FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How easy are they to put up?
Once a few simple techniques have been mastered, very easy. One person with experience can put up a 20fter but this is not generally recommended when starting out. For less experienced users sizes up to 16 ft should not be too much problem on your own. If more hands are available the simpler and quicker they go up. All yurts come with illustrated instructions that explain the techniques step by step.

Photograph of the London Wetland yurt by Albion Canvas and Yurtworks.

How long do they take to put up?
It depends on the number of people helping. With experience one person can put up a 16fter in an hour with covers but while you are getting used to it and for the first time in particular allow a good couple of hours.

How easy are they to transport?
12fters and smaller are the most compact sizes with the poles and trellis more or less the same length at 6ft 6” and a wheel diameter of 40”.
These will fit into a hatchback at a push, or an estate quite easily. Larger sizes will fit in and on an estate.

Do you need planning for them?
A frequent question, and one that will depend on your local planning office and your neighbours. If you plan to live in it year round you should have planning permission. If you install services like drains, electricity etc. you should have planning permission. If you put it up on a SSSI, National Park, AONB you have to apply for planning. If your neighbours object you may need to get planning. That said I have heard of very few instances where people have been asked to take them down. They are temporary structures with no permanent footings only 5-6 pegs to hold them down and generally in use for only part of the year. They can with 3-4 people be picked up and moved (not far, its true, but it is possible).

Decking?
Groundsheets are great if you plan to move them around throughout the year. Decks are good if you want a little insulation from the ground. They are also an easy way to get a level site. You may have to get used to the nightly goings on of rabbits and mice that may take up residence below. Floating decks made of shuttering ply on 2”x3”bearers can be easily made, cut to the size of your yurt and can be easily assembled and dismantled. If you make a square base you will need a groundsheet as well to stop the water seeping in.

Level Ground?
For a weekend or short period the ground doesn’t have to be perfectly level but over time they will lean downhill. I recommend as level a base as possible, it makes assembly easier and if you have wooden doors they will work better on a level site. Obviously check the ground for sharp stones and lumps that may puncture your groundsheet.

Coloured Covers?
We only sell canvas that has been fire proofed. The only colours easily available with that spec are white, olive green, and pale green. Other colours can be fire proofed but we would need to order 500m at a time. The star shaped caps that go over the roof canopy do not have to be fire proofed and could be made in a variety of colours including blue, black, yellow, orange and red. Yellow and red fade quite quickly in the sun and rain. Groundsheets are generally green pvc but other colours are available

Stoves and open fires?
Open fires do not draw well in yurts and will smoke. Simple wood burners are a good idea to warm up the yurt and keep the damp out.

Stoves centre or to the side?
Most people put the stove in the centre with the chimney flue going out through one of the quadrants in the wheel, supported by a silicon flue collar. That way you get the heat from the stove and heat radiated from the flue. If you want to make the most of the space and the view up through the wheel, stoves can be put to the side with the flue exiting through a diamond in the trellis. The flue will need to be supported outside by pole in the ground and should still be tall enough to reach above the top of the yurt. I generally don’t recommend that flues be taken out through the main roof canopy.

How high are they?
Up to 18ft diameter just under 10ft high.

Can they be left up through the year?
I don’t recommend it, although have done so on more than one occasion. You will significantly extend the life of the canvas if you take them down in the autumn and put them up again in the spring. If they are allowed to remain permanently damp they will be affected by mildew. If you need them in the winter they only take an hour or two to set up and kit out.

How long do the frames and covers last?
This will depend on how it is used, how often, where, the climate and how it is looked after. Frames should last a lifetime if they are looked after, not left in the damp and kept regularly oiled.(Oil every year if in frequent use and if using an organic oil).

Reproofing the covers Every two years with Nikwax as a general guide, every year if in regular use.

What is the delivery time?
Usually 6-8weeks, but it is a good idea to book them in early. By March we can be booked up through to the end of July, August.

2nd hand covers and frames.
They do come up very occasionally and will be advertised on the site on the latest news page.

Workshops and courses?
I used to run courses and had planned to start again this autumn but due to unforeseen circumstances they are on hold for the time being. Keep an eye on the site for more details.

What’s the best wood to use?
Where possible use what is locally available. Many species will do, the most popular being ash, chestnut, willow, and hazel. Avoid sycamore as it is too brittle and the softwoods are generally too knotty.

Do you need to steam the trellis?
You get a far better profile if the trellis is steamed; the walls follow the circumference of the yurt, whereas if they are left straight the walls will splay out at the top. It will work, but not as well.

Insulation?
If you are lucky enough to get some sheeps’ wool felt made to cover your yurt it is wonderful, but you will still need to cover with canvas in our climate. A second best is an industrial felt that will also work well. It is bulky and suits yurts with a permanent site in mind. The stoves throw out a lot of heat and warm the yurt very quickly, so for many uses insulation is not needed.