A yurt is a circular structure, more or less portable, that has been utilized as a dwelling in Central Asia for no less than three thousand years. A fully constructed yurt has the same basic shape as a circus tent, with a rooftop that slopes down evenly from a roof ring at the center to the tops of low-rising outside walls that run in a circle around the base.

Yurts are popular for camping because they may be designed to collapse down to a portable size on deconstruction. They are not as easy to transport as tents, but all of the materials may be loaded onto a roof rack or into the back of a truck for relocation. Because of their durability, they are increasingly common as homes and work spaces. They typically make use of a wooden lattice frame and wooden rafters, covered with canvas or another durable material. Unless the yurt is very large, there is no need for a center support.

Factors that Affect Cost

Yurts run the gamut from simple to ornate, from small and portable to large and permanent; building costs depend heavily on design. A simple wood and canvas yurt with a 12-foot diameter is going to be less expensive than an upgraded unit 33 feet across. In any construction, costs will include wood for the walls and rafters, the roof ring, canvas or other flexible covering, a door frame and a door, and two bands that wrap around the outside, which are essential for holding the whole thing up.

Delivery Costs

For permanent or semi-permanent constructions, delivery costs may be an important factor. Yurts are often constructed in remote locations, selected precisely because of their remoteness, but delivery of materials to such areas may add to construction costs.

Yurt Kits

Some companies offer kits that contain all of the materials for construction of a pre-designed yurt. Kits are available in various sizes, ranging from about 10 feet in diameter on the low end to more than 30 feet on the high end. Building with a kit may be more expensive than buying all of the materials separately, but it is often more convenient as well. Most yurt companies offer optional upgrades to their models that may increase the cost. Upgrades may be functional, decorative or both.

Common Upgrades

Upgraded yurts may incorporate insulation installed along the insides of the walls and roof, structural reinforcements, heavy duty roofing, stove flashing or rain catchments. Custom doors and windows are also common.

Insulation

Insulation is all but necessary for cold-weather camping or living in a yurt in cold climates as a simple canvas covering provides little protection from the cold. Different types of insulation are available, but most yurts utilize single- or double-layer radiant heat barrier insulation, which may differ from traditional insulation in that it is designed to reflect heat rather than absorb it. Insulation used in yurts may be effective at a much lower R-value than traditional insulation.

Structural Reinforcements

Yurts do not rely on stakes or ropes to stay standing. Their structural integrity comes from resistance working in several different directions. The different parts of the yurt work against one another, making the unit much stronger than one might expect. That said, in severe weather climates where the walls and roof may be subjected to high winds or heavy snows, it might be a good idea incorporate larger rafters, 2x6s instead of 2x4s, for example, and install studs around the perimeter. Compression ring-to-rafter brackets are also often used to strengthen the yurt.

Stove Flashing

Most yurts utilize a centrally-located stove for heating. Flashing is usually but not always necessary as the design of the structure allows ventilation from the stove through a hole in the center of the roof. Ventilation can be made more efficient by the use of a stove flashing. As a practical matter, flashings are a good idea in most constructions.

Rain Catchments

In remote locations without access to community water supply, many yurt owners make use of rain catchment systems to gather rain water for later use. The costs of such systems are variable but will include, at a minimum, gutters and a large water tank for storage.

Dutch Doors, French Doors

Dutch or French doors may add both functional and aesthetic value to the structure, and they will also add to its cost. Upgraded doors are more common on larger and more permanent yurts.

Plastic or Glass Windows

Yurt wall coverings often have plastic windows built right in. Glass windows are an upgrade option; they require framing and may increase the cost significantly as it is difficult or impossible to install glass windows in traditional flexible lattice walls.

Purposes of a Yurt

Because of their customizability and wide open floor space, yurts readily lend themselves to a number of purposes.

Yurt as a Home

As noted above, yurts have been utilized as living spaces for thousands of years in other parts of the world. They have only recently come into use as homes in the U.S. as people have begun constructing more permanent versions.

Yurt as an Office

Yurts are great office spaces because of their open floor plans, which allow for quick and easy arrangement and rearrangement of desks and other office essentials.

Yurt for Extra Space

Among the most common modern uses of yurts is as backyard storage space or a place for relaxation separate from the main living quarters. They can be constructed simply and at a cost comparable to other storage options, and their unique design adds interest not offered by a traditional backyard shed.

Benefits of Yurt Living

Yurts offer countless advantages for the right personality. They are generally less expensive than a traditional home, and because of their lower heating and cooling costs, they are more eco-friendly, too. They do not require a foundation, so they leave no lasting impression on the ground if they're removed, and this same impermanence may allow the owners to avoid property taxes. Yurts are durable, customizable, inexpensive and green. They are also interesting; if there's ever a lull in the conversation inside the yurt, just talk about the yurt!