This article is part of a how-to-guide for building a semi-solid wall yurt.
The floor, like the rest of this yurt, is designed to be
lightweight, portable, easily assembled and disassembled, inexpensive and
durable. These may seem difficult
standards to reconcile, but are surprisingly simple. Materials consist of high density rigid foam
insulation, plywood clips, 2 by 2s,
one-by-six lengths of spruce, pine or fir, one-by-three lengths of SPF, 7/16
(or ½) OSB or plywood and a small quantity of 2”, 2 ½” and 3” deck screws, as
well as a few pieces of scrap wood for levelling the floor on uneven surfaces.
Begin by cutting seven lengths of eight-foot 1*6 into 94.5
inches for each of the eight-foot by eight-foot sections of the 16 by 16 foot
yurt platform . If you are planning on
including a deck in the design, allow for two more sections of platform. Mark along the face of each 1*6 the depth of
the rigid insulation that you will be using.
(Minimum recommended thickness is 1.5”).
Next, cut twelve pieces of one-by-three to 94.5 inch lengths
per platform section.
Using wood or carpenter’s glue, apply a liberal amount of
adhesive to the side of a one-by-three, then align the one-by-three top edge
with the marks on each one-by-six and clamp together. Using the 2” screws, join the two pieces,
placing screws offset from each other at one-foot intervals. Each 8*8 section will require two of these
joined sets.
Using the same process, attach one-by-threes to each side of
a one-by-six. You will require five of
these sets per eight-foot section of platform.
(Note that the use of 1 by 6 joined floor joists is intended to provide the most lightweight option for your portable yurt floor. If you are unconcerned about weight and portability, substitute this assembly for 2*6 joists, with 1.5" (or 2", depending upon thickness of your rigid insulation) deep by 0.5" wide notches on either side of the joist, allowing the insulation to rest in these channels upon completion)
Next, cut two 1*6s into four lengths of 14.5 inches and two
lengths of 13.75 inches per board (per platform section)
Mark two 1*6s at 16” intervals. Lay out and temporarily screw together the
assembled 1*6/1*3 combinations to each of the marked 1*6s, so that the 1*6
parts of the combinations are centred on the 16” marks, forming a framework of
seven joists and two 1*6 headers.
Using the first 13.75 piece of 1*6, fasten it on the inside
of the 1*6 marked header, between the first and second 1*6/1*3 combination
joist with three 2” screws and wood glue.
This piece should fit tightly between these segments. Do the same between the last two joists of
the section, and repeat on the other header.
Using each of the 14.5 inch pieces, screw them in place between each of
the remaining joists. All pieces should
fit snugly in place. If they do not,
re-measure and realign the spaces between the joists, keeping in mind that the
4by 8 foot sheet of OSB that will be used later as a subfloor must align
precisely along the centre of the 1*6 joist.
Cut two 2*2s into four lengths of 14.5 inches and two
lengths of 13.75 inches per board (per platform section). Aligning the 2*2 top edge with the top edge
of the 1*3 part of the 1*6/1*3 combination, fit one of these pieces between the
joists at the 2.5 foot distance from each header. This will provide additional support for the
rigid insulation that will rest in the channels created by the joist
assemblies.
Cut four pieces of 2*2 into ____ lengths, with 45 degree end
cuts. Toenail one end of the first piece
to the third joist where the cross brace 2*2 meets the joist, and the other end
along the adjacent fourth joist. Fasten
the second piece in the same manner between the fourth and fifth joist. Fasten the third piece between the second and
third joists on the opposite end, and the fourth between the fifth and sixth
joist. These braces provide diagonal
support while you complete the assembly, and help to support the rigid
insulation.
Cut the 1.5 inch rigid insulation into four pieces measuring
14.5 inches wide by 94.5 inches. Cut two
pieces of rigid insulation measuring 13.75” by 94.5”. Fit each of these pieces into the cavities
between the joists, using the narrow 13.75” pieces on each end.
Lastly, lay out the two sheets of OSB across the joists,
parallel to the joists and with the edge of the sheet exactly aligned along the
centre of the fourth joist. Ensure that
all outer edges align, as well, with the edges of the joists and headers, so
that the structure is square. Screw OSB into place using 2” deck screws.
Your floor deck is complete, and may be finished using
indoor/outdoor carpet loosely laid on top.
Time to cut and assemble floor: 1.5-2.0 hours per 8*8
platform section.
