Used vs new air dome: what you give up and what you save
Honest trade-offs from someone selling a used one, and a checklist that works on any used dome, not just ours.
A used dome trades warranty, custom sizing and fresh fabric for a much lower price and a dome you can inspect today. It makes sense when its size fits your plan, when it comes with its paperwork, and when you have someone with construction experience to put it up. It makes less sense if you need a specific size, a manufacturer warranty, or translucent fabric.
What you give up with a used dome
The warranty
Fabric warranties are typically written to the first buyer on the original installation. Ours was 20 year pro-rated coverage and it does not come with the dome: we took it down ourselves without Arizon supervising, and coverage like this does not transfer to a second owner in any case. If coverage matters to you, the route is having the manufacturer inspect the fabric and quote a re-install.
Choosing the size
A new dome is engineered to your lot and your courts. A used one is the size it is. This one is 60 by 118 with a 28 foot peak, which is why we wrote a separate guide on what fits inside it.
Fresh fabric
Fabric ages with sun, weather and handling. A used envelope has some of its life behind it. How much depends on how it was used, how it came down and where it was stored, which is why the history matters as much as the price.
Choosing the fabric
Opaque fabric blocks radiant heat. Translucent fabric lets in daylight, usually 5 to 12 percent, and gives up some of that heat blocking. With a used dome you take what was ordered. This one is opaque 33 oz PVDF.
Re-engineering for your site
Every dome is engineered for its original site's wind and snow. This one cites a 110 to 120 mph design wind speed and a 5 psf ground snow load for its California site. A new site needs its own engineering review, new or used, but with a used dome you need to confirm the existing design works where you are.
What you get
Price
Sports Venue Calculator puts new dome cover and membrane at roughly $25 to $50 per sq ft. On 7,080 sq ft that is $177,000 to $354,000 for fabric alone. This complete package, with inflation, doors, lighting, panel and floor, is listed at $80,000. Site work, heat and engineering cost the same either way. See the full cost breakdown.
Timing
New domes are built to order. A used dome already exists, so your schedule runs on your foundation, permit and install crew instead of a fabrication slot.
You can look at it first
You cannot inspect a dome that has not been made yet. A used one you can open up, measure and have an inspector go over before any money moves.
How to judge any used dome
- Who built it, and is there a sales order number? A manufacturer with the original engineering on file can quote an inspection or re-install. A dome with no maker and no paperwork leaves your engineer starting from nothing.
- What is the fabric? Ask for the data sheet. Coating type, weight in oz per square yard, tensile strength and fire rating (NFPA 701) tell you what you are buying.
- What is actually included? Fabric and a blower is half a building. Doors, lighting, the electrical panel, anchorage hardware and flooring all cost real money to add.
- How did it come down, and where has it been? Folded and packed dry is good. Stored wet, outside, or in freeze-thaw is worth a hard look.
- Is the paperwork with it? As-built drawings, the anchorage design and the operating manual make permitting faster and your engineer cheaper.
- Can you inspect it in person? If the seller will not open it up for a serious buyer, keep looking.
How this dome answers those questions
| Question | Answer for S.O. A10324 |
|---|---|
| Builder | Arizon Building Systems, sales order A10324, built 2020 |
| Fabric | 33.3 oz PVDF-III, triple wall, NFPA 701, opaque |
| Included | Fizer 24-2 inflation with propane backup engine, airlock and emergency doors, lighting, standing panel, anchorage cable design, full rubber floor |
| Not included | Heat and cooling (Trane unit sold separately), propane tank |
| History | In service 2020 to 2023 in the California high desert, taken down by us, packed in one 40' high-cube container, dry storage since |
| Paperwork | Engineering submittal and the full operations manual, both posted publicly |
| Warranty | None, sold as-is |
| Inspection | We will open the container for any serious buyer |
Sources
- Sports Venue Calculator, sports dome cost guide, accessed October 10, 2026: $25 to $50 per sq ft membrane rate.
- Arizon engineering submittal and installation, operation and maintenance manual for sales order A10324 (both linked from the listing page): fabric specification, warranty terms, design wind and snow loads, package contents.