24FT (7M) Dome - Orcas Island

Fall has arrived in the Pacific Northwest, and Winter is not far away, and we are LOVING our 24’ Dome Home! The floor is sanded and oiled, the door is hung, the loft is sturdy, the underground room (Kiva) is cozy and dry, the wood-stove is installed, the exterior of the dome has 3 coats of Thermoshield, and I’ve lost track of how many neighbors and friends have said “Cool!” when they’ve seen the space. Lot’s of small finishing details remain on the to-do list, but enough has been completed to feel the contentment of living here and prepared for whatever the weather will bring. Here on Orcas Island, WA in the San Juan Islands north of Seattle. A four-season location with occasional winter snow, spring rains, warm summers, and fall windstorms.

With the help of my brothers and dad, in a couple of hours, the dome frame was re-assembled on the ground beside the deck. Then a call out to the neighborhood brought enough people to pick the frame up and set on top of the floor, aligned to the corners. We then pulled the canvas over the frame and lashed it down – that part of the project can happen *so* quickly! Then installed the door, ‘scored’ as a defective unit from a door company on the mainland. The loft is supported by 1” galvanized pipes and four 4×6” beams, with lateral support provided by plumber’s tape connections to the dome frame.

But even summer nights here get cold, and it the recent installation of the wood-stove that has really made a difference in Living. A little plumber’s tape and a stovepipe bracket connected to the frame of the dome holds the pipe firmly in place. A simple hearth and heat-shield of painted concrete-board completely protects the floor and walls from heat. Near future projects include installing Reflectix insulation as well as a ceiling fan, and lights, and a ladder for the loft, and a shoe-storage box, and….the list is long, but I am very pleased.I can’t say enough about how happy I am with Thermoshield Paint, that is a waterproofing and UV protection. Before it was painted, in full sun, the dome could get unbearably hot. Now, painted, and with some curtains over the main southwest facing window, it stays very comfortable inside. Comfortable enough for a rocking afternoon jam session a few weekends ago…drums, bass, guitar, vocals…everyone in the neighborhood heard, but (ahem) we are pretty good and only received distant applause and no complaints.