1V vs 2V vs 3V
Frequency is density. Higher frequency means more struts, more triangles, a rounder and stronger dome — and more cutting. Here's everything on one sheet.
Frequency is density. Higher frequency means more struts, more triangles, a rounder and stronger dome — and more cutting. Here's everything on one sheet.
| 1V | 2V | 3V ★ | |
|---|---|---|---|
 |
 |
 |
|
| Hubs in kit | 11 6× 5-way · 5× 4-way base |
26 10× 6-way · 6× 5-way · 10× 4-way base |
61 40× 6-way · 6× 5-way · 15× 4-way base |
| Struts (you cut) | 25 × 2×4 all one length |
65 × 2×4 2 lengths |
165 × 2×4 4 lengths, color-coded |
| Recommended max size | ~15 ft wide · ~8 ft tall | ~18 ft wide · ~9 ft tall | ~24 ft wide · ~14 ft tall · 424 ft² |
| Base | Flat | Flat | Flat — Kruschke 5/9 geometry, all 15 base hubs level |
| Assembly | 1 person · 1–3 hrs | 2 people · 2–5 hrs | 2+ people · 4–8 hrs |
| Best for | Garden dome, chicken run, first build | Big greenhouse, glamping frame, shade structure | Full-size workshop, grow dome, event space, shell-ready frame |
| PVC kit | $249 | $449 | $949 |
| Steel — plate hub | $349 | $579 | $1,349 |
| Steel — strap + ring | $329 | $549 | $1,249 |
Dome diameter scales with your strut length — each kit includes cutting charts for several diameters up to the recommended maximum.
| Steel Series (S) | PVC Series (P) | |
|---|---|---|
| Joint type | Plate hub (one-piece polygon, bent tabs) or strap+ring (flat rings, universal straps) — 2 × ½″ through-bolts per strut end either way | Molded top disc + center end-grain socket, 3 deck screws per strut end |
| Material | 3/16″ hot-rolled steel, powder coat (galv. optional) | ¼″ PVC Type I sheet, thermoformed |
| Fasteners (you buy) | ½″ bolts, nuts, washers (~$80–150) | #10 exterior deck screws (~$40–80) |
| Tools | Drill + ½″ bit (jig included), two wrenches | Drill-driver. That's it. |
| Slab / pier anchoring | Built-in 90° anchor flanges on base hubs | Customer-supplied brackets at base |
| Exposure | Fine fully exposed, decades outdoors | Best covered, shelled, or painted (UV) |
| 3V kit ship weight | ~240 lb plate / flat-stacked strap+ring — freight | ~16 lb — one UPS box |
| 3V price | $1,349 plate / $1,249 strap+ring | $949 |
| Field record | New production of a proven joint geometry | Same design as our 9-year proof dome |
Greenhouse film or canvas over the frame? PVC and save $400. Bare frame in the weather, or hanging anything from the ribs? Steel. Building the full latex-concrete shell like our proof dome? Either works — the proof dome itself is PVC.
We encourage you to comparison-shop. Bring a tape measure.
| Kit style | Joint | Max frequency | 3V-class price | The catch |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vertex Dome Works | Through-bolted steel (plate hub or strap+ring) / disc+socket PVC | 3V | $949–1,349 | You cut your own lumber. (That's the point.) |
| Single-tab steel kits | One tab, screws into one face | 3V | $1,249–1,399 | Every load fights the same few screws |
| Bent-channel kits | Stamped channel | 1V only | ~$130 | Tiny structures only |
| Plastic disc + zip-tie kits | Zip ties | varies | $150–900 | PVC pipe struts — not lumber |
| Engineered full-kit domes | Proprietary system | full kits | $13,000+ | Beautiful. Also $13,000+. |