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Yurts Direct
So what's in a yurt style?
There are more types of yurt than you can shake a roof pole at. Different names, different materials, different
designs and even different philosophies behind their use and application. Some yurts claim to be
something they are not whilst some make no claims at all. With so much variation and hence confusion we
thought we would offer our thoughts on what distinguishes one yurt from another.
There are more types of yurt than you can shake a roof pole at. Different names, different materials, different
designs and even different philosophies behind their use and application. Some yurts claim to be
something they are not whilst some make no claims at all. With so much variation and hence confusion we
thought we would offer our thoughts on what distinguishes one yurt from another.
Mongolian Yurt
Correct name is Ger. Ryhmes with mare. A
unique design that is only used in Mongolia.
Heavy wooden framed yurt that is still used for
living in by hundreds of thousands of
Mongolians. Closely spaced wall slats which are
steamed to incorporate a curve at the top. Roof
poles are straight but a very specific shape.
Round for three quarters of their length and then
square, tapering to a point which slots into the
crown wheel. Solid wooden crown wheel and
door. Unique feature is the addition of crown
supports. Only real Mongolian yurts use crown
supports, and no Mongolian we have spoken to
would ever think of removing them. They are
essential if yurt is to stand firm in extreme
Correct name is Ger. Ryhmes with mare. A
unique design that is only used in Mongolia.
Heavy wooden framed yurt that is still used for
living in by hundreds of thousands of
Mongolians. Closely spaced wall slats which are
steamed to incorporate a curve at the top. Roof
poles are straight but a very specific shape.
Round for three quarters of their length and then
square, tapering to a point which slots into the
crown wheel. Solid wooden crown wheel and
door. Unique feature is the addition of crown
supports. Only real Mongolian yurts use crown
supports, and no Mongolian we have spoken to
would ever think of removing them. They are
essential if yurt is to stand firm in extreme
Chinese Yurt
For sales purposes often passed of as a
Mongolian yurt, but these yurts are Chinese
through and through. The door design is the
same as that found on many pieces of Chinese
furniture and will generally include hardboard
panels which can delaminate. The crown wheel
is a variation on a Turkic style yurt. It does not
come with crown supports making them not very
stable in high winds. The wall sections are made
from willow and incorporate a unique double
curve not seen in any other yurts. The roof poles
should incorporate a curve at one end such as
you'd find in a Turkic yurt, however they don't, they
are straight as in a Mongolian yurt. They normally
come unpainted. The system of attaching the
For sales purposes often passed of as a
Mongolian yurt, but these yurts are Chinese
through and through. The door design is the
same as that found on many pieces of Chinese
furniture and will generally include hardboard
panels which can delaminate. The crown wheel
is a variation on a Turkic style yurt. It does not
come with crown supports making them not very
stable in high winds. The wall sections are made
from willow and incorporate a unique double
curve not seen in any other yurts. The roof poles
should incorporate a curve at one end such as
you'd find in a Turkic yurt, however they don't, they
are straight as in a Mongolian yurt. They normally
come unpainted. The system of attaching the
UK Yurt
Most UK makers concentrate on making the
Turkic style of yurt. The yurt does not always
come with a wooden door as standard, just a
canvas flap and you'll need to pay extra for a
wooden door. They will often use hard woods that
are oiled, not painted. Hard woods are great, but
expensive,this means they are not able to follow
traditional yurt patterns in terms of wall and roof
pole spacing and hence "economize" in cutting
down on the amount of wood used in the yurt. We
have heard comments that this gives the yurt a
"flimsy" feel. It can also result in the use of guy
ropes to stop the yurt blowing away. Guy ropes
are the anitthesis of what a yurt is, which is "A
structure that, when moved, should not leave any
Most UK makers concentrate on making the
Turkic style of yurt. The yurt does not always
come with a wooden door as standard, just a
canvas flap and you'll need to pay extra for a
wooden door. They will often use hard woods that
are oiled, not painted. Hard woods are great, but
expensive,this means they are not able to follow
traditional yurt patterns in terms of wall and roof
pole spacing and hence "economize" in cutting
down on the amount of wood used in the yurt. We
have heard comments that this gives the yurt a
"flimsy" feel. It can also result in the use of guy
ropes to stop the yurt blowing away. Guy ropes
are the anitthesis of what a yurt is, which is "A
structure that, when moved, should not leave any
American Yurt
American yurts are an answer to a question that
never existed in any other country. How do you
modernise a yurt? America's answer was to use
lots of pressure treated timber, high tech PVC
coverings, space age insulation, plexiglass
bubbles, aircraft grade cable etc. An American yurt
will include house quality doors and double
glazed windows. What you end up with is a home
that is shaped like a yurt, nothing portable, but
certainly yurt like. Like most things American it
seems to lack soul but it is without doubt a
modern, well made structure that is designed to
last. However all that high tech comes with a high
tech price that is more house like than yurt like.
However in spite of this we feel it is still a member
of the yurt family, well worth looking at and
considering.
American yurts are an answer to a question that
never existed in any other country. How do you
modernise a yurt? America's answer was to use
lots of pressure treated timber, high tech PVC
coverings, space age insulation, plexiglass
bubbles, aircraft grade cable etc. An American yurt
will include house quality doors and double
glazed windows. What you end up with is a home
that is shaped like a yurt, nothing portable, but
certainly yurt like. Like most things American it
seems to lack soul but it is without doubt a
modern, well made structure that is designed to
last. However all that high tech comes with a high
tech price that is more house like than yurt like.
However in spite of this we feel it is still a member
of the yurt family, well worth looking at and
considering.
Turkic Yurt
One of the two main yurts styles. The other bing
Mongolian. Consists of a light bentwood crown,
supported by roof poles that are bent at one end
to meet the top of the wall trellis that usually also
incorporates a curve. This design gives a light
portable dwelling. Traditionally covered by felt
and ornately embroidered hangings. Door would
consist of either a tall double opening wooden
door or a flap of felt covered by various
embroidered covers. The profile of a Turkic yurt is
very distinctive and quite different from a
Mongolian yurt. These yurt are not designed to be
water resistant and hence fair poorly in the West
although their basic design is the most popular
for UK yurt makers. The embroidery used in
many Turkic yurts is artwork in it's own right and
can command a high price.
One of the two main yurts styles. The other bing
Mongolian. Consists of a light bentwood crown,
supported by roof poles that are bent at one end
to meet the top of the wall trellis that usually also
incorporates a curve. This design gives a light
portable dwelling. Traditionally covered by felt
and ornately embroidered hangings. Door would
consist of either a tall double opening wooden
door or a flap of felt covered by various
embroidered covers. The profile of a Turkic yurt is
very distinctive and quite different from a
Mongolian yurt. These yurt are not designed to be
water resistant and hence fair poorly in the West
although their basic design is the most popular
for UK yurt makers. The embroidery used in
many Turkic yurts is artwork in it's own right and
can command a high price.
weather and support heavy snow loads. Woodwork is usually painted a bright colour and decorated with
traditional Mongolian designs. Yurt is covered with four material layers including felt and canvas. Outer
cover can incorporate many different designs which are stitched on by hand.
traditional Mongolian designs. Yurt is covered with four material layers including felt and canvas. Outer
cover can incorporate many different designs which are stitched on by hand.
| A traditional Mongolian yurt or Ger. |
outer cover is similar to UK made yurts as it comes in two pieces and even has a "unique" frill design
around edge of roof section. Tea cosy-esque. All of the above features make this a yurt a collection of
different yurt styles. Something made for business purposes and not something derived from a nomadic
peoples lives. It's not a Mongolian yurt or a Turkic one but a Chinese yurt. Being made in China it is made
quickly and cheaply.
around edge of roof section. Tea cosy-esque. All of the above features make this a yurt a collection of
different yurt styles. Something made for business purposes and not something derived from a nomadic
peoples lives. It's not a Mongolian yurt or a Turkic one but a Chinese yurt. Being made in China it is made
quickly and cheaply.
| Chinese yurt, photo courtesy of madeinchina.com |
| A typical made in the UK yurt |
mark on the ground where it was sited" However what there is, is generally made to a very high level.
The yurt is generally only covered by a single layer of canvas. This means it is cold in the winter and hot in
the summer. Most yurt makers now offer felt as an additional extra.
The yurt is generally only covered by a single layer of canvas. This means it is cold in the winter and hot in
the summer. Most yurt makers now offer felt as an additional extra.
| Made in the USA |
| Beautiful when dry - a traditional Turkic yurt |
