If you’re planning to launch a glampsite, one of your biggest decisions is how much to invest in the accommodation. For any aspiring start-up, there is usually a temptation to cut costs and choose economy over quality. When it comes to glamping, going down that path is a false economy.
Your accommodation is a fundamental part of your offering – if it’s not built to last, your business will eventually feel the effects. If you’re eco-conscious, it’s also worth bearing in mind that the environment will feel the effects too.
The problem with cheap exports
Over the years, we’ve encountered numerous glamping businesses that have chosen cheap exports and quickly regretted the decision. It’s an especially common issue with domes. The striking aesthetic of a brand-new dome can look irresistible in the pages of a brochure. However, like any other glamping structure, that visual appeal needs to stand the test of time. Selling a dome at a bargain basement price is only possible with low-grade materials and components. As weathering takes its toll, the poor quality of those materials will reveal itself in various ways – rusting frames, torn covers, discoloration on windows, to name a few.
Costly refurbs and repairs
A cheap, low-quality dome requires maintenance and repair much sooner than most glampsite owners anticipate. Before long, they need refurbishment or even a complete replacement.
Problems often arise when deterioration or damage occurs to a dome imported from a distributor/reseller. In many cases, the company that sold the product is not set up to provide batch traceability or a replacement parts service. TruDomes are often approached by glamping businesses asking for help in replacing components on cheap domes from suppliers which offer no after-sale support. We’ve been able to use our bespoke manufacturing expertise to supply the necessary parts, but it’s not a cost-effective solution compared to instant off-the-shelf replacements.
Investing in the longevity of the planet
The lifecycle of accommodation is a vital consideration for sustainable glamping. When discussing effective ways to address the climate crisis, environmental experts refer to the ‘circular economy’ as an alternative model which challenges the way we manage our material impact on the environment: instead of steadily degrading, it uses systems which continually regenerate, minimising waste and maximising use of resources.
Many glamping sites import cheaper, less durable solutions without an understanding of their long-term impact on the environment. The frequency of maintenance and replacement adds to carbon footprint and landfill. Apart from making financial sense in the long-term, investing in accommodation with lower maintenance and a longer lifespan is one of the most effective ways to make glamping more sustainable.
Responsible sourcing and choice of materials is vital for the circular economy. TruDomes supply our domes in packaging that can be 100% repurposed and many of our customers make full use of that benefit. We also use aluminium to manufacture our dome frames. As the metal with the lowest carbon footprint, its recyclability is unparalleled. Aluminium can be recycled over and over again without loss of performance. It’s especially durable in end-use; aluminium’s lifespan in the construction sector is 60+ years.
Our dome covers are manufactured from robust PVC which is highly resistant to environmental degradation. They have an expected lifespan of 10-15 years and are easily removed and replaced when required. PVC is100% recyclable. It can be reused, melted, and extruded numerous times, so disused PVC needn’t contribute to landfill.
Find a supplier that ticks the right boxes
Thankfully, with the right steps you can avoid problems with poor quality domes and low-grade materials.
Whenever you approach a supplier of glamping accommodation – whether it’s domes, yurts or any other type of unit – make sure you request comprehensive information about the type of materials used, their performance, their expected lifespan and their recyclability. Avoid any supplier that is unable or unwilling to provide credible information on these attributes.
It’s equally important to ensure that the supplier has the resources to provide replacement parts and can offer a warranty worthy of the name – check the smallprint on any warranty document and don’t be afraid to ask questions about where the product and its parts are made.
For complete peace of mind, you can’t beat buying directly from a manufacturer. When you choose TruDomes, you benefit from decades of manufacturing experience and products with world-class durability. We pride ourselves on providing comprehensive and transparent product data back by a two-year manufacturing defect warranty and ready availability of replacement parts.
We’ve also established a reputation for unrivalled technical and after-sale support, so customers can buy from TruDomes in the knowledge that always we’re here to help. It’s one of many reasons why our customer relationships match the longevity of the domes we build.
