Atypical Abode: The Yurt
Posted May 3, 2010 by Matthew Denton
This traditional yet functional choice is gaining popularity.
Finding a house that’s not your typical style may be tough to sell to conservative buyers. Case in point – the yurt. These circular, lattice-walled were made when herders in the past “layered sheep’s wool, sprinkled it with water and worked it into felted mats. Roof struts made from saplings were slipped into a central wooden ring, then tied to the top of circular lattice walls and covered with the felted mats. The herders tied the felt to the roof and walls with ropes and belts made from animal hair” according to Becky Kemery , author of YURTS: Living in the Round. The houses are believed to have been constructed first in Mongolia and to this day, many locals prefer to preserve their traditional architecture, the Mongolian ger.
And who says this structure won’t find its way to the country? Many may not be familiar with it but a Quaker school teacher, Bill Coperthwaite, and his math students built the first yurt in California in the 1960s. Fast forward to 2010 and we’ve had more people enjoying the benefits of this house. In fact, a recent New York Times featured Michelle Menter of New Field, NY and her one-bedroom yurt. This isn’t the first time that Michelle has lived in one. She describes her decision in a way that would appeal to your consumerist behavior, “In my view this is not an interesting time in history. Most of our intelligence is being funneled into technology and consumerism. I want my daughter to think differently, to experience more than this. I want her to be comfortable in nature, to know how to build a stone wall with her hands, to delight at the first bud appearing on a fruit tree. A yurt that sits on 18 acres with waterfalls and trees and hills makes that possible.”
If you’re still not into the reason that Michelle has provided, here are some advantages of living in a yurt:
First, it’s relatively cheap. Some companies offer easy-to-assemble kits for as low as $500. I know the market’s been saturated with bargain hunts lately (read: Detroit and Las Vegas) but you’d definitely be impressed with the yurt’s price, wouldn’t you?
Second, the canvass walls can provide good ventilation inside the house once you remove them. Slightly open the wall and you get adjusted ventilation. Now that’s the best energy-saving tip you’d get.
Third, it’s durable. A reliable manufacturer can assure you that its yurt can last up to 10 years under normal weather conditions. Besides, replacement parts are readily available and yes, they’re cheap too.
Fourth, it’s the unique experience that no other house can perhaps provide. As Michelle says, “In the end, though, a yurt is still a great big tent. So, what makes it better than camping? You can be in bed, warm and cozy from the woodstove, gazing up through a domed window in the ceiling at clear skies and dancing stars. For me, and for the people who rent it from me for vacations, this is what it’s all about.”
But just like any other houses, the yurt has its share of disadvantages too.
First, there’s hardly any privacy that you can get unless of course if you ask for a customized design. If your neighbors remain curious of how you’re managing a unique structure, you’d have to add more curtains (but this would reduce the ventilation terribly).
Second, extreme weather can destroy the yurt. It’s a good thing that manufacturers use stronger roofing. Imagine the snow fall that the house has to put up with.
Finally, extra care has to be observed when installing insulation and the oven. The walls can easily catch fire so homeowners must consider the location of heaters and ovens.
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