Many of our customers have purchased our domes for Portable Art Studios. Known for their lightweight construction and strength as well as for the large amount of light they let in. They are truly portable and guaranteed to be leak proof. The covering lets through a large amount of natural light, giving you a perfect space for creative endeavors.
World’s Strongest Dome Tent Since 1976
Shelter Systems’ Geotensic Domes are known for their lightweight construction, large amount of light transmitted in, strength, and portability. They are made of a strong, tear resistant fabric and non-puncturing tarp fasteners, and are guaranteed leak proof.
Easy set up
The 14′, 18′ and 20′ Domes can be set up by most people in less than 30 minutes without tools. Insert the interchangeable poles into factory-attached connectors spaced evenly over the cover. The poles bend slightly when inserted, tightening the cover into a wind- and waterproof shelter. The cover is freestanding, requiring no guy lines and can be moved into the desired position or location without disassembly. The Dome can be taken down in 5 minutes: just remove the poles and roll up the covering. See a You Tube video of the 10′ Dome being set up in less than 10 minutes: set up here, and take down here.
Sturdy design
Shelter Systems’ Domes are stronger than any other structure made of the same materials. Because of its curved shape with no corners, there are no weak points. Our patented structure is drum tight, waterproof and wind-resistant. Shelter Systems’ Domes have the poles on the outside with the covering suspended under the frame via Shelter Systems’ own Grip Clips™ tarp fasteners, such that the frame and the covering are not in direct contact. Because the covering is under constant and even tension, the tent will not flap or shred in high wind, poles cannot rub against the covering, which would eventually wear holes in it, and water and leaf debris cannot get caught in dips between poles. The shingled panels of our Domes overlap each other by 6″, making the structure very strong and completely leak proof (we have a leak-proof guarantee for all of our domes). The shingling design allows the structure to breathe for excellent air circulation and so moisture is driven out by vapor pressure, preventing condensation. Shelter Systems’ patented Grip Clips™ tarp fasteners are used to join the dome’s cover to the pole frame and to fasten the shingled panels together. Grip Clips remove the need for sewn seams or grommets that puncture the cover, which would allow rain to enter.
Durable materials
Shelter Systems’ Domes have a covering made wholly of a superstrong, tear-proof, white multilaminate woven ripstop film which will not rot or mildew. It is UV stabilized to withstand up to 3 years full sun exposure and treated with fire retardant. The fabric is a super strong, high tensile strength, rip-stop, completely waterproof, mildew resistant, and cannot be torn by hand even after it is cut. The white color of the covering reflects the heat of the sun and provides 40% shade. This US made, proprietary material is the finest material we could find to make our tents from.
The Poles are of high quality US made PVC that is admirable for its strength, resiliency, long life, natural UV stability for a long sun life, and its strength to weight and cost ratio. The poles we use are Class 200 PVC tubing.
Shelter Systems’ Patented Grip Clips that we use to join the domes cover to its poles are molded of a UV stabilized resin blended specifically for it high strength and durability.
Light filled, well ventilated, comfortable and inviting
Shelter Systems’ Dome shelters are light filled and well ventilated. The translucent covering creates a bright interior, transmitting 60% of the light. Most of our Domes come with translucent windows above the doors, which allow more light through than glass, but create privacy as you cannot see clearly through them. These windows can be special ordered with clear vinyl windows that are completely see-through.
Shelter Systems’ Domes have several features that contribute to good ventilation and breathability. The Domes have evenly spaced flap doors, for good cross-ventilation and light. The door coverings close automatically so you can enter and exit quickly and don’t have to fumble with zippers. Because the panels of our domes are shingled, overhead ventilation is can easily be attained by inserting “ventilation tubes” between several panels (two vent tubes are included with each Dome). When the vent tube is removed, the panels snap shut and are watertight. For maximum ventilation, the walls themselves can be rolled up, transforming the domes into an opened-arch form.
Shelter Systems’ Domes are winter ready in case you get cold or wet weather
They do not require a fly or liner and are completely watertight and will not leak. They resist condensation build up because the shingled construction drives out moist air by vapor pressure. The dome shape has minimal surface area for volume so it is easy to keep warm with a wood stove (installation instructions are included with each tent). If you plan on using your Dome in snow or windy conditions, read our important Snow and Wind Warnings. The Dome shape has other comfort features. The interior can be divided into “rooms”. The dome has more volume than a flat-sided tent meaning it feels, and is, more spacious. The shape is more heat efficient, using less fuel to heat it, and the heat circulates more easily, increasing comfort in cold weather.
I have had my 10 foot bubble dome for a year now. It is wonderful. I am using it as a painting studio. Very spacious inside due to the bubble shape for headroom, elbow room, my supplies, worktable and plenty of room to paint. The small foot print with lots of headroom works perfectly. It looks so cool, my landlord and neighbors love it.Anyway, thanks so much to all of you for creating the bubble dome, and all your domes. It looks great and suits me well.”
Affordable
Shelter Systems Domes are reliable and affordable shelters. Our waterproof design does not require a rain fly and the particular geometric shape utilizes material efficiently. The high performance covering is affordable and the design and tarp fasteners used mean our tents are labor efficient to build.
“The yurts that make up Dawntree Studio are approaching their second summer now. Still look good. Still dry and tight. Get a bit warm in the afternoons- so we make sculpture mornings and evenings and do our gardening and nap afternoons.The lighting is excellent – better than outdoors. At night I bounce the floods off the skin. The reflection provides a very even, yet bright light to work by.”
A Shelter System
Shelter Systems’ Domes come complete with poles, 12″ long high-quality Durapeg stakes, guy lines for use in strong winds, ventilation tubes, spare parts (Grips Clips and pole connectors) and a complete Shelter Systems’ Instruction Manual. Our manual gives details about floors, site selection, anchoring, cooling, winterizing, and stove installation. Shelter Systems offers Accessories to enhance functionality and versatility of your Dome, including sunshades, floors, porches, mosquito net doors, and more.
30′ Portable Art Studio
Shipping and storage
All Shelter Systems’ Domes are shipped by UPS and pack up into compact packages that one person can handle, take as baggage on a plane, transport in a car or store in a small space.