Deciding what product to use when covering the balloon’s exterior has proven to be the major challenge of a dome’s aesthetic appeal. We wanted something durable and easy to clean. The domes we have seen seem to have a mildew growth problem that diminishes the cosmetic appearance greatly. After several months of research, we decided to hire Bob Buchmeier, owner of Ameri-Foam to spray the exterior shell with a urethane based product liner, similar to a truck bed liner, 50mls thick. A ceramic additive, offered by Hy-Tech Thermal Solutions, www.ceramicadditive.com, will be added to the clear topcoat.



The ceramic additive is composed of tiny microspheres that reflect and dissipate heat. These ceramic beads insulate the dome and acoustically dampen the inherent echo plaguing domes. The ceramic beads were mixed in the Metal Shield paint, www.metalshield.com, we used in the garage area. The results were amazing! Immediately noticeable is the absence of the constant echo that is the bane of the dome structure. The 2000 SF space found under the home has been transformed into a wonderful area that is acoustically pleasant. Gone is the hollow reverberation that belied the solid nature of the dome. The home now sounds as solid as the structure truly is.



A more detailed article on the wonderful products created by Hy-Tech Thermal Solutions, www.ceramicadditive.com, is forthcoming. Please take the time to peruse their website. It is extremely informative and provides products for every possible situation where coatings are desirable.



Within weeks, rust was bleeding through the Metal Shield paint. We do live in a very harsh environment, and the product was definitely not able to withstand constant salt air permeation. We eventually sprayed the underside of the floor pan with poly urethane foam. This resulted in more heating/cooling efficiency of the dome's interior, solved the constant rust problem occurring on the beams and floor pan, and it definitely reduced the noise factor in the garage area. I think we can safely say, the foam was the treatment of choice down there.

Hurricane Ivan, 2004, caused some cosmetic damage on the exterior of the dome. We made the repairs to the shell with foam and plaster. Then, on top of the Urethane liner, we had stucco applied. We kept the liner because it makes a great vapor barrier. The stucco covered up the imperfections in the dome's repairs and gave it a "softer" look and feel to it. We love the new exterior. If we were building again, we would still coat the dome with the urethane liner and then choose your exterior coating to be applied on top of it.

Although we rigorously rejected comparisons to the “spaceship” when we were lobbying to build the home, we can now, with much humor, joke about being the Mother Ship. For those of you who are unaware, this area is well-known in the UFO community for our many “visitors.” On the IMAGES : MOTHER SHIP page, some fun pictures have landed.



None of these structures are built with the same system as the “Dome of a Home”, but have apparently survived the past hurricanes extremely well.



Our first craft, the “spaceship” landed on Pensacola Beach decades ago. These units were designed to be delivered to the site ready to live in. Wherever the owner wished to reside, be it on a rocky mountainside or a sandy beach, the home was immediately ready for occupancy --- well, there is that little matter of connecting electricity and plumbing. However, who knows what technology really exists in the “spaceship.” The other two homes landed in Navarre Beach, just east of Pensacola Beach. These homes are created by connecting pieces that remind one of orange slices.

A “round” of applause for our sheetrockers! (pun intended) Roberto Lisboa, Anjel Toribio, Victor Montiel, and Silvestre Hernandes have risen to the challenge to placing the sheetrock on all of our curved walls. Not an easy task to follow all of the exquisite curves FLEX-C TRAC allowed us to incorporate. www.flexc.com. They used their ingenuity to best discover how to finesse the rock into place. Great guys doing a great job!



Because I am not as visually imaginative as Mark, having the walls established greatly helps me in my endeavor to decide on a style for “Serenity by the Sea”. Now, I can really sense the size of the rooms, what might be fun to use in decorating them, and what colors to consider. Our vacation homes are always a work of art and creativity in process. Each year, improve the home by adding fun and creativity in different areas. From fun to fundamental, vacationing clients can be sure that there will be something new under the dome in the sun each year.

It’s hard to believe, but the web site had its first birthday in March. In the past 12 months, we have received over 1.4 million hits with 63,000 visitors from over 45 countries around the globe. Just for posterity’s sake, I am going to list several of the countries from which we have had visitors. What is also amazing is that we have had actual tourists from many of these countries stop by for a quick tour. Last week, a guest from Malta came by. Ironically, when Mark and I visited Malta a few years ago and saw the centuries-old structures, Mark became more determined than ever to build a structure that would withstand the test of time. Malta is a country whose homes are used for several generations and their beautifully painted transportation busses date from the 1950s. The trip was quite a learning experience with its contrast to our disposable society.



Every state in the USA; Quebec; B.C.; Alberto; Newfoundland; Nova Scotia; El Salvador; Mexico; St. Lucia; Caymans; Costa Rica; UK; Netherlands; Sweden; France; Germany; Denmark; Finland; Poland; Switzerland; Spain; Greece; Hungary; South Africa; Mauritius; Nigeria; Uruguay; Brazil; Venezuela; Bahamas; Aruba; Puerto Rico; Antigua Barbados; Trinidad; Tobago; Dominican Republic; Panama; Antilles; Hong Kong; Saudi Arabia; North Korea; Taiwan; China; Japan; Thailand; Singapore; Malaysia; Jordan; India; Pakistan; Philippines; Indonesia; and on and on.

Special thanks to Veropa (our web guys) for working so hard on the web site. If you ever need web development or hosting check these guys out. They can do anything. www.veropa.com

We have had amazing responses to the web site. Mark said it would be the key in education about the Dome of a Home. He was so right. We immensely enjoy the students, engineers, professors, many media outlets, and fellow dome buffs who have contacted us to discuss information on the web. I continue to be in awe of the global impact the Dome of a Home has had. We are encouraged as we see our mission statement being fulfilled.

"Our mission is to help reduce the suffering associated with the destruction and loss of one's home in a natural disaster. We want to help promote awareness of the superior building technologies that can alleviate unnecessary losses. Many of the new technologies are more energy efficient and environmentally friendly than their predecessors allowing the construction of structures while protecting and preserving the delicate balance of nature."

Entering the home through the front door brings a new reality into focus. I can now envision the home complete, furnished, and welcoming. Mark has remarkable visualization skills and has felt the reality of “Serenity”, even when she was only a dreamer’s dream. Placing the windows and doors generated a sense of security and intimacy that was not present previously. With her embracing arms guiding you into the heart of the home, Serenity offers a safe harbor.



NFL BUILDING CENTER of Pensacola, Florida supplied the ANDERSEN Windows and Doors. Andersen products were chosen because we were so pleased with our previous Andersen products in our last home. We are also supportive of Andersen Corporation’s effort to act environmentally responsible. For details about their contribution, visit the Suppliers page or website www.andersenwindows.com.



Unfortunately, our experience with Andersen Windows, their representatives, and customer service were far, far below the expectations we had, considering how much we liked the Andersen windows in our previous house.