Yurt Homes

Yurt homes are becoming increasingly popular, and with good reason. A Yurt is a portable circular building made from wood, canvas and felt that’s been used across Central Asia for over 2,500 years. They are aesthetically pleasing and highly economical in terms of cost, space and energy consumption.

The reason they became so popular is that they’re easy to construct, require very little in the way of materials and are very weather resistant and very portable.

History of Yurt Homes

The design of what we know today as the yurt has been around for centuries, and was originally used by nomadic tribes and semi-nomadic tribes in Mongolia (where it’s also called a ger), Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan and parts of India but the yurt itself is usually associated with the Mongol tribes.

Round and simple, these yurt homes were made primarily of wood and wool. These circular dwellings were strong, efficient, and not too difficult to move. Yurts have evolved somewhat through the years, but the basic design is still the same: round, with a domelike roof and a central ring providing the tension necessary to hold it all together.

In the 14th century Marco Polo was the first European to enter Mongolia and when he did one of the first things he noted was the design and function of the yurt. Most nomadic tribes were credited as being nothing short of barbarians so when he saw these yurts for the first time he was amazed by the ingenuity behind the design.

And from that point onwards the yurt or ger began its slow crawl across Europe and eventually to the United States in the 1960s. Within a very short space of time yurts were starting to crop up all over the United States in camp grounds to the point where you can now go on a yurting holiday instead of just a camping holiday. And it progressed to the point of there now being yurt homes that you can have built or build them yourselves from professionally drafted plans. Obviously this type of home isn’t built from canvas and felt but does stick to the traditional yurt design overall.

Design Advantages of the Yurt

The spherical shape and simple construction of the yurt home make it one of the most efficient building designs ever created. The amount of living space given materials used is quite large. Yurt homes are also resistant to natural disasters, particularly heavy winds and snowstorms because of their passive shape and high-tension construction. Many people have fallen in love with the idea of yurt living after experiencing the unique feeling of spaciousness that they provide.

The Modern Yurt

Builders of yurt homes today have improved upon these unparalleled design principles. Modern materials can be implemented for even better insulation and resistance to the elements. Yurt homes today can be built to suit any climate. Since the yurt design is so versatile, it can be modified to fit any particular geographical location or other specific circumstance. Modern yurts can also be built with at least as much physical security against invasion as any more typical modern home can be.

Types of Yurts

Yurt homes come in all kinds, from traditional Mongolian or Turkic style, to luxurious designer dwellings and everything in between. Some people prefer the mobility of simple fabric yurts, which can be disassembled and moved with relative ease. More substantial yurts, constructed of solid panels rather than fabric and lattice, are built to be a more permanent structure. In many places, groups of yurt homes are built in clusters with walkways connecting their entrances. As long as certain basic elements of design are in place, yurt homes can be outfitted and altered to meet anyone’s specific tastes.

Cost of Yurt Homes

Since individual yurts are as different as any other types of dwellings are from one another, the cost of yurt homes can vary greatly. If you plan to construct a simple fabric yurt, expect to pay at least $2,000 for materials. You can price out each individual part you will need to construct your yurt, but it’s hard to beat the all-inclusive prices of the yurt building kits available on the market today. For permanent yurt homes, usually made of solid wood panels, prices can range from $10,000 up to well over $20,000 depending on the size, materials used and design.

Living in a Yurt

A common misconception is that, in order to live in a yurt, you must give up modern comforts. This just isn’t the case, and today’s yurt design is as advanced as the custom home industry; the possibilities are limitless. Some people choose to live in a manner similar to the original yurt-dwellers, using a stove or fire for heat and cooking; while others choose to outfit their yurt homes with all the trappings of any modern-day house. On a side note, people often assume that security is compromised in yurt homes, but the truth is that paneled yurt homes are just as impenetrable – and in some cases more so – as any suburban home.

People choose yurt homes for a variety of reasons. Some people have come to yurt living as a way to lessen the negative impact that they have on the environment; yurts are energy efficient, and typically don’t utilize many of the modern building materials like paint and carpet, that often contain toxic chemicals. Others simply enjoy the open and spacious feel that only a yurt can provide. The truth is that there are many different types of people who enjoy living in yurts.

A yurt offers an open feeling not found in many more traditional home designs, and incorporates elements of simplicity and ecology. Yurt homes can be outfitted with all the comforts and conveniences of modern living and are a viable option for home seekers. If you are thinking about yurt living, check into your local zoning and planning ordinances regarding such structures before you begin.