RSS FeedApr 24 2009
U-Dome – A Very Inexpensive Option
If you are looking for an easy to construct and very inexpensive small home, you will want to take a look at the U-Dome from World Shelters. World Shelters specializes in producing low-cost temporary housing for humanitarian needs. But tiny homes, such as the U-Dome, might be what some tiny home enthusiasts need as well.
The futuristic dome shape is UV resistant, fire retardant, uses shingled construction and is easy to assemble. This 200 square foot tiny hoise is one of the cheapest options available at merely $2,500.
There are some limitations to the design, but for price tag this can only be expected. The U-Dome is made from white semi-translucent panels, which will last three to five years before UV-degradation begin to damage the material. This will eventually lead to cracks and other damage. World Shelters is fairly certain that if the material is painted it might last for up to ten years. So, the U-Dome isn’t designed to be truly permanent, but at $2,500 dollars each that isn’t too much of an issue.
The bathroom and showing facility is a separate attachment called the Shower Dome, and they recommend a Zodi brand shower unit that produces one gallon per minute. One gallon per minute could seem like roughing it to many, but you would definitely save on the water bill.
Other considerations are mostly environmental as well. In terms of being able to handle the environment in other ways it turns out that the U-Dome is insulated, can handle winds up to 65 mph and is designed in such a way that it is difficult for snow to accumulate.
The U-Dome may seem a bit to bare bones for some, but the price is amazing and the U-Dome could very well make a great cabin. The concept has merit and the price point definitely grabs one’s attention. If you are looking for a very inexpensive housing option, then it’s going to be tough to beat the U-Dome.
If you are looking for an easy to construct and very inexpensive small home, you will want to take a look at the U-Dome from World Shelters. World Shelters specializes in producing low-cost temporary housing for humanitarian needs. But tiny homes, such as the U-Dome, might be what some tiny home enthusiasts need as well.
The futuristic dome shape is UV resistant, fire retardant, uses shingled construction and is easy to assemble. This 200 square foot tiny hoise is one of the cheapest options available at merely $2,500.
There are some limitations to the design, but for price tag this can only be expected. The U-Dome is made from white semi-translucent panels, which will last three to five years before UV-degradation begin to damage the material. This will eventually lead to cracks and other damage. World Shelters is fairly certain that if the material is painted it might last for up to ten years. So, the U-Dome isn’t designed to be truly permanent, but at $2,500 dollars each that isn’t too much of an issue.
The bathroom and showing facility is a separate attachment called the Shower Dome, and they recommend a Zodi brand shower unit that produces one gallon per minute. One gallon per minute could seem like roughing it to many, but you would definitely save on the water bill.
Other considerations are mostly environmental as well. In terms of being able to handle the environment in other ways it turns out that the U-Dome is insulated, can handle winds up to 65 mph and is designed in such a way that it is difficult for snow to accumulate.
The U-Dome may seem a bit to bare bones for some, but the price is amazing and the U-Dome could very well make a great cabin. The concept has merit and the price point definitely grabs one’s attention. If you are looking for a very inexpensive housing option, then it’s going to be tough to beat the U-Dome.
breaks down by UV exposure – must be plastic…
“isn’t designed to be truly permanent…isn’t too much of an issue” unless you care about the environment…
What do you want to build with? Wood, aluminum?
Thank you for sharing this information. In reply to EJ, World Shelters was recently accepted in the GreenAmerica Green Pages. The flame-retardant UV-resistant corrugated polypropylene is recyclable, including after the material is weathered. Our feeling about making these ultra-low cost shelters from “plastic” is that there is extraordinary value in this high-performance, low-cost, compact, lightweight material. Looking ahead 50 years, I think people will be saying about our consumption of the amazing hydrocarbon molecule “They burned it?! With all the amazing things we can make with this limited resource, they burned it?!” We should be doing more things like U-Domes with our limited hydrocarbon inventory.