11/04/2013
Thinking of buying a yurt for your home/business? Read our FAQs first...
Buying a yurt is not an everyday occurrence and nor is it cheap, so we want to make sure that you make the right decision before taking the plunge (don’t worry, buying a yurt is not a decision you’ll ever regret). We have therefore put together the following list of frequently asked questions, but needless to say if you still have questions please send us a tweet / facebook message / email / simply pick up the phone
1.
What’s are the Yurts made of?An authentic yurt (i.e. one of Oggi and Paul’s) comprises the following items:
5 x wooden lattice walls held together by rawhide bindings
82 wooden roof poles1 wooden centre roof (wheel) section
2 wooden upright/vertical poles1 wooden door and frame
Fine cotton liner/cover (roof)
Sheep wool/felt insulation layer (2 roof sections and 2 wall sections)
Heavy duty water proof canvas (roof and walls)
9 wooden floor panels 2mx2m that simply slot together
1 steel wood burning stove (2 designs) and chimney in 2 sections
Various ropes/cords
2.
What are the vital statistics?
19’ / 6m diameter
5’ / 1m 53cm interior height at walls
8’ 2” / 2m 50cm interior height in the very centre
4 ‘ 1” / 1m 25cm height of door (excluding frame)
4’ 3” / 1m 30cm diameter of central roof wheel
3.
How many people will it fit?
It depends what you want to do with it, but as a simple guide:
16 adults sleeping on camp style beds
Alternatively you could comfortably fit 2 or 3 double beds
c.15 people for a party
If you were using it as a children’s play room you could fit an entire class of 25 in there
If it was just being used for serving meals with people sitting on chairs at tables you could comfortably cater for about 15 adults
Space is cut down once you start adding furniture of course but it makes it so much more luxurious and homely
4.
Can I stand up in it?
Yes of course, as above detailed above the walls start at 5’ / 1m 53cm in height and rise to over 8’ / 2.5m in the centre
5.
What can I use it for?
The list of potential uses is quite literally endless:
weekend getaway/camping, children's play house or spare room, extension to existing chalet / camp site, temporary housing for family and friends, artist’s studio, restaurant, guest accommodation, office, rentals/hire business, meditation retreat, retail / shop unit, yoga room, first aid station, fishing hut, bothy, small community hall, sporting officials tent...
6.
Is it waterproof?
Yes.
Our yurt has been up since the snow in December 2010 and we live in Perthshire where over 1’ of snow fell on one night alone. It has also rained a lot since the beginning of the year and the yurt has stayed dry and warm inside (with the fire going).
The canvas does of course get wet and as soon as the weather is dry it is best to open it up and air/dry it out. But with the fire going combined with the sheep felt insulation you will stay warm and dry all year round.
Similarly in the summer with the white exterior, the yurt remains cool and you won’t have to start removing layers off the yurt. Just lift the sides at the base and flap the roof open for some natural ventilation.
It will get damp and with damp and natural fibres comes mould, but if you dry it out as described, or better still strip the fabric every so often and hang it in a dry, aired area, it will stay clean, white and mould free for years.
7.
Can it stay up all year?
Yurts are semi-permanent structures and can easily be left up all year, however to avoid unwanted dampness you will need to strip every now and again, when the weather is dry.
Also, if you’re going to leave it unused for a long period, it is best to dismantle it and store it somewhere safe and dry.
8.
Can I get spare parts?
Oggi and Paul stock a full range of spare parts so if you lose or break something we can always deliver something to you.
Just call 07976 245 713 or email [email protected]
9.
How long does it take to put one up?
It should only take about 1.5 hours to erect your yurt, as long as you have a few spare pairs of hands and you’ve done it before.
The first time though it can take a bit longer (our very first one took about 4 hours!)
10.
Will you teach me how to put it up?
When you buy one of our yurts we will always bring it to you and show you how to build it, so that you can see from the beginning how it’s done. Once you’ve seen it done and been involved in building your first yurt it’s like falling off a bike - and a bit less painful!
11.
Does it come with an instruction manual?
Oggi and Paul have devised a simple instruction manual on how to erect and break down your yurt.
12.
Where should I put it?
As with all camping or outdoor living a clear, dry, level surface is best and we recommend that you use our wooden flooring to achieve the best results.
Put your yurt somewhere where you can appreciate the outdoors, enjoy the sounds and smells of mother nature as you relax in your yurt.
Take care when siting near electricity, water or steep ground and be considerate to your neighbours.
Also, make sure you’re at least 1/2 meters from any fences or trees.
13.
Do I need planning permission?
As it’s a temporary structure you do not need panning permission to erect your yurt. However it is always best to check with your local planning office to make sure that you are not located in a sensitive area or that there are any local restrictions.
You do however require the permission of the landowner (if it’s not you).
14.
Does it require much ongoing maintenance?
Yurts are made of natural materials and as such are susceptible to the Great British climate. However yurts have also been used by Mongolian’s for thousands of years and have been built to last.
We have done our best to ensure that our yurts will withstand the worst weather but they will need to be dried out from time to time. This can be done by simply lighting the fire or on a dry day lifting the bottoms of the walls to allow air through. Better still strip the fabric every so often (twice a year) to dry them completely. Otherwise, with no moving parts, you not need a tool kit to keep your yurt going as they’ve been built to last.
15.
How long will it last?
My friend’s mother has lived in her yurt in Ulan Bator since the 1950’s and it has never been moved.
Look after your yurt and it will look after you (and give you an enormous amount of pleasure).
16.
Where can I see one?
We have a show yurt, permanently up and available to view, at our base just north of Perth in Perthshire, UK.
Please call Paul on 07976 245 713 or email [email protected] to arrange a viewing.
17.
Is it fire retardant?
Our yurts are not treated in anyway nor do they meet any British Standards for fire retardancy. Whilst we provide wood burning stoves, we recommend caution, as with all fires or naked flames.
Bear in mind that there is only one escape route and you may want to invest in a fire blanket or fire extinguisher.
18.
Do I need to have wooden floor?
It is your choice as to whether or not you take a wooden floor but we would always recommend that you do. They don’t cost a great deal but they add a lot to the finished yurt and keeps you drier and warmer. Ground sheets or bare ground just isn’t the same.
19.
How much space do I need to store it when it’s not being used?
You can easily fit a dismantled yurt into a transit van for transportation with plenty of spare space for the children/dog/food/friends etc.
In terms of storage while it’s not being used, allow approximately 2-3m cubed to fit everything in.
20.
Is the crown wheel adapted to fit the stove chimney?
All of our roof sections have been fitted with a metal plate to take a stove chimney. We have also added clear perspex to half of the roof panels to enable you to have the stove lit and the roof flap open while being able to see the sky and stars and not getting wet if it’s raining outside.
21.
Do you sell furniture or furnishings?
We do not sell furniture or furnishings. The choices are endless and we prefer you to decorate your own yurt. We would however be more than happy to put you in touch with people who supply traditional Mongolian furniture.
If you have any other questions that we’ve not covered here, please just ask...
