Yurts
People nowadays are more and more breaking away from the traditional
home set-up in order to go with something a little more adventurous
and eco-friendly. One style of home that is quickly gaining popularity
among those types of people is what is known as a yurt,
or ger.
Yurt |
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The Yurt is a circular tent-style structure that was, and still
is, commonly used by natives of Turkey and Mongolia. The modern
Yurts that people are now making home may look like the old-school,
but there are some obvious additions to the traditional style.
The fabric that is used in the modern designs is the most obvious
change, and is usually some sort of UV-resistant, flame retardant
variant that has an incredibly long lifespan, which can often
be as long as 20 years. Foil-backed insulation is also used, as
are a number of high-tech ventilation techniques that make the
yurt a functional home for modern folks. Plastic windows and zip-up
covers that help keep out the more extreme elements are also commonly
found on modern yurt designs.
The overall build of the yurt may seem somewhat flimsy, but it's
actually a very sound structure that is in fact incredibly stable.
The roof of the tent is cone-shaped and serves the purpose of
providing the stability for the round base. There is a thin cable
that runs around the perimeter of the tent, essentially pulling
the weight of the walls inward. When combined with the outwards
force of the roof, you are left with a structure that is extremely
strong and able to withstand high winds.
Yurt in the woods
It costs very little to build, maintain, and heat a yurt, which
is why they are gaining something of a foothold in the alternative
housing community. They are perfectly suited to a number of eco-friendly
heating and power systems being added, which is a good thing since
they are usually placed in remote locations.
The choice of set-up spot is often so remote because yurts don't
meet many of the standards required to be part of a traditional
living environment. That usually isn't an issue for those going
this route for their home, as most are trying to essentially go
off the grid and live as green as possible.
What also makes the yurt such a good option is that it was designed
to be extremely mobile. The original owners of yurts were nomadic
types who would tear down and move their homes at a moment's notice.
What that means is that the modern yurt owner can pick and choose
the spots they want to live in and then move on when the wanderlust
takes over again.
Building a yurt
Despite the modern touches and more intricate designs of the
newer yurts, set-up in a new spot usually takes no more than a
few days to complete. There really is no need to move, though,
especially when eco-friendly systems are added to the mix and
the entire set-up becomes sustainable all year round. It may not
be the most conventional home in the world, but a yurt is a good
option for those looking to get back to basics.
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