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One of our clients wants a dome ceiling about 12′ in diameter over the rotunda servicing the sleeping quarters in their new home. My thinking was to use a bunch of laminated plywood ribs to form the body of the dome, then, strap them together with concentric rows of furring lumber on the underside. From below it would look a bit like a spider’s web. I am having a hard time conceptualizing how the “corners” of the intersecting planes will become perfectly round. Does that make sense? Is it simply a matter of hiring a good plastering sub to skim the entire thing over a few times? What about the center of the dome, where all of the ribs intersect? That is a lot of ribs to reconcile. How many ribs are enough? Obviously the more ribs the less extreme the corners, but still, how many is enough? Finally, should we use 1/4″ flexible dry wall two layers thick followed by skimming or should we use a plaster treatment. I am asking a lot. Help!
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Laminated plywood ribs are probably your best bet for the skeleton. If you are using plaster, I wouldn't hang regular drywall up there though. But if you are planning on just finishing it, 1/4" two layers thick is the way to go. I can work up a drawing for you if you'd like with all the measurements, detail, etc. to help with all the framing details.
Billy
*One more time. I keep scre Jim K "Plaster Dome Construction" 12/7/00 2:42pmwing it up.
* Jim K "Plaster Dome Construction" 12/7/00 2:42pm
*If you need that drawing, just tell me.
*Billy, Thank you for your prompt and wise response. Can you clarify which you prefer, a ddry wallfinish or a plaster one? Obviously the ddry wallapproach will be cheaper, but will it hold up? I would be deeply grateful for any drawings you might have around of such a thing. I do not want to impose, however, if this isn't something you already have sitting around. Steve
*I can draw it on CAD and hand draft part of it. NO PROBLEM. You're not imposing, however it may take a couple of days. As for plaster vs. drywall, I always prefer plaster, but drywall will hold up just fine (nothing against it). I just want to see pictures after you're done. BTW do you have a program that can read DWG or DWF files? Billy
*And how soon before you have to start this ceiling?
*Steve,
View Image © 1999-2001"The first step towards vice is to shroud innocent actions in mystery, and whoever likes to conceal something sooner or later has reason to conceal it." Aristotle
*How about a geodesic structure? If you have access to a good library system, do a search on geodesic and see what turns up
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One of our clients wants a dome ceiling about 12' in diameter over the rotunda servicing the sleeping quarters in their new home. My thinking was to use a bunch of laminated plywood ribs to form the body of the dome, then, strap them together with concentric rows of furring lumber on the underside. From below it would look a bit like a spider's web. I am having a hard time conceptualizing how the "corners" of the intersecting planes will become perfectly round. Does that make sense? Is it simply a matter of hiring a good plastering sub to skim the entire thing over a few times? What about the center of the dome, where all of the ribs intersect? That is a lot of ribs to reconcile. How many ribs are enough? Obviously the more ribs the less extreme the corners, but still, how many is enough? Finally, should we use 1/4" flexible dry wall two layers thick followed by skimming or should we use a plaster treatment. I am asking a lot. Help!