There are different types of houses around the globe that you can build and consider as your home. A home comfortable enough for you and your loved ones.
If you are the minimalist type or someone who loves traveling, then, you probably resort to simple, movable homes. If you like to live closer to nature, you probably enjoy living in tents.
Talking about tents, you have probably heard about yurts. Yurts allow you to live a simple life without having to spend so much to build your own house.
If you plan to retire with a home close to nature or just spend a stress-free day away from your chaotic schedule in the city, staying in a yurt home is a good choice.
But what is a yurt and what makes it a good home alternative? Let us tackle the basics of Yurt so you will know if you can really live in it.
What Is A Yurt?
A yurt is a circular structure dwelling made of a lattice of flexible poles covered with fabric from the outside. It is a portable home traditionally used in Central Asia by ancient tribes mostly in Mongolia.
It is essentially a tent but more sophisticated than the usual tent we use at camping. It can house multiple people depending on how big it is.
Yurts can have kitchens, bathrooms, and room partitions. It is best for people who love to stay outdoors camping, fishing, or simply relaxing in the woods away from the hustle and bustle in the city.
Yurts can be made into a home in the middle of the forest or anywhere you want them to be. It is made of lightweight materials that you can rebuild anytime wherever you go.
Although yurts are considered old-fashioned shelters, they are a sturdy and dependable type of tent. They can be a good option for guest houses, emergency shelters, and Airbnb rentals.
What are Yurt Homes Made Of?
Traditional yurts are made of wooden lattice walls and sapling beams held together at the top by the wooden ring they called the crown. The yurts used by the Mongolian Nomadic tribe in Central Asia were somehow built using these materials.
Since the nomads in Mongolia often moved from one place to another, their yurt homes were made to be easily assembled, dismantled, and transported for a hustle-free living.
Nowadays, modern yurts are usually built using metal framing, tarpaulin, Plexiglas dome, and wire rope just to name a few. These materials made the yurts more reliable to live.
What Is Inside A Yurt?
Normally, a yurt home can have the same appliances as normal houses do. Only that yurt differs from spaces since it doesn't have different rooms for the kitchen, living room, and bedroom.
You can, however, add free-standing room divisions if you live with your family and want to have a little bit of privacy.
Furthermore, you can add electricity and plumbing for your convenience if you don’t want to totally live off the grid.
How Long Do Yurts Last?
Yurts have been the main abode of the Mongolian tribe in Central Asia and they are known to have lasted for years.
Today, modern yurts can definitely last longer than regular tents. With its durable materials and enhanced structure, it could last just like typical houses.
Even though the fabric cover of the yurt only lasts up to 15 years, it can be easily replaced without having to dismantle the yurt. The yurt’s covered area could last depending on the environmental situations it is exposed to and the materials used to build the structure.
Common Types Of Yurts
There are two commonly known types of yurts - Gers, or what everyone knows as Mongolian yurts, and Bentwood yurts.
Ger Or Mongolian Yurt
From the Turkic languages, ger or Mongolian yurt is a portable, round tent. Covered with skins and felt, these yurts are used as a dwelling by several nomadic tribes in the steppes of Central Asia.
The structures of a Ger are made of an angled assembly or latticework of wood or bamboo for walls, a doorframe, ribs, and a wheel used as a crown. The roof structure is often self-supporting, but others built interior posts to support the crown.
Bentwood Yurt
Bentwood yurt is usually more spacious than the latter, fully furnished with a cozy and homely feeling. It has a wood-burning stove perfect for a family gathering in the depths of winter.
Bentwood is also furnished with two single beds and a double. This home has a complete set of cooking equipment and utensils. Its built-in soft lighting, sheepskins, and rugs are good enough for a simple yurt life.
Is Yurt Considered A Permanent Structure?
Generally, yurts are not considered a permanent structure since their covers are made of fabric or canvas. Yurts can only be considered as a temporary home or a tent.
However, there are places that classified it as permanent because it was built with a foundation and permanent platform.
Are Yurts Waterproof?
Seasons change and moisture can build up over time on the exterior of yurts. While rain and snow cannot be avoided, yurts are built to withstand these conditions.
Yurts are mostly built with three to five layers of cover. Its outer layer is made out of waterproof fabric so the moisture can’t immediately seep in.
How Much Does A Yurt Home Cost?
Depending on the location, size, and several other features, a yurt home can be as cheap as $11,000 up to $45,000. It could include the labor, materials, and base platform of your choice. It is definitely cheaper than other types of homes.
How Safe Are Yurts?
Although yurt homes mostly are not permanent, they are safe during storms. Their structure provides a high level of flexibility and stability.
SimpleTerra Yurt Homes Kits, for instance, were built by engineers to be the strongest in the industry. It is built with the highest standard in materials for manufacturing.
Yurts are intended to withstand different types of weather conditions to assure the safety of the people living in them.
So, Can I Live In A Yurt?
Definitely, yes! You can certainly live in a yurt for years as long as your state or county allows permanent living in a yurt. And even if they don’t, you can still live in it temporarily while still building your dream home or while away from the city.
You can live in a yurt just like typical homes. You can furnish it with your favorite furniture. You can design it according to your taste. You can go rustic or polished depending on your needs.
Conclusion
Yurt homes are often valued because of their adaptability and portability. It is the best choice for relaxation purposes or for temporary shelter.
Whatever your reasons for having a yurt, you can certainly live in it temporarily or permanently. Though there are certain limitations to the stuff you can include in your yurt home, you can still live a comfortable life just like with typical houses.
When you choose to live in a yurt, you will find that its simplicity, unique structure, and way of living all contribute to a unique lifestyle you didn’t envision before.
