How are plumbing and electrical systems installed in an Ekodome?
What’s possible inside the dome shell and how licensed trades safely integrate utilities.
Plumbing and electrical systems are installed just like they would be in any small structure, but always inside the interior build-out, not through the dome’s aluminum frame or structural components. Key point is that they are always handled by licensed local professionals according to your interior layout and local building codes. The dome itself acts as the shell; all utilities are installed inside the structure you build within the shell.
1. Electrical Routing
Most customers install their electrical system after the dome is assembled.
Where the wiring goes
• You can run electrical conduit along the interior face of the struts or behind them, as long as nothing is drilled into the aluminum.
• Surface conduit is the simplest and most common method for lights, switches, outlets, and low-voltage wiring.
• If the dome includes an Interior Module, all wiring can be hidden inside its walls with no interaction with the dome frame.
Using the hub threads
The threaded holes inside each hub can safely support lightweight attachments such as:
• LED lights
• Hanging lamps
• Cable clips
• Small décor items
They are not designed for heavy loads, so weight should stay minimal.
2. Plumbing
Supply and waste lines
Plumbing is installed exactly like any small cabin. Lines typically run:
• Under the platform or deck
• Through the subfloor
• Up into your bathroom or kitchenette area
• Inside partition walls or the Interior Module
• Directly into fixtures
Penetrations for pipes
If you need to bring a pipe or vent line out of the dome:
Best practice:
Use an HPL or insulated SIP panel for any pipe, vent, or flue penetration.
If your dome is fully polycarbonate:
You can still create an opening, but you must:
• Cut the opening very cleanly
• Use a heat-resistant or UV-stable material around the pipe
• Seal the gap thoroughly with the appropriate exterior-grade silicone
• Ensure the exit point is protected from wind-driven rain
Because polycarbonate can expand and contract, the sealant and flashing must be properly installed to prevent leaks.
3. Mini-splits, HVAC, and vent pipes
You can add:
• Mini-split heat pumps
• Through-wall AC units
• Stove flue pipes
• Dryer vents
• Bathroom exhausts
These should always exit through a non-structural panel, never through aluminum frame components.
For insulated PRO domes with SIP walls:
• Cutting a circular opening for HVAC or stove piping is normal
• The panel will hold the pipe securely once flashed and sealed correctly
• Use the correct Dowsil sealants, as noted in our assembly guides
4. What not to do
To protect the structural integrity of the dome:
✘ Don’t drill into aluminum struts.
✘ Don’t cut or modify hubs.
✘ Don’t run conduit through the aluminum.
✘ Don’t cut the thermal bridge profiles in PRO frames.
✘ Don’t attach heavy equipment to the hub threads.
Everything must be surface-mounted or routed through panels or internal partitions.
5. Local Codes Always Govern the Work
Because every location has different rules, only your local licensed contractors can:
• Pull the permits
• Follow regional plumbing/electrical codes
• Approve utility routing
• Ensure safety and compliance
Ekodome does not take liability for utility installations done on-site.
6. Interior Modules Make This Easier
If you prefer a turnkey solution, our Interior Module Lite/Plus options already include the correct layout for electrical and plumbing hookups. The module is self-supported and never attaches to the dome frame, keeping everything clean, simple, and code-friendly.
Need Guidance While Planning?
Send your layout questions, sketches, or module ideas to info@ekodome.com.
We’ll advise on safe utility routing, what’s allowed, and what to avoid, so your contractors start with the right information.