Building Geodesic Domes... Greenhouses & Glazes

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Building geodesic domes for greenhouses isn't just about the frame!  What you use to cover your bio dome is the key to the environment you wish to create.

What you need is a covering that's transparent or translucent enough to allow optimum light to shine into your greenhouse.

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Since different plants have vastly different light needs, the kinds of plants you want to grow should be taken into consideration when building your geodesic dome.

Things to think about besides the needs of your plants are your climate, the cost of materials and the durability of the material.  Be sure to consider all options for your particular situation to come up with the right solution for your individual needs.

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You'll Enjoy Surplus Vegetables Even In The Middle Of Winter!

Glass, rigid plastic and soft plastic are the most commonly used "glazes" or coverings for greenhouses.  Let's take a look at each...

Glass...  Glass is the traditional material used to inclose a greenhouse.  It is the standard by which all other materials are measured.  It is transparent and admits the maximum available light.  So much in fact, it may require shading during the summer.  Glass is durable but breaks easily compared to the other options.  If hail, heavy storms or a ball park is near your home, a glass roof could be a problem.

Glass works best when covering rigid and square type greenhouses.  It's difficult to work with when building geodesic domes.  If you want your geodesic greenhouse covered in glass I recommend you have it done by a professional.

Rigid Plastic...  Rigid plastic such as fiberglass is a popular glass-like covering for greenhouses.  It's easier to cut than real glass and much less breakable.  Not as much light shines thru fiberglass but it's still sufficient for most plants.  Also note... the light that comes thru is changed slightly so NO DIRECT SUNLIGHT will shine on your plants.

Fiberglass or other rigid plastic is a good choice for building geodesic domes if you are an experienced DIYer.

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Is Easy & Inexpensive To Build

Soft Plastic.... Polyethylene and Mylar are two of the least expensive soft plastics and are often used as greenhouse coverings.   They are widely available and come in a large selection of sizes and thicknesses.   Usually purchased in rolls they are easy to cut and attach to your geodesic dome.

Soft plastics provide good light transmission but as they tend to yellow with age that may decrease with time.  Though, far less durable than glass or fiberglass they will need to be replaced much more often.  This is offset by the extremely low cost of the material and the ease of installation.

It's flexibility and light weight make soft plastics the covering of choice for portable geodesic dome greenhouses.

Something to consider...  Many people building geodesic domes for greenhouses start out covering them with soft plastics then replace it with something more rigid and permanent when it wears out.

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