Back in the 1970s, yurts caught on with counterculturalists and hippie homesteaders because they were relatively easy and cheap to DIY. Thousands of years earlier, they were the tiny houses of choice for Eurasian tribes and warlords like Attila the Hun and Genghis Khan. These days, people appreciate the humble yurt because of its low building costs and minor environmental footprint. If you’re thinking about becoming a modern nomad, gere are five yurt builders that sell prefabricated kits you can assemble. The Yurt Cabin by Freedom Yurt Cabins is a traditional yurt without the shortcomings. The tiny round portable house comes with solid walls engineered for longtime durability. It can be assembled and disassembled in hours. Even better, each Yurt Cabin comes with features that you’ll never find in a standard traditional yurt, such as double-hung glass windows, insulation, and integrated flooring. The one on this dwelling by Colorado Yurt Company is weather- and UV-resistant thick acrylic. It’s a crystal clear material that’s also impact resistant. Plus, the company offers dome upgrades, including a lifter that opens the dome to allow air flow, as well as a bronze tint that helps to keep the yurt cool. In addition, you can add a bug net/shade cloth to your dome to block insects and bright sunlight when the dome is open. And you can attach insulation for cold weather. If you want an all-season yurt that can withstand winter weather, you’ll need a few fortifying features that you can add to your package using the Yurt Builder 3D pricing tool. It will also allow you to customize your yurt based on size and exterior colors. Structural upgrades that are available for an additional cost include energy-efficient glass windows, gutter systems, and snow and wind kits. A basic package comes with the following:
Doors and windows preinstalled into the walls Exterior trim package to create a finished appearance for the outside corners, windows, and door Roof kit, including the skylight dome Hardware and construction manual
Insulation and flooring are not included in this package. The company estimates it takes people an average of three to seven weeks to create their yurt package with the help of a designer, followed by a permitting and production phase of around two to 16 weeks. Then, construction of the yurt should take between 10 and 34 weeks, depending on how complex your package is. The company sells prefab kits using quality materials, including some of the strongest lattice available and structural fabrics that can withstand the elements. The interiors can even be customized with many modern comforts, including electricity, plumbing, and heating and cooling. You’re also able to add room partitions and a loft in the larger kits. Plus, the company offers tips on adding a kitchen and bathroom to your yurt.
