Looking After a Garden Dome

Why there's so little to do

One of the quiet pleasures of a polycarbonate dome is how little it asks of you. The low-maintenance nature isn't luck; it's the material. Solid polycarbonate doesn't rot, warp or need the yearly staining and treating that timber demands, and GeoDomeX panels are UV-protected, which helps them resist yellowing and stay clear. So unlike a shed or summerhouse, which you're forever treating, sealing and repairing, a dome mostly just needs keeping clean and the occasional once-over. The maintenance burden over its life is genuinely small, and our guide to polycarbonate domes explains the material in more depth.

Cleaning the panels

This is the main job, and it's easy:

• How often: a few times a year is plenty for most gardens, more if you're under trees or near the coast, where grime builds faster. Near the sea, rinse salt spray off regularly.
• How: rinse with clean water to lift loose dirt, then wash gently with mild soapy water and a soft cloth or sponge. Rinse off and let it dry, or wipe with a soft cloth for a streak-free finish.
• What to avoid: abrasive cleaners and scouring pads, solvents, and pressure washers used close up, all of which can scratch or damage the surface. Gentle is the rule: polycarbonate responds far better to a soft touch than a scrub.
• Inside: an occasional wipe-down keeps the interior fresh, especially if you cook, use a hot tub or run a heater in there. Opening the roof vents and windows regularly helps keep condensation down too.

Clean panels keep the dome looking its best and the light coming through clear.

Checking fixings, anchoring and seals

A quick check once or twice a year, and after any severe storm, keeps everything sound:

• Bolts and nuts: make sure the bolts holding the panels together are secure, and nip up any that have worked slightly loose over time, without overtightening. The stainless steel hardware on Ultra and Extreme resists corrosion, but a check is still good practice. If you have an Original dome, especially near the coast, the optional stainless steel hardware upgrade in our current dome configuration is worth considering.
• Anchoring: confirm that the anchors and anchoring brackets holding the dome to its base are firm. This is what keeps the dome safe in strong winds, so it's the most worthwhile check of all; our anchoring guide goes into more detail.
• Seals: look over the sealed joins between panels and around the door and roof vents, and make sure they're intact and sitting properly, so rain stays out.
• Base: glance over the decking, platform or pad for any movement or wear, especially after a hard winter.

If a part is ever lost or damaged, lifetime access to replacement parts means spare parts are available for life. None of this takes long; it's the garden equivalent of checking your tyre pressures.

Seasonal care

• Autumn: clear fallen leaves and debris off and around the dome so they don't collect or stain.
• Winter: the curved shape sheds snow, and the geodesic design spreads its weight across the whole frame, but after a heavy fall, brush the build-up off gently with a soft brush rather than leaving it to sit. Check the anchoring before the stormy season, and in a storm, close the door and roof vents. Our snow load guide explains more.
• Spring: a good clean after winter restores full clarity.
• Summer: open the roof vents, windows and door for airflow in hot weather, and an occasional rinse keeps dust and pollen down.

Frequently asked questions