What's in Your Yurt?

Here in Colorado most people dream of an affordable way to have that little get away in the mountains. While some prefer to camp moving from place to place around the state, others prefer to have that stationary dwelling always there ready and waiting.

The cost of a cabin is not always the most affordable route so more and more Coloradoans are taking a second look at the Yurt as a potential weekend retreat. This Mongolian dwelling is becoming popular as an alternative to the fixed structure.

I'm told by Cliff at the Colorado Yurt shop in Montrose that the structure is normally easy enough to be installed in a day or two and the turn around time from order to shipping is just a few weeks. If you visit the shop in Montrose you can get a glimpse of the various styles and options that are available.

So what is a Yurt? It is a portable, felt-covered, wood lattice-framed dwelling (Wikipedia) with a circle shape allowing for the most usable space on the interior. It is purchased as just the dome structure and then owners can upgrade the interior and foundation for plumbing, free standing fireplaces, and room dividers.

The roof is made of a flame retardant, UV and mildew resistant, polyester with a clear acrylic top-coat (CYC). The walls are made of either a vinyl laminate or a poly /cotton blend covered with a resin top coat. The windows have a weave polyester netting and there is an optional dome skylight available. The lattice walls and rafters are made from Douglas fir as is the door and frame (CYC).

The yurt was intended originally as a temporary housing for the nomads of Central Asia but has integrated into the American outdoor lifestyle as an affordable stationary alternative housing option.