You have reached your limit of 5 free stories. A story preview is shown instead.
To view more stories
(If your subscription is current,
click here to Login or Register.)
Terra-Dome Home Is Super Efficient
Terra-Domes are cool in the summer, warm in the winter, and resistant to fire, tornados, hurricanes and earthquakes, says Beth McDonald, who has lived in a home made of three Terra-Domes since 1999. She can’t figure out why more people don’t build with the concrete design by Terra-Dome Corporation in Grain Valley, Mo.
..........
You must sign in, subscribe or renew to see the page.
You must sign in, subscribe or renew to see the flip-book
Terra-Dome Home Is Super Efficient BUILDINGS Houses Terra-Domes are cool in the summer warm in the winter and resistant to fire tornados hurricanes and earthquakes says Beth McDonald who has lived in a home made of three Terra-Domes since 1999 She can’t figure out why more people don’t build with the concrete design by Terra-Dome Corporation in Grain Valley Mo www terra-dome com “I’m surprised more farms don’t have them They are strong enough to park heavy vehicles on top of them ” McDonald says Besides homes the structures could be used for animal shelter and cold storage for produce McDonald an architectural and environmental design professional chose Terra-Dome after much research Since junior high she has been interested in buildings that efficiently use the earth sun and thermal mass She discovered Terra-Domes when she was planning her Medway Mass home The company sells 24 by 24-ft $20 000 and 28 by 28-ft $25 000 domes as well as half-size units with additional fees for options The customer prepares the site Terra-Dome pours the foundation the first day sets up the fiberglass and aluminum forms and rebar the second day and pours the third day “People don’t know that underneath the yellow clapboard siding is a bomb shelter ” McDonald laughs referring to her home’s strength The solid design allows for big open spaces that don’t require structural walls or beams and the roof is 20 times stronger than a flat roof McDonald mixed the domes with timbers to create a spacious 3 800-sq ft four-bedroom home on the Charles River “I insulated mine on the outside ” McDonald says “The thermal mass is unbelievable It absorbs passive solar energy and it’s partially buried so the earth also helps heat it and cool it ” McDonald thinks Terra-Dome structures make sense for all regions of the country that face natural disasters such as hurricanes tornadoes and fires Design possibilities are limitless she adds “from caveman to ultra modern ” Contact: FARM SHOW Followup Beth McDonald 9 Neelon Lane Medway Mass 02053 ph 508 523-1838; lmret14@yahoo com
To read the rest of this story, download this issue below or click
here to register with your account number.
