KTAB Going Green: Domes
By: Import User
Updated: May 14, 2009
They say beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Domes can be downright gorgeous if you value strength and energy conservation.
The savings come from the dome's unique design.
They're made from a combination of polyurethane foam, rebar and shortcrete.
It's a great combination of insulation and strength.
With walls a foot thick domes make the most of your energy dollar.
They stay cool in the summer and warm in the winter. Hurricanes and tornadoes are another reason domes make sense.
They easily withstand 140 mile per hour winds.
That's because there aren't any sharp corners to catch strong gusts.
Additionally domes are just downright strong.
Domes can be used for more than just housing.
Some have been turned into schools, gymnasiums and even churches.
A school district near Dallas, Texas recently built a state-of-the-art multipurpose dome.
It's used for sporting events and assemblies.
It also serves as the community's tornado shelter.
