The 5 Best Geodesic Dome Greenhouse Builders on Youtube

A review of the 5 Best Geodesic Dome Greenhouse Builders' Channels on KZbin today. I hope you enjoy.
Bigalow Brook Farm (Web4Deb) - / @bigelowbrook
Growgrips - www.bigelowbrook.com/growgrip
Ghog63 - / ghog63
Zip Tie Domes - / @ziptiedomes
Zip Tie Domes Website - www.ziptiedomes.com
Paul Robinson - / @geo-dome
Paul Robinson’s Dome tools Website - geo-dome.co.uk
Another awesome Dome calculator website - www.domerama.com
Rodney Volkmar - / @rodneylee
Growing Spaces Website - growingspaces.com/
Background Music - app.soundstripe.com/referrals...
Abbot Kinney - Noah Smith
Dancin Pants - Mikey Geiger
Simple Tek Facebook - / simpletekvideos
SUBSCRIBE to Simple Tek - kzbin.info?s...

[@SimpleTek]

Let me know who you think has the Best geodesic dome greenhouse channel!!!!!!!

[@SimpleTek]

:)

[@jamessorensen7277]

All great but Paul is the guru!

[@SimpleTek]

@@jamessorensen7277 I love Paul's videos!

[@BigCroca]

Ghog63 has started uploading again :)

[@SimpleTek]

@@shadowrizhik4294 he's got a nice greenhouse!

[@adr3000]

You spend time to make sure we don't have to go digging around and I appreciate that so much, always love your videos and recaps. Much love!

[@SimpleTek]

Thank you for the kind words

[@jamessorensen7277]

Thank you Scott. You consistently produce thought provoking and useful videos! Eagerly anticipating more to come.

[@SimpleTek]

Thank you so much for the kind words! I'm glad you enjoyed it!

[@dwylhq874]

Great summary of channels for learning about Geodesic domes. Thanks so much for making it. Saved us hours of trawling through YT! 👌🏻

[@SimpleTek]

Thank you for the kind words

[@calalama]

A great resume of the option available. I´m an geodesic dome constructor and always have more to learn. Tks Scott.

[@SimpleTek]

Thank you for the kind words! I'm glad you enjoyed it!

[@flgardener1155]

Awesome video. Thanks for sharing such terrific channels here on KZbin.

[@SimpleTek]

Thank you for the kind words!

[@angiesmith-sinclair789]

Great video Scott! Love your insight and instructional points!

[@SimpleTek]

Thank you Angie!!!!!! Have you started your KZbin channel yet?

[@markmarsh27]

That was OUTSTANDING! .... subscribed!

[@SimpleTek]

Thank you

[@0rdinaryman101]

Another plus for ZipTieDomes is you can VERY easily disassemble the dome if you ever need to move it. Great for renters like me!

[@SimpleTek]

Great tip! - metal conduit domes with bolts would also do that!

[@jasonmorrow9616]

This is informative and needed. Thank you!

[@SimpleTek]

Thank you for the kind words! I'm glad you enjoyed it!

[@hometab4715]

I love your summary! It's a great way to catch up on the latest development in this area. Have you seen any large geodesic dome construction that incorporates housing and greenhouse into one? kind of like living in the garden.

[@SimpleTek]

Yes I have, earthships do that

[@marionsmith7398]

Very informative and free thinking. Thanks.

[@SimpleTek]

Thanks for watching!

[@patrickmckowen2999]

Excellent consolidated info. Cheers

[@SimpleTek]

Thank you soo much for the kind words!

[@RodneyLee]

LOL, thanks... When I started with Growingspaces 19 years ago the Small 15 Growingdomes were about 5k and the 42 footer was 23k, we also built 51' Growingdomes with a trained crew they would take 2(15 footer) to 6(for the 51') days to build and the Kits are always improving.

[@SimpleTek]

Thank you!!!! - I REALLY enjoyed your videos and hope you get some business from the links.

[@Coatomc]

This is great, thanks for the referrals 💯❤️

[@SimpleTek]

You're very welcome!!!! Good luck with your project!

[@l.skipallen9080]

I did not waste all my time watching your video [as you stated near the end] -- I invested my time watching one of your excellent educational & informational videos !!! I appreciate you sharing your knowledge & experience which makes me motivated to act !!! 07/07/2021

[@SimpleTek]

Thank you soooo much for the kind words!!!

[@erykmozejko3329]

I’ve been looking at geodesic domes not for a green house but for a possible summer house and telescope observatory adjoined. I’ve got to say that Paul Robinson’s web site has a wealth of information including a calculator which gives the sizes and angles for whatever diameter dome you enter. He also has info and videos of geodesic tunnels. Seeing videos of how to fit poly sheet on frames has got me wondering about a greenhouse. However on the point about wood rotting due to the condensation. Particularly at the venerable end grain parts of the frames. Just wanted to mention a typical wooden boat trick of painting linseed oil on to the wood repeatedly until the surface becomes tacky so it can’t absorb any more. If you wanted to varnish on top a good quality varnish will form a long lasting coat although a varnish will hold in any moisture just as well as it repels it. The oil displaces the areas inside the wood where water would normally migrate. An additional light brush of oil every year or two would be an easy way of maintaining its resistance to rot.

[@SimpleTek]

I love the observatory idea! I'm a big fan of Paul Robinson. with wood, just use pressure treated!

[@susanneschauf7417]

great summery, like it 👌🏻

[@SimpleTek]

Thank you for the kind words

[@g00gullSUX]

Thanks! Great video!

[@SimpleTek]

Thank you for the kind words!

[@larrybrashear4988]

Nicely done.

[@SimpleTek]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@ClissaT]

I recently built a 5m wide Zip Tie geodesic dome from a kit I purchased before getting sick 3yrs ago. It is constructed from various grades of electrical conduit and greywater pipe. None would have engineering standards of any great extent to withstand wind sheer forces. I am using it as a grow house covered in bird mesh to keep lots of critters out. They steal my food and now I am disabled I can't afford to waste my energy or endeavours. However the first weekend the dome was built, we had a bad storm. The bird mesh caused enough wind resistance for a gust to blow the dome away several metres where it luckily got hooked up on a stump. Unfortunately, many of the hubs collapsed and broke at the hole points where the struts go through the pvc pipe hub. I dragged it back into position but it is no longer circular nor dome shaped! But it still works and progressively I will replace the broken hubs. Luckily I hadn't started putting containers inside to plant into or bathtubs that I also use to grow plants in. Now it is partly planted but I have also pegged it down around the outside with steel pickets. I still feel the hubs are the weak points but there is nothing else to tie down to. Some struts were bent into S shapes when the dome collapsed like a clam and rolled away. So I put the pickets at most of the intact hubs and tied the top of the post to the first row of hubs with bale twine or similar so there is some flexibility to allow a little movement in future wind events. Once all the bathtubs have been installed I will also add ground pegs in the centre and tie from the roof hubs to the ground pegs in the middle inside. Those wires can be used also as trellises for vine crops. My grow houses are not weatherproof, just critter proof (hopefully) ! Many critters in this country (Australia) have lots of sharp teeth or beaks and are known to chew through anything to get at some yummy vegetable or fruit. So time will tell how successful I have been.

[@SimpleTek]

OMG I feel for you and your troubles! Please keep me updated my new friend from down under - cheers from the top of the world here in Canada.

[@hephzibahbradshaw9509]

Thank you for sharing.

[@SimpleTek]

Thank you for the kind words

[@jvarella01]

Thanks very informative

[@SimpleTek]

Thank you!!

[@JohnRogers0014]

Arctic Domes/King Domes has 2 of their units created and sitting on my property waiting for a winter build with a climate battery operation.

[@SimpleTek]

nice

[@AircreteHarry]

Good video! thanks for the information.

[@SimpleTek]

Thank you Harry! I love your videos and have been a fan for some time!

[@LazyCookPete]

Great info, thanks! 👍

[@SimpleTek]

Glad it was helpful!

[@donaldtaylor3943]

May I add something to this greenhouse topic of discussion-How about duplicating these geodesic greenhouse design into a foam crete structure. Now you have a counterpart micro arc ship design. You could put many of these arc ships into an interconnected isometric-geometric layout. You could have a large frequency dome in the center. Maybe a 32 or 40 ft. diameter using foam cret with a welded rebar imbedded system. This is your central gathering point. The beehive. Surrounding the center there are 6 smaller domes one step down in size . 3 are living quarters and 3 are greenhouse domes. You could build a very elaborate and detailed earth ship because you make the earth work for you. This dome arc ship design would become a master piece in dome layout and design. A fully intergraded micro community. So I'm just putting the vision out there for you to see. Looking for other visionaries to work with me to build something that is legendary. An artistic masterpiece. Simple. Elegant and brilliant. I've sent Paul Robinson a request for help to build a scale model 4 frequency dome out of mat board. From there it should be easy to engineer the geodesic slip form system for foam crete. So I'm new to this but have the intuitive knowing of how exactly to proceed. Long as I understand the size of the panels. Anyone interesting in contacting me and sharing your thoughts please do so at my email. Thankyou.

[@SimpleTek]

great idea!

[@silhouette.community]

Hey Donald, this has been my idea exactly! Living spaces are so spread out that they have their own atmosphere. You can create the concept you explained and have multiple families that share the resources. I would love to expand upon this idea.

[@donaldtaylor3943]

@Silhouette Studios Yes, this covered dome concept should work even on the smallest scale, i.e. As the Hub Connector for the 6 split trailer designs. Like a space station on the moon. So the relocation platform technology can be used to build the 3 interior levels. Maybe a 40 or 50 ft. Pacific Dome. It may be possible to 3D print the panels where they swap lock together from the inside. Skylights are built into the panels. For permanent sites the exterior can be shot Crete with a high density cement protective barrier. Also, the external part of the dome could have a rear cover for growing vines.

[@donaldtaylor3943]

Thank you for your reply. We think along the same lines. We will need Paul's help to design the Hub 6 way Connector for the portable trailers used to make the Micro Camps. Shuttle bus day. Maybe we could do a zoom meeting? I'll put together a podcast latter today so tgsf Paul will have something to work with. I can see this earthshil concept in my mind. Highly elaborate yet simple in design. Fully sustainable and built in green energy systems. Like a giant earth battery growing dome.

[@d8nielhz825]

Thank you 💙

[@SimpleTek]

You’re welcome

[@glenncary6073]

Cool alternative ! 🙂

[@SimpleTek]

Thank u

[@kathrynralli4557]

Nice!

[@SimpleTek]

Thank you

[@John-nk1be]

thanks!

[@SimpleTek]

You’re welcome!

[@JohnGuest45]

All the channels are interesting if you are a dome builder or are planning to build a dome. I think zip tie domes would get my vote just because its different. I wouldnt build that kind of dome for the same reasons you stated in the vid ;) The thing i dont rate is using the wanger flanges for domes, they cost £1.50 each and you need 4 per strut, 660 for a basic 3v 5/9. $750 canadian ;)

[@SimpleTek]

Thank you for your comment - every different type of dome has it's own market ;)

[@JohnGuest45]

@@SimpleTek Aye, convenience always costs but there is a limit to what sane fokks will pay ;)

[@SimpleTek]

@@JohnGuest45 Very true, very true.

[@statussong4u468]

A great option available. I´m an geodesic dome learner and always have more to learn. How can design hub/ connector for custom size geodesic dome eg. diameter 10 feet n height 2 feet. plz

[@SimpleTek]

Good question!

[@statussong4u468]

@@SimpleTek Thanks But i cant get answer i mean, how to decide the angles for the connector/hubs!

[@UseThink]

HAIL PAUL ROBINSON. I bought one plan for 30 euros and the man sends all his plans to your email and replies in one day. Thats some cheap ass good quality humanship

[@SimpleTek]

some work, some don't

[@greenislandfarmer6819]

You could use a ali double grip rail to attach the plastic to the dome. Could be done in strips.

[@SimpleTek]

interesting, what would that cost?

[@greenislandfarmer6819]

The ali rail come in lengths of 5m long. U can get a double or single rail. The inserts come in 1m lengths but can be cut down if going over a hoop. I could ask what it costs.

[@SimpleTek]

@@greenislandfarmer6819 I'd love a link if you got one!

[@greenislandfarmer6819]

@@SimpleTek i will take a wee video and u can see what it is. I will send u a link.

[@SimpleTek]

@@greenislandfarmer6819 that would be awesome!

[@nailtips8235]

Interesting

[@SimpleTek]

cheers!

[@randolphfriend8260]

❤

[@SimpleTek]

Thank you

[@IvanKuzmenyukPersonal]

Hi. I wanted to post a message two times ago but gonna do it now. I will build a 12 meters diameter geodesic dome and a cob house inside it with very similar to your dirt pile heat accumulator, but with the water instead. I believe the build will happen this summer. I am in the search of piece of land. So it`s gonna be the half sphere with radius 6m and the house for like the quarter of the sphere. I also want to place a pool and a deck inside on the spare quarter. I want to cover my dome with transparent organic glass sheathing. So basically the dome gonna be a shell. I modeled my house in MySweetHome 3D but for now mastering AutoCAD/Revit for more precise design. If somebody wants to see my plan I may post it below. It`s for a stand alone house, so I need to adapt it for the inside the dome placement. These channels are awesome, I didn`t know about the last one, so thanks a lot. I also wanted to post #0 tech for happy life: just move to the more warmer ambient temperatures region. In my case I will move from Moscow to Sochi district near the Black sea. In the winters the temps there like +5 / +1. Negative temp there are very limited. And make all solar electricity, all solar collectors heating. But I also gonna build Walker wood stove from Broaudio channel and RMH for fun and cold days. Cheers, man and have a good day!

[@SimpleTek]

Thank you so much for the detailed reply! Cheers from Manitoba, Canada!!!

[@joshjohnson2460]

This dude sounds like the grow boss.

[@SimpleTek]

Grow Boss - lol - sounds cool!

[@shannonjensen3855]

What about Pacific Domes?

[@SimpleTek]

They are a great company!

[@MTXMTX-oj6yn]

you guys were meant to be ; so interesting..!.......M.T.X. MTX

[@SimpleTek]

Thank you

[@douglas_drew]

Great info. While I had long subscribed to three channels, a couple were new to me and I have now subscribed, and the websites info was much appreciated also. As for best, I keep learning, so all are valuable depending on the purpose I am pursuing. First I need a movable shelter for my son's tortoise (kind of a service pet) for which we need a lightweight semi-protected dome which can be moved around our back yard for three season grazing without deterioration of the structure where it contacts the ground, and the ZipTie Domes are looking good. Then we have to face more permanent heated shelter for which I am favoring a combination of the greatest qualities from the other channels along with integrations of heating (liked your heating without burning video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/d2ndY6iGpr5_d8k ) and we might as well grow food for the beast and our family as well, so the dome channels with growing info are great too.

[@SimpleTek]

It makes me happy when my videos give you ideas you can use!!!!!!

[@JohnGuest45]

i`d suggest something like this (but in pvc) for the tortoise. kzbin.info/www/bejne/oXvXlnuYf7tom68

[@riveryzen]

Saw an update on the Bigelow Brook Farm geodesic greenhouse and it doesn't look good. A lot of problems with it and he's considering options from demolishing to repairing, with none of them cheap.

[@SimpleTek]

I’m starting to agree a quanset but is better. But my done looks sooooo cool with a light in it at night!

[@JohnGuest45]

Drilling holes through timber struts is a big mistake. Timber domes usually rot out due to water getting into the end grain. I encapsulated my struts in a white 2 part epoxy paint (non toxic) which makes them completely waterproof. The white colour keeps them cool , brown or dark coloured wood can become very hot in full sun which doesnt do it any good. An IR temperature gun is useful for checking surface temperatures,.

[@ChrisHardwickanimaladventures]

Seems like it would be way easier to build and maintain a traditional greenhouse that's not a dome. They look cool but climbing up that high for repairs scares the heck out of me.

[@SimpleTek]

after building one - I agree. But it looks sooo cool at night esp whena have a lightbulb inside. People think it's a space ship.

[@brandubh74]

Bigelow farms just posted 2 months ago that the wood used to make their dome is rotting. Too much moisture and condensation rotted the wood from within.

[@SimpleTek]

Thank you for the comment, I saw that on his channel, he said it was also due to not staining the joints. Ghog63 had the exact same problem with his dome. It leads me to think metal frames are a much better choice.

[@jackiedevries2157]

@@SimpleTek So what are the metal frame options? ZipTie is plastic... Others?

[@SimpleTek]

@@jackiedevries2157 I made mine from metal electrical conduit I got on sale

[@mihaiilie8808]

See my dome in the channel.It has double layers and the wood frame is sealed inbetween polycarbonate sheets that also make for thermal insulation. See the tape im using and my windows wich are my own design .

[@fordhipo1493]

Caution with wood frame dome greenhouses. They develop a constant moist environment which means wood rot. Regardless of what you use, wood will rot in a GH environment. Ask me how I know...

[@SimpleTek]

I agree - pressure treated wood and stain it for longer life in your wood is a smart move. - build it like you'd build a deck, exposed to the elements.

[@JohnGuest45]

You didnt use the right product, mine is fine ;)

[@mihaiilie8808]

I painted my wood in linseed oil,2 coats of white paint and a final coat of wax. The wood frame its sealed inbetween double walls of polycarbonate.

[@ted6090]

Comment in the dooobly

[@SimpleTek]

??????

[@Cornpop01]

You forgot Trillium Domes.

[@SimpleTek]

Too new for this old video but I love their stuff

[@AloshaLynov]

The best some just failed

[@SimpleTek]

;)

[@mehmetakbas3751]

on my real dome channel

[@SimpleTek]

That's awesome!

[@velimirrodic2235]

thanks for the effort, but ... why this annoying background music that doesn't complement the picture or the words? On the contrary, it distracts and makes listening and concentration difficult. What a pitty.

[@SimpleTek]

Grandpa Simpson “I used to be with ‘it’, but then they changed what ‘it’ was. Now what I’m with isn’t ‘it’ anymore and what’s ‘it’ seems weird and scary. It’ll happen to you!” Seems to be the most relevant quote to use as a reply :p

[@michaelglenning5107]

Try this one! Best looking, durable, cheap. kzbin.info/www/bejne/an67ZGl_iNdmrNU

[@SimpleTek]

yeah, Paul Robinson says he took his plans and is remarketing them. to be honest, I believe Paul, it's too close.

[@borealphoto]

Advoko Makes has the cheapest and easiest to build.

[@SimpleTek]

Thanks, will check that out!

[@costa2984]

I like how you complain about bigelow's corny music on their videos ... while yours is also filled with music that does not appeal to all tastes

[@SimpleTek]

good point.

[@junehitchcock170]

@@SimpleTek interferes with the video. Difficult to hear.

[@SimpleTek]

@@junehitchcock170 I'm sorry you feel that way

[@paulpvhl1930]

@@SimpleTek For myself, music tends to interfere with watching and listening to videos at x2 speed, a great boon to research. This time I was relaxing from other research and didn't even notice the music, partly because I'm already aware of most of this and so was designing a new kind of instant dome as I watched. Thanks for the review. Recent subscriber enjoying the videos I've seen.

[@SimpleTek]

@@paulpvhl1930 thank you for the comments, I'm evolving!

[@TheRebelmanone]

Yea but i can dispute it easy, that geo-dome built by Bigelow is not built right. You challenged us, and mark these words, it is not the best dome on you-tube. I can pick it apart starting with him using single struts with no dihedral angles cut into it, causing his panels to never be able to sit flat on the dome/struts. Second, he needed to paint his struts too because he was building a greenhouse not a home. Third, he needed to keep new tape on the seams every year with his design in his transparent panels. No, but he does quality videos, but that dome is by far not the best. You need to do more research into real engineering and geometry before you can be a reliable judge of domes. You challenged us, and to give you a better builder, Paul Robinson. I know his domes are light and cheap, but the design is true and correct. But take into account his domes are not homes, they are green houses or sheds. But if you were to build a home dome, he knows how to do it, and he even tells us how if you watch enough of his videos you will understand, and you won't need to ask him anything additional. i am saying he knows structurally what it would take, but you will still be dealing with the inspectors of your local area.

[@SimpleTek]

Paul’s domes break down over time too

[@TheRebelmanone]

@@SimpleTek True, but everything breaks down over time. The biggest problem they both have done in the past, is not painting the frame struts on all six sides. Since it is a green house it needs the struts painted before they are assembled. But Paul has the double struts, built much like Buckminster Fuller built his house. But of course Paul is only building green houses, so the lumber thickness is much less than what Buckminster Fuller used on his home. But the design is there, you can simply just use thicker struts if you want a bigger dome.

[@JohnGuest45]

@@TheRebelmanone A single screw holding each corner of a triangle together isnt my idea of good design. If the corner joints of pauls triangles were solid, the dome wouldnt fit together

[@gregorylondos534]

Sadly you Should Retract your comment on the Music in the Biggalow video…. Your tital is not about Criticizing the videos it’s about the building of GEODIS dome greenhouses. I gave you a thumbs down and did not continue to the end of yours…. I’m not looking for criticism, I’m looking to build/buy a Geodesic Dome Green house… T

[@SimpleTek]

Biggalow has AWESOME videos. I can't stand his music though.

[@masterv2118]

Maybe stop commenting on peoples selection of music well you play crap music in the background of you making the silly comment about their music. Will you be commenting on peoples graphics using a crayon drawing.

[@SimpleTek]

who crapped in your corn flakes this morning?

[@douglas_drew]

@@SimpleTek , glad I switched to bran...

[@SimpleTek]

@@douglas_drew better flow?

[@douglas_drew]

@@SimpleTek , yes, and thus better disposition!

[@masterv2118]

@@SimpleTek If you don't like people commenting on your drab music selection, why did you open that door with your comments?

[@1mtstewart]

BigelowBrook is my favorite from beginning to end!

[@SimpleTek]

he has an awesome channel!