Common Questions & Answers about our Yurts
How many material layers are there that cover your yurts?
Five in all, they are:
1. Inner liner: Provides a neutral backdrop to the roof poles plus adds light to the interior.
2. Felt: Choose between our standard felt and from 2012 our new luxury felt.
3. Roof - Seam welded PVC roof cover. Wall - Heavy duty canvas wall cover.
4. Sun Covers: Made from 12oz untreated canvas. Comes as standard in plain white
5. Double skin crown cover with clear PVC windows sewn into it.
What is the outer cover made of? Is it fully waterproof?
The outermost layer or suncover is not designed as a waterproof covering. It is designed to hold on
and protect all the other layers on the yurt. For this reason it is made of untreated but hardwearing
12oz canvas.
Will your yurts stand up to rain – what evidence/testing?
Yes a European climate is a much wetter one than you will find in Mongolia. For this reason we have
made major concessions to the way traditional Mongolian yurts are constructed and designed. To
vigorously test our yurts we have had a show yurt permanently erected in the UK since 2005. Our most
recent show yurt has been erected YEAR ROUND since 2007 with no leaks, drips or damp patches.
Visit us on a rainy day to be sure.
Will it’s 4 layers make it heavier and harder/longer to erect?
Weight goes hand-in-hand with comfort. Just as a Rolls Royce takes longer to manufacture and is
more comfortable to drive than a Ford. So our traditional yurts are sturdier and better equipped to deal
with the elements than those manufactured elsewhere. This does make them heavier and will mean
more time spent erecting them, but once inside you will appreciate that extra time spent.
How long will it take to erect?
How much will my yurt weigh?
Do I have to use the felt liner if I don't want to?
As they say in Mongolia: A yurt is like a human body. Complete with bones (wooden frame) muscle
(canvas) fat (felt) and skin (outer cover) You wouldn't venture outside with any of these parts missing,
so we would recommend that your yurt doesn't either. Everything is there for a reason -so please, no
liposuction on your yurt.
Can I easily get replacement parts – roof poles, new covers?
Yes, we can easily supply replacement parts, additional covers in different designs and colours. Wall
sections, doors, any component that goes to make up your yurt we can supply. We have special rates
for anyone that has purchased a yurt from us and wishes to upgrade or replace any part of their yurt.
What should the yurt be sited on?
We prefer a wooden base as this gives the yurt a more permanent feel. All our yurts come with a free
guide to building a yurt floor - Mongolian style. Other options are: Compacted clay floor, Concrete
base, groundsheet's, railway sleepers, marine plywood, pallets.
Where should the yurt be sited?
As with any tent you need to give careful consideration to where you are going to put your yurt before
starting work, particularly if you are going to leave it up long term. Don’t place it closer than 1 metre
from a fence, wall or hedge, this allows air to circulate freely around the walls and prevent damp and
rotting of the canvas. Similarly don’t place the yurt under trees, this also traps damp and you get a lot
of dirt fallout from foliage, which can cause spot rotting and stain the cover.
Do I need planning permission for my yurt(s)?
This is a difficult question as there are so many variables involved. Where you live. The land is
designated for what use. How long it will be erected for through the year. Is it for private or public use.
For this reason the best people to speak to is your local planning office, they will be able to give you
detailed information based on your personal circumstances.
What maintenance is required?
A yurt is a tent. Furthermore, one made from natural materials, wood, cotton and wool. Hence you will
need to spend some time on airing it in good weather, heating it in bad and taking it down 2-3 times a
year to shake things up. This is especially true if you are planning on living in one year around.
Can the Yurt be kept up all year round?
Yes, this is how it is intended to be used. However we do not recommend that it is left vacant for long
periods of time. If you plan to leave it vacant for more than 2 weeks, we advise that, as with any tent,
you to pack it up and put it into storage.
How long is it likely to last?
This is a very open ended questions, as it is dependent on how your yurt is used and in which
environment. i.e permanently erected and lived in, in the wilds of Scotland, or just erected once or
twice through the summer in the South of France. However, as a very general guide, we would expect
the wooden frame to be useable for 10+ years. The material covers will not last you this long, as many
of them are made from natural fibres, which are susceptible to sunlight, heat and water. Covers that
are permanently wet will also have a considerably shorter lifespan.
Can I live in it?
Yes, in Mongolia these are family dwellings, used now just as they were 1000 years ago. In the UK
we have many people living in our yurts year round.
What yurt sizes are best for what use?
Please see our sizes & prices page by clicking HERE
Can a yurt be partitioned?
Yes it can by using curtains or screens. Although this does break up the symmetry and beauty of the
yurt
Are the material covers fire retardant?
Not to British Standards. We are working towards this, however in the meantime we believe in the
Mongolian virtue of treating fire with the dignity it deserves and acting responsibly. We have heard no
reports of our yurts "burning down" in Mongolia or elsewhere.
What wood are your yurts made from?
We use a combination of hard and soft woods in the construction of our yurts. We take care to ensure
that the most suitable species of wood is used for each yurt component, based on each components
shape, and the degree of flexibility needed. Just as importantly, all our wood is supplied from
government approved agents. This is much more expensive than using the illegally logged wood that
many yurt makers in Mongolia use.
Can I view one – if so, where?
Yes, we have yurts to view by appointment and purchase in Surrey. Click HERE for more details
How are the wooden strips that make up the lattice wall sections connected?
We use rawhide to connect the wooden strips that join our wall sections together.
Is it necessary to use the crown supports all the time?
Yes. Traditional Mongolian yurts are designed to weather a Mongolian (Siberian) winter, high winds
and lots of snow are commonplace, hence crown supports are an integral part of their strength /
construction.
Can I install a stove in my yurt?
Yes, all our yurts come as standard with a silicon flue collar and backing plate which you can use to
have a flue exit through the crown wheel of the yurt.
Can I have my stove set against a wall instead of in the center of the yurt?
No. The most efficient way to heat a round structure is from the center. Place a stove to one side and
you create hot and cold spots in the yurt. Furthermore, our yurts are designed with the stove in the
center. Placing a stove to one side and having a hot flue exit through so many wooden components
and four material layers is not something we recommend or advise.
Does the waterproof cover go all the way down to ground level?
Yes it does. It is fully adjustable and cut to a waterproof design.
Why are your yurts so cheap?
All our yurts are made in our own workshop in Ulaanbaatar Mongolia. We believe in a good product at
a fair price, which is why we do not deal with middlemen, you are buying direct from the manufacturer
Others try to pass of cheap imports as quality yurts via huge markups. You have been warned.
What can yurts be used for?
Great as a weekend getaway, children's play house or spare room, permanent home, temporary
housing, artists studio, yoga studio, meditation retreat, restaurant, guest accommodation, office,
migrant housing, retreat housing, campground rentals, unique retail shop, first aid station, community
hall, other commercial uses and much more.
Can I install my yurt with a groundsheet?
Yes this is possible but we do not provide or sell groundsheets for our yurts. 99% of our yurts are
used either permanently in the same location or through most of the year making a wooden base the
most practical option.
Do you sell cooking stoves?
Yes, Please see our accessories page for full details.
Is the stove safe to leave burning all night?
Yes, however, please note that these are these are wood burning stoves. Lighting a fire in a tent is
dangerous. You do so at your own risk.
Can I buy the furniture as individual pieces?
Yes, if your yurt originated from us, although supply is limited. Please check with us for more details.
Thank you for reading this far
How many material layers are there that cover your yurts?
Five in all, they are:
1. Inner liner: Provides a neutral backdrop to the roof poles plus adds light to the interior.
2. Felt: Choose between our standard felt and from 2012 our new luxury felt.
3. Roof - Seam welded PVC roof cover. Wall - Heavy duty canvas wall cover.
4. Sun Covers: Made from 12oz untreated canvas. Comes as standard in plain white
5. Double skin crown cover with clear PVC windows sewn into it.
What is the outer cover made of? Is it fully waterproof?
The outermost layer or suncover is not designed as a waterproof covering. It is designed to hold on
and protect all the other layers on the yurt. For this reason it is made of untreated but hardwearing
12oz canvas.
Will your yurts stand up to rain – what evidence/testing?
Yes a European climate is a much wetter one than you will find in Mongolia. For this reason we have
made major concessions to the way traditional Mongolian yurts are constructed and designed. To
vigorously test our yurts we have had a show yurt permanently erected in the UK since 2005. Our most
recent show yurt has been erected YEAR ROUND since 2007 with no leaks, drips or damp patches.
Visit us on a rainy day to be sure.
Will it’s 4 layers make it heavier and harder/longer to erect?
Weight goes hand-in-hand with comfort. Just as a Rolls Royce takes longer to manufacture and is
more comfortable to drive than a Ford. So our traditional yurts are sturdier and better equipped to deal
with the elements than those manufactured elsewhere. This does make them heavier and will mean
more time spent erecting them, but once inside you will appreciate that extra time spent.
How long will it take to erect?
How much will my yurt weigh?
Do I have to use the felt liner if I don't want to?
As they say in Mongolia: A yurt is like a human body. Complete with bones (wooden frame) muscle
(canvas) fat (felt) and skin (outer cover) You wouldn't venture outside with any of these parts missing,
so we would recommend that your yurt doesn't either. Everything is there for a reason -so please, no
liposuction on your yurt.
Can I easily get replacement parts – roof poles, new covers?
Yes, we can easily supply replacement parts, additional covers in different designs and colours. Wall
sections, doors, any component that goes to make up your yurt we can supply. We have special rates
for anyone that has purchased a yurt from us and wishes to upgrade or replace any part of their yurt.
What should the yurt be sited on?
We prefer a wooden base as this gives the yurt a more permanent feel. All our yurts come with a free
guide to building a yurt floor - Mongolian style. Other options are: Compacted clay floor, Concrete
base, groundsheet's, railway sleepers, marine plywood, pallets.
Where should the yurt be sited?
As with any tent you need to give careful consideration to where you are going to put your yurt before
starting work, particularly if you are going to leave it up long term. Don’t place it closer than 1 metre
from a fence, wall or hedge, this allows air to circulate freely around the walls and prevent damp and
rotting of the canvas. Similarly don’t place the yurt under trees, this also traps damp and you get a lot
of dirt fallout from foliage, which can cause spot rotting and stain the cover.
Do I need planning permission for my yurt(s)?
This is a difficult question as there are so many variables involved. Where you live. The land is
designated for what use. How long it will be erected for through the year. Is it for private or public use.
For this reason the best people to speak to is your local planning office, they will be able to give you
detailed information based on your personal circumstances.
What maintenance is required?
A yurt is a tent. Furthermore, one made from natural materials, wood, cotton and wool. Hence you will
need to spend some time on airing it in good weather, heating it in bad and taking it down 2-3 times a
year to shake things up. This is especially true if you are planning on living in one year around.
Can the Yurt be kept up all year round?
Yes, this is how it is intended to be used. However we do not recommend that it is left vacant for long
periods of time. If you plan to leave it vacant for more than 2 weeks, we advise that, as with any tent,
you to pack it up and put it into storage.
How long is it likely to last?
This is a very open ended questions, as it is dependent on how your yurt is used and in which
environment. i.e permanently erected and lived in, in the wilds of Scotland, or just erected once or
twice through the summer in the South of France. However, as a very general guide, we would expect
the wooden frame to be useable for 10+ years. The material covers will not last you this long, as many
of them are made from natural fibres, which are susceptible to sunlight, heat and water. Covers that
are permanently wet will also have a considerably shorter lifespan.
Can I live in it?
Yes, in Mongolia these are family dwellings, used now just as they were 1000 years ago. In the UK
we have many people living in our yurts year round.
What yurt sizes are best for what use?
Please see our sizes & prices page by clicking HERE
Can a yurt be partitioned?
Yes it can by using curtains or screens. Although this does break up the symmetry and beauty of the
yurt
Are the material covers fire retardant?
Not to British Standards. We are working towards this, however in the meantime we believe in the
Mongolian virtue of treating fire with the dignity it deserves and acting responsibly. We have heard no
reports of our yurts "burning down" in Mongolia or elsewhere.
What wood are your yurts made from?
We use a combination of hard and soft woods in the construction of our yurts. We take care to ensure
that the most suitable species of wood is used for each yurt component, based on each components
shape, and the degree of flexibility needed. Just as importantly, all our wood is supplied from
government approved agents. This is much more expensive than using the illegally logged wood that
many yurt makers in Mongolia use.
Can I view one – if so, where?
Yes, we have yurts to view by appointment and purchase in Surrey. Click HERE for more details
How are the wooden strips that make up the lattice wall sections connected?
We use rawhide to connect the wooden strips that join our wall sections together.
Is it necessary to use the crown supports all the time?
Yes. Traditional Mongolian yurts are designed to weather a Mongolian (Siberian) winter, high winds
and lots of snow are commonplace, hence crown supports are an integral part of their strength /
construction.
Can I install a stove in my yurt?
Yes, all our yurts come as standard with a silicon flue collar and backing plate which you can use to
have a flue exit through the crown wheel of the yurt.
Can I have my stove set against a wall instead of in the center of the yurt?
No. The most efficient way to heat a round structure is from the center. Place a stove to one side and
you create hot and cold spots in the yurt. Furthermore, our yurts are designed with the stove in the
center. Placing a stove to one side and having a hot flue exit through so many wooden components
and four material layers is not something we recommend or advise.
Does the waterproof cover go all the way down to ground level?
Yes it does. It is fully adjustable and cut to a waterproof design.
Why are your yurts so cheap?
All our yurts are made in our own workshop in Ulaanbaatar Mongolia. We believe in a good product at
a fair price, which is why we do not deal with middlemen, you are buying direct from the manufacturer
Others try to pass of cheap imports as quality yurts via huge markups. You have been warned.
What can yurts be used for?
Great as a weekend getaway, children's play house or spare room, permanent home, temporary
housing, artists studio, yoga studio, meditation retreat, restaurant, guest accommodation, office,
migrant housing, retreat housing, campground rentals, unique retail shop, first aid station, community
hall, other commercial uses and much more.
Can I install my yurt with a groundsheet?
Yes this is possible but we do not provide or sell groundsheets for our yurts. 99% of our yurts are
used either permanently in the same location or through most of the year making a wooden base the
most practical option.
Do you sell cooking stoves?
Yes, Please see our accessories page for full details.
Is the stove safe to leave burning all night?
Yes, however, please note that these are these are wood burning stoves. Lighting a fire in a tent is
dangerous. You do so at your own risk.
Can I buy the furniture as individual pieces?
Yes, if your yurt originated from us, although supply is limited. Please check with us for more details.
Thank you for reading this far
Copyright © 2011 Mongolian Yurts Direct
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Yurts Direct