 |
| Build Your Geodesic Dome Greenhouse From Wood. It's Easy To Find, Simple To Work With, Cheap & Strong! Download YOUR Plans Here |
When building a geodesic dome greenhouse, your domes construction is only as strong as it's skeleton!
The useful life of your geodesic dome greenhouse depends a great deal on the strength and durability of its frame.
The framework or skeleton shapes, supports and defines the structure. It holds everything else, the covering, lights and shelving, in place.
Currently there are several different kinds of materials being used when building geodesic greenhouses. The most common ones are wood, metal and pvc. The big differences are in cost, durability and maintenance.
How do you decide which material to use?
Take a look at the advantages and disadvantages in each then choose the material with the most plusses in your unique situation.
Building A Geodesic Dome Greenhouse With Wood!
Wood is a tried and true building material. It's been used practically since man left the cave if not before. Wood is much less expensive than metal. It absorbs and holds heat which helps regulate the temperature of your greenhouse. Wood is not as strong as metal and isn't considered as long lasting but if properly cared for can last a considerable time. (There are wooden structures still in use today that are several hundred years old)
Most wood used for construction will need to be treated in some way. Paint or stain to seal out moisture and protect it from insect damage.
Redwood...
Redwood has a lovely color and a natural resistance to rot, insects and moisture damage. It requires very little maintenance because it doesn't need paint or stain to protect it. This makes redwood frames very popular for geodesic dome greenhouse construction. And many greenhouse kits come with redwood frames.
Cedar....
Cedar is another popular choice when building a geodesic dome greenhouse frame because it is also naturally resistant to rot and insect damage. Not quite as resistant to moisture as Redwood you may want to paint or stain a cedar frame making it more effort to use and more costly in the long term as touch ups will mean more maintenance work you your part.
Other woods...
Geodesic greenhouse (and other greenhouse) frames made from other woods will need to be treated with a preservative like Copper Naphthenate (which is not harmful to plants) then paint or stain to protect it from rot and insect damage. Though this may make "generic" wood like 2X4's undesirable when you consider availability, ease of use and cost, this is the choice of may frugal gardeners. And with proper care, such greenhouses can last decades.
Building A Geodesic dome Greenhouse With Metal
Metal greenhouse frames are usually considered to be the strongest and most substantial of all. They are also the most expensive. They do not retain heat, they heat and cool off rapidly. This could be a problem in colder climates where heat retention is an important factor.
Aluminum...
Aluminum is a light but strong geodesic construction material. It is difficult to work with for the average diy builder. Requiring special tools for cutting and joining. It is VERY resistant to moisture damage and is non-rusting. Once your aluminum greenhouse frame is completed, it needs little maintenance just clean it regularly and it will last for years.
Iron...
Iron is very strong and it is also very heavy. Because of it's strength it is sometimes used for very large structures but it must be kept painted when used in a greenhouse or rust will eat it away quickly. Not easy for the average diy builder to work with and needing continual touch up painting it is not recommended you build your bio dome from iron unless you hire professionals to do it for you.
Building A Geodesic Dome Greenhouse With PVC
PVC is quickly catching up to wood in popularity with the diy greenhouse crowd. Light weight and easy to work with PVC is flexible and not subject to rot or insect damage. Once covered with a rigid or soft plastic "glazing" it creates a very strong stable framework. Maintenance is a snap too... just give it a regular cleaning to get rid of dirt and algae build up.
The only draw back to pvc for building a geodesic dome greenhouse is the need for special connectors or "hubs" to create the shape needed. However specialty shops and even Amazon often carry these for those of you who want to give a PVC Greenhouse a try.
Greenhouse Dome Construction Tips...
How To Build Geodesic Greenhouses
Geodesic Dome Greenhouse.... Easy To Build With The Right Plans
Make Geodesic Dome Greenhouse
Geodesic Construction... Geodesic Dome Greenhouse Foundations!
Building Geodesic Domes.... Greenhouses & Glazes
Geodesic Structures... Greenhouse Flooring
Geodesic Sphere Has Many Working Parts
