Yurt
One of the so-called advantages touted by suppliers of the
lattice-and-canvas flexible wall yurt design is that the system is
portable. On the surface, that claim
seems credible. Fabric or poly weave
skins, ultra-light pvc or wood lattice a light rafter ring and bubble/foil
insulation all contribute to the perception of portability.
It is true that each, or all, of these items are portable,
if one considers only the weight and space.
But true portability also requires ease of assembly and
disassembly. Here, the flexible wall
yurt fails.
First, consider that erection of a simple 16-foot diameter
flexible wall yurt requires the expertise and strength of two to four
people. To hold the rafter ring in
place, for example, requires two people, while another one or two install the
rafters. The assembly of the lattice
walls requires two to three people to place the curved segments in place, while
hoisting the skins into position also requires more than one person. Typically, assembly of a lattice-design ger
takes at least eight hours, not including the deck or floor.
On the disassembly side, things are almost as complex,
requiring care and precision in taking each piece apart in sequence. On a windy day, the task is monumental, with
the risk of damage to the fabric or window plastics a major cause of concern.
The concept of a yurt being portable, to be consistent with
the Mongol original yurt design, simply is unrealistic. In fact, the Himalayan tents generally were
only moved twice a year, at most, so even they were not intended to be purely
portable. But today’s outdoorsman may be seeking that ability to move from place
to place. The answer is the lightweight
rigid (not solid) wall system.
The yurts constructed by EasYurt provide that ability, with
their EPS rigid insulation walls and roof system, routed rafters that allow foam
insulation to rest in channels, and floor deck joists that have channels cut in
2 by 6 dimensional lumber to reduce weight by fifty percent while maintaining
strength.
It is true that EasYurts offer a budget concept, with a
solid (rather than clear acrylic) dome vent, lighter (14 oz) poly tarp skins as
opposed to heavy (22 oz) or canvas skins and less attention to aesthetic design. However, their prices are at least 45% lower
than the nearest competitor (and as much as 78% lower than other suppliers),
and their designs all include deck floors (which no other supplier offers).
I have assembled an EasYurt in under 2.5 hours, and
disassembled that same unit in under two hours, by myself. Truthfully, these yurts are simple in design
and appearance, but I also can find replacement parts, if needed, at any local
lumber yard. As a seasonal camping unit,
or as a summer guest house, the system is perfect. However, I am reluctant to spend a Manitoba
winter in one, as it has only R7.5 insulation value and winters here are
bitter! But, I although I have used
conventional yurts such as Colorado Yurts, I would be similarly reluctant to
winter in any other commercial unit.
Yurt suppliers have found a wide client base. Fortunately, there is such a diversity of
products that you can pick and choose the right one for your preferences. Just be sure that you research their
attributes, rather than rely on manufacturer claims of portability, ease of
assembly and comfort in all weather.
