Ready to Get Started?
With years of experience, we understand that every project is unique and every customer deserves dedicated support. The following guide will assist in your early planning, along with the Growing Dome ordering process.
Placement Suggestions
Sunlight & Exposure
Take note of your property, particularly the less-obstructed areas that get a healthy amount of sun throughout the day. The Growing Dome site needs to have a minimum of 4 to 5 hours of clear sun for the Growing Dome to perform effectively. If having to choose between your dome having the best access to the morning or afternoon sun, most plants prefer the morning light to get them off to a healthy start to the day.
Ideally, you will want sunlight hitting your dome to the south, east, and west - in that order of preference.
Proximity to Dwelling
While your home or other structures can sometimes block sunlight, having your Growing Dome close and convenient can be a great benefit to allow for easy access.
This also allows your dome to be closer to possible sources of power, water, and other utilities.
Ground
It is preferable to start with a flat, level build site. If one isn’t available or no space can be levelled to suit your needs, use a site sloping downward to the south.
If a sloping site is necessary, it will need to be levelled. Usually owners choose to excavate the higher (north facing) side in combination with building up the low (south facing) side, often using a retaining wall made of landscape timbers or rocks.
For your build site, you will want at least 1 ft of extra space around the perimeter of the dome. So a 22’ diameter dome will require a building site that is 24’ in diameter. This distance may differ depending on your specific project and municipal requirements.
Permitting
First Steps
Constructing any new building or making significant home and property alterations requires a building permit. Although it may take some work, acquiring a permit, preparing a foundation, and constructing a Growing Dome is a simple process and well worth the effort. Fortunately, we are here to help you in that process!
Obtaining a Permit
The best way to get started with this process is to determine if you will need one for your location. It’s best to call your municipality or ministry of municipal affairs offices.
Many building departments regard Growing Dome geodesic greenhouses as temporary structures that do not require building permits. If this is your first time obtaining a building permit: don’t worry. The permitting officers are usually knowledgeable and can help you through the process. Typically, they will require information, plans, and occasionally wet stamps for new plan drawings based on your area’s zoning.
Building Codes
Growing Domes are designed primarily for agricultural and horticultural purposes, but have many adaptable uses. Even with their exceptional durability, they can be assembled and disassembled with relative ease, making them open to interpretation whether they are permanent or non-permanent structures.
As such, some building departments and municipalities may waive the requirements for permits and permanent foundations, with others may be more stringent. It is important to consult with those departments while installing your Growing Dome, and ensuring you are in compliance with provincial and local requirements.
Engineering Plans
If you require a permit, the building department may require additional engineering or special consideration/alterations to approve the build plans. While we are happy to work with you and provide guidance, Arctic Acres is not able to oversee or facilitate unique construction needs.
A local engineer or credentialed professional should be sourced to assist in altering the standard design of either the dome or the dome foundation.
Building Department Questionnaire - Contact our team for more information.
Owner Supplied Items
First Steps
Your Growing Dome is purchased as a kit, designed to be owner-installed. However, there are items NOT included in your Growing Dome kit that will be necessary to get the most out of your dome. These are bulky items that are expensive to ship and available at your local building supply store. By purchasing them locally, you will be able to save on the total cost of your dome.
These are approximate costs of the following items for the Concrete Form (ICF) foundation (varies according to local suppliers):
15-foot diameter Growing Dome: $1,500.00
18-foot diameter Growing Dome: $2,000.00
22-foot diameter Growing Dome: $2,500.00
26-foot diameter Growing Dome: $3,500.00
33-foot diameter Growing Dome: $5,000.00
42-foot diameter Growing Dome: $6,500.00
*If unavailable at your local building supply store, sheet metal can be found at a heating & air conditioning or sheet metal supply store. A detailed list with measurements and quantities will be provided along with the installation package you receive from Arctic Acres.
Foundation
Foundation Requirements
For our 15, 18, 22, and 26-foot Growing Dome sizes, a 2 inch compacted gravel ring on a cleared, levelled area is all that’s needed for a foundation. However, your local building department may have additional or alternative requirements.
The 33-foot and 42-foot Growing Domes require a minimum of concrete piers according to Growing Domes specifications and engineering. This decision all depends on the soil of your location and/or your building department’s local requirements, so please check these variables before deciding on the type of foundation. Costs vary considerably depending on the size and type of foundation. It will be necessary to get bids from local contractors if you are not doing the work yourself.
Foundation Options
To meet with engineering specifications, it is essential to prepare a strong foundation for your Growing Dome. There are 3 options we recommend, each providing a different degree of strength and stability for your dome, as well as different costs and labour required.
After consulting with an Arctic Acres representative and (if applicable) obtaining a valid building permit, you may proceed with one of the following options:
a) Gravel Ring
Your Growing Dome sits on a circular ring of compacted gravel a minimum of 2 inches in depth. The Growing Dome kit comes with foundation walls that sit on this ring, and the weight of the dome keeps your dome stable. This option is suitable for 15-foot diameter domes up to 26’ diameter.
b) Concrete Piers
This foundation option has concrete Sonotube piers at each of the vertices of the foundation. The foundation wall is fixed to the piers with “J” bolts or Simpson tie straps. This is an excellent foundation for very soft soil conditions and is recommended for 33’ and 42’ diameter Growing Domes.
c) Concrete Forms
A plywood-formed and poured concrete foundation is one option; an insulated concrete form type foundation is yet another option. Both options make a strong foundation. The insulated concrete forms provide excellent insulation. This type of foundation is optional unless, in a rare event, your building department requires it.
Payment and Purchase Process
Payments
Arctic Acres requires a 50% down payment of your total purchase order to reserve and prepare your kit. The remaining balance is due prior to your scheduled shipment date.
Methods
You can pay by cheque, purchase order, wire transfer, e-transfer, or credit card. Please make cheques payable to “Arctic Acres”. For electronic transfers, we will require verification of your account number and transaction confirmation number. Please provide these to an authorized Arctic Acres representative.
Grants and funding
Whether you're investing in functional infrastructure, horticultural development, or a new business asset, your project may qualify for regional, provincial, or federal grant support. Many of these grants are time-sensitive and tailored to specific industries or use cases, so we encourage all prospective buyers to explore what's available in their area.
To help make your project more affordable, Arctic Acres has also partnered with iFinance to offer financing of up to $40,000 CAD. Applications are simple, and decisions are typically made quickly. You can apply directly through our secure partnership link below and review all financing terms, rates, and conditions before committing.
Explore available resources and start planning today.
Kit Comparisons
15-Foot Growing Dome
18-Foot Growing Dome
22-Foot Growing Dome
26-Foot Growing Dome
33-Foot Growing Dome
42-Foot Growing Dome
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