loads? A: Our domes can handle any snow load. Our engineering program will determine the tubing size required for the snow load in your area. We make up to 2 inch diameter frames.
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Q: What are the windows made of? A: The windows are made of a UV protected CLEAR marine vinyl. They are able to withstand very cold temperatures and extreme weather. Shelter Windows Event Windows
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Q: Can I purchase a replacement cover for my dome? A: Reskins are available for standard and custom domes. We have customers that have been living in their dome for 25 years.
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Insulation	Back to Top
Q: Do I need insulation? A: Your local weather conditions will determine whether or not you need insulation. The insulation that we offer can be used to keep your dome warm or cool. Having an efficient heating source will greatly affect your ability to keep your dome warm. A larger dome may present more of a need for insulation as it will be require more energy to heat the larger space.
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Q: Does Pacific Domes offer any insulation? A: We offer insulation options: A Liner, Reflectix, and Thermoshield.
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Q: Do the Complete Winter Liner and Reflectix insulation include the roof Reflectix and Liner, or are these items ordered separately? A: Both the Complete Winter Liner and the Complete Reflectix include the roof and the body. The Liner and the Reflectix can be purchased roof only, as well.
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Q: Can I apply the Thermoshield to the Tropical or the Tropical Plus materials? A: The Thermoshield will not adhere to the Tropical materials. It will adhere to the SunLite material.
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Q: Do the insulation linings also help to keep temperature down in the summer? A: All of the insulation that Pacific Domes offers will help to keep the dome cooler in the summer, and warmer in the winter.
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Q: Which insulation is the best for extremely cold environments? A: The most important aspect of keeping a dome warm and cozy is an efficient heat source. If you are in an unusually cold environment, we recommend using the Reflectix, Liner, or Thermoshield. Thermoshield can be applied to both the inside and outside of the dome for maximum winter and summer insulation.
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Q: How is the dome ventilated? A: Pacific Domes are designed with ventilation in mind. The roof, door, round windows, and portions of the sidewalls can be replaced with screens. If your environment doesn’t allow for screens, due to excessive rain fall, we recommend using a solar fan to aid in ventilation. Shelter Dome Ventilation Event Dome Ventilation
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Flooring	Back to Top
Q: What type of floor should I build? A: We offer three different floor plans that work very well with the domes that we make. They are wooden and are called the Pie, Star, and Joint method. Many people pour concrete slabs or create Earthen floors using the Perimeter floor plans as a mold. You are welcome to use the suggestions we provide for Flooring, or create your own method.
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Q: Does the full dome kit include the floor? A: We provide floor plans for three styles of wood decks along with estimates for the price of the materials and estimated time for production on the website. These plans have been used by many of our customers and have proven to work very well with our domes. There is also information on earthen flooring and perimeter plans for concrete.
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Q: What do your suggested floor plans cost to build? A: The best way to find the cost of our suggested floor plans is to take your preferred floor plan to the place you plan to buy materials and have them make you a bid. There are some general estimates for materials and estimated time for production listed on the flooring page.
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Q: I want to put a 30' dome on a concrete slab, how big should the slab be, if the dome is 30' diameter? A: If you are considering pouring a concrete slab, please consult our perimeter plans for pouring concrete.
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Q: Are special "heavy" foundations necessary if high winds are common? A: To determine if a special foundation is needed to withstand high winds, check with your local City and/or County Building Department.
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Q: Does the dome have specific anchors for concrete versus wood floors? A: The brackets that connect the dome to the floor will work on both wooden and concrete floors. When attaching the dome to concrete flooring, you’ll attach the brackets to the boards that surround the concrete slab.
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Heating and Cooling	Back to Top
Q: How should I heat my dome? A: The most common method of heating is by wood stove, but any modern heating method will work in a dome. Radiant heat, solar, electric, and gas are all compatible with our domes.
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Q: How should I cool my dome? A: The domes are designed with several window screens, base screens, and a roof screen. This ventilates the dome well, helping to keep it cool. For extremely warm and wet environments, we offer information on solar fans. Traditional Air Conditioning units may be installed as well.
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Q: How do I install a wood stove? A: If you are using the wood flooring plans that we have provided, we recommend that you create a rock or sand hearth to put your stove on. To install your stove on the hearth, follow manufacturer’s instructions and local building codes. The Deluxe Dome Package is equipped with a metal stove flashing (for the Basic Dome Package, wood stove setup can be purchased separately). The piping will run from your stove through the flashing and above your dome. All of the piping that is used in association with the stove should be double walled pipe. The piping that runs through your flashing and above the dome should have an outer 8” diameter and an inner 6” diameter. The flashing on the 16 foot dome is an exception. For this dome, the flashing allows for 6-6 ½ ” outer diameter piping.
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Electricity and Plumbing	Back to Top
Q: Can you run electricity and utilities into the dome? A: If you have access to utilities, they can be run into the dome. Typically this is done through the floor. Outlets can be placed on the floor, or on any walls or partitions that you build inside. If you drill an appropriate diameter hole you can run pipes up through the floor wherever you want them.

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Interior Design	Back to Top
Q: What is possible inside of a dome? A: Anything is possible.
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Q: Is it possible to create separate rooms in the dome? A: There are many ways to use the space that a dome offers. The larger domes allow space for a loft to be built. Traditional walls can be built within your dome if you desire. Some people have used screens to separate the space. The possibilities are only as limited as your imagination!
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Q: Do you have any floor plans? A: We provide floor plans on the web that can be downloaded for free. Shelter Dome Floor Plans Event Dome Floor Plans
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Q: What about amenities such as stoves and plumbing? A: When it comes to modern amenities in a dome, most anything is possible. We offer links to sites about eco-toilets, solar fans, solar heating products, floating chairs, and floating beds! Piping and wiring for plumbing and electricity can be run through the floor of the dome.
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Customization	Back to Top
Q: Can I customize my dome? A: For an additional charge, we would be happy to customize your dome. Please be aware that customization may extend the time it takes for us to create your dome.
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Q: We prefer to have two doors in any living quarters where we reside. Can this be done? A: Adding a door can be done, but may require moving windows or screens to a different location. There is an additional cost for adding doors and for adding or moving any of the other elements. This is considered customization and will increase the time it will take to create your dome.
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Q: Can these domes be sprayed with foam and concrete? A: It is possible to spray your dome with foam and concrete. We recommend reinforcing the spaces in between the struts before spraying the frame.
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Q: Could we use one of your covers to fit over a dome that we make? A: We will need information on the frequency and exact size of struts to see if our dome covers will fit.
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Installation	Back to Top
Q: Will Pacific Domes erect the dome for me? A: Yes although our Instruction DVD and Video have enabled our customers to set their own domes up with ease. We do recommend hiring one of our staff members for 44’ diameter and larger domes, although we have had customers accomplish the setups on their own. Please contact us and we will have one of our Dome Works crew give you a quote if you require assistance. We can also train you to construct your own dome.
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Q: Can I put it together myself? A: The 16, 20, and 24 foot domes can be constructed with help from a few friends. It is extremely difficult to construct domes larger than this without some sort of mechanized assistance.
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Q: How do I attach the Dome to the flooring or deck? A: We provide you with brackets that will secure your dome to the decking.
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Maintenance	Back to Top
Q: What do I need to do to take good care of my dome? A: To insure your domes new and clean appearance and to prolong the life of your dome cover, do not allow dirt or stains to build up on the fabric. Clean your Tropical fabric every 180 days, and your Tropical Plus fabric once a year. Be sure to clean both sides as needed. You can clean your dome using a power nozzle and/or a mild soap solution and scrub brush. Only use mild soap and water with a SOFT bristle brush or rag on your dome. NEVER USE SOLVENTS, HEAVY BRUSHES, WIRE PADS OR HIGH PRESSURE STEAM CLEANERS TO REMOVE DIRT OR STAINS OFF YOUR DOME. Always rinse the dome thoroughly with water after cleaning to remove any traces of cleaning solutions. Regularly brush out the bottoms of all the window pockets where the rain will wash down dirt and leaves, and the bottom of the dome, where dirt collects between the cover and the floor. NEVER LET ANY TYPE OF SOLVENT COME IN CONTACT WITH THE SURFACE OF THE DOME, AS IT WILL DAMAGE OR REMOVE THE TOP COAT. THIS INCLUDES MEK SOLUTIONS, PETROLEUM AND SILICONE BASED PRODUCTS.
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Q: How do I winterize my dome? A: Please visit our page on winterizing your dome.
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Q: How do you overcome breathability in the rain in a hot climate? A: If you are in a hot and wet climate and must keep your circular windows sealed, we recommend a solar fan. Attached to a window, a solar fan works very well by drawing in cool air from the bottom and blowing hot air out of the top.
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Q: How do I clean off mildew? A: To prevent mildew keep your dome well ventilated and dry. Store your dome as dry as possible. Sponge down all mildew areas with a strong bleach solution (1 part bleach to 4 parts water). Wear gloves and have your dome well ventilated to avoid inhaling fumes. Mildew will turn pale when it dies. Natural mildew treatments: 1. One of our customers gave us this recipe as both a curative and preventative for mildew growth. 2 ½ gallons water 20 drops Tea Tree Oil ¼ cup Borax ½ cup white vinegar 2. Spray mildew with hydrogen peroxide. Wash with a thin paste of lemon juice and borax to inhibit new mildew formation. Hydrogen Peroxide Lemon Juice Borax
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Permitting and Security	Back to Top
Q: Can I install a locking door? A: Yes! Our pre-hung door opening creates a space that will allow for you to install a conventional door.
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Q: I am wondering about zoning constraints related to residential dome structures within an urban environment. A: Zoning issues vary from city to city. Our domes are far from a conventional home. We can provide engineering specs that will show that our domes meet county requirements for seismic, wind load, and snow load. This usually satisfies the building departments for rural areas. We have put up many small domes within city limits in back yards with no problems. A large dome for a primary residence within city limits will require approval from the local Building Department.
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Q: How do I deal with zoning permits? A: Zoning and permitting can and does vary widely between different states, counties and cities. We have a structural engineering program that will determine whether a particular size dome will meet your county’s requirements for wind, snow and seismic resistance. We are also willing to talk with county inspectors or engineers that may have questions about the domes. Please call us if you have any questions.
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Q: Are special "heavy" foundations necessary if high winds are common? A: Heavy foundations may or may not be required if you are in a particularly high wind environment. This would be something that your local building department may require.
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Shipping	Back to Top
Q: Can we pay for the dome when we receive it? A: We require payment in full before your dome is shipped.
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Q: Can you ship to Canada? A: We can ship outside of the USA, but the costs vary greatly with the size of the dome. When you’re ready to order, we can give you a shipping quote, which is good for 30 days.
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Q: What is the shipping size and weight? A: The shipping size and weight of each dome package can be found on the appropriate dome size page. Shelter Dome Specifications Event Dome Specifications
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Q: How long does it take to receive the dome once it’s ordered? A: Generally, a SunLite dome will be finished 4-6 weeks after the initial investment is received. A Tropical, or a Tropical Plus dome will require 6-8 weeks production time. Custom orders will extend this time frame, usually by about 2 weeks. For custom orders, please contact us for delivery times.
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Q: How long is it from the time when I order, to the time when I receive it, if I only want the frame? A: A basic frame can generally be finished and shipped within a week.
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Q: What if I need my dome sooner than the time frames you have listed? A: Our standard Production Schedule is 4-6 weeks (for each dome) from the date the 50% deposit is received. We always do our best to meet client deadlines and work as quickly as possible, but please be aware that any orders placed with shorter delivery times will be charged a Rush Order Fee of 20%.
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