FAQ

Yes, FDomes can be used all year round in nearly any climate conditions. Many of our customers set up their domes as semi-permanent or permanent structures and never take them down for a winter / summer season. Thanks to high quality of materials used for production of our geodesic dome kits, they are not prone to harsh weather conditions or low temperatures.

Read more:
-FDomes structures in hot climate
-FDomes structures in cold climate

Both Glamping and Classic domes provide a safe and weatherproof shelter in any climate conditions. These clever geometries can be used all year round in just about any environment due to their high quality design and build.

All steel elements of our self-assembly geodesic dome kits are hot-dip galvanised. They are protected from corrosion and will not rust even if exposed to humidity / water for long periods of time. For better visual finish and additional protection we offer them in two powder-coating options: white or anthracite.

Our glamping domes do very well in winter. As a matter of fact, one of the most famous glamping sites featuring our domes is in Finnish Lapland (in the sub-polar climate). When it comes to the heating, all the materials used to manufacture our domes are either fire resistant (do not burn) or fire retardant (melt but do not catch fire). For the best cold-climate experience, we recommend the combination of insulation liner with either insulation and a complete wood-burning stove or the chimney kit alone, that you can hook up to almost any stove you wish. It is designed to fit the covering membrane snugly and allow enough clearance that any hot elements won’t stand too close to the wall of the dome. While due to its shape, most of the snow slides down the dome (particularly if you keep it heated), there is always a risk of freezing snow accumulating on top of the structure. In such cases, we recommend manual snow removal. You may also order a reinforced framework option – recommended in areas with particularly heavy snowfall. On top of that, you can also decide on Insulation+. A 4cm-thick additional insulation layer is equivalent to 13cm of styrofoam. Not only will it help to maintain the indicated interior temperature but it will also help to cut on heating/cooling costs.

Read more about the FDomes structures in cold climate.

Definitely! Default, white membrane colour aids reflectance of sun-rays, while the insulation liner additionally prevents the heat from penetrating the interior. Insulation combined with the optional solar fan (heat extractor) is an effective way to keep your dome cool even in hot climate. If your dome is exposed to the direct sunlight throughout the day you may consider adding a stand-alone air-conditioning unit. Even a small device in combination with the insulation provides thermal comfort in a hot climate.
On the top of that, you can also decide on the Polar Insulation. A 4cm-thick additional insulation layer is equivalent to 13cm of styrofoam. Not only will it help to maintain the indicated interior temperature but also help to cut on heating/cooling costs.

Read more about the FDomes structures in hot climate.

Whether it your apartment, a house or other type of building there is no way to completely prevent intruders from breaking in. Main factors are time and creativity of burglars. When it comes to semi-permanent structures with the soft covering, the risk is somewhat increased. While PVC covered canvas used to make FDomes offers much better protection against punctures in comparison to other glamping structures like safari tents, there is always a risk of someone with a very sharp knife trying to enter the dome. We recommend using equipment that “buys time” to successfully catch the burglar. Regular aluminium door offered as an option with every glamping dome is a good start. Due to its thickness, insulation is another accessory worth considering. Additionally, you may also install your own alarm system. All that combined should increase a chance to catch a criminal, that will take responsibility for any goods taken or destroyed.

Our self-assembly kits almost never require planning permission or any other building permits, however different regulations apply in different countries of the European Union or even in different regions within the same country.

Permanent foundations are not required for FDomes kits, which usually qualifies them as temporary structures, not requiring planning permission in most places. Planning permission is generally not about the size of the structure, rather its location, external appearance and its intended use. In most cases you will need planning approval if you want to set-up an FDomes structure as a semi-permanent structure in a National Park, the Broads, Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and World Heritage Sites though the only real restrictions in Conservation Areas, which are significantly more commonplace, relate to buildings installed at the side of properties.

In the UK, rules governing outbuildings may apply to FDomes geodesic dome kits as they do apply for sheds, greenhouses and garages as well as other ancillary garden buildings such as swimming pools, ponds, sauna cabins, kennels, enclosures (including tennis courts) and many other kinds of structure for a purpose incidental to the enjoyment of the dwellinghouse. Outbuildings are considered to be permitted development, not requiring an application for planning permission, provided that all the conditions are met.

For more details please refer to your local building regulations resources, usually provided by government bodies or contact your local planning office for detailed, local information.

Anchoring FDomes kits can be set up on nearly all kinds of grounds, however it is essential that the dome is properly anchored. Every FDomes kit comes with anchorage pins and instruction on how to correctly attach the dome to the ground.

Anchor pins that we provide are made of 60cm long steel stakes that must be hammered into the ground. There are two pins for each structure foot (total of 40 or 50 pins – depending of the dome size). Anchoring is necessary in all areas exposed to winds. It is not required if you plan to set-up your dome inside of a building (e.g. as a trade show booth at the exhibition hall). If you plan to set up an FDomes on a concrete base or any other type of a solid surface, make sure that you will be able to hammer pins into this surface.

Before proceeding with anchoring, you must make sure that there is no underground media, such us water pipes or electric cables. It is important that the dome’s weight is supported on all feet evenly. If the area where you plan to build the dome at is uneven or has irregular surface you should consider one of the two solutions:
– Level / even out the ground before starting the build. This is recommended if your site has significant differences in heights / levels of the ground surface. We also suggest this solution if you plan to keep your dome in one place for long period of time.
– You can also put flat wooden/plywood pieces under each structure foot that needs to be levelled. This is the best solution if there are no major differences in ground levels. Approx. 10mm and 20mm thick wooden/plywood boards are useful for adjusting levels and can be easily put underneath a dome’s foot after the dome is assembled.

We do not provide decks for our domes (only the deck anchoring kits). It is not a good decision to ship wooden planks halfway around the world. It would be the most expensive deck ever.

That said, we provide our clients with manuals, how to build the deck for your dome.