What is a Yurt?
A yurt is a circular tent structure made of flexible poles covered in fabric.
They were traditionally used by nomadic people in Central Asia and other places such as Russia, Tibet, and Mongolia. However, they can now be found today all around the world.
Yurts were historically built using animal skins on wooden frames, but modern ones use canvas instead because it’s lightweight and easy to transport.
The History of Yurts
Yurts first appeared around 3000 BC.
The word “yurt” is actually the Kazakh and Mongolian word for home or camp; however, some people use it to refer specifically to nomadic living structures.
Yurts are known as gers in Tibet, tun in Mongolia, and kotjebi (meaning ‘home’) in North Korea.
What is a Yurt Used For ?
Yurts are largely used for glamping and as temporary homes.
The natural world is very important to nomadic people (and most cultures around the world) so living outdoors in yurts is their way of life.
Most outdoorsy people usually live in yurts all year round, but they also have houses or apartments that are more permanent.
Yurts can be used for all kinds of things. They are popular as homes, cafes, yoga studios, and even offices.
Can I Live in a Yurt Permanently?
Theoretically, yes, but it would depend on a number of things. For example, you need to ask yourself- do you have enough space to build one where you live? Are there regulations in your area that prevent you from doing this?
If you are thinking about building a yurt, then the first thing you need is land. If you have that, getting your custom-built yurt can cost around $27 000 or more depending, on where you live and what you want.
The other thing is that building regulations do not regulate yurts, so they have to meet certain standards. Therefore if you do decide to live in one, then the land must have excellent drainage. This means there needs to be somewhere for water or rainwater to go instead of just pooling around the yurt.
Yurts typically do not have electricity by default. Yurts are portable, circular structures that were originally used by nomadic people in Central Asia. They are typically made of lightweight materials, such as wood and felt, and are designed to be easily assembled and disassembled.
Do Yurts Have Electricity?
The traditional design of yurts does not include electricity, as they were used by nomadic people who did not have access to electricity. However, some modern yurts may be equipped with electricity, depending on the specific design and the needs of the user.
If you are using a traditional yurt that does not have electricity, you can still use electricity by bringing a portable generator or other power source with you. This will allow you to power any electric devices or appliances that you need, such as lights, fans, or heaters.
Alternatively, you can use other sources of light and heat, such as candles, oil lamps, or wood-burning stoves. These may not be as convenient or reliable as electricity, but they can provide light and warmth in a yurt.
How Many Years Does a Yurt Last?
This very much depends on what kind of materials your yurt is made from and where you live (the climatic condition).
However, in general, yurts last about 20 years if looked after properly. This means getting them checked at least once every year or two.
Modern vs. Traditional Yurts
Traditionally yurts are made from animal skin or felt on a wooden frame, while modern-day ones are built using canvas which is much lighter and easier to transport.
It’s also possible to buy modern yurts that have already been put together with the option of adding heating for those cold winter days and other indoor items.
What Makes Yurts So Great?
Yurts are great because they keep you warm when it’s cold, cool when it’s hot and dry, even if there is a lot of rain outside.
Also, you can stand up inside them, as opposed most tents used for outdoors. This is a great feature as you don’t want to always be laying down all the time when you’re indoors.
Additionally, yurts are big which means that most things fit in one space, and there space for moving around when doing your daily chores.
Yurts are also easy to transport, which is why they have become so popular as homes and offices.
They can be put up in a few days, taken down even faster, and moved without much difficulty. This means that if you don’t like your neighbors or town for whatever reason, then it’s possible to pick everything up and move somewhere else with little stress.
How to Build Yurt
The making of a yurt is easy, and you can do it in just a few days. Here is what you need.
Material: Use waterproof material such as canvas, nylon, or vinyl for the outer layer and then either cotton batting inside OR use insulation to fill up the gaps between materials, so there aren’t any cold spots.
Nails/Rope: Nails and ropes are used for holding the wooden frame together.
Yurt Poles: You will need 18 to 20 yurt poles (depending on their thickness), and they should all be around three feet long. If there is any snow outside, make sure that you have at least one foot of clearance between the ground and your yurt door.
How to Put It Up?
Once this is done, attach another set of poles to the opposite side of the yurt. Continue with this process until you have a circular shape and your wooden frame is done.
Nail or drill in all of the door pieces on one side first, then attach it to another set of poles so there is enough space for an opening and closing mechanism (e.g., a door).
Next, attach the four poles to each corner and make sure that they are all at equal distances from one another. Follow this with the roof ring attached to three poles equally spaced apart in a circle. This will give your yurt enough strength for when it’s windy outside!
The final step is putting up your covering. This can be done by attaching your chosen material to the wooden frame or putting it over all the poles and then tying them together.
Once everything is up, you are ready for a hard day’s work! Yurts make great homes because they are easy to put up, take down, and transport, meaning that if you get tired of where you are living, you can easily move to somewhere else without too much stress.
I hope you like this article. If you do, share it with your friends and family.