Frequently Asked Questions
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What is a geodesic dome?
A geodesic dome is a hemispherical form in which triangular or polygonal surfaces formed by planes or frame elements are in large-scale tension and distribute the stresses on the structure. It was developed in the 20th century by American engineer and architect R. Buckminster Fuller to quickly form a sturdy and lightweight construction that can be placed directly on the ground.
What is a frequency?
The short answer for dome frequency is, the higher the “v”, or frequency, the more triangles there are in the geodesic dome. A higher frequency dome with more triangles will be stronger and more spherical than a lower frequency dome. And the higher frequency dome will be more complicated to build, as it will have more struts.
Can we use an Ekodome® all year round?
Yes, our domes can be used all year round in almost any climate condition.
What are your domes made of? What are your quality standards?
Ekodome® kits are manufactured with aluminum profiles in EN 755-9 standards. This European Standard specifies the tolerances on dimensions and forms for aluminum and aluminum alloy extruded struts with a cross-section within a circumscribing circle not greater than 800 mm.
Our hubs are made of aluminum casting with A360 (US) alloy. A360 is an aluminum alloy with excellent pressure tightness and fluidity. In addition, it has a high silicon content and offers high corrosion resistance as well as high strength, even in elevated temperatures.
Our provider for aluminum struts operates with ISO 9001 certification.
Why did you choose aluminum, not steel?
Aluminum is lightweight, corrosion-free, infinitely recyclable and soon to be made using carbon-free smelting technology. Please take a moment to read our blog post laying out the reasons we chose aluminum for our geodesic domes.
Are the frames weatherproof?
Yes. The extruded struts are equipped with 4 different angles. The angles allow both the hubs and the panels to fit face to face with the aluminum struts. The struts are equipped with TPE/SEBS seals to keep the water out.
However, the watertightness is very much dependent on your assembly. We also recommend applying silicone when installing the panels. You should also keep in mind that water tightness is usually sustained by regular maintenance.
Are the frames corrosion proof?
Aluminum alloys contain almost no iron, and without iron, the metal can’t rust, but it does oxidize. When the alloy is exposed to water, a film of aluminum oxide forms quickly on the surface. The hard oxide layer is quite resistant to further corrosion and protects the underlying metal.
Are the frames recyclable?
Yes. Aluminum, also known as “the element of sustainability,” is infinitely recyclable and highly durable; nearly 75 percent of all aluminum ever produced is still used today. Aluminum is 100 percent recyclable and retains its properties indefinitely.
What is the thickness of the profiles and the weight of the frames?
Every meter (3,28 ft) of the aluminum struts weigh around 1 pound for the smaller sizes and 1.75 pounds for the larger domes. The thickness of the aluminum struts vary according to the size and at specific points of the profiles. For 1V, gauge varies between 0.098 to 0.12 in while 2V and 3V dome profiles are extruded with a thickness of 0.157 in.
What is the largest possible dome you would manufacture?
Increasing the frequency of the dome designs and thickness of the aluminum struts, we can cover a stadium’s roof and even a whole town. There is no limit technically, however this would be a labor-intensive project, with high costs of production.
Do you have any domes in stock?
All our domes are made to order. We do not stock dome kits at this moment.
Do you offer domes for rent?
No, we are not offering rentals yet, but we may offer in the future.
Is any building permit required?
Although there are common national standards, state and local codes vary, and in order to check compliance, you initially have to decide for what purposes you are going to use our domes for. For example, NY allows a structure under 144 sqft to be built without a permit, yet this is only for sheds/storages. If the building becomes a residence, the minimum size jumps to 800 square feet and requires a septic system, running water, and a full electrical system. But if you are building a greenhouse let’s say, it’s regarded as temporary structures, many building departments don’t even require permits.
So mainly, it will be your responsibility to contact your local building department to see how the codes apply. We also have a blog post giving some tips and insights regarding zoning and building regulations for geodomes.
What is included in your dome kits?
Ekodome® kits consist of everything you need to build a geodesic dome structure.
This includes:
Aluminum extruded struts and strut caps
Aluminum casted hubs and hub caps,
Embedded TPE, and EPDM seals for waterproofness.
Steel Bolts, Nuts, Screws.
Instruction manuals
Any add-ons ordered
Any panels ordered
Which add-ons do you offer?
An optional 2nd Door
Windows
Tunnel modules
Passive vents
Anchor Plates
(Above listed add-ons are not compatible with all models, please refer to product page to see options available)
How do the panels are attached to the triangular beds?
Four rubber seals (TPE SEBS) on the aluminum struts and strut caps squeeze the triangular cover panels for water tightness. Once you have pre-cut panels, installing the panels on Ekodome frames is extremely easy. Please see the video here.
How much wiggle room is there for the pieces to fit into the frames?
There’s a little bit of wiggle room but it’s only a quarter of an inch on each side. Our panel drawings are 4-6mm smaller than the actual triangular beds, to allow some potential thermal expansion.
What is the maximum weight load and wind resistance?
Our independently conducted structural engineering test results show us that our domes, when covered with 10mm marine plywood, keep their structural integrity up to 190-200mph sustained wind, which corresponds to a Category 5 hurricane according to Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale. Please see each model’s product page for detailed info.
Can multiple domes be interconnected through a small hallway or tunnel?
Yes! Luna, Terra, Stellar and Cosmos models can easily be connected to each other with our tunnel modules, which allows space expansion easily.
Tunnel modules have the same width and height as the door frames, and their length is 90cm/36 inches. So you can attach multiple modules in a row and connect two or more domes. Extra doors can be also be screwed on the tunnel modules for additional entry and exits. They already have glazing beads attached which you can install glass, acrylic, polycarbonate, or any other solid material. We advise 6mm thickness as the best option for the glazing of the tunnel modules, but 8 mm or a maximum of 10 mm panels can be installed.
What is the size of the door?
Door comes at a standard size: Height: 2 mt (6.56ft) Width: 95cm (37.5 in)
Can doors be installed side by side for a larger opening?
Unfortunately this is not an option with our current door design. In the future, we plan to introduce double wing doors that have larger openings.
Are doorways ADA compliant?
Yes, doorways allow wheelchair access and there are no steps/ledges in the threshold.
What are passive vents? How do they work?
Passive ventilation works on a scientific principle, using the buoyancy of hot air and the wind to encourage airflow through the domes. Our aluminum passive vents are easy to install, maintenance-free, and challenge condensation naturally. By installing these tiny aluminum roofs above the cutouts on the panels, moist stale air is extracted and replaced with fresh, clean air.
Can we hang hammocks inside?
Yes, you can easily hang hammocks or any other stuff inside our domes. The only thing you have to pay attention to is, whatever you hang should be tied on the hubs not the struts. Because the carrying element of a geodesic dome is the hub/connector.
How does one get into the Seed? Is there a door?
Yes, Seed model has a triangular door, different than the other models.
Can I have extra doors and windows?
Yes. Terra, Stellar and Cosmos domes can accommodate more than one door in different possible positions.
Can we order frames in different colors?
Frame colors are standard. The color code is RAL7016. It is because our Class 2 high quality texture Powder coating paint which has a minimum 15 years guarantee of UV protection is not being manufactured on a small scale. However, if you plan to order in bulk, please contact our sales associates with this request.
Do you have a color chart for the HPL panels?
Yes, you can choose the interior and exterior panel colors from our color chart, that will be emailed to you after you place an order.
Do you also offer interior layout design options?
Interior design is a very challenging field, since it is much dependent on purpose of build and also personal preferences, which means customization is endless. However, we plan to offer basic layouts in the future, merely for glamping/airbnb purposes. Until that time, we suggest you work with a local contractor that will sketch out an interior plan for you, and also help with foundation, wiring, plumbing and HVAC.
Is it possible to have a larger door built that would work as a garage door?
Not with our current door frames. In the future, we’ll have bigger models and sizes, as well as bigger doorways to enable car entry.
Would it be possible to use solar panels on the top portions of the roof of any of the Ekodomes?
Yes, it is definitely possible to install solar panels on our domes.
Are the domes expandable?
The Ekodome frame system is unique to each models on offer:
1V Seed Dome: Has its unique aluminum strut profile and strut cap. Those aluminum profiles are relatively thinner, and their angles are sharper compared to higher frequency domes (due to mathematics of the geodesic structures)
2V Luna Dome: Very similar to 3V-4V domes structures, but the profile width is 60mm, whereas larger domes have 70mm wide struts.
3V Terra, 4V Stellar, and 4V Cosmos: They all use the same aluminum strut profiles.
Each frequency has its number of struts and hubs.
With our tunnel modules, you can connect all domes to each other except the Seed Dome because it doesn’t have a regular size door.
Is there an option to make the domes any bigger with same struts?
It is straightforward to think that if you extend the length of the struts, consequently the diameter and the height of the dome will increase too. However, the math behind geodomes doesn’t work that way. First, the strut width and thicknesses are optimized according to the required structural integrity. Therefore, longer struts connected to existing hubs will provide a relatively weaker dome frame. Second, existing frame dimensions are determined according to the convenience of cover panel sizes. You can cut triangular panels of any Ekodome frames from standard 4x8ft sheets of any solid material. However, if we cut larger struts and connect them to the existing hub system, the triangles will get bigger, and you may need to find larger sheets of your preferred cover material, if there are any.
So we need to manufacture new hubs and struts for bigger, thus higher frequency domes such as 6V, 8V, even 10V. We absolutely plan to introduce these sizes in the future.
What are the available payment options?
We accept all major credit cards, as well as wire transfer and checks. You can also pay with Klarna, a financing platform that will help you spread the cost of your purchase over time.
Do you provide any financing?
For individual purchases, we provide financing through pay later programs Klarna and Affirm. For glamping resorts and startups, we provide financing through Koala Capital Group. Details are available here.
When do you ship once an order is placed?
Our standard lead time is 8-12 weeks from the date that an order is received. Due to seasonality, this lead time may time to time increase or decrease for 1-2 weeks.
What are the shipping costs?
For the US and Canada, we use Standard Shipping provided by major carriers and truckers. Shipping costs can be seen once you add an item to cart and enter your zip code.
Do you ship internationally?
Our manufacturing facility is located in Istanbul – Turkey, and all shipments depart from there no matter where you are located. So, yes we can ship worldwide, however we don’t have all the shipping costs readily available for each country in the world. When you enter your address at checkout, if the shipping cost does not populate on the page, then select “Request a quote” option to send us a request directly from your cart. Once we receive your request, we’ll contact our freight forwarder to get a quote and we’ll upload the quote to your cart. Once it is uploaded, you’ll receive a notification by email for your approval, so please enter a valid email address on checkout.
If you are located overseas, then your shipment will be done via an ocean freight, and we’ll be able to deliver to the port only. If ground shipping is possible to your address (Europe & Middle East), then delivery to your door will also be possible.
Are there any international taxes, duties, etc. that I have to pay?
All orders outside the USA and its territories may be subject to customs duties and other taxes. We deliver as CIF (Cost-Insurance-Freight), and after your shipment arrives to your country, customs clearance will be at your responsibility. We will provide the necessary paperwork to help you run the process smoothly.
How can I track my order status?
You will be able to track the order status from your account dashboard. You will also receive e-mail updates, whenever there’s a change in order status:
– ORDER PROCESSING: This means the confirmation of your order.
– ORDER SHIPPED: This e-mail will deliver you the carrier info and the tracking number regarding your shipment. Shipment updates are also posted in your account dashboard, so you don’t have to visit carrier’s website to check the whereabouts of your delivery.
– ORDER DELIVERED: This e-mail will confirm that your shipment is completed and the related products are delivered.
What is your return policy for the dome kits?
If any aspect of your order is damaged or missing upon delivery, please contact us immediately with photos and proof of delivery. If there’s a damage to packaging please ask the carrier on-site to acknowledge this issue on the proof of delivery. This is a vital step to help us file a claim with the insurance company. If there’s a missing component, you must notify us within 30 days after you receive your product.
If you are not completely satisfied with your purchase, you can also contact us within 30 days from the date you received your order and we will happily refund the purchase price of your item(s) less a 25% restocking fee. If the reason of your return is solely upgrading size, this fee will be waived. Shipping charges are not refundable. Any returned item will be charged the original shipping and handling costs incurred by us. Any discounts given will be subtracted from returned merchandise refunds. Customers are responsible for the shipping costs involved with the return of an item. Returned products must be in original condition (this means clean and dry with original packaging material, manuals, plus all other accessories provided by the manufacturer). Returned items not in original condition will be assessed and charged an additional reconditioning fee, or refused. Any order involving custom work is not returnable.
What is your cancellation policy for orders placed but not yet shipped?
You may cancel your order only by submitting a written notice at any time before the Product ships. If you cancel your order, you will be charged a restocking fee of twenty five percent (25%) of your entire order, and refunded the remainder within ninety (90) days after cancellation.
No cancellations accepted for customized orders.
Do you provide wholesale pricing if we order in bulk?
Yes. If you have special projects and/or you are interested in bulk purchasing, please email us with details and we’ll come up with solutions.
How do you pack the domes?
All our domes ship in palletized wooden crates.
What are the dimensions of the pallets?
The dimensions are dependent on what goes inside the crate: how many units, how many doors, how many windows, which cover panels, etc? This means each dome kit configuration comes in a different sized crate, and the estimates can be provided to you once you place an order.
Can we pick-up our order from your warehouse, instead of having them shipped to us?
Yes, Our warehouse is in Dayton, NJ and all kits come directly from our manufacturing facility in Istanbul to the warehouse in NJ and then distributed to buyers across the country. Please note that our warehouse only discharges products through a loading dock and no forklift access is available to the outside of the building. If you have a vehicle with an appropriate bed height, yes you can choose “local pickup” on checkout. You will receive a notification when your shipment arrives to our warehouse and we’ll keep it there for you for 20 days. After 20 days, storage fees would apply.
How long does it take to install Ekodome® kits? And disassemble?
It depends on the size of the frame, the number of people, and level of experience. Smaller domes may take 3-4 hours, while larger ones would take a day or more to build. Terra, Stellar and Cosmos models will definitely require a ladder or lift. Disassembling the frames will only take 1/4 of the time to install.
Which tools are needed for assembly?
Not much. A cordless screwdriver with a torque selection option and an Allen key will be enough for the installation.
If we buy a frame only kit, what materials can we use to cover our dome?
There is no limit. Every single day a new high-tech material is being developed. Any solid panel with a thickness between 4-10mm, fabricated and cut according to our cover templates will fit on the triangles. Depending on the project, thicker panels can be installed without using our aluminum strut caps, but the sealing should be self-managed.
Solid and multiwall polycarbonate, UV-protected acrylic, Lexan, and other plastic-based panels are commonly used materials in greenhouses. In addition to those, aluminum composites, Marine plywood, SIPs, plastered OSB, Aircrete, metal mesh, wood, hempcrete, and other composite materials would be ideal for the non-transparent cladding.
You can also get prefabricated cover panels directly from us anytime, even after you purchased & received your frame only kit. Read more >>
How can we insulate the interior for energy efficiency?
Many common and non-common solutions such as fiberglass batt, spray foam, hemp blankets, foam boards would work. Depending on the building codes in your area, you may compare these materials in terms of their R-values and U-values, as well as their prices and decide accordingly. If you are going to build a dome home, you may need to hire a contractor for consultation as well as helping out with the build.
What do you suggest for the foundation of domes?
It is important to choose a site that has a level, strong, and stable foundation. When fully assembled a Terra frame itself weighs more than 900 lbs. You should also take into account the weight of cover panels, insulation materials, as well as any furniture you plan to put inside the dome. A wooden deck or concrete pad (patio) are both excellent options for your dome. There is no best option, as it is very much dependent on your building purpose, and also geography, hence the weather and site conditions. Most greenhouses do not need any concrete foundation. However, if you are planning to use your dome for dwelling, then you may need a full concrete foundation. You may get help from a professional builder to construct the foundation. If you are going to be an owner-builder, remember to check all local building codes first. And maybe it would be helpful if you hire a sub-contractor to get the job done with no hiccups.
You can use the dimensions on the dome product page as a guide for how to size your foundation. We recommend you to build a foundation that is larger than the dome. Because it is likely that the final dimensions of your fully assembled dome will vary slightly from the dimensions in the drawings on the product page. If your foundation is built to fit the dimensions shown on the product page with no buffer, your dome may not fit due to small variations created by your assembly and site conditions.
How can we stabilize the frame down to the ground?
There are dedicated slots on the central base of the hubs. They have not been drilled, and depending on your bolt preference; you can drill the holes in the required diameter and bolt the frame to the foundation. We also provide anchor plates as an add-on for Luna, Terra, Stellar and Cosmos models.
Do you have any warranties on the dome kits?
EKODOME® Frames come with a 10-year warranty by EKODOME® against structural failure of the EKODOME® struts and hubs, given regular maintenance and check procedure from the date of original purchase. The structural warranty does not include foundations, modifications, and adscititious accessories that are not compatible with our frames.
EKODOME® shall pass on all warranties for some parts of the kits or accessories from their manufacturers to the Purchaser.
All warranties will be considered void if the Purchaser does not install the product properly and/or uses our dome frames for a purpose other than advertised and/or exposes the frame and other components to more weight/stress than suggested limits.
How do I clean my dome?
We recommend you clean the exterior of your dome regularly, to prevent the build-up of dirt and debris. Dirt and debris can reduce the lifespan of our sealing elements. You can use soapy water on the surface and powder coated aluminum framework. You should avoid using solvent based chemical cleaners or abrasive materials.
Can I order spare parts?
If you have missing parts in your order, please contact our sales team immediately. If you’d like to order spare parts to replace existing parts, please take photographs and measurements of the existing parts, as this will help us identify your needs.