All You Need to Know About Geodesic Dome Tent

What is a geodesic dome tent? When and where could I apply for it? A geodesic dome tent is an outdoor shelter with a unique geometric structure. High-end events like large-sale festivals and brand shows typically employ it. Due to its stability, it also works well in all types of weather and terrain, even in regions vulnerable to natural disasters such as hurricanes and earthquakes. This makes it the best option for adventure activities as well. You might be wondering why it is so sturdy. In this blog, Sheltent will introduce and explain all aspects of the geodome tent, including its structure and appearance, benefits, and drawbacks. Apart from that, you can also learn about what the best geodome tent is to help you make an informed choice.

What Is a Geodesic Dome Tent?

Adopting a spherical reticulated shell structure, the geodesic dome tent comprises multiple triangular panels connected through a precise geometric design. Compared to traditional buildings, the spherical design means the same volume of interior space requires less surface area. Therefore, fewer materials are required for construction, reducing construction costs. From the appearance point of view, its unique spherical design and ample headroom are appealing, with a distinctively modern vibe.

Are Geodome Tent Good?

Now that you understand the definition of a geodome tent, you may want to consider whether it is worth the investment for all kinds of climates and events. Let’s get into the details to help you decide if a geometric tent is the right choice for you.

Advantages of Geodome Tent

• Stability: Wind force is evenly distributed along the surface of the dome, reducing the direct impact of wind on the tent. The geodesic original roof tent effectively withstands strong winds. The dome-shaped properties also make them resistant to hurricanes and strong earthquakes.

• Fast construction: At Sheltent, modular design, and prefabricated geodesic dome tent kit make on-site installation faster.

• Energy efficiency: Due to its curved mesh dome shape, it promotes optimal circulation of hot or cold air above, minimizing energy loss. Effectively save energy costs and provide users with a more comfortable and stable temperature environment.

Disadvantages of Geodome Tent

• Complex setups: If not designed and constructed properly, they can become severely weathered and leak.

• Portability: Compared to traditional pole tents, these tents are heavier and less portable, which may be a consideration for camping backpackers.

• Difficulty installing the chimney: Chimneys are often installed on flat or gently sloping surfaces, which is less common with grid roofs, making it difficult to find a flat, stable place to install the chimney.

Why Is the Geodesic Dome Tent So Strong?

Known as the strongest human shelter, the geodesic dome tent's interconnected triangular design allows it to maintain its shape when applied to external forces. This makes it significantly resistant to any climate. Its structure and material are also important reasons for its stability. At Shentent, our geodome tents feature galvanized steel construction, which is robust enough to endure typical wind and snow loads. It can tolerate snow loads of up to 20 KGS/m² and wind speeds of up to 100 km/h. For the material covering the geodome tent, transparent PVC, polycarbonate panels, and a blend of glass and polycarbonate panels are the three options available for your special needs, equipped with an insulation layer. The insulation layer is made of a 16-ounce canvas with an aluminum foil bubble layer, which is waterproof and moisture-proof. Due to its extremely high thermal radiation reflectivity, the aluminum foil layer can effectively prevent heat transfer, achieving a temperature difference of up to 15 degrees. This helps you enjoy a comfortable environment even in severe cold weather. Furthermore, it has strong anti-UV qualities and can withstand 95% UV radiation, which lessens the harm that UV rays may do to materials and extends the life span of the geodome tent.

What’s a Geodesic Dome Used for?

The robust and long-lasting nature of geodesic dome tents makes them a 100% reliable solution for various situations. Now, read on and let’s know 5 uses of geodesic dome tents.

1. High-altitude Camping

Geodome tents perform exceptionally well in extreme weather conditions and are ideal for high-altitude camping and hurricane-prone areas. The characteristics of galvanized steel and PVC materials also make it suitable for long-term camping or use as semi-permanent buildings, such as scientific research bases, eco-tourism camps, etc.

2. Large-scale Branded Event

Dome tents are a great way to showcase your business at large-scale events while drawing in plenty of people and increasing brand awareness. Its interior may be split up into sections for interactive experiences, seminars, restrooms, and product displays. To enhance client interaction, a projection display of merchandise can also be done within the dome tent.

3. Ecotourism and Glamping

Geodesic dome tents are an excellent choice for ecotourism and glamping. The luxurious atmosphere encourages a more enjoyable camping experience. Sometimes, you may wish to enjoy the comfort of a warm, quiet tent, even in inclement weather. Our glamping geodome tent with a stove jack and insulation will help. These tents are highly insulating, with an indoor-outdoor temperature differential of 15° and energy savings of 70%. Therefore, they are an economical and affordable choice for glamping lovers.

4. Green House

Geodesic dome greenhouse tents offer an innovative solution for those seeking to find new and effective ways to harvest the fruits of agriculture. Our dome tents are equipped with an advanced air conditioning system that allows for precise temperature regulation within the greenhouse. For instance, tropical plants require higher temperatures, while certain flowers or vegetables may require lower temperatures. Regarding plant lighting, the transparent PVC material of the geodome tent is not only durable and waterproof but also allows for the passage of a significant amount of natural light, ensuring that sunlight can evenly illuminate all plants in the greenhouse and facilitate plant growth.

5. Music and Festival Event

The geodesic dome tent's distinctive spherical shape is immediately apparent upon first impression. The large open space is suitable for accommodating a large number of audiences for music festival events. Additionally, there is sufficient space to set up the main stage and VIP area to host a lively and interesting holiday party. Geodesic dome tents range in diameter from 16.4ft to 32ft, which can meet your daily camping needs or be used to host a large-scale branded event. Their flexibility in size is tailored to various events and purposes, providing ample space and comfort regardless of the application.

6 Features for the Best Geodesic Dome Tent

When people talk about which geodesic dome tent option is the best, we often have to consider factors, such as material quality, size options, ease of use, additional features, and more. If you don’t know much about these, please read on and consider these features in your selection criteria. 1. High-quality materials: Choose high-quality aluminum alloy or galvanized steel structure to ensure strength and durability. For covering materials, transparent and durable PVC coating can be a great option to provide good light and protection. 2. Portability: Consider a modular design that can be assembled and disassembled rapidly for easy transportation and installation. 3. Available in multiple sizes: Choose a supplier with options of different diameters and heights, and the ability to customize the interior space for various requirements. 4. Environmental control: If the tent has a built-in air conditioning system and ventilation system, it can ensure a comfortable internal environment. With efficient insulation materials, the temperature can also be kept stable. 5. User-friendliness: If the vendor can provide detailed operations guides and support, it won't be too difficult for you. 6. Safety: It is advisable to consider materials with strong fire resistance and reinforced door and window locks to ensure the safety of you, your family, and your friends.

The Average Cost of Geodesic Dome Tent

When considering the purchase of a geodesic dome tent, knowing the average cost beforehand can help you create a reasonable budget. The average price of a geodesic dome tent ranges from $3,000 to $14,000, depending on the size, materials, customization, accessories, and brand of the tent. Here’s an estimate of the cost for different dome tent sizes. Small Dome (16.4 ft-19.7 ft): Typically priced from $3,000 to $10,000, ideal for personal use or small gatherings. Medium Domes (23ft-26ft): Typically priced between $10,000 and $30,000, suitable for glamping sites or small events. Large Domes (29.5ft-32ft): Prices range from $30,000 to $100,000 or more, ideal for large events or semi-permanent structures. In addition to the size of the geodesic dome tent, factors that affect cost include the type of frame (galvanized steel or aluminum), the quality of the covering material (PVC or PTFE), and optional features such as climate control and customization.

Conclusion

Are you still unsure what a geodesic dome tent is or if it's worth it? Its distinctive structure and materials set it apart from other products on the market. After reading this article, you will have a deep understanding of geodesic dome tents. If you are uncertain about the various types of geodesic dome tents, please do not hesitate to contact us. We have compiled a list of the six features of the best geodesic dome tents, which we hope will help you make an informed decision. Furthermore, understanding the average price and influencing factors of geodome tents can also help you get the most customized tent within your budget at Sheltent.

Our clients and agency partners are always looking for event tents and structures that are:

For more information, please visit our website.

• Unique and capture more attention

•  Built for outdoor events and experiences

• Customizable with digital printing and accessories

•  Lightweight, easy-to-transport and quick to set up

The TentCraft industrial design and engineering team have spent the last handful of months creating a portable, geodesic-inspired dome tent that meets the above criteria—and we’re building our first prototype.

UPDATE: Our 20' diameter, tool-freeevent dome is now available. Turnaround time is 5-7 days.

What are Geodesic Dome Tents?

While Buckminster Fuller is not the original inventor of the geodesic dome, he is credited with driving popularity of the dome and received a patent. Simply put, a geodesic structure is a sphere-shaped structure constructed out of interconnecting lines rather than curved surfaces. Popularity of the geodesic dome is based on two design principles:

•  It creates the largest volume of interior space while requiring the least amount of surface area—translating into material and cost savings

• The structure has an extremely high strength-to-weight ratio and can withstand heavy winds

The geodesic dome structure is not a new concept. The first dome that was labeled as "geodesic" was for a dome theater planetarium designed by Walther Bauersfeld in . Geodesic homes became popular in the s and s—and within the last 5 years, event domes have become more popular for brand activations, corporate events and other outdoor experiences. Restaurants and breweries are using domes to create unique outdoor venues to accommodate more customers throughout warm and cold seasons. Hotels & resorts are creating beach-side cabanas and roof top lounges.

Gap in the Market

If event dome tents aren’t a new concept, then what’s with the hype?

Our team is directly addressing what we believe to be the biggest barriers to greater adoption within the experiential marketing and event space.

•  Lack of user-friendly design, requires tools, leading to longer setup times & extra labor

• Lack of portability, expensive to transport

• Lack of Options

Challenge #1: Current geodesic dome solutions aren’t user-friendly

Current dome event tent offerings require both tools and hours to install. On average there are 160-175 struts that need to be connected with a bolt at 30 different joints. At each joint, the struts need to overlap one another and then a bolt and washer must be installed. You also need make sure you're connecting the right parts. The last thing you want to do is to have to go back and replace a strut.

Some even require the use of a crane or lift to install the top section—so you’re potentially paying extra fees to have third-party installers on hand, absorbing more of your event budget. This is why dome event rentals are more common.

Average Specs for 20' Diameter Geodesic Event Dome:

Frame Material: Galvanized Steel
Diameter: 20'
Overall Height: 11-12'
Frame Weight: 700-800 lbs
Frame + Cover Weight: 800-900 lbs
Tools required: Yes
Equipment required: Yes
Approximate Setup Time: 3-4 hours
Transport: Pallet

Solution: Fewer Pieces, Lighter Tool-Free Design for Simple & Faster Setup

We designed connection joints where each aluminum pole simply clicks in—that’s it. While most geodesic tents are built from the bottom up, our design is easily built, starting with the top. The entire dome is made from 64 equal-length aluminum poles.

TentCraft 20' Event Dome Tent Prototype Specs:

Frame Material: Anodized aluminum
Diameter: 20'
Overall Height: 12'
Frame Weight: 90 lbs
Frame + Cover Weight: 150-175 lbs
Soft Goods Weight: TBD
Tools required: None
Approximate Setup Time: 30-45 minutes with 2 people
Transport: 2 transport bags (1 for frame hardware & 1 for soft goods)

Watch the timelapse of the TentCraft team putting together the first dome prototype.

Step 1:

30 of the poles will have a connection joint attached to them. You’ll start with these pieces and quickly assemble 6 pentagons (5-sides).

Step 2:

Designate one of the pentagons to be the top “ceiling panel”. Grab 5 more aluminum poles and connect each one to the ceiling panel.

Step 3:

Connect the remaining 5 pentagons to the structure you made in step 2. Grab 5 more poles and connect each pentagon together horizontally.

Goto Spark Glamping to know more.

Step 4:

Attach 10 more poles to each remaining connection joint

Step 5:

Use the remaining 14 poles and connectors to assemble the base of the frame. Connect the base and dome together.

Step 6:

The soft goods would then need to be fitted over the top and fastened at the base

Challenge #2: Lack of Portability

Current dome event tent offerings require both tools and hours to install. Some even require the use of a crane or lift to install the top section—so you’re potentially paying extra fees to have third-party installers on hand, absorbing more of your event budget. This is why dome event rentals are more common.

Solution: Everything Breaks down into 2 Transport bags

Because there are fewer frame pieces required to build the geodesic structure, the entire frame breaks down to fit into 4' long transport bag. The soft goods will fold up to fit in a separate transport bag.

Challenge #3: Limited Options

Because of the longer setup times and lack of portability, the professional geodesic dome marketplace is limited. Pacific Domes and Polidomesare your primary options. While you can find geodesic domes on Amazon, you're limited to smaller sizes and most certainly will be sacrificing quality, support and customization.

Solution: A New Option & Lower Price Point

The wonderful thing about competition is that it drives innovation and usually results in lower prices. Because we're using less overall material in the frame design, we expect not only a lower price point but also reduced freight costs.

FAQs

When will the event dome be available?

The team is currently planning for a Q2 launch (first week of April).

What event dome sizes will be available?

While we plan to offer more sizes, we're starting with a 20' diameter dome tent.

What is the expected turnaround time?

We take pride in matching quality with speed so we're aiming for a turnaround time of 7 business days or less.

Why did you choose use anodized aluminum instead of steel for the dome frame?

We chose anodized aluminum because of its strength-to-weight ratio. The material allowed us to reduce the weight of the structure by more than 300% (600 pounds) which reduces the setup time from 3-4 hours to 45 minutes. The portability of the event tent also drastically increases since fewer pieces are required to create the same shape. Reducing the weight and increasing portability is the key to reducing cost. Not only do we expect a lower purchase price but also lower freight costs.

Related Content:Steel vs. Aluminum Pop Up Tents

What material is the cover made of?
The cover can be made from a number of substrates to accommodate both indoor and outdoor venues. Substrates include vinyl, polyester, stretch and blockout material.

What kind of customization is available?
The covers can be digitally printed with any type of artwork. Custom windows and vents (HVAC integration) can be added. We're also working on lighting, counter and door accessories.

Takeaways

TentCraft is close to bringing a quick-deploy dome tent to market with the following advantages:

 

• Quicker Production/Turnaround: 7 Business Days

•  At Least 300% Lighter than Current Dome Options

•  30-45 Minute Setup Time (Rather than 3-4 Hours)

•  Improved Portability For Easier Transport & Cheaper Freight Costs

•  Greater Customization

If you have any specific questions about the dome, contact us using any of the below methods:

For more information, please visit Dome Event Tent.

- : 800-950-

- Click the Chat Icon in the Lower Right and Start a Live Chat Conversation