DomeCraft #1 Deep Frame Method - Mastering Geodesic Structures with Trillium Domes

Full Dome and Zome Build Plans, Info and Build Gallery at Trilliumdomes.com/build-your-own-dome
The first in a series of videos dedicated to expanding upon principles use in the construction of wood framed geodesic domes and zomes! This series is a follow-up to our original Ultimate Geodesic Dome Builders Guide video ( • The Ultimate Geodesic ... ) and will be covering topics such as special framing methods, deck framing, roof systems, windows, sealing, and any other suggestions you might have!
This time around, Johnny Bayles, the man behind the popular dome and zome woodworking plans from Trilliumdomes.com, will walk you through the Deep Frame Method for building geodesic domes. With this method you can use 1x or 2x materials to make struts at full depth. This allows for incredible strength and insulation potential.
Pros:
- Strength. Our original method ( • The Ultimate Geodesic ... ) dome designs offer an incredible amount of strength that is more than adequate for the vast majority of applications. Still, there are those of you who prefer to have a full depth frame.
- Insulation potential. For smaller living space domes, even 1.5-2.5" of insulation is enough for most environments. Of course, more insulation never hurts, especially with larger domes. This method allows for a full 3.5", 5.5" or even larger cavity for insulation.
- Less tools. This method only requires a miter saw for cutting struts.
Cons:
- More material necessary. As stated above, our original method ( • The Ultimate Geodesic ... ) is more than adequate for most builds and is much more material efficient. This method could be as much as 2 or 3 times the material cost for the dome frame.
-Challenging. Because there are more compound cuts to make, this method could be seen as more complicated or prone to error. I believe if you follow my steps exactly as I lay them out in this video, you will have no issues.
Please leave any comments, questions or suggestions below! Thanks and happy building.
Johnny Bayles
Trillium Domes

[@dittagecoeco2738]

what an incredibly beautiful share, thanks. Just had to subscribe. Looking forward to build my second dome, most likely a 1v made with Precious Plastic beams

[@davidalankaminski]

Nice, love it when a new trillium vid drops.

[@trilliumdomes]

preciate ya, mate!

[@gardeningwithalessandra8477]

Love this! As a renter I’m always telling people it’s possible to grow in containers- this is a great testament to if there’s a will there’s a way!

[@huxmetalworks7371]

You are the man love your work this one will be my next one great work 👍 thanks for sharing your work keep up the great work

[@tipo9nine514]

As always, always great. Thanks from Ushuaia Argentina 🇦🇷 end of the world. Stop by on your boating adventures.

[@sleeplessstu]

Missed you guys ! Would love to hear your (current) plans for the future. I know that plans often have to change (Life Happens !) but it’s nice to see you back doing your geodesic magic again 😉

[@trilliumdomes]

Thank you! Yep plans have changed. Boat life is not happening for now. Lots of awesome projects in the works though! Dome sauna in Alaska almost completed!

[@FredKennedyIV]

Love your videos! Awesome work!

[@kenyawalker]

Thank you Johnny, you are the best.

[@WillPemble]

Sooooo Beautiful! Both you guys and the dome! Thank you Team Trillium! ❤

[@streeker12381]

Awesome video! Thank you! Can't wait for the next ones to drop.

[@SuperCooperville]

Love your videos, always gets me inspired... thank you ❤️

[@a68riz]

Brilliant .... Thank you

[@kimconnollysolocampermarri467]

I love your Domes!!! I can use a drop saw or I think you call it a table saw, (I live in Australia but I’m Canadian). The more I watch your videos, the more I’m convinced that I could build one with a little help from some friends at times. I’m very excited to give you plans a try and will be buying some plans from you shortly. Thanks for taking the time to make these videos. I know how much time it takes to make videos.

[@brandocommando36]

hes a great guy too, helped me out when i got stuck on my own build!

[@trilliumdomes]

Looking forward to seeing what you build, friend!

[@davidweber3498]

Thank you so much for making all of this information available for free! Where is the best place to ask more questions?

[@trilliumdomes]

You are more than welcome to ask here, shoot me an email via trilliumdomes.com/contact . When you get a plan from us, you're welcome to join our Trillium Domes Builders Group on Facebook, lots of discussion there!

[@mew1992]

Awesome video!!! Many thanks!

[@bensun432]

Potent and thank you for this!

[@propertygeek]

This is great really looking forward to building this summer❤

[@trilliumdomes]

Keep me posted!

[@doctorjamos2096]

Amazing! Your videos are always a treat! After watching this video i have been inspires to build a wallapini / sunken greenhouse that connects to a dome on one end! I will keep you posted as i start this summer! Thanks for all the inspiration!!

[@trilliumdomes]

That sounds so cool!

[@dowatchagotado]

Sweet

[@lauramays5362]

You are amazing beautiful people who give me hope. I have to believe that goodness is stronger than not. Or I would go crazy. I want to build a dome and I’m going to make that happen. Thank you so much.

[@trilliumdomes]

Thank you for the kind words! Good luck on your journey!

[@camguy1458]

Awesome work! Can't wait to order the plans. Can that flashing you used in your last video be used on this type of dome design?

[@johnnybayles7412]

Yes it can! It's a bit trickier than the zomes but it has been done by a few folks from our plans. You will want to orient each hexagon and pentagon in an "up / down" orientation, then flash the panels accordingly, so that the seams lap over each other. I will hopefully have something written up on it soon.

[@LiamYager]

How do you waterproof all the seams? I know most people utilize these designs for green houses so a little leakage is less of a concern but in the event you want a dome that is water tight what do you usually do?

[@murrygreenlaw6522]

Please, a suggestion for you to consider. I wish that all video makers would include the date the video was made in their descriptions. I know KZbin will say "x-days ago," but really? Who really trusts these dates? I don’t. So, including the date in your description or title would be helpful. For example, in this video, you say it is your 1st in a series. But if the date, in my example, is 4 years ago, that would give me a clue to search for more following videos😅. But if you really only did produce it last week, then I will be patient and wait for the next installment. This is just a suggestion to consider. Fyi - I am seriously looking at getting plans from you soon to start my first build. Right now, I'm just educating myself on the whole process. I am looking forward to more detailed information on the cladding methods using different materials. Especially how they are connected to the framework. Thanks for putting these videos out for us to study.

[@davidsherwood4611]

When will you have plans for sale that use this deep frame method?

[@johnnybayles7412]

They are all compatible!

[@petriepretorius4085]

Trillium Death Star will be built in few hours, and Johnny together with the Empire of Zome will rule the Galaxy! The dark side will not prevail! 😁

[@TT3TT3]

🥳

[@steelwood74]

I'm wanting to build a steel framed dome, I in a cyclone prone area. What are your thoughts on construction and cladding?

[@trilliumdomes]

Sorry I'm not versed in steal frames or how to cover them. I prefer to work with wood.

[@steelwood74]

All good, I love your work. Keep the videos coming.

[@yahuahs_girl7925]

How can we speak to someone about having a dome or domes built in AZ?

[@Norbingel]

Green lumber usable here? Or will it warp too much when drying?

[@johnnybayles7412]

I've done it and it works!

[@Norbingel]

@@johnnybayles7412 how long ago did you finish it? Geodesic domes seems to me to require quite accurate measurements and I'm afraid the warping might be too much as time goes on. But green lumber is the only thing I can get my hands on that isn't prohibitively expensive where we are, specially considering how things might go wrong while trying it out.

[@johnnybayles7412]

@@Norbingel it's been up for over a year and is a residence so it's heated with a wood stove. The wood is definitely seeasonedd at this point. It's actually the dome with the green roof at the beginning of this video.

[@Norbingel]

@@johnnybayles7412 That's encouraging to hear! Can finally try my hand at one of these things. Is there any warping of note at all? How green would you say your lumber was when you used it?

[@krissfemmpaws1029]

I was wondering if your domes could be made this way...

[@chapstick4yacoochielips]

Are you willing to just cut the pieces and ship the dome as a kit?

[@trilliumdomes]

Shoot us an email via trilliumdomes.com/contact