Windows, Doors and Openings

The designers at Monolithic realize the importance of the openings planned for a dome. So, the articles in this section discuss the pros and cons of various windows and door styles, code regulations, window and door openings designed specifically for Monolithic Domes, etc.

Advice on windows, doors and other openings

Stunning entryway — Specified engineering was incorporated in the Airform design that created this inviting, augmented front entryway.

In today’s world, we have a tremendous choice in windows. A typical window, three feet wide and five feet tall, for a home, can be framed in aluminum, wood or various plastics. Not only do we have a choice of window frame material, but we have a choice of single pane, single-strength glass, double-strength glass, plate glass, tempered glass, dual panel and more.

Installing Augment Frames

Attach Stakes — 4. Attach the stakes on the exterior through the Airform and into the window buck. Get the bucks plumb and level.

In a Monolithic Dome, an augment is an extension of the Airform. That extension creates a vertical surface, beyond the curve of the dome, where a door or window can be installed. A smooth augment is achieved by properly planning the Airform.

The MCLAD: Monolithic Contoured Laterally Moveable Access Door

Perfect fit — What was invented as a hangar door did not remain just a door for hangars. “As we continued to work with this idea, more uses and possibilities began occurring,” David said. “Because this door can be shaped and sized to fit a specific need, it will work well for shops, factories, garages, storage facilities — even huge stadiums and amphitheaters.”

“This is really dynamite! I’m amazed at how it is expanding. When I first started, I never even imagined the possibilities we’re now coming up with.” The speaker is a delighted David B. South, president of Monolithic and the “This” and “it” David is talking about is the Monolithic Door.

Tornado Tamer: A Tornado-Resistant Door

The Tornado Tamer – It’s been tested by Texas Tech Wind Science University, and it meets FEMA 320 Guidelines for a unit that can resist a wind force of up to 250 mph.

For several years Monolithic has been searching for an affordable door whose ability to resist tornado-force winds matched that of a Monolithic Dome. “We did not have a problem finding doors with the integrity we wanted,” said David South, president of Monolithic. “We found them, but they were in the $5000 to $7000 range. Put a few of those on a building and they really skyrocket the price of a project. We needed a door with two advantages: tornado-resistant strength and affordability. About a year ago, we found both in the Tornado Tamer.”

An Attractive, New Augment

When Mike South built a new, small dome behind his home, he designed and built a tilted-out augment over the front entrance and the windows in back. The front augment protects the door and provides shelter for folks entering the dome, while the back augment protects the windows.

When I decided to build a dome behind my house, I wanted to do something a little different. So we built a tilted-out augment onto the dome. The augment provides good protection from the elements. It keeps the doors and windows out of the rain, and it should make them last longer.