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Monthly Archives: July 2022

A Quick Guide to Dome Homes: the New House Structures

A dome home is a structure with a rather unconventional shape. A dome home is eccentric because it deviates from the regular structural construction basics.

Dome home has walls, a floor, a roof, doors, and windows.  However, they are round or spherical. A dome home uses a shell framework during construction. Domes have been in the construction space for a long time. Spherical rooms are more spacious than regularly shaped houses. This is because a dome home encloses more volume within a small surface. Consequently, fewer building materials are used, thereby reducing construction costs.

A dome home is resistant to wind and solid enough to withstand substantial force. Dome homes are ideal in regions prone to intense storms and heavy snowfall.

Types of dome homes

There are different types of dome homes.

    1. Geodesic- The type of dome home structure lies on interconnected triangles. A triangle is a rigid shape ideal for building the toughest joints. However, the internodes are prone to frequent flooding. But the roof, walls, and joints make it a sturdy structure that can last for decades.
    2. Monolithic- A monolithic dome home is made with a single layer of concrete and other thick materials. The single layer of concrete makes it resistant to bug infestation and other forms of deterioration. The exterior details are uniform, making it airtight, sturdy, and tough.
  • Yurts: This is probably the mother of all dome homes. Yurts are ancient shelters with straight roof rafters tied to lattice walls. Modern yurts have compression roofs, sphere shapes, and lattice walls. They’re also made from modern building materials and use steel fasteners and lightweight insulation. They are low-cost and therefore become popular rental accommodation units.

Advantages of modern dome homes

  1. Versatile-Domes are designed to fit various architectural needs such as cabins, bulk storage, churches, arenas, gymnasiums, and stadiums. Dome structures can be constructed on dry land, by the beach, underground, in mountainous regions, and underwater.
  2. Durable- Dome homes can withstand many natural disasters such as wind and snow. A dome-shaped house only allows wind to move around, which has lesser impact than flat, surfaced walls.
  3. Energy-efficient- A dome home is an energy-efficient space. The spherical shape makes the sun refract within the dome, warming the space sufficiently. A dome home decreases the need to heat and light the house constantly. Therefore, a dome home is an eco-friendly housing solution.
  4. Strong and sturdy- Geodesic homes are increasingly popular due to climate change and associated weather catastrophes. The structural shape of a geodesic dome makes it stable to withstand storms. A dome or sphere is more durable than a square and rectangle. Consequently, a dome home is proportionally bigger, stronger, and more durable than conventional homes.
  5. Affordable- a dome home is a low-cost structure. It has less surface area than conventional homes. Typically, geodesic domes consume fewer building materials, keeping your total building cost low. Many dome homes use fast-drying a combination of foam and cement. Other materials used are timber, steel, and aluminum.
  6. Provides housing solutions – for all a geodesic home is simple to build and maintain. Although it is not a conventional living space, it provides quality housing options for many homeless people.
  7. Unique-A dome home is not your convection house. A dome home makes a personal statement about your taste, style, and preferences.

Disadvantages of geodesic dome homes

Dome homes are popular because they’re cost-effective and a viable housing solution. However, there are some downsides to this housing option.

  • Hard to furnish

It is challenging to find furniture pieces to fit a dome home. A dome home is spherical, and so its corners are curved. One has to request custom-made furniture because the market rarely has ready-made pieces for a geodesic home. Similarly, wall arts and other interior décor are hard to find in the conventional market. Therefore, owning a dome home may be more expensive than buying an ordinary house.

  • Privacy issues

A circular home is an excellent environment-friendly housing option. It allows adequate air circulation and maximizes solar energy. However, it echoes and allows noise to travel around the house, causing noise pollution. Noise pollution becomes more significant with the size of the house: the smaller it is, the more noise circulates within the dome.

  • Construction red tapes

Building a geodesic home may look easy. However, its architectural details make it complicated. Building a geodesic home comes with a lot of red tapes. For instance, it isn’t easy to find doors and windows to fit a dome home. Homeowners associations rarely approve dome homes because the geodesic housing option is unconventional. Homeowners may take years to obtain a homeowners’ association approval.

  • Weak links

A geodesic home has hundreds of joints between the triangles. Therefore, a dome home frequently leaks roofs and windows, especially during wet seasons. Further, depending on the location, a dome home can increase the risk of growing mold and compromise the air quality.

  • Hard to sell

A home is a permanent structure. Therefore, it should be easy to dispose of when you want to move to a new neighborhood. Selling a geodesic home is challenging and can lead to substantial loss because it is unpopular among home buyers. Investing in a geodesic home is not a great business idea because a housing unit remains unsold for years on end.

  • Builders are hard to find

Many construction contractors specialize in building conventional homes. A few architects, roofing, and designers understand the geodesic polyhedrons. Further, designing three-dimensional shapes is time-consuming because dome homes’ walls should all be flat outfacing surfaces.

  • Relatively costly 

Building a geodesic home can be expensive because many building companies must research widely before signing a construction contract. For architectural coverings, a geodesic home should use eco-friendly materials such as fiberglass, steel, plexiglass, and polyester. Further, many house-building kits include only the shell construction materials and not the interior details.

Conclusion

A dome home is a spherical structure. It is energy-efficient, low-cost housing that stands out from the other types of houses in the neighborhood.

 

The Formation Of The Amethyst Cathedral 

The excellent geodes found along the Uruguay-Brazil border are from a region with significant deposits. German geochemists studied this region. The team of H. Albert Gilg of Technical University Munchen studied the deposits using techniques commonly utilized in geochemist research.

The deposits extracted from various lava flows originated from the Parana Continental Flood basalt province. It is regarded as one of the largest outbursts of molten rock known to have happened in the world. It’s estimated that approximately 800,000 cubic kilometers of lava have been extruded from this region over the last 11 million years.

The eruption occurred during the South Atlantic Ocean’s opening phase during the Cretaceous period, which happened around 130 million years ago. Although most of the lava flows are known to have amethyst cathedral geodes, only a few are known to have these deposits.

Stage 1 

The researchers proposed a two-stage model to explain the various phases of the crystal formation process. In the first stage, the large hollows formed due to the release of volcanic gases from the lava. As the gas bubbles formed, they rose. Similar to the bubbles that form when soda pop is poured, the crystal structures eventually rise as they are formed.

As the temperature of the lava increased, the thick and sticky material trapped the gas bubbles and formed tubular and bulbous shapes. These structures could be seen in the mines when the geodes are in place. However, these hollow cavities are not filled with crystal structures.

Stage 2 

The second stage involved forming various crystal structures, such as amethyst, gypsum, and quartz. One of the most important factors that contributed to the development of these materials was the presence of liquid and gas bubbles within the minerals.

Using sophisticated instruments, researchers analyzed the various characteristics of the fluid inclusions, such as their composition. They were able to determine that the deposits were filled with salty water. The water’s temperature could be as low as 50 degrees Celsius during the mineral formation process.

What Was The Source Of The Fluids? 

Through the data collected by the researchers, it was revealed that the geodes’ fluids came from the deposits that formed around 130 million years ago. However, the green celadonite, which makes up the geodes’ rinds, formed around 70 million years ago.

The data collected from the fluid inclusions also gave researchers new insight into the crystal formation process. They discovered that the overlying lava flows were filled with water from an underground aquifer, similar to the fluids found in the geodes’ deposits. If the area had been tilted and lifted 70 million years ago, the water would have forced its way into the overlying lava.

During the lava flow, the water was likely transported to the region by the volcanic glass, which breaks down over time and allows the chemicals to be readily soluble in the water. These chemicals then flowed into the cavities and formed crystal structures.

The combination of geologic conditions and the natural processes that have occurred over millions of years can be very rare. Understanding the process involved in crystal formation provides geologists with the necessary tools to find new deposits.

Uses of the Amethyst Cathedral 

According to ancient Greece, it could help ward off alcohol consumption. In ancient Egypt, the stone was used to represent a goat, symbolizing the enemy of vineyards and vines. Due to its vibrant purple color, it has also been regarded as a symbol of royalty. Today, amethyst is used in various practices and beliefs across the world.

Zodiac Associations 

February is the birthstone of amethyst, and it can provide various benefits to people born under the signs of Aquarius and Pisces. For those under the sign of Aquarius, it can help them develop a sense of spiritual guidance. They are often eager to try something new and are willing to sacrifice their old ways to forge a new one. With the stone, they can also work toward their goals more accurately and patiently.

While being under the sign of Aquarius is known to be very demanding, those under the sign of Pisces are more likely to put their emotional well-being first. With the help of the stone, they can also develop a deeper understanding of themselves. It can help them identify their root causes and find a way to relieve their stress.

People born under other zodiac signs, such as February’s sign of Aries, can also benefit from the stone. It can help them healthily channel their ambitions.

Chakras 

In addition to being helpful in meditation, crystals and geodes can also be used to enhance the connection between the crown and the other energy centers. The crown chakra is the seventh energy center, regarded as the culmination of the other energy centers.

The crown chakra is a vital part of our being and can help us connect with the divine and our physical body. Using an amethyst can strengthen this connection and help us find inspiration and enlightenment during meditation.

Feng Shui 

People who practice Feng Shui commonly use crystals and gemstones to achieve a balanced energy flow in their homes. Due to its versatile properties, it can be used in various ways. For instance, people can use it in multiple sectors of the Feng Bagua map. This method divides a room or home into nine sections, each with its own purpose and energy.

In the relationship and love sector of the Bagua map, amethyst can help people feel valued and supported. It can also be used outside of the Bagua map. For instance, placing an amethyst near the front door can help create a more balanced energy flow in the home.

Does The Size of The Amethyst Cathedral Matter? 

One of the most important factors people consider when choosing a large amethyst cathedral is its healing properties. However, the cost of this item can be very prohibitive for most people. A wide variety of sizes and shapes of amethyst cathedral geodes are available. Their value can be determined by various factors, such as their overall size, depth of color, and crystal points.

Although large amethyst cathedrals can provide a wide range of healing properties, smaller amethyst cathedrals can provide the same results. For instance, while a large amethyst cathedral can provide energy to a whole house, a small one can only do so in a certain area.

 

How Much Will My Storage Unit Hold? Tips for Choosing the Right-Sized Unit

When it comes time to store your belongings, you want to be sure that you are choosing the right-sized storage unit. This can be tricky, because you don’t want to choose a unit that is too small and have to pack it too tightly, or choose a unit that is too large and end up paying for space you don’t need.

In this blog post, we will give you tips on how to determine how much stuff you need to store, what sizes of storage units are available, and how to pack a storage unit like a pro! If you have any additional questions, be sure to reach out to professionals for help.

Tips for Choosing the Right-Sized Unit

When it comes to choosing the right-sized storage unit, there are a few things you need to take into consideration. Here are some tips to get you started:

1. Determine how much stuff you need to put in a storage unit.

This can be tricky, but a good rule of thumb is to estimate how many boxes you will need. You can also use online tools to help you estimate the size of your belongings. It may be helpful to make a list of everything you plan on storing in the storage unit.

2. Consider what type of items you’ll be storing.

Another thing to consider is the type of items you’ll be storing. If you’re planning on storing larger items, like furniture, you’ll need a bigger unit. If you’re just storing smaller items, like boxes of clothes or books, you can probably get away with a smaller unit.

When determining the size of storage unit you need, be sure to take into consideration the type of items you’ll be storing. If you’re planning on storing larger items, like furniture, you’ll need a bigger unit.

3. Research what sizes of storage units there are.

Storage Units come in all different sizes, so you’ll need to do some research to find the right one for your needs. A good place to start is by looking at storage unit size charts online.

Once you’ve determined how much stuff you need to store and what type of items you’ll be storing, you can start looking at storage unit size charts to find the right one for your needs.

For example, Protection Self Storage has many sizes such as small (5×5 foot units), medium (10×10 foot or 10×15 foot units), large (10×20 foot or 10×30 foot units), and extra-large storage units (12×35 foot units), and several other sizes for parking options. Here is a short description for what just some of these sizes may look like or contain:

  • Small unit (5’x5′): Small units are similar in size to a hall closet. They hold an estimated 54 medium boxes and can hold the contents of a typical garden shed, or the equivalent of one small van load. 25-50 square feet
  • Medium unit (10’x10′): A medium unit will generally hold the contents of a two bedroom house or apartment. It holds approximately 215 medium boxes, or the contents of a typical garage. It’s similar in size to a small bedroom or condo. 100-150 square feet
  • Large unit (10’x20′): Similar in size to a one-car garage, a large storage unit holds approximately 468 medium boxes, can contain the contents of a three-to-four bedroom house and garage, and is the equivalent of one to two moving-truck loads. 200-300 square feet
  • Extra large unit (12’x35′): Similar in size to a 2 car garage, an extra large unit holds approximately 1,008 medium boxes. It can hold the contents of a five-bedroom house and garage, or the equivalent of three to four moving-truck loads.

For a more detailed chart of more of these sizes, check out our size chart located at our website with visualizations of each unit size!

Looking for a Storage Unit?

Once you’ve considered these things, you should have a better idea of what size storage unit you need. If you’re still not sure, don’t hesitate to reach out  to professionals at Protection Self Storage for help. We’re happy to give you more specific advice based on your situation and needs.

When it comes to finding a storage unit, Protection Self Storage is a great option. We’ve got a variety of unit sizes to choose from, and our Provo, Spanish Fork and Park City teams are always available to help you find the right unit for your needs.