Going Green: Dome Homes
By: Kailey Franz
Updated: February 1, 2010
With rising energy costs, most of us are looking for ways to save, and it seems cutting corners can create a safer and more energy efficient home.
They say beauty is in the eye of the beholder, domes can be gorgeous if you value strength and energy conservation.
According to dome builder David Smith, "You could save anywhere from 50% to 75% of your energy costs alone."
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 tornados are another reason domes make sense. They easily withstand 140 mile per hour winds, because there aren't any sharp corners to catch strong gusts. Basically domes are just down right strong.
Domes can be used for more than just housing, some have been turned into schools, gymnasiums even churches. It's another way people are going green. Domes can cost 10% to 15% more to build, but will save you money in the long run.
They say beauty is in the eye of the beholder, domes can be gorgeous if you value strength and energy conservation.
According to dome builder David Smith, "You could save anywhere from 50% to 75% of your energy costs alone."
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 tornados are another reason domes make sense. They easily withstand 140 mile per hour winds, because there aren't any sharp corners to catch strong gusts. Basically domes are just down right strong.
Domes can be used for more than just housing, some have been turned into schools, gymnasiums even churches. It's another way people are going green. Domes can cost 10% to 15% more to build, but will save you money in the long run.
