As the biting wind whips around my cozy yurt in New England, the chill seeps in through its thin fabric walls. Yet, within its warm confines, my little family basks in the golden glow of candlelight and the comforting warmth of the woodstove’s gentle hum. It’s a sanctuary from the harsh winter outside. However, as someone who’s passionate about off-grid living and yurt life, I know how frustrating it can be to find concrete information on making this lifestyle work long-term.
When my family and I first embarked on this journey, we encountered countless challenges and made many mistakes. But I’m determined to spare you the same learning curve. This guide is a culmination of our experiences, offering valuable insights and practical advice for those who want to make the most of their yurt-dwelling adventure.
Temperature Regulation is an Art
I’ll never forget my first winter in an off-grid yurt, twelve years ago. As a Detroit girl raised in the suburbs of southeast Michigan, I was about to take a huge leap into the unknown. Luckily, I was surrounded by supportive friends who helped me navigate this new world. One key challenge I faced was learning the ‘Art of Regulating Temperature.’ Without corners to trap the cold, yurts can be tricky to heat.
But when furniture or walls block the walls, it’s even harder to keep certain areas warm. In contrast, summer brings its own set of challenges, as modern yurts tend to absorb heat despite open windows. Battery-powered fans, dome lifting kits, and insulation can help mitigate these issues, but don’t expect a uniform temperature. Instead, I suggest embracing the variety that Mother Nature has to offer – put on a sweater, make some ice cream, or simply enjoy the unpredictable weather.
Lattice Walls Don’t Love Artwork
While we adore displaying art on our walls, lattice structures present a unique challenge. Unlike smooth surfaces, latticework can make it difficult to hang smaller pieces like paintings, wall sconces, and shelves without compromising their stability. The open spaces within the lattice can cause these items to slump or become imbalanced, making it crucial to find creative solutions.
In our experience, we’ve had to get innovative when hanging small paintings or fragile pieces on larger shelves to ensure they remain secure. Even with proper installation, strong winds or heavy snowfall can still cause unstable pieces to fall, highlighting the importance of caution and foresight. Interestingly, some yurt manufacturers advise against over-nailing lattice walls, but we’ve yet to encounter any issues.
With our lattice walls holding a range of items from full-length mirrors to plants, it’s essential to accept that the structure will shift with the wind and small paintings may find themselves nestled between lattice and canvas.
Round Walls Are Design Challenges
When designing for yurts, traditional furniture often falls short due to its reliance on flat walls and right angles. The result can be unsightly gaps between pieces and the curved walls. To mitigate this issue, some opt for interior partitions, which can effectively create smooth corners; however, it may lead to a fragmented space. Alternatively, building custom furniture that caters to the yurt’s unique geometry is an option for those with DIY skills and access to materials.
For most individuals, though, a more practical solution lies in reconfiguring existing pieces to best utilize the available space while minimizing the impact of the rounded walls.
Weather Can Get Loud
Unlike traditional houses, yurts are characterized by their minimalist roof design, typically comprising plasticized canvas coated with thin insulation. This means that any rainstorm can be quite the auditory experience – and not always in a good way. In heavy downpours, the constant patter of raindrops on the roof can be deafening, making it difficult to carry on conversations or enjoy some peaceful background noise.
In fact, the sound of rain on a yurt roof is often so intense that it can wake up even the heaviest sleepers.
On the flip side, yurts do offer an intimate connection with nature. The sounds of the great outdoors – from the chirping of birds to the snapping of twigs underfoot – are all amplified by the yurt’s open design. If you’re considering yurt living, be prepared to become attuned to these natural rhythms and find a new appreciation for the world around you.
The Light Wakes Us Early
The iconic dome shape of modern American yurts is more than just an aesthetic feature – it’s a gateway to the great outdoors. On clear nights, stargazers can marvel at the celestial display above, while birdwatchers delight in the unobstructed views of feathered friends soaring through the sky. However, summer mornings bring their own challenges. The sun rises early, and its rays flood into the yurt through the large, circular skylight, making it difficult to snooze away the dawn hours.
For my children, who have grown up within these rounded walls, rising with the sun is second nature. While bed curtains can provide some relief, they’re no match for the dome’s direct light. As a homesteader, I’ve come to appreciate this feature – it keeps us from oversleeping and ensures we tackle the day at our best. For those who crave a later start, building a bedroom with blackout curtains or investing in high-quality sleep masks are effective solutions.
You Don’t Need As Much Space As You Think
Twelve years, two kids, and two dogs after moving into the yurt, I’ve grown accustomed to its 460 square feet of space. Initially, I thought temporary was exactly what it would be – a brief stopgap until we outgrew the cozy confines. But as the months turned into years, our little home transformed into a warm and inviting sanctuary. The notion that living under 800 sq feet is inherently claustrophobic is one many of us share, yet in reality, adaptation is key.
Small spaces can foster an atmosphere of intimacy and closeness, where family bonds strengthen and memories are forged.
Luan isn’t Meant to Last
While some American yurt kit providers suggest using thin plywood (luan) as a base for their structures, citing its ability to create a clean edge and deter pests, experience has shown that luan doesn’t always live up to the promise. In many climates, it’s prone to deterioration over time. Our own attempt at using luan didn’t survive the first winter, underscoring the need for more durable solutions.
If you do decide to use this material, consider applying a high-quality outdoor coating and be prepared for regular maintenance or replacement.
Pests Can Be a Problem
While yurts offer an immersive connection to nature, they can also attract unwanted visitors like mice, spiders, and the occasional garden snake or songbird. However, these pests are generally manageable, especially if you’re willing to invest some time in sealing any gaps with caulking and retrofitting. In fact, we’ve found that natural pest control is often effective – for instance, snakes can help keep mouse populations under control, while dogs can chase away unwanted serpents.
With a few simple measures like setting up mousetraps and exercising patience, you can easily coexist with these minor nuisances.
All Houses Need to Breathe
Traditional yurts have a natural advantage when it comes to ventilation. The felted wool walls not only keep the heat in but also absorb excess moisture. In contrast, modern yurts with plasticized canvas walls and roofs don’t breathe as well. This can lead to significant moisture issues during winter months. When you boil water, take a bath, or simply exhale, moisture is released into the air.
Without proper ventilation, this excess moisture has nowhere to go but to condense on windows and walls of your yurt. If outside temperatures are low enough and the wall is far from your heat source, the condensed moisture can even freeze. As a result, moisture remains the biggest challenge for modern yurts. Over time, we’ve addressed some of these issues through improved insulation, the use of heat-powered stove fans to distribute warmth evenly, and an open layout design.
Despite these advancements, however, moisture continues to be a persistent problem throughout winter and early spring.
Everything Old is New Again
As we settled into our off-grid yurt lifestyle, we frequented flea markets, antique stores, and thrift shops in search of practical tools to aid our self-sufficiency journey. Without solar power, we focused on gathering manual alternatives like hand-crank coffee mills, oil lamps, and wood cookstoves that would get the job done. Our forays into these treasure troves of second-hand finds allowed us to rediscover the beauty in old tools that were often built to last.
We’ve also discovered a hidden gem in Amish supply shops, where we’ve found new yet non-electric items like hand-crank blenders and propane-powered appliances that fit seamlessly into our off-grid lifestyle. Initially, budget constraints meant solar power wasn’t within reach, so we made do with battery-powered gadgets and a trusty hand-powered record player. However, over time, we’ve continued to rely on reusing antiques as the core of our appliance collection.
There’s No Place Like Home
Over the past 12 years, my experience with off-grid yurt living has been nothing short of transformative. I’ve gained valuable insights into maintaining a comfortable temperature within the yurt throughout the seasons, as well as cultivating a self-sufficient approach to waste management and personal hygiene. My knowledge extends to nurturing livestock and hand-washing clothing, all crucial aspects of this unique lifestyle.
However, it’s the intangible rewards that truly make off-grid yurt living worthwhile. Witnessing the majesty of the moon through the dome of my home has been a constant source of wonder and gratitude. Despite the challenges inherent in this way of life, I wouldn’t trade it for anything. As we approach the next two-year milestone, we’ll be embarking on a comprehensive maintenance project to ensure our yurt remains safe and secure.
After all, the lifespan of the yurt’s outer shell, or ‘yurt-skin,’ is typically around 10-15 years. Our current structure appears to be in good condition, but a thorough examination will confirm its integrity. Following this, we’ll refresh the platform, reinstall the yurt, and settle back into our cozy home.
