Round & Resilient

Spray Foam Magazine – Show Issue 2025 – What is it about dome homes that Spray Foam Magazine can’t get enough of? Could it be the combination of its aesthetic shape and structure, often combined with the use of efficient materials? Whatever it is, when the team finds one with SPF installed, we rush to investigate.

Nestled between Nixa and Clever in the heart of Southwest Missouri, and on the fringes of one of Missouri’s largest open springs, there’s a distinctive custom-built home situated on 30 acres; therefore, the possibilities are endless. Constructed in 1985, the home’s great room features a stunning geodesic dome. This architectural marvel mixes luxury and leisure with the adjoining indoor pool housed within its second dome. The dome home is 2,945 sq. ft. and has an array of living spaces, including a second living area, craft room, basement, and more.

As the years have passed, the once-vibrant dome home showed signs of aging, especially its insulation. The outdated R-11 fiberglass was hastily stripped away by the home’s new owners, revealing the potential that lay beneath. Recognizing that comfort and energy efficiency were paramount for this idyllic retreat, the homeowner, and builder partnered with B&B Insulation Inc., a company renowned for its commitment to quality and expertise in insulation.

B&B Insulation Inc. is owned and operated by George Postma and managed by Jamie Mann. After Jamie examined the project and all agreed that to go with foam would provide the best seal, he was awarded the job. He then assigned lead sprayer Billy Holmes to accomplish the task.

B&B Insulation was not new to such transformations. Founded in 1973 by Mitchell Brown, the company had a legacy that George and his wife, Laura, continued. They have an impressive track record of delivering top-notch insulation services across southwestern Missouri and parts of northern Arkansas. Jamie and his team, including lead sprayer Billy Holmes, were determined to bring their A-game to this unusual project. Equipped with their bespoke rig, which is meticulously assembled by the team, B&B Insulation arrived at the dome home, conducting thorough checks on their gear. The centerpiece of their operation was the PMC PH-25 reactor paired with a Fusion AP gun, ensuring that every aspect of the spraying process was perfect. With hose stretching approximately 200 feet, they were ready to tackle the dome’s lofty ceilings.

B&B Insulation prides itself on having some of the best installers in the area, with a combined experience of over 300 years in the business. Billy joined B&B in January of 2022 and has played a vital role in achieving B&B’s goal of providing the utmost quality of work. His previous six years of experience before joining the crew has played a crucial role in B&B’s success in the spray foam industry.

On site, Billy worked alongside his dedicated helper, Jeremy Watson. Meticulous preparation involved donning protective gear including gloves, moon suits, and respirators. With scaffolding erected to reach the dome’s apex, they began setting the stage for the foam application. The barrels of foam were preheated, while their hoses were warmed. Preheaters were turned up to match the hose temp when spraying began.

Prep work consisted of removing the old fiberglass that had been previously installed, then covering all the windows and doors with 2 Mil Poly after going around them with window and door foam. The substrate being sprayed was wood and the foam was applied on an almost perfect day with a low moisture rate of 12% and 70° outside. The crew sprayed the great room’s dome, along with the box and rim joist in the basement. They applied three and one-half inches of Accufoam AF1 open-cell foam to the dome area, which was a 2x4 wood framing.

They sprayed the basement box and rim joist, but they excluded the furred-out basement walls. This method refers to attaching thin strips of wood (furring strips) to the concrete walls, creating a space to install insulation and a more even surface for finishing materials like drywall, essentially allowing for better moisture management and a more aesthetically pleasing finish while providing room for utilities like wiring or plumbing to run behind the wall without interfering with insulation. The crew used just over half a set of foam, approximately 30 gallons of A and B side, totaling 60 gallons of chemical. No coatings were applied to the foam because the builder opted to cover all foam with sheetrock, thus not requiring any other type of fire or ignition barrier to meet codes in the area.

While the project presented its challenges, for example the need for manual clean-up without the use of a saw due to the dome’s formation, Billy and Jeremy diligently hand-scarfed every inch to ensure a smooth surface for the sheetrock. Despite the effort that went into clean-up, the team thrived on the satisfaction of seeing their work take shape. Two days rolled by: the first was spent spraying and prepping, the second devoted to meticulous clean-up. The overall experience of transforming this dome home was rewarding. Reflecting on the project, Billy noted, “We pride ourselves on quality craftsmanship and bringing this distinctive structure up to modern standards was a privilege. The great dome is not just a building, it’s a retreat adorned with nature’s beauty that will remain comfortable and dry for years to come.”

As the last piece of equipment was packed away, the transformation was complete. Thanks to the diligent efforts of B&B Insulation, this hidden dome not only regained its former glory but was also poised to stand resilient against the elements, a testament to the artistry of insulation work meeting unrivaled architectural design.