Over ten years ago, we put up our first yurt in a field out on Long Island. A spare bedroom, a romantic getaway and a dramatic design statement, that round yurt is still standing and has been joined by a few others over the years.
Originated by nomads in the steppes of Central Asia, a traditional yurt is a portable, felt-covered, wood lattice-framed dwelling structure that is lightweight and super strong. Modern versions are now manufactured in canvas by a number of US companies and shipped all over the world.
They can be year-round structures, insulated, heated and even joined together for great square footage. You choose your yurt by diameter and add-ons, and they can be erected in a matter of hours (but they do require a round platform to be built first).
While I've purchased all our yurts from Pacific Yurt, there are more options now. Below I've assembled all our posts and the best resources for finding your own yurt. Enjoy!
Yurt Shops
>> Pacific Yurts
>> Colorado Yurt Company
>> Rainer Yurts
>> Spirit Mountain Yurts
>> Red Kite Yurts (these folks are much more traditional)
>> Yurts of America
Yurt Posts
>> Yurts: Instant Rooms for Rooftop or Seaside
>> Look! Camping in a Yurt
>> Puppy-Wuppy & Choocheska's Love Yurt
>> Twirly & J-Lupa's Round Escape Pod
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Hooray, a yurt post. I've been having yurt fantasies lately. When life seems complicated, the idea of selling the house and putting up a yurt somewhere in the country is very appealing.
I've just seen your posting from last April. I've lived in a yurt for 5 winters deep in snow country. I yearn to return to those days and think of it every day. I'll be moving into my own yurt in the next 1-2 years, can't wait! It was very small, the perfect size for a bedroom (16'), but I also had a wee little bathroom with only a toilet and sink. For myself I'll be putting up a 30' one for the main house, with a little walkway over to a second one, 16' for sleeping and with BR and closet space.
If you have questions for me about the efficiency and warmth factor I'd love to talk!
Wow! Great to see that Red kite yurts are recognised as being 'more traditional'. We pride ourselves on following traditional Kyrgyz steam bending techniques and use quality materials all the way through. Apart from the door you won't find a metal fastener anywhere in the frame.
Contact nathan@redkiteyurts.com for more details.