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Question About Cover Material.

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Old 05-16-2013, 10:43 AM   #1
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Default Question about cover material.

Hi guys. New guy here. I'm Robo, and I'm a yurtaholic. lol After carpentering for forty years on square buildings, I got the urge this year to build something round for a change. So I've scratch built a 16' camping yurt from construction lumber, using plan found on the 'net. Google 'rotten luck guild- yurt' and click on the pics link you'll see a yurt like mine.

The build has been a snap, but now I'm dead in the water trying to figure how to get the roof covered. I got the wall covered, and for the last couple weeks I been out there at night hanging by the wood stove, a small tarp tied up above me and the wood pile.

I gotta get this dude covered with something better than the cheap jack Depot painters tarps I made into the wall cover. I was thinking 12 oz double fill sunforger canvas? Other? Suggestions? I sure need help guys. Any of you guys know of a good source for canvas online? I'd sure appreciate any advise from those that have been there done that. I got access to an industrial sewing machine.

Thanks in advance. You all have a good day.

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Old 05-16-2013, 11:11 AM   #2
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Default Re: Question about cover material.

Have you considered used billboard covers? Here is an example:

http://www.yurtforum.com/forums/yurt...8.html#post451
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Old 05-16-2013, 12:02 PM   #3
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Smile Re: Question about cover material.

On covering your yurt: To do this in a way that you'll end up smiling, you need to ask yourself what you're gonna use your yurt for. Will it be a semi-permanent spare room in your yard? Or do you plan to take it to weekend events and camp? How setting-correct does it have to be?
Someone suggested used billboard skins. They're heavy and they don't breath. But they are relatively cheap, and not an altogether sucky choice for a fixed structure. You can band them on as-is, (like any flat-panel roof tarp) and hide the folds in the back of the ger if it matter to ya. For a fitted roof, you can cut the folds and glue or heat-weld the seam with a hot-air tool for PCV membrane roofing.
Then there's canvas. It's more expensive, and more work. But I think it's a better choice for a mobile camping yurt. Sunforger is a good choice- I use the 10.10 oz., but lotsa folks like the 12 oz. too. It's lighter, breathes better, and the light color helps keep the tent cooler in the summer. You'll need a canvas-capable sewing machine, and the burliest cotton-wrapped poly thread your machine can handle. Making good seams is available lotsa places on the 'net. Be wary in your planning though- even pre-shrunk Sunforger will shrink a little more once wet.
And then there's the third option: white plastic tarp. Even cheaper, light, compact, and totally rain-proof, I've skinned "budget yurts" with this stuff before. I know it's not "authentic", but it works. And in white, it doesn't look that bad. The only real down sides are again, breathability (ventilate as necessary), and the horrifying racket that accompanies serious rain or hail. Best of luck, fellow yurt-monger!
Cheers-
Alchamar
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Old 05-16-2013, 03:46 PM   #4
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Default Re: Question about cover material.

Thanks for the replys guys. I'm leaving the yurt set up out back for now. I'd only consider a billboard tarp if it featured an Amazon sized Harrahs casino chick, otherwise I'll pass. lol

Alchamar, gotta suggestion for canvas online? I'm also considering a 12oz sunforger tarp from cover me tarps, folded up like you said. Heard of them?
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Old 05-16-2013, 06:00 PM   #5
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Default Re: Question about cover material.

How about an 18ft pool cover it's cheap durable and it comes with it's own draw string thing. fits a 16 foot yurt like a glove. the blue yurt in the picture section has a pool cover roof. The walls are covered with white tarps from those white portable garages you see all over.
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Last edited by Marshall Eppley; 05-16-2013 at 06:01 PM. Reason: fingers got lose
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Old 05-18-2013, 08:13 PM   #6
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Default Re: Question about cover material.

how much do these options cost?
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Old 05-18-2013, 09:44 PM   #7
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Default Re: Question about cover material.

Please see my post http://www.yurtforum.com/forums/buil....html#post1742 as I have a 16ft Pacific Yurt top cover for sale.
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Old 05-18-2013, 11:55 PM   #8
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Default Re: Question about cover material.

A couple of billboard skins cost about $250-$400 (depending on where ya find 'em). Sunforger canvas- about $500 give or take. White plastic tarp'll run ya under $200.

Cheers, Alchamar
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Old 05-19-2013, 02:28 AM   #9
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Default Re: Question about cover material.

Thanks, looks like I've got my used top cover priced reasonably at $450.
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Old 05-20-2013, 11:12 AM   #10
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Default Re: Question about cover material.

Be sure to take extremely careful measurements of everything first (roof pitch,

dome

opening diameter, fastening system, etc.) before trying to interchange/adapt home built stuff with commercially produced yurt parts. These things are definitely not one size fits all.

just FYI
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