Phoenix Domes Solar Fan Kit

When your dome is being delivered, please make sure to check for any damages, missing or loose items right away and note it on the form the driver is having you sign as damaged if you discover anything. 

Without this, we cannot make a claim in the event of damages. 

Please count everything and make sure it is there asap. 

While your accessories (flashings, solar fans etc.) usually ship separately via Canada Post or courier, each dome should contain:

- Frame Crate with struts, curtain tracks and hardware inside

- big green insulation bundle

- heavy cover bundle

- somewhat less heavy liner and curtain bundle

On the new version, cover, liner and curtain will be in a separate crate together. 

Please check for any holes, tears, rips, or missing items asap, before signing the delivery slip. 

We have had several damaged shipments due to the carrier’s negligence which is out of our control, and need to make sure we can make an insurance claim if necessary. 

If you are only reporting damages later, we cannot be held responsible. 

Of course we will replace any missing items due to miscounts at packaging.  

Large items will ship by Truck freight.

Truck freight rates cannot be calculated by the website and thus quotes need to be obtained manually. 

Smaller accessory items will ship by Canada post. 

Please note that any custom orders may take 3-4 months to ship. 

Glamping package and Patio domes are usually in stock and ready to ship - please check with us to make sure!

Once your shipment is on its way and we have provided you with a tracking number, it is your responsibility to check on its progress and communicate with the shipping company in case there are any delivery issues. We are not responsible for shipping delays and issues on the side of the carrier. 

FAQ

Order Information 

• How long will it take to get my Dome?

  • Shipping normally takes about 3 weeks to deliver.

• How much does shipping cost?

  • Shipping costs are determined at the time of quoting (or purchasing) as they vary greatly depending on size, quantity, and distance. Please contact us below for details about shipping costs.

• Do you offer installation?

  • We generally do not offer installation services as most customers can set up the domes themselves, even without prior experience. The only exception is if a customer is willing to cover the expenses for Phoenix Dome team members to set up multiple domes.

• What temperature can the dome handle internally?

  • The dome is recommended to not exceed 50 degrees Celsius and not go below -20 degrees Celsius.

• Do you offer a warranty?

  • Yes, we offer a 5-year warranty against UV damage and deterioration of the cover. However, the dome is designed to last for 10+ years. Our frames are engineered for snow and wind loads, and we will provide a report with your dome for peace of mind and permitting.

• Can I get custom colors for my Dome?

  • Availability for custom colors can fluctuate due to high minimum order requirements. However, sometimes custom colors are left over from other projects. Please inquire about current availability. Cover colors in stock can be used at no extra charge, while some custom colors may cost an additional $500-$1,000 if sourced specifically for your project. Common colors we have used are beige, tan, dark green, and grey.

• What is your policy on returns and cancellations?

  • If you decide to cancel your order of a Glamping Package Dome before it is shipped, there will be a 10% restocking fee retained for Glamping Package Domes after your initial deposit is paid. There are no refunds available for Custom Domes after ordering. Domes cannot be returned once shipped. In the event of a defect, we will do everything we can to help fix or replace anything damaged. Returns of Add-Ons in saleable condition are generally acceptable at any time, with a 10% restocking/administrative fee retained and cost of return shipping understood to be the responsibility of the customer.

Planning and Building

• What size Dome do I need?

  • 16’/5m – 210 sqft - suitable for short-term guest accommodation for a single or couple with little room for more, if outside facilities are existing for bathroom, kitchen, etc. Also a nice size for an art studio or massage space
  • 20’/6m – 300 sqft. - suitable for a couple with room to lounge/stretch out and a sink/kitchenette if outside bathroom facilities exist. A small bathroom cell can be added for short-term guest accommodation. Also a great size for a studio or yoga/ movement space.
  • 23’/7m – 400 sqft – suitable for a couple or family of 4 with a full bathroom, king size bed, loft bed or pullout couch, and plenty of room to lounge. Our most popular and versatile glamping size. A loft bed above the bathroom/kitchenette is possible.
  • 26’/8m – 540 sqft. – Luxury accommodation that can fit larger families. The height makes a loft area attractive, which can be above the bathroom/kitchen. A separate bedroom is also a possibility.
  • 30’/9m – 700 sqft – This size is great for a yoga studio, outdoor classroom, workshop space, or a long term residence for 2.
  • 33’/10m – 850 sqft – Yoga studio, circus arts, events, dance and workshop, a restaurant dining area, or full time residence for a small family – possibilities are endless!

• What kind of floor will I put my Dome on?

  • Most of our customers choose to build wooden platforms – they can be elevated off the ground, erected on uneven or sloped terrain, are low-impact on the environment and ultimately removable. For year round use, we recommend insulating the platform.
  • We provide engineered platform plans for our common dome sizes with detailed cuts, measurements, and angles that you can use to build it yourself or give to a local contractor.
  • Other options for flooring are poured concrete slabs (potentially insulated with radiant heat), or earthen/ cob floors. For a temporary setup, we can provide heavy duty waterproof ground tarps that can be spread directly on the ground.
  • We have also built a sprung dancefloor in a dome with a plywood floor over recycled tires!

• How do I attach the Dome to the platform?

  • The dome frame has feet that can bolt into the platform - or into a concrete pad if needed. If setting up directly on the ground, you can also use ground screws or rebar to attach the feet.
  • Then, the outer cover ideally extends past the edge of the platform if it is a close fit (use our Platform Plans that fit our domes exactly!), and can be fastened with staples or trim to keep weather and critters out.
  • Please note that we recommend building the platform to our plans to fit the dome exactly – that way it is easy to seal the cover skirt around the edges with some trim to keep weather and critters out. An outside deck can be built off the side of it. If you want to put your dome on a larger, rectangular deck, you need to account for a drainage gap around the dome perimeter to ensure rainwater cannot run under the edge of the dome. Usually in this case, you will want to build up an insulated floor on the inside.

• How do I heat my Dome?

  • A dome can be heated in all the ways a house can be heated.
  • For off-grid applications, a wood stove is best. However, if you are doing a commercial glamping rental, you may not want to teach all of your guests from the city how to safely and efficiently operate a wood stove. In this case, Pellet stoves, externally vented propane stoves, radiant infloor heat, electric heat or a combination thereof are all good options.
  • Please make sure to upsize your heat source as a dome does not have the same insulation as a house. If the dome is 400 sqft, use a stove that is good for 800-1000.
  • We supply chimney and vent flashing kits to fit any size – they can be installed wherever you need on the dome without a pre-determined hole. Just let us know what size you need!

• How is a Dome insulated?

  • Our insulation liner consists of 2 separate layers – a double reflective bubble wrap layer that is pulled over top of the frame, and underneath the outer cover – and an inner fabric liner that creates an additional air pocket to help with insulation. The way the reflective layer works is that it will reflect heat back into the space, aided by the spherical, very energy efficient shape of the dome. This will result in about an R5 overall. However, it will not hold heat for very long after the heat source is out – for this you would need several inches of insulation material.
  • Many of our customers operate year round with our insulation package and good stoves.
  • For a permanent structure, you can get the inside of your dome sprayfoamed by a local company to achieve a much higher R-Value more similar to a cabin or house while also eliminating any thermal bridging or condensation on the frame – but it means that the dome cannot be taken down easily anymore. The sprayfoam can then still be covered with the inner fabric liner.

• What does it take to set up a Dome?

  • A dome can usually be set up in 1-3 days with a team of 3 people. You will need extra help, a winch or a truck to pull the heavy cover over. Domes up to 23’ can be set up with a couple of ladders alone, larger ones will require some scaffolding. Other than that, some wrenches, ideally an impact driver with a couple of long sockets (17mm and 19mm), a rope to pull the cover and some ratchet straps to get the tensioning hooks on are all you need.

• Do you sell washrooms, kitchens, heating and cooling appliances?

  • No – due to the myriad ways a dome can be used, styled and outfitted, we decided to leave the creativity up to the customer instead of trying to fit prefab units – you will be able to get much better quality and unique design by sourcing furniture, appliances and fixtures locally or online, hiring local contractors and going with your own style.

• How strong are Domes?

  • Geodesic domes are the strongest structure invented by man (in relation to the materials used) – just like nature invented the egg, Canadian visionary and architect Buckminster Fuller invented the geodesic dome structure consisting of triangles that disperse loads across the entire structure.
  • We have a few different frame sizes that have been engineered for various snow and wind loads (40-100 psf and up to 300 kmh winds) so you can rest assured that your dome with withstand any weather conditions you may encounter.
  • We are also able to provide engineer reports (currently for NS, NB, ON and BC) for our most common sizes in order to assist our customers with obtaining building permits.

• Do I need a building permit for my Dome?

  • It depends. Our domes are technically tents, thus temporary structures that can be dismantled in a day.
  • Many of our customers living rurally decide to avoid the bureaucratic hassle and not apply for permits – as long as the neighbours don’t complain, it is usually fine.
  • However, if your use is more high profile or a commercial vacation rental business, you may need to obtain permits.
  • Every province, and every municipality, may have different rules and requirements. Our engineer reports for the load rating, as well as the engineered platform plans, are usually sufficient to satisfy the authorities. We will do our best to assist with the process, however we cannot guarantee that the building department will be open to these alternative structures. In some cases, additional engineering studies are required.

• What about the door?

  • Our domes are designed with an opening and attachment bars to accommodate a standard, 34'80x or 36x80” pre-hung exterior door which are available at any building supply. We recommend a metal door as they are affordable and very durable in the elements. You will be able to choose between a variety of window options and paint it the colour you like. To install it, you just need to create a simple 2x6 frame and bolt the dome frame attachment bars into it. This means 3 pieces of 2x6":
    • 2 pieces of 82 1/4" for the sides
    • 1 piece of for the top 39" for 34" door, 41" for 36" door, or . This piece goes on top of the other 2 pieces.
  • The door attachment bars of the dome frame are fastened into the 2x6 door frame with screws and washers or GRK fasteners.
  • Then the outer and inner cover layers are fastened to the door frame with trim.
  • If your door has a somewhat different size, you can accommodate for the difference with the wooden frame or some blocking - this is an easy and versatile solution that only requires some very basic carpentry skills. We recommend a 34" door for the 16' dome, the other sizes can accommodate both door sizes by simply angling the frame bars accordingly. 

 

• 2V, 3V, 4V Domes... What difference does it make?

  • In simplest terms, the V refers to a Dome’s frequency, which you can think of as a measure of its complexity, strength, and roundness. The greater the V number, the more triangles are involved in its construction.

    You can watch a quick video here for a visual representation.

    The lower the V number, the easier a Dome is to build and manufacture due to more struts being the same length. At the same time, lower V numbers will often look more angular and less typically Dome-shaped. Larger Domes will require increases in frequency when strength becomes more of a factor - this is why our Domes go from 3V to 4V as they increase from 8-9m+.

    
    

Care and Maintenance

• How long will my Dome last?
  • The cover lifespan is about 10 years or more depending on UV exposure. You can easily get a replacement cover when the time comes and enjoy it for another 10+ years. The frame will last indefinitely as long as it is not exposed to excess moisture or salty air!
• How do I clean my Dome?
  • You can use a sponge and soap, or easier yet, a pressure washer, to get any debris and algae off your dome. It will come nice and clean again even after years! Sometimes, there can be soot from the chimney that leaves grey streaks which are a bit harder to clean and may require some scrubbing with soap or bleach. Scrub the window with a non-abrasive sponge and soap or window cleaner. If you have the older pleather liner, you can clean it with a damp cloth and soap if needed - make sure not to scrub too hard. Our new Oxford Fabric liner comes in multiple sections that can be easily washed in any standard home washing machine.
• What about condensation?
  • Since the dome cover is impermeable and creates a moisture-sealed space, it is important to remove excess moisture from the air in order to avoid any mold or mildew problems. If you have a kitchen or bathroom in the dome, install an exhaust fan to draw out the moist air. We can provide the flashing kit to install any vent pipe wherever you may need it. A solar fan will help keep airflow going year-round while also helping with excess heat in the summer. We highly recommend using a dehumidifier regularly, especially in the colder months, to avoid any moisture buildup. It can be a good idea to spray some anti-mold spray around the bottom edge of the inner cover, especially behind furniture and appliances, and clean regularly.
• What if I get a hole or leak?
  • Holes or leaks are easily fixed with a specialized Vinyl Glue and a patch. Your dome will come with a patch kit; if you need more, just reach out to us!
• What about the panorama window?
  • The panorama window is a flexible, clear Vinyl that is strong and UV resistant and won’t yellow. However, it will have some wrinkles and unevenness that may smooth out over time with heat and sun exposure, but not completely disappear. Your view will be somewhat blurry, but still beautiful and bright. This is normal and to be expected for the low cost. We are currently working on some upgrade options for a more high-end, glass or polycarbonate window - stay tuned.
  • Zip-off window disclaimer:
    • The zip-off panorama window can be opened partially or removed fully during the hot season to allow for more airflow. However, it should not be opened too frequently as a zipper can wear out over time. It is very important to always make sure there is no tension on the zipper when opening or closing it:
    • Release the tension on the hooks below the window
    • Have one person hold and pull the window up while the other moves the zipper so there is no tension on it

We do not warranty any damage to the zipper due to improper or excessive use.