How to make glamping all seasons

Buyers of domes often ask the question: is it possible to create comfortable living conditions in frame and tent rooms in winter? The answer is “yes” when it comes to ONUKA constructions. About the unique system of insulation, the organization of proper ventilation and the construction of a hotel for yourself:

Are ONUKA domes suitable for winter living?

Yes, they do. We use a thermal insulation system consisting of holofiber thermomats or synthetic winterizer, on both sides of which a heat-reflecting membrane is attached. In winter, it does not release heat from the dome, and in summer it does not allow heat to penetrate from the street into the room.

Why was this solution chosen?

After all, some other manufacturers use soft insulation that looks like a cloud.

This is justified by engineering considerations regarding the removal of condensate and the organization of ventilation in the interlayer space. In some manufacturers, you can find frozen ice under insulation in winter. Tourists move into the dome, turn on the heating, and this ice melts. Moisture and dampness are formed. People move out – it gets cool, and ice forms again.

That is, there is no condensation in the ONUKA domes. Why?

Because the frame is designed in such a way that a ventilation duct is organized between the outer awning and the insulation. Also, in the upper part of the dome and at the bottom, along the perimeter, there are ventilation openings covered with deflectors – this is necessary so that moisture does not get inside.

But one insulation system is probably not enough …

Of course. Therefore, it is necessary to install the correct “filling” in the geodesic dome. In heating, infrared underfloor heating showed itself very well. In addition to this, I recommend the air conditioner and the wood-burning stove, which also creates a wonderful atmosphere.

What other types of heating devices can be used in a dome?

There are places where wood stoves cannot be installed for various reasons. In this case, you can get by with 3 kW electric convectors – this is enough for heating.

How many years does the synthetic winterizer last?

Longer than an awning. And the average service life of the awning is 10-15 years.

What to do with the snow?

Snow around the structure must be removed. Snow does not linger on the dome itself.

And if we don’t clean up? We’ll clear the entrance — that’s all. What then will happen to the awning?

How is there no one to clean up? Then it will be a snowdrift, and who wants to live in a snowdrift?

Will snow seep through PVC?

Of course not. How can it seep?

How stable are domes overall?

The structure is robust and can withstand very high wind loads. The most important thing is to attach to the base the fasteners that we supply in the kit. If everything is done according to the assembly scheme, then nothing will happen to the dome. It is also important that the podium itself is well attached to the base.

Is it possible to mount and dismantle the dome in winter?

Yes, you can. If, for example, the weather is minus 15 degrees, then we will assemble the dome. How else? Our installations are carried out in almost any weather.

Is it possible to make a single layer dome and operate it in winter? For example, a shared kitchen with a diameter of 10 meters.

Sure. If insulated and heated.

And if you don’t make a second frame?

Then you can only eat ice cream there. How will the heat be kept? Even if you heat with two stoves, nothing will work. It is necessary to insulate in any case. We saw a domed hotel where there is a large single-layer dome. In winter, they stick insulation with foil on the window and hang everything with rags so that this “beauty” is not visible. There is a huge oven, plus a homemade spiral is also heated. That’s how they heat it. But my advice is that it is better to insulate the dome and use less powerful heating systems so that there are less costs.

How much money does it take to heat a properly insulated dome?

Costs in case of underfloor heating only in a dome with a diameter of 6 meters – about 40 hryvnia per day. The consumption of firewood, of course, depends on the temperature outside.

Is it possible to do without an insulation system?

In fact, insulation can be omitted, but then there will be little aesthetics. And with it, no wall decoration is required. That is, finishing work is needed only on the floor. Again, savings.

That is, in order not to be excruciatingly painful for wasted money, you need to take an insulated dome?

Yes. The gentleman’s set is as follows: insulation with decorative trim, inner window, warm floor. All this will serve, one might say, forever. Not even 15 years, but longer. Damage to the “filling” is possible only mechanically. Outside, the situation is slightly different. The awning gets dirty, so you need to take care of the domes.

How?

At least wash a couple of times a season. It’s okay, right? When you come to the dacha for the first time in a year, you tint the porch, refresh something, and so on. So it is with domes: you need to wash the windows and the shell. It’s not difficult at all.

Is it hard to breathe inside in the heat?

The sun, together with ultraviolet light, also produces infrared radiation. Insulation repels infrared rays, but they still come through the window. Even in a living space in the summer, it is difficult to sit in direct sunlight. Accordingly, blackout curtains are required. But in order to completely remove all questions, you need to apply air conditioning. If this is a hotel, it should be air conditioned. After all, different people come. Someone needs warmth, someone needs cold. All conditions must be created.

The awning is available in different colors. There is light, there is darker, there is completely dark. Is it correct that the darker the awning, the more the structure heats up?

Good question. When using an insulation system with a ventilation duct, there is not much difference what color the awning is: white, red or even black. In any case, the insulation reflects all these infrared rays. Accordingly, interlayer ventilation ventilates everything.

OK. And if you pierce the awning? Is it repairable?

Oh sure. Each kit comes with a repair kit that includes cloth scraps, window film, PVC fabric adhesive and a spray can of paint. It takes no more than half an hour to fix a small puncture or incision.

Can you do this in winter?

It is possible in winter, only you must first warm up the awning with a hairdryer, at least with a household one. The solvent “eats up” the top layer of varnish, and then this place will get dirty faster. Therefore, alkaline degreasers must be used. The scheme is as follows: warm up the awning with a hairdryer, apply glue to the patch, heat it up and glue it. You can contact us to make repairs with our equipment. Then the patch will be almost invisible.

How many times can ONUKA domes be mounted and dismantled?

Assembly-disassembly cycles – up to ten. With the right approach, even more.

Does the awning smell?

We use only high quality materials. Uses German PVC fabric. It does not give off odors.

Will the paint run off the colored awning?

What paint? The awning is not painted. It is homogeneous. Have you seen the black bag at the grocery store? He’s all black, completely. So it is with the awning.

What are the minimum and maximum diameters of domes that we can make?

We can make a very small dome. Domes. It all depends on the needs. If we talk about glampings, then the best option is a dome with a diameter of 6 meters. This design has established itself as a place to comfortably accommodate two people, plus you can install two additional berths. And a full bathroom is located in the room itself.

If you take a dome with a diameter of 5 meters, then a normal bathroom cannot be placed there. A separate sink will be included, which I highly recommend installing, especially when it comes to glamping in remote areas. If you make a dome with a diameter of 4 meters, then the entrance will not be very convenient – 1.3 m in height. The door can no longer be installed, only some kind of curtain on the lock.

Zoning can already be done in 7 and 8 meter domes. If we talk about large sizes, then we have developed the production of structures with a diameter of 10, 11, 12, 13 and 14 meters. These are premises for lounge areas, cafes, domes for spiritual practices, for yoga. You need to understand that the height grows with the diameter.

Can we make a dome with a diameter of 20 meters?

Can

That is, the shape of the geodom is scalable as you like?

Yes Yes. By the way, there is a paradox – the larger the size of the dome, the cheaper is a square meter of floor.

Let’s recap. The dome itself, when compared with the capital structure, is inexpensive. But for its normal functioning, you need to invest in the filling: in ventilation, in the insulation system, and so on. If the structure is properly operated, it will be warm inside in winter and dry in rain.