How to Cover a Monolithic Dome with Tile or Rock

Morelia, Mexico — This brightly tiled dome sits beneath a clear, blue sky.

Morelia, Mexico — This brightly tiled dome sits beneath a clear, blue sky. (Paul Asman and Jill Lenoble)

Yazd, Iran — Intricate decorative tile pattern covers this famous mosque.

Yazd, Iran — Intricate decorative tile pattern covers this famous mosque. (ninara)

Monolithic Dome in Taiwan — It was tiled using 2-inch square tiles because smaller domes require smaller tiles.

Monolithic Dome in Taiwan — It was tiled using 2-inch square tiles because smaller domes require smaller tiles.

Appealing protection — Two-inch-square, colorful tiles add beauty and protection. Jan Pregowski of Monolithic of Poland was the adviser on this project.

Appealing protection — Two-inch-square, colorful tiles add beauty and protection. Jan Pregowski of Monolithic of Poland was the adviser on this project.

Attractive — Tiling a dome is not only a practical protection solution but a very attractive one. The tile should be porcelain or at least frost proof.

Attractive — Tiling a dome is not only a practical protection solution but a very attractive one. The tile should be porcelain or at least frost proof.

Largest tiled Monolithic Dome — Twenty-inch square tiles cover the lower half and 13-inch square tiles cover the upper portion of the Faith Chapel Christian Center in Birmingham, Alabama.

Largest tiled Monolithic Dome — Twenty-inch square tiles cover the lower half and 13-inch square tiles cover the upper portion of the Faith Chapel Christian Center in Birmingham, Alabama.

Radii of Oblate Ellipse — Radii of the oblate ellipse range from smallest at the edge (R1) to largest at the top of the dome (R4).

Radii of Oblate Ellipse — Radii of the oblate ellipse range from smallest at the edge (R1) to largest at the top of the dome (R4).

Echoing its environment — Antelope Springs Ranch in Blackwell, Texas has an exterior partially covered in native rock.

Echoing its environment — Antelope Springs Ranch in Blackwell, Texas has an exterior partially covered in native rock.

Stone Dome — Owners had their Monolithic Dome home in Utah covered in beautiful stone.

Stone Dome — Owners had their Monolithic Dome home in Utah covered in beautiful stone.

Adhesive — It was carefully applied to the 20-inch square tiles used at Faith Chapel Christian Center.

Adhesive — It was carefully applied to the 20-inch square tiles used at Faith Chapel Christian Center.

Circular Pattern — Four-inch square tiles were installed, with reference to a level line around the dome’s base, in a circular pattern, from bottom to top, on a 16.5’ diameter Monolithic Dome at the Monolithic Dome Institute.

Circular Pattern — Four-inch square tiles were installed, with reference to a level line around the dome’s base, in a circular pattern, from bottom to top, on a 16.5’ diameter Monolithic Dome at the Monolithic Dome Institute.

Precision — Monolithic uses Dow Silicone 795 adhesive in a precise pattern to avoid tiling a dome twice.

Precision — Monolithic uses Dow Silicone 795 adhesive in a precise pattern to avoid tiling a dome twice.

Faith Chapel Christian Center — This very large Monolithic Dome now has a beautifully finished, tiled exterior.

Faith Chapel Christian Center — This very large Monolithic Dome now has a beautifully finished, tiled exterior.