Backyard Dome Kit with Many Uses
Our 24 foot diameter Backyard Dome kit features additional 2x4 blocking supports within each of 130 triangles on the upper portion of the dome surface. The precision-cut 2x4 geodesic frame kit is exposed to the interior. The exposed interlocking hexagons and triangles on the dome ceiling create an awesome three dimensional pattern and a very strong building. Our Backyard Dome kit is modified on the lower perimeter to include vertical wall framing for conventional doors and windows. A braced four feet high, ten-sided, perimeter riser wall is constructed under the modified hemisphere to lift the dome just enough to accomodate the height of a standard pre-hung exterior door. The total height of the dome at the center is 16 feet.
Our "backyard dome kit" is designed to be assembled by people
who have limited prior construction experience.
All the components are small enough to be easily handled by one person.
All EconOdome frame kits are assembled with screws and a rechargeable drill.
The floor may radiantly heated, if, you are building where it gets cold in the winter.
Below is one possible single story floorplan.
An important part of building a small and economical ten sided dome is the floor.
The "MesaBase" foundation and floor minimizes the need for excavation
and allows for building on sloped ground.
The sloped ground is leveled
(after installing drain, water, gas, and electric lines)
by creating a mesa
that retains the gravel with concrete blocks, rock filled tires, or gabions.
The "mesa base" inhibits erosion and
provides a level area free of vegetation and mud adjacent the dome.
The mesa base also insulates the ground adjacent the building
because of air spaces between the rocks.
Railroad tracks and locomotives are supported by rocks,
so why not domes and porches.
The concrete floor (reinforced with rebar)
anchors the dome as lag bolts inserted into
the inside perimeter of the permanent pre-cut treated 2x8 lumber base.
The base boards lap at the corners,
thus creating a strong interconnected base/foundation.
Now let's build an earthquake and storm safer home using some photos taken in Illinois in 2009.
Set concrete blocks in a circle that is a few feet bigger that the dome you want to build.
Level the blocks by digging out some dirt where the blocks are too high.
Add extra blocks if necessary to accomodate the slope or to accomodate an abundance of rubble.
Space the blocks about an inch apart.
Cut notches in the top of the blocks and lay-in a ring of epoxy coated rebar.
Fill the blocks with concrete to secure the rebar and blocks permanently in-place.
Put some plastic mortor mesh against the inside surface of the blocks
to keep the gravel from escaping thru the spaces between the blocks.
Then fill the cylinder with river rock or concrete rubble.
You have just created a level and raised mesa that will keep your concrete floor high and dry.
Install the permanent concrete forms and dome base using treated 2x8's lapped at the corners.
elevated above a 4' high perimeter riser wall frame kit.
You can build with either a "Basic" or a "T-Beam" EconOdome frame kit.
The EconOdome kits will cost more with a T-Beam frame kit.
However, you will eliminate the need for installing and finishing sheetrock
on the dome ceiling. You will notice below that with the T-Beam frame kit,
the interior facing sheetrock panels and more insulation sheeting is included.
In addition to saving a lot of work, the T-Beam frame kit creates a beautiful ceiling.
Cost of the 24 ft. diameter all 2x4 EconOdome T-Beam frame kit is $8,500.
The T-Beam frame kit will require an interior triangle panel kit costing $4,000,
OR, if you wish, a 24' dia. 2x4 EconOdome Basic frame kit costing $5,250,
With the Basic frame kit you can leave the Basic frame exposed to the interior,
or, add more insulation in the triangle bays and then cover the insulation
with sheetrock or paneling...we do not supply the addition insulation
or the triangle panels that cover the interior with the Basic frame kit.
You will need to insulate and cut your own interior triangle panels with
material you will need to purchase locally. So, is it T-Beam or Basic?
Cost of the 4' high perimeter riser wall frame kit for the Backyard Dome is $1,250.
Cost of the pre-cut treated 2x8 "permanent concrete forms" is $400.
Pre-cut Exterior insulated (3", R-19) triangle panels with vent space cost $5,000.
Two exterior pre-hung doors...................$400
Three 32"x36" triple pane casement windows....$600
One 24"x16" operable venting skylight with operator for apex of dome...cost $700.
130 pre-cut 60mil TPO shingles (white, tan, or gray) + contact adhesive...cost $3,000.
Pre-cut sheathing and siding with vent space...cost $3,000.
You may wish to have more windows or skylights..And we have other options.
Please call our office for an exact quote for your person awesome custom dome.
Your complete kit can Backyard Dome Kit can be picked up with a rental truck or
we can have it shipped to you. As we have manufacturing locations in both
Ramah, New Mexico and Sullivan, Illinois...
maximum shipping costs within the lower 48 states is about $1,800.
You may take your Backyard Dome frame kit home in a small pick-up truck or have it shipped.
See photo below of a 24' dia. 2x4 Basic Backyard Dome frame kit in a small pick-up truck.
You can build this two-story dome home with the 24'diameter EconOdome frame kit.
This two story 24 foot diameter "fun to build" dome home can be completed for about $24,000.
We supply the kit plus plans, written directions, and, both email and phone construction consultation.
To build this really cool dome home at this price, you need to supply the labor.
Or, you can hire help "by-the-hour" and pay more to complete this home.
All the pieces to build this home are small and lighweight.
Other than the Basic 2x4 EconOdome frame kit (cost $5,250),
all the materials can be purchased at lumberyards, or,
local Home Improvement stores such as Menards, Home Depot, or, Lowes.
If you purchase an Econ-O-Dome roof frame kit that fits on this ten-sided building,
we will help you with instructions and consultation as necessary to complete your new ten-sided dome home.
Perhaps your live-at-home son, daughter, mother, and/or, father
would like to live more independently in an energy efficient dome home in the backyard.
This is an under construction photo of a two story 24 foot diameter dome
that includes a 3ft high storm shelter/crawlspace below the main floor
and above a solid above grade concrete slab floor.
The underfloor storm shelter space is accessable via a trap door under the staircase.
Click here to view student housing floorplan in Hi-Def DWF format.
You may need to download a free DWF Viewer program from www.autodesk.com
The free Design Review program allows viewing of CAD drawings in dwf format.
Click here to see a complete plan set for a single story double 24' dome home in Hi-Def DWF format.
