Insulation

Just as a well insulated yurt will keep you warm in winter, it will also keep you cool in summer. Modern fabrics can be very efficient as keeping the temperatures bearable inside the yurt. You can also add features such as window awnings and blinds to give more shade and keep out direct sunlight. 

You can choose a lighter colour for your roof cover. This will reflect the suns heat instead of absorbing it as a darker colour will. The same applies for the side cover.  You can select a thicker roof material too and double insulate it. This will trap the warm air above your cooler internal structure. 

If the door has glass you can add an awning to provide some extra shade cover. This will also prove useful in wetter weather too giving some extra shelter.

Ventilation

You can open windows to keep a steady flow of fresh air. Many Yurts now come with a skylight which can be opened to let in the breeze. If you have a power source from a generator or solar panels you can make use of an electric fan. Users state the best way to do this is to add a ceiling fan to get real air circulation.

Location

By using the natural elements you can protect your Yurt from the weather. In summer you can choose a spot where there is shade. Check out the surroundings carefully before erecting the yurt. Mountains and trees can provide adequate shade. Even better if you can choose deciduous trees that lose their leaves in winter so your yurt will get the maximum amount of direct sunshine in the colder months.

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Make sure your yurt is structurally insulated

Whilst perhaps you can get away with a cheaper yurt for casual use in the summer months, you will need to be a bit more diligent about a winter use yurt.  Key elements to look for in a yurt is good insulation. You’ll need a reliable heating source and a backup. You’ll also need to ensure your structure is protected from strong winds with secure and tight fastenings and structural support. You can add additional strengthening to the central column and rafters.

Insulate your floor too. We all know the dread feeling of stepping onto a cold floor in the middle of the night. The ground will suck out a lot of heat so the more you insulate from below, the better. And wear thick socks!

Woodstove heating tips

A good woodstove is a great way to keep your yurt warm and toasty. You’ll need to have proper stove pipe to take the smoke out of the yurt. It is important that you monitor carbon monoxide levels too. Carbon monoxide poisoning particularly occurs when the fuels aren’t burned off fully in an area of poor ventilation. You can’t smell it and it can render you unconscious very quickly. To protect yourself, install a carbon monoxide detector and test the batteries regularly.  This is one safety tip you don’t want to skip. The size of the stove will depend on the size of the space you want to heat. You don’t want to be living next to a giant furnace but equally if the wood stove is too small you won’t be able to burn enough wood to keep it going all night long.

Make the most of natural elements 

Use mother nature to help optimise the warmth in your yurt. The placement is extremely important.  Ideally you should be sheltered from the wind.  Figure out the sunniest place to make the most of the sunshine in the day time. This is especially important if you plan to use solar panels to provide energy and warmth. If you find yourself surrounded by snow, don’t clear it away from around the base of the yurt. Snow will act as an insulator from the wind. It will help to keep the warmth in and the cold out. But do make sure you regularly remove snow from the roof or it could cause structural damage from the weight.

Clearly from the tradition of yurts use in high altitudes in sub zero temperatures, winter should be no obstacle to your enjoyment! Preparation is key. Stay warm!

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