Developed by German engineers and protected by a GermanDomes GmbH design and utility patent - the steel foundation ring.
Solid, corrosion-resistant steel elements give the GermanDomes structures a solid foundation. Complex static calculations, displacement and wind assessments and intensive testing under the toughest conditions have shown how robust and resistant the overall steel structure is to any challenge, no matter how extreme.
The steel foundation ring can be positioned on any load-bearing, level surface. Unlike aluminium, plastic and even stainless steel, steel is highly resistant to even the harshest environmental conditions. Steel uniquely combines the properties of strength, low deformability, toughness and hardness.
Galvanised steel has a high ecological balance and offers the most economical long-term corrosion protection of all known systems. Galvanised steel is an unrivalled material when it comes to corrosion resistance, stability and durability.
Pre-drilled holes in the PE connectors between the inner and outer ring also allow our customers to screw the foundation ring to the ground or to install ground anchors.
On request, our construction parts (ring and door components) can also be ordered in a variety of paint colours, but always with a base of galvanised steel.
Aluminium is unsuitable for a substructure with high requirements, as the material is susceptible to torsion and too light for high winds. Aluminium is liable to scratch and can be damaged by impacts, and it begins to react chemically after a short time outdoors and takes on a white bloom.
In regions with high salt content in the air, even stainless steel (A2) starts to corrode and forms unsightly flash rust.
The floor/door frame segments of all models in the series are made of high-quality steel of grade S235 EN 10025-2. The frame construction and the side parts of the door, including the bottom segment, are an independent, highly stable component that is torsion-resistant, extremely robust and resistant to all environmental influences thanks to its solid design.
On completion of the handcrafted component, the entire frame construction of the door is fully galvanised.
Unlike aluminium, plastic and even stainless steel, steel is highly resistant to even the harshest environmental conditions.
Steel uniquely combines the properties of strength, low deformability, toughness and hardness. Galvanised steel has a high ecological balance and offers the most economical long-term corrosion protection of all known systems.
A shock-absorbing door seal is fitted around the door frame, which adequately protects the glass door even if it is caught by a strong gust of wind.
At the customer’s request, all parts of the steel structure can be painted in a variety of colours, but the base is always high-quality galvanised steel.
Hole drilled in the factory through both ring sections for the passage of water and electrical supply lines from the outside to the interior of the dome.
When not in use, the hole can be closed with the plug supplied.
Hole size of the bushing: 25 mm
The edges of the foundation rings are protected by a surrounding protective profile.
The surrounding edge protection profile made of soft PVC has the task of protecting the upper edge of the foundation ring from impacts and damage. At the same time, it prevents scratching of the lower dome segments anchored in the foundation ring.
The edge protection profile adds a colourful accent and serves as a visual embellishment. The profile can be easily pressed over the edge by hand, it is flexible, weather, temperature and tear-resistant. The steel inlay incorporated in the profile guarantees a long service life even under the highest stresses.
Air filters arranged around the edge of the foundation ring ensure a balanced supply of fresh air and air circulation that prevents fogging of the inside of the dome.
At the same time, the microfilters prevent insects from entering via the lower edge of the dome.
The microfilters are robust and durable. If necessary, they can be removed from the parts of the foundation ring and cleaned with warm soapy water.
The film door installed in a steel frame in the GEO3.7 model by GermanDomes is:
The film door used in the GEO3.7 model consists of thermally toughened safety film (crystal film of fire protection class B1/flame retardant), which has an extremely high transparency and tear resistance. The film used for the door perfectly matches the design and transparency of the GEO3.7 dome.
By opening the zips on one or both sides, the dome can be opened and closed quickly and easily.
The film door can be rolled up to save space and attached to the upper edge of the door frame by means of an integrated magnetic strip.
Robust plastic trim is screwed all around the steel frame of the film door, which holds the film securely in position even in a strong gust of wind.
To close, unroll the film door and close it with the zips on the left and right of the trim. The zip fastenings can be secured to the frame at the bottom of the door with a padlock.
Should anything untoward nevertheless happen: all doors used in the GEO models can be reordered individually.
The UV-protected material of the Makrolon® UV dome features high UV protection. The UV coating is applied to the surface of the smooth dome segments in the factory. This protection increases the resistance to permanent environmental influences and thus ensures a long service life: no yellowing, no colour changes - the panels retain their shine.
The added advantage:
A five-year guarantee on weather resistance and unbreakability.
If individual dome segments do become damaged, the segment can be reordered easily in the accessories area, as each of the segments is engraved with an individual number as a unique marking.
The comprehensive “structural report” from GermanDomes as the basis for certified safety.
For commercial use of self-supporting geodesic domes, a structural report is required by law.
GermanDomes is the only manufacturer to offer a structural analysis report of over 70 pages for the GEO series domes.
This expert report fully documents the calculations required for snow load, wind load, fire protection class and material specifications.
The stability of the geodesic dome structures results from a type of truss construction, whereby the forces that occur are dissipated and distributed over the entire network via the nodes. This is extremely efficient for force distribution and far superior to other designs in terms of wind and especially snow loads. The hexagonal shape of the segments on which the structure is based is also more stable than comparable rectangular shapes.
Due to their perfect aerodynamic shape, geodesic domes are wind and storm-proof, as the wind has nowhere to apply its destructive forces.
As a result of the statics and high stability, properly calculated geodesic domes do not require columns or beams.
Geodesic domes are characterised by their favourable material-to-volume ratio, they offer impressive sound distribution and good air circulation. In contrast to all other types of buildings, dome buildings offer the possibility of constant sunlight throughout the day. This results in high energy efficiency, which can be put to good use. This is particularly beneficial at cooler times of the year and reduces heating costs considerably.
Fine air inlets between the dome segments ensure a sufficient supply of fresh air and a pleasant indoor climate. Air slits and air filters arranged around the edge of the foundation ring provide a microclimate inside the dome that is comparable to being outside.
Includes GermanDome’s 5-year factory guarantee for weather resistance and unbreakability
Makrolon UV® is a ground-breaking material, developed by the German company Bayer AG. Makrolon UV® is a high-tech material that is completely transparent and almost invisible.
Makrolon UV® is 200 times more impact resistant than glass, odourless, UV resistant on both sides and the perfect choice of material for long life and excellent weather resistance. Even at extreme temperatures between minus 100 and plus 100 degrees, Makrolon UV® remains dimensionally stable and transparent over many years. Makrolon UV® is characterised by break resistance, rigidity and hardness. The thermal and mechanical properties of Makrolon UV® are extremely impressive over many years. Makrolon UV® does not yellow, is classified as “flame retardant” and meets the requirements of the highest (safest) fire class (B1 according to DIN 4102).
Makrolon UV® – The UV-protected material of the dome
Makrolon UV® is characterised by enhanced UV protection. The UV coating is applied to the surface of the smooth dome segments in the factory. This protection also increases resistance to permanent environmental factors and thus ensures years of high transparency and long-lasting material stability.
Whether for safety helmets, visors, spectacle or camera lenses: Makrolon UV® is an uncompromisingly sustainable, 100% recyclable, high-tech material with impressive properties.
No yellowing, no colour changes - The material of the dome retains its shine and crystal clear transparency
The cantilevered dome construction in combination with the high transparency of Makrolon UV® gives the domes of the GEO series an eye-catching design. Wherever GermanDomes are set up, people are amazed, admiring and soon fall under their spell. Our customers enjoy a completely new sense of space and environment, a magical, up-close encounter with the forces of nature under the protection of the highly stable GermanDomes structures, creating an experience of a very special kind. Despite the UV coating, stickers can be attached to the dome segments or they can be printed without any problems.
History of the material "Makrolon UV®"
In 1953 Hermann Schnell, an employee of Bayer AG Deutschland, developed polycarbonates for industrial production for the first time. In 1958 Bayer AG began industrial production of solid, large-format sheets under the trade name “Makrolon”. Makrolon UV is a good insulator against electrical voltages, water, many mineral acids and aqueous solutions from neutral salts to oxidising agents.
Even some non-polar organic solvents such as hydrocarbons and many oils and greases have no effect on polycarbonates. However, polycarbonates are not resistant to some chlorinated hydrocarbons, such as dichloromethane, alkaline aqueous solutions, amines and ammonia, as well as some organic solvents.
Straightforward replacement of the dome segments
If individual dome segments become damaged, they are easy to reorder from the accessories section because each one is engraved with an individual number.
The individual Makrolon segments of the dome are screwed together. In order to ensure that the bolted connections meet the requirements in terms of load distribution, connection rigidity and long-lasting corrosion protection, we only use bolts and nuts with high stainless steel grades from reputable manufacturers.
For screw heads on the outside of the dome that are exposed to a wide range of weather conditions, we use stainless steel A4 grade crown screws, the surface of which remains rust and corrosion-free even in the most extreme weather conditions.
Screw sizes: M5 x 12 /A4/TX, M5 x16 /A4/TX (Torx)
Nuts: M5/A2/ nut with free-moving washer
The nuts used on the inside of the dome (protected from the weather) are A2 grade stainless steel to minimise the phenomenon of cold welding with the bolts. The nuts have a rotating washer that is fixed to the nut.
When assembling or disassembling the dome, these special nuts prevent the Makrolon®UV segments from being damaged. The rotating washer makes it impossible to dismantle the dome from the outside (burglary protection). When the screw and nut are fixed in place, they hide the identification number of the Makrolon®UV segments.
The screw heads are fitted with Torx screw inserts. Torx is a high-performance screw driver profile that ensures an optimal hold for the screwdriving tool even after assembling and disassembling the dome several times.
All domes of the GEO series have a connection opening for air conditioning systems installed in the factory. Any commercially available air conditioning box or air conditioning system can be connected using the DIN pipe connection in one of the Makrolon®UV segments with the help of pre-drilled holes and a large outlet for the exhaust air hose. Any condensation water can be drained off directly via the foundation ring using a condensation hose. There is no need for laborious disposal of condensation via a condensation water tank.
If a large outdoor air conditioning unit is used, this is also easy to connect to the existing connection. The electrical supply to all devices in the interior of the dome is made possible by a bushing for electrical cables located in the foundation ring. The units can be connected via commercially available extension cables.
If air conditioning is not required, the air conditioning connection is closed with the Makrolon®UV cover supplied, which simply screws in place.
The customised all-round LED lighting for all GEO series domes
The GermanDomes LED light strips feature an intelligent and energy-efficient 220 volt control system. They are waterproof (IP 65) and easy to install. The LED light strips are connected to the mains via a standard 220 volt plug; an electrician is therefore not required.
Flexible LED light strips are a further development of conventional, mostly rigid light strips. Thanks to a special mixture of deformable PVC, the elastic LED light strips can be conveniently inserted around the inner edge of the foundation ring and thus illuminate the dome over the entire outer perimeter.
Use of high-quality LEDs means that the GermanDomes strip lights have powerful light intensity. A pleasantly diffuse light that is easy on the eye is created over the entire length of the light strip.
By laying the LED strips at the lower edge of the dome, the light radiates through the Makrolon®UV envelope of the domes. The radiated light is distributed throughout the dome via reflections within the material, giving the external impression that the dome is glowing softly over its entire surface.
Length of the light strips:
GEO 3.7 = 11 m plus mains cable and plug
GEO 5 = 14 m plus mains cable and plug
GEO 8 = 22 m (2 x 11 m) plus mains cable and plug
Power supply: 220-230 V
Consumption: approx. 9 watts per metre
Light colour: Neutral white
Service life: approx. 10,000 h
Mains plug incl. cable: approx. 90 cm
Diameter of light strip: 8 x 16 cm
GermanDomes offers customised flooring solutions for all GEO series domes.
The foundation ring of the GEO models can be set up on any level, load-bearing surface. This can be e.g. grass, a gravel surface, asphalt, wood or concrete. However, in order to lay a conventional floor covering inside the dome, such as carpet, laminate, parquet or linoleum, a suitable substructure is required. GermanDomes offers a precisely milled, round wooden frame structure as the optimal base.
The round wooden frame construction is covered with boards (OSB3) which are screwed in place. The substructure is delivered in segments and should ideally be installed after the foundation ring has been fitted. After the dome has been erected, the subfloor can then be fitted with the desired floor covering. If a substructure is only required at a later date, retrospective installation is also possible thanks to the size of the individual floor segments.
If you have any questions about special solutions or special requirements regarding your preferred flooring, please feel free to contact our hotline.
With the bikini top developed by GermanDomes, we offer stable, safe sun protection for the GEO3.7 and GEO5 models.
Assembly is very easy and can be completed by two people within five minutes.
The bikini top is pulled over the dome with the help of an assembly rope and then tensioned at four points. Included in the delivery are four strong magnets that act as holders for the tensioning ropes. The magnets with snap hooks are attached to the steel foundation ring and hold the bikini top in position. By moving the magnetic holders and lengthening or shortening the tensioning ropes, the bikini top can be fixed in different places on the surface of the dome depending on the position of the sun. Should thunderstorms or strong winds unexpectedly blow up, the magnetic brackets also serve as overload protection, ensuring that neither the bikini top nor the dome are damaged. The cut of the bikini top with its large curves does not restrict the panoramic view of the outside world.
Colour: white
Material: PET polymer film
For an extra charge, the bikini top can be printed in various colours with motifs, logos or advertising messages. We will be happy to provide you with a quote.
The panorama cover - the tailor-made privacy screen for the privacy you want
With the DomeCover developed for the GEO3.7 and GEO5 models, GermanDomes provides a stable and secure privacy screen with removable panorama window.
The DomeCover can be used either as privacy and sun protection or as a strong protective cover. For privacy, e.g. if you are sleeping in the dome, the DomeCover can enclose the dome to make it completely opaque. In addition, a panorama window the size of a third of the dome can be removed from the DomeCover by means of an integrated zip. The fabric of the DomeCover is completely opaque, but remains translucent. Assembly of the DomeCover is very simple and can be carried out by two people in ten minutes.
The panorama cover is pulled over the dome with the help of an assembly rope, fixed to the door frame with press studs and then tensioned by attaching it to the foundation ring via the 15 cm wide strap integrated into the DomeCover.
Colour: white or grey
Material: PET polymer film
For an additional charge, the DomeCover can be printed in a range of colours with motifs, logos or advertising messages. We will be happy to provide you with a quote.
The Window
The microclimate inside the domes, which is created by the micro-slits between the dome segments and the air inlets in the foundation ring equipped with micro-filters, ensures sufficient fresh air and good air circulation.
Windows are normally used for viewing, lighting and ventilation. In GermanDomes transparent domes, windows are used exclusively for communication, additional ventilation and to prevent heat accumulation in extreme temperatures.
With all domes in the Geo series, up to three windows per dome can be ordered and installed. The strong window, made of 8 millimetre Makrolon®UV, matches the design of the hexagonal dome segments in form and material. It is barely noticeable thanks to its transparent frame and does not interrupt the unique all-round view. When closed, the window is rainproof thanks to a transparent silicone window seal, and it can be opened or closed as wide as required by means of an integrated locking mechanism. If necessary, the window can be locked with a padlock on the inner window fitting.
The AirFlap
the design and utility model patent skylight from GermanDomes. After intensive development work, GermanDomes has developed a skylight that allows all domes of the GEO series to be optimally ventilated even by rain or storm.
Warm air always flows to the highest point of the dome and this is where the "AirFlap" comes into play. An integrated "ventilation flap" can be opened or closed by a special magnetic closure system.
When the "Air Flap" is open, warm air can flow out unhindered, which prevents overheating or heat accumulation inside the dome.
If you heat your dome in cool weather, you can easily regulate the fresh air supply and your comfortable temperature inside the dome by briefly opening or closing the "AirFlap". Don't worry if you forget to close the ventilation flap, the special construction of the "AirFlap" prevents rainwater from entering uncontrolled.
The Makrolon®UV surfaces of the GermanDomes models are non-porous, smooth and easy to clean. The smooth, spherical surface means that snow, dirt and other impurities have little chance of settling. Animals, especially birds, avoid the smooth, sloping surfaces of the spherical domes. Even for stubborn dirt, rain as a natural cleaning agent or water from a garden hose are usually sufficient. To maintain the brilliance of the material, we recommend liquid, non-scratching polycarbonate care products in combination with soft cotton cloths.
If one of the coupling segments is damaged, the affected segment can be dismantled easily, reordered with the engraved number and the replacement reinserted.
Polishing Makrolon UV®
Clean the surface thoroughly with a soft, damp wool cloth. For slightly cloudy surfaces or minor scratches, we recommend polishing by hand. Use a clean, dry cotton cloth. Apply a small amount of polish. Spread the polish over the surface you are working on and start with circular movements in a radius of about 10 centimetres around the scratches. Increase the pressure steadily and assess the result continuously. When you have removed the scratch, polish the surface with a microfibre cloth.
Deeper scratches must be pre-treated; for this you need normal sandpaper or steel wool. Start the polishing process with 200 grit sandpaper, then continue with 400 and 800 grit. Only sand lightly and do not apply too much pressure. As a final processing step, use waterproof sandpaper with grit 2000 or 2500, after which you can start machine polishing.
If you have to remove deep scratches, we recommend polishing the surface over a large area. This is easiest to do with a polishing machine or a drill with polishing attachment. Work at low speeds at first, do not apply too much pressure and use soft (wool) discs. Once the entire surface has been polished, repeat the process this time at medium speed and minimum pressure.
As with all rooms, the GEO series domes require a detailed calculation of the air-conditioning required. The location and intended use of the domes are crucial in determining the required heating and cooling capacity of the units to be used. We will be happy to advise you.
Energy-efficient heating, cooling and dehumidification with split air conditioners or air-conditioning boxes
All GEO series domes are factory fitted with a connection (outlet) for air conditioning. Incorporated in one of the coupling segments is a connection (DIN standard), which can be connected to the output of any commercially available air conditioner or air-conditioning box with or without an adapter. Any condensation is drained off directly to the outside via condensation hoses that pass through the foundation ring. Laborious disposal of condensation via a tank is no longer necessary. If an air conditioner with an external unit is used, this can also be set up easily using the connection provided.
The electrical supply to all devices in the interior of the dome is made possible by a bushing for electrical cables located in the foundation ring. The units can be connected via commercially available extension cables.
If air conditioning is not required, the air-conditioning connection is closed with the transparent Makrolon UV® cover supplied.
Heating with commercial fans
The volume to be heated in geodesic dome buildings is much smaller than in conventional rectangular buildings. Because of their design, the domes of the GEO series have efficient air circulation and can be heated up very quickly with fan heaters. Commercially available electric heaters are entirely suitable for heating the domes. Even fan heaters in the lower price range often have sufficient heating capacity to create a comfortable climate quickly.
On the inner foundation ring there are holders for solid steel brackets, which are provided with holes for ground anchors.
If required, long wood screws, threaded rods or steel ground anchors can be connected or screwed to the subsurface via these drilled holes. If ground anchors are used, the steel brackets and ground anchors must be installed before the substructures and floors are fitted.
Anchoring the foundation ring provides additional protection against lateral forces and extreme wind loads. Often these anchor points are also used to secure the domes e.g. on floating pontoons, flat roofs, tree houses or similar exposed surfaces. We generally recommend anchoring the foundation rings to the ground to increase safety. If the domes are installed outdoors, this is essential. Details of wind loads and load distribution can be found in the structural analysis documents..
If you have any questions about this, please feel free to call us.
