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How to Build a Better Home
With an EconOdome Frame Kit,
Proven Building Methods,
And, Quality "Value Added" Products

• Foundations & Floors-- Problem:  Many foundations & floors are difficult to layout & build.      

• Solution:  Position ten identically cut boards on the ground. All ten perimeter corners are aligned at the outside of each corner (using the radius) and leveled from a point in the center.   Dig your perimeter footing ditch 6 inches to the outside and 6 inches to the inside of the aligned base boards that are laying on the ground. The ditch should extend below where the ground freezes. This frostline depth varies depending on the location of your building site. You will have to ask questions to find out the depth of your frostline.

  

  The ends of sill plates are cut 18 degrees away from 90 degrees as shown below.
  All ten sides have the same lengths and end angles with our ten-sided buildings.

  

  The ten identical treated sill plates will later be bolted to the top of your concrete footing or cinderblock crawl space wall. A crawl space will allow you to install pipes and wires under the main floor after the building above is enclosed and sealed. The floor system drawn below uses economical 2x6 floor joists with 4x6 supporting beams. The perimeter, above the concrete footing and below the main floor, can be supported with a short wall made of lumber or concrete block. It is important that any wood framing is at least 6 inches above the ground at the nearest point.

  There are many ways to build a substantial foundation.
  You can use a lot of concrete or not so much concrete. This is important to consider as a lot of redimix concrete can be expensive. Using telephone poles and securing with tamped gravel can zero the use of concrete. Below are some economical ways you can build a substantial foundation and floor.

  The following plan shows detail on how the main floor may be constructed.
  More plans, photos, and construction details are in the EconOdome Manual.

  

• Node Connections-- Problem: Voids at the triangle tips with some dome hub connection systems where the triangular panels are most fragile. And, shifting between triangular panels with some other dome connection systems where adjacent triangular panels are bolted together. This shifting between panels causes cracks in the interior drywall.

• Solution: EconOdome struts are precision double compound miter cut to form fitting pointed ends so that the strut ends can make physical contact and provide support at the triangle tips where the panels are fragile. Also, there is no shifting between triangular panels as adjacent triangular panels are joined to a single board on all edges. The EconOdome struts are stitched together at the ends with special non-splitting screws, then the ends of the struts are strapped together with stainless steel metal straps, and then the exterior triangular plywood panels are nailed on forming a compound curved shearwall. These three simultaneous methods of connection make the building very strong. We call this connection the "Synergetic Hub". The strong and areodynamic EconOdome building can withstand high winds, deep snows, and earthquakes.

  

  

• Riser Wall-- Problem: Many dome home kits are tilted on the bottom which makes connection to a riser wall difficult and unstable.

• Solution: The hemispherical Econ-O-Dome is flat (not tilted) on the bottom for easy and balanced attachment to a riser wall or directly to a flat floor.

  Click here to see EconOdome kit assembly.

• Interior Walls-- Problem:  Partitioning the interior of a round building without wasting any space & while retaining the elegant feeling inside the dome home. Or, how do I divide the interior of a home without creating boxes and narrow confining spaces?     

• Solution:  Use the "Honeycomb Floorplan" which works ideally with the ten equal sided Econ-O-Dome building. The "Honeycomb Floorplan" has a central five sided livingroom with five six-sided rooms around the perimeter.  With this floorplan layout, all inside corners are 90 degrees and more. And, partition walls intersect the perimeter where the vertical wall height is greater than 8 feet. Also, you can arrange walls as shown in the floorplan below. You will notice that most walls intersecting the perimeter, do so at right angles, near the middle of a perimeter wall. This avoids the problem of corners that are less than 90 degrees. 

• Installing conventional doors and windows-- Problem: It is difficult to install conventional doors and windows in the sloping surface of a dome.

• Solution:  Vertical surfaces are integrated into the shape of the EconOdome building which allow the framing of conventional doors & windows without the need for "extensions."  And, with an EconOdome Frame kit all openings for doors, conventional windows, and skylights are pre-framed as part of your kit at "no extra charge". And, EconOdome frame kits include measurements for all exterior doors, windows, & skylights so you may easily order these items in advance so you have them when you are ready for them.

  
  Click here see a complete plan set as a "DWF" file of the dome home above.

  

  

• Sealing the Exterior--.Problem: Shingles are difficult to install from the bottom>>upward after the entire surface is covered with exterior sheathing (plywood or o.s.b.). Shingles are also expensive to install and reinstall, and, do not allow the easy and reliable installation of skylights on the sloping surface. --It's hard to seal a skylight even on a conventional roof.     
  

• Solution:


Use a proven exterior waterproofing system that allows every sealed seam
to act as an expansion joint. After more than 30 years of waterproofing experience,
I, Wil Fidroeff, strongly urge that you benefit from my experience.
Also, I recommend that you purchase your waterproofing materials from Specifications Chemicals at 1-800-247-3932.
We have done the work of comparing prices and quality.
We have also done the work of developing a waterproofing system that works!
We want to make sure that you purchase the correct products to ensure
that your home will be waterproofed properly at the lowest possible cost.


How? and Why?---This is a Good Waterproofing System!

The exterior surface is sealed by applying a proven waterproofing system
over a durable cement composite material called Hardipanel.
Seams are positively sealed by brushing on a flexible spun woven polyester tape
using a liquid elastomeric sealer that dries to form a tough rubbery skin.
This sealing method is called, "a saturated seal". This sealing method has many advantages.
Skylights are easy to install and seal.
You can literally complete the sealing process from top to bottom
while standing on the sturdy framework. And, most importantly you can
"detect a possible leak" by just looking at the exterior surface for a damaged area.
The damaged area can then be easily repaired with a paint brush and elastomeric sealer.
You cannot do this, if your roof has a shingled surface.
And, shingles wear out, show age, and sometimes blow away.
this is why we recommend the use of smooth surfaced Hardipanel
composite fiber cement panels on the exterior walls and dome roof.
You may obtain more information about this product at www.jameshardie.com.
Hardipanel is a very stable and durable product that is ideal to seal
with elastomeric paint-on sealers and saturated spun woven polyester seam tape.
Hardipanel is securely attached to the EconOdome 2x6 building frame
with 2-1/2 inch long "large headed" "hot dip" galvanized coated ring shank R107A roofing nails
See www.mazelumber.com,or,
if you prefer, 2-1/4 inch long "Grabber" screws designed to attach composite cement sheeting.
See Grabber Hardipanel screw specifications and pricing at Grabber website.

A UL approved product for use on a roof surface is DensDeck Prime Roof Board by Georgia Pacific.
For more info on DensDeck Prime Roof Board,
View info and specifications on DensDeck Prime Roof Board.
We recommend using 1/4" thick DensDeck Prime Roof Board for the sloping surfaces of the dome, if,
you are using rigid foam board insulation or solid plywood under the DensDeck Prime Roof Board.
DensDeck Prime Roof Board is more economical than Hardipanel and can be cut with a utility blade knife.
DensDeck Prime Roof Board should be attached with hot dip galvanized ring shank cap nails.
See info on cap nails.




Waterproofing Process:

After the EconOdome frame kit is assembled, and, after all stainless steel metal straps are installed, starting at the top of the dome, install the first five #4 triangle shaped Hardipanel composite cement panels. Fill any cracks between the panels with enerfoam filler and adhesive from www.demandproducts.com . After the expanding foam has cured (about 15 minutes), slice off any excess with a bread knife.
You are now ready to begin the sealing process.
After the first five triangles are taped and roll coated with Vap-R-Lok
you may then install and seal 15 more triangles at the level just below the top five triangles. Do not put any texture on surfaces that will be taped.
The texture coat is used to hide the taped seams and nail heads. You must seal each level of triangles before moving to a lower level. Basically, you will be making an umbrella that will get closer to the ground
as you install and seal more exterior panels.
The reason for this method of enclosing the dome is to
keep your building materials dry under the sealed dome umbrella.



1. Tape Coat

   The "tape coat" is most efficiently, effectively, and economically
   done using 4 inch wide Pol-E-Force spun woven polyester cloth tape
   that is saturated with Vap-R-Loc using a three inch wide paint brush.
   The strechy cloth tape will seal over all panel joints and all nail heads.
   These waterproofing products are manufactured by
   Specifications Chemicals who developed the "saturated seal".
   This development allows us to create invisible expansion joints
   that allow building movement and are waterproof.
   Cost of the Vap-R-Lok saturant and primer is $100.00 for a 5 gallon pail.
   Cost of 4 inch wide Pol-E-Force cloth tape is $5.15 per 100 foot roll ordered in boxes of 27 rolls per box. One box will do most dome homes, and, extra rolls can be ordered individually or purchased at a local home improvement store.
   Please direct questions concerning application techniques to Faze Change Produx.
   If you wish to order from Specifications Chemicals, talk to Susie, and, mention EconOdome to get the special low price we have negotiated for our customers.
   
   

2. Texture Coat:

   The "texture coat" is most efficiently, effectively, and economically
   done by rolling on #720 Recycled Rubber Roofing
   with a thick nap paint roller on a long telescoping extension pole.
   Recycled Rubber Roofing has ground up rubber pieces in the sealing
   emulsion that helps the product to produce a texture on the surface.
   The thick texture created by the "rubber bits" hides the tape.
   This heavy texture gives the exterior surface a "real stucco look".
   Cost of #720 Gray Recycled Rubber Roofing is $100.00 per 5 gallon pail.
   Please direct questions concerning application techniques to Faze Change Produx.
   If you wish to order directly from Specifications Chemicals, talk to Susie (1-800-247-3932), and, mention EconOdome to get the special low price we have negotiated for our customers. See Specifications Chemicals website for more info on the above products.
   www.spec-chem.com
   
   

3. Color Coat:

We recommend that you add two "final coats" using a sealing product called #1300T White Plastic.
The first final coat will be untinted #1300T White Plastic. The second final coat will be #1300T White Plastic that is tinted to your desired color. As each subsequent coat is a different color, you can be more confident that the roof will not leak.
You may also order the White Plastic elastomeric sealer from Specifications Chemicals.
To ensure that you get the correct product and apply the products properly,
please direct questions to Wil at Faze Change Produx, or, Susie at Specifications Chemicals.
The cost of the final coats of elastomeric, White Plastic #1300T, is reduced by about ten dollars per 5 gallon pail for our clients. Please talk to Susie at Specifications Chemicals and say you were referred by Faze Change Produx to get this price reduction. This reduced cost for the final coats of tintable elastomeric is $102.00 per 5 gallon pail.
Untinted White Plastic 1300T has a very high reflectance. White Plastic has received a cool roof rating by the State of California. You may choose from the 12 standard colors offered on the color chart below.
Custom colors are available, if, you can provide a sample or color from another color chart.
Cost of color tinting for custom colors or colors from the chart is one dollar per gallon.



Specifications Chemicals has obtained United Laboratories (UL) Approval on the use of their
waterproofing products used in conjunction with DensDeck Roof Board.
After testing the products, we recommend the use of DensDeck Prime Roof Board,
as it already has a coating of primer on the exterior surface of the DensDeck Prime Roof Board.
Below are copies of the "UL approved" documents. As far as we are aware,
This is the only "UL Approved" puncture and fire resistant waterproofing system.
State Farm Insurance has given clients a 40% discount on storm insurance,
when this waterproofing system is used as described above and on the documents below.








Note: The EconOdome frame is rounded enough to shingle without cutting and lapping at the geometry lines, if, you want the shingled look, or, are sealing the exterior in cold weather. However, it will be more labor intensive to install shingles and more difficult to reliably seal skylights on a shingled surface.

• Sheetrocking a High Ceiling-- Problem: Working upsidedown on ladders & scaffolding is difficult & time consuming.     

• Solution:  Enlist the help of gravity,  Expose the beautiful geodesic patterning,  and eliminate working up-side-down with the Econ-O-Dome T-Beam/Drop-In-Panel building system.

  

  The photo above shows how the exterior of a dome can be accessed with an extension ladder. Both the interior insulated triangular panels and the exterior triangular panels are installed from the outside of the framework. The surface is sealed as the panels are installed so that the panels can be kept dry. A tarp may sometimes be used over the dome to create shade or protect panels that have not been sealed from rainwater.
  However, if you want to order the more economical "Basic" frame kit, we have also figured out how to make that as easy as possible. The triangles are smaller on the EconOdome frame kit, and, we have positioned blocking where it should be so that you can use smaller pieces of sheetrock on the interior ceiling.
  
  

• Room Additions-- Problem:
  With many types of homes it is more difficult to build and seal room additions.   

• Solution:  Vertical surfaces are designed into the EconOdome shape to make building a room addition easier.
  There is the possibility of extending the ten-sided home in ten directions.
  Sealing the Hardipanel seams with elastomeric saturated into polyester cloth makes it easy to seal additions that may be added at both the wall and roof intersections.
  This "saturated seal" method of waterproofing the surface allows you to be more creative with arches, dormers, and additions on the exterior of the building without having to worry about leaks when the surface is not flat. The polyester cloth seam tape is very flexible and easily conforms to any shape when "wet brushed" in place with elastomeric sealing paint. When the waterbase elastomeric sealing paint dries, it remains flexible and forms a rubbery skin on the surface of the dome. The polyester cloth allows the elastomeric sealing paint to bridge over seams and nail heads. This combination of materials forms an almost invisible and flexible expansion joint that will not leak if brushed on with care.

  
  

  Click on photo of roof window to see prices and detail info.

  A "Value-Added" product that we recommend using when building your new dome home is the Fakro egress rated casement roof window. This inovative product allows for code required egress (fire escape method) for second story loft sleeping rooms upstairs in a dome.

  Another value added product is insulated and folding attic stairs that can be used for fold-up-and-away access to the second floor of a garage dome.
  Please see info at www.atticstairsus.com

  
  

  Insulation, Ventilation, and Condensation-- Problems:
  1. Building frames conduct heat and cold causing a loss of energy efficiency.
  2. Also, unventilated air space behind the sheathing in high humidity climates can support mold growth.
  3. Insulation systems must have ways of either controlling the condensation dew point or evaporating any accumulated condensation.

  Solutions: The exterior edges of the 2x6 frame of our T-Beam frame kit are notched 1/2 inch deep on the outside edges. We notch the edges of the 2x6 frame to allow panel to panel ventilation outside the insulating triangular panels. Moist, stale air that migrates into the ventilation cavity is allowed to flow up and out a flashed opening near the top of the dome roof. This "breathing" feature allows the entire building to be cooler in the summer and to have healthier interior air all year long. There is a very small amount of air flow around the edges of the triangular panels. This slow outward migration of interior air expels humidity and stale, toxic air while having a negligible effect on energy efficiency.
  
  Most homes have maintenance problems that are very expensive to fix. We have found that covering the exterior with Hardipanel and then sealing with elastomeric sealers as described below, solves many problems. The exterior surface is durable, fireproof, and easy to maintain for many years. Covering the exterior with Hardipanel and then sealing with elastomeric paint also helps to keep bugs out of the building and provides an exterior that does not deteriorate with time. Basically, using Hardipanel allows you to cover your home with durable cement panels that can be reliably sealed using technologies that have been developed to seal large commercial buildings where each seam is treated as a building expansion joint.
  
  In addition to either conventional insulation or radiant heat barrier insulation, an additional one inch of rigid insulation board or, an additional air space may be installed under the Hardipanel to help make the building even more energy efficient. From both a practical and a mathematical point of view, the dome is the most energy efficient building shape possible. This is because the dome shape has the smallest surface area for a given amount of internal volume. And the roof shape makes it possible to have two floors of living space. One floor is just above ground level and another floor level is just under to dome roof. There are no boards in the way to inhibit full use of the upper floor that is under the dome roof. Many insulation possibilities exist.
  If you are building where it drops below freezing in the winter, then you may want to consider our standard 2x6 frame with an additional inch of insulation board just under Hardipanel. This extra inch of insulation insulates the entire building, including the framing. This additional one inch thickness of rigid insulation board stops condensation from forming inside the cavity space. In effect, a layer of continuous insulation just under the siding/roofing controls the dew point and also greatly increases energy efficiency.
  
  Or, you may want to consider building a double dome with two 2x4 EconOdome frames. One dome is built about a foot inside a second dome. The large space between the inside and outside dome frames is used for both insulation and ventilation. The cost of a double 2x4 EconOdome frame is the same as our standard 2x6 "T-Beam" frame kit. With either choice, you will have a very energy efficient building.
  
  If you want to use our more economical "Basic" EconOdome frame kit here is one way to use radiant barrier insulation (layers of foil stapled into place) that is easy and economical. Holes are drilled along the center of the struts, allowing cavity ventilation air to flow from panel to panel.
  Then, two layers of half inch thick spacers and two layers of foil are installed to the inside of the frame.
  Now, here is how to install the foil:
  Step One: A layer of foil is stapled flat over the inside edges of the EconOdome frame.
  Step Two: Spacer strips are attached over the inside of the foil where there is support under the foil.
  Step Three: A second layer of foil is stapled over the spacer strips.
  Step Four: A second layer of spacer strips is attached above the second layer of foil.
  Step Five: The drywall is glued and screwed to the spacer strips.
  
  The spacer strips are made from the plywood scrap leftover from cutting the plywood for the roof. This method is highly effective. The air spaces combined with the layers of foil reflect and insulate extremely well. A rough estimate is that about 95% of the heat is reflected out in the summer and 95% of the heat is reflected in during the winter. The space shuttle uses this technology. We did this on a dome home in Ann Arbor, Michigan for an architect who wanted to ensure that any moisture that accumulated in the shell cavity for whatever reason, was able to evaporate and go up and out thru a vent near the top of the dome. Using this method also helps to isolate the dome building frame from the interior environment. Isolating (insulating) the EconOdome building frame reduces heat and cold conduction which increases energy efficiency.
  
  Radiant barrier insulation is the latest technology and allows one to build a very energy efficient building using a single "Basic" 2x4 EconOdome building frame kit. A "Basic" 2x4 EconOdome kit costs 25% less than our standard "Basic" 2x6 kit. For example, the cost of a "Basic" 30 foot diameter 2x4 EconOdome building kit is $6,750 plus shipping.
  Click on the word PRICES on our home page to see pricing of "Basic" 2x6 EconOdome frame kits.

  
  

  Advanced Technology and Optional Construction Method

  The drawing below shows a section view of an advanced technology T-Beam assembly method using thicker 3/4 inch cdx sheathing, radiant barrier panels, and a more economical 2x4 on 2x4 T-Beam frame construction. If you order your T-Beam frame with all 2x4 construction, the cost will be 10% less than our standard T-Beam Kit having 2x6 with 2x4 trim construction. Please contact us if you have any questions about this advanced technology or questions about our standard 2x6 frame and panel kits.

  

  Cost-- Problem: Often too high due to too much custom work & tacked on contingency costs when work is "contracted" after receiving "bids".

  Solution: Faze Change Produx has eliminated or streamlined many of the costly steps required to build an elegant dome home. The EconOdome Planning & Building Manual includes detailed building instructions. Also, when you purchase a plan set you will be supplied with a detailed material list and step-by step building instructions. This will allow you to hire help "by-the hour" and eliminate contingency costs. Even some contractors will work on a "time & materials" basis. This eliminates stress for the contractor and the EconOdome design reduces on-site building costs.