Safety and Security

Main specs for American yurt companies (organized alphabetically). Updated December 2019. Pacific Yurts declined to provide information for this website.

Company Details

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Company Location Year First Yurt Sold Tour Available?
BRBlue Ridge Yurts Floyd, VA 2004
CYColorado Yurt Montrose, CO 1980
GLGreat Lakes Yurt Co Grass Lake, MI 2017
LILiving Intent Yurt Co Grass Valley, CA 2015
NSNomad Shelter Homer, AK 1987
RORainier Outdoor Tukwila, WA 2004
SDShelter Designs Missoula, MT 2005
YAYurts of America Indianapolis, IN 1986

Yurt Info

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Company Available Sizes Max Snow Load* Base Cost of 30' Base Cost of 16'
BRBlue Ridge Yurts 16', 20', 24', 30' 60 psf | 60 psf $13,047 $7,299
CYColorado Yurt 16', 20', 24', 27', 30' 15 psf | 95 psf† $12,240 $7,090
GLGreat Lakes Yurt Co 16', 20', 24', 27', 30' 75 psf | 75 psf $11,000 $5,000
LILiving Intent Yurt Co 12', 14', 16', 20' $6,000
NSNomad Shelter 12', 16', 20', 24', 30', 34', 40', 50' 60 psf | 60 psf $15,500 $8,000
RORainier Outdoor 16', 18', 21', 24', 27', 30', 33' 100 psf | 105 psf† Eagle: $18,820, Raven: $13,358 Eagle: $9,466, Raven $7,426
SDShelter Designs 12', 16', 20', 24', 27', 30', 35', 40' 40 psf | 150 psf $12,480 $6,760
YAYurts of America 12', 14', 16', 20', 30' 60 psf | 95 psf $12,000 $6,499

*(30' yurt without upgrades | 30' yurt with all upgrades), †Site specific engineering available for higher snow loads

Rafter Details

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Company Wood Species Base Rafter Size for 30'
BRBlue Ridge Yurts Spruce 2x6
CYColorado Yurt Doug Fir 2x4
GLGreat Lakes Yurt Co Doug Fir 2x6
LILiving Intent Yurt Co Doug Fir
NSNomad Shelter Spruce 2x6
RORainier Outdoor Doug Fir 2x6
SDShelter Designs Western Tamarack (Larch) 2x6
YAYurts of America Southern Yellow Pine 2x6

Lattice Details

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Company Wood Species Lattice Thickness Base Height of Wall
BRBlue Ridge Yurts Poplar 3/4" 7' 4"
CYColorado Yurt Doug Fir 1/2" 7' 2"
GLGreat Lakes Yurt Co Doug Fir 1/2" 7' 4"
LILiving Intent Yurt Co Bamboo 1/2" 6' 9"
NSNomad Shelter Spruce 7/8" 7'
RORainier Outdoor Doug Fir 3/4" 7' 4"
SDShelter Designs Doug Fir 7/16" 7' 2"
YAYurts of America Poplar 3/4" 7'

Available Upgrades

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Company
Insulation
Thick Roof Cover
French Doors
SIP Panels
Glass Windows
Awnings
Rain Diverter
Opening Dome
Tinted Dome
Water Catchment
Wind & Snow Package
10ft Walls
Swappable Walls
BRBlue Ridge Yurts
CYColorado Yurt
GLGreat Lakes Yurt Co
LILiving Intent Yurt Co
NSNomad Shelter
RORainier Outdoor
SDShelter Designs
YAYurts of America

Final Details

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Company Lead Time Shipping Available Financing Available On-site Construction Services International Purchasing
BRBlue Ridge Yurts 3-4 weeks
CYColorado Yurt 5-8 weeks
GLGreat Lakes Yurt Co 6-8 weeks
LILiving Intent Yurt Co 7 weeks
NSNomad Shelter 6-12 weeks
RORainier Outdoor 3-7 weeks
SDShelter Designs 4-6 weeks
YAYurts of America 2-5 weeks


Storms and Weather

As mentioned previously, the yurts inherent shape were specially made for inclement weather. The round structure diverts wind around while the rafters and lattice walls evenly distribute the weight of snow down to the ground. However, the variability in a yurt’s effectiveness to combat the weather will vary drastically from kit to kit and company to company. Most American yurt companies will have their yurts tested to get strength ratings that will tell you how their yurt will perform in extreme conditions. Rainier’s 30ft base yurt has a snow load of 100 psf (pounds per square foot) while other companies will be around 15-20 psf. You can buy and build additional upgrades like vertical studs or even a metal center column that can increase the strength of a yurt drastically up to around 250 psf.

Basic thunderstorms and snowstorms should be no problem for a properly built yurt, but like all houses there are limits. Hurricanes and tornadoes will likely damage a yurt despite some anecdotal evidence saying otherwise.


Animals

The allure of yurts is that it encourages a closer relationship with the environment where it is built. This is one benefit of yurts that can actually become quite problematic. The mountains or forests surrounding a yurt can introduce the local wildlife to your humble home. While the relatively harmless rodent can be dealt with in any number of ways, there are larger and more dangerous animals to be wary of. In the American Southwest snakes are not uncommon while in other areas, bears may be a possible intruder. There are only so many things you can do to combat these potentially deadly animals from breaking into a yurt and much of it comes down to prevention.

By building a yurt on an elevated platform, you’re making it much more difficult for smaller animals to sneak, slip or slither inside. Larger animals like bears are more difficult to control. If you live in a bear-prone area, the thin vinyl on the outside of the yurt will do little to stop a hungry bear. The lattice may keep all but the most tenacious of the Ursidae family outside. You’re best bet is to not incentivize the bear from coming in by removing the tempting smells of food. Keep your food in a bear-proof container separate from the yurt. Additionally, consider installing an electric fence, motion-sensing lights and/or various noisemakers. Whatever you do, regular maintenance and proper construction will help prevent and catch problems with wildlife intruders.

  • Bear versus yurt Photo: Blue Ridge Yurts




Crime

There’s another type of intruder that comes in the form of a human. The reality is that if a potential criminal wants to come inside your home, they will find a way regardless of what type of structure you’re dealing with—yurt, cabin, treehouse, etc. All you can do is make a little harder for them to do. Many ways to do that is similar to what you would do for animals or a normal house in the city. Most yurt companies will offer doors that lock. If you’re able to use electricity you could install an alarm system or motion-activated lights.

These are all solutions to potential problems, but the best way to prevent having to deal with a problem like this is to carefully consider where you are building your yurt. Is the area known to have a low crime rate? Does your property have a gate that would make it more difficult for unwanted vehicles to come in and out? These are all things that should be thought about thoroughly.