My thoughts on building my yurt

[HopefulHomemaker]

Can you put it in the walls, or just the ceiling? We're also debating on insulating the floor. We probably won't (I don't think it'll make much difference) but if we do it'll likely be blue board.

[Jafo]

Originally Posted by HopefulHomemaker

Can you put it in the walls, or just the ceiling? We're also debating on insulating the floor. We probably won't (I don't think it'll make much difference) but if we do it'll likely be blue board.

You definitely could, in fact, you could use traditional

insulation

on the walls if you wanted to. It would cover the lattice though.

The floor is up to you. If you are going to have it up off the ground like mine, then it probably would be a good idea. The floor does get pretty cold.

[HopefulHomemaker]

Yeah, we were planning on having a crawl space under the house. Probably about 18 inches. So we might insulate the floor, and possibly the ceiling, but weren't planning to add anything extra to the walls.

[Jafo]

Originally Posted by HopefulHomemaker

Yeah, we were planning on having a crawl space under the house. Probably about 18 inches. So we might insulate the floor, and possibly the ceiling, but weren't planning to add anything extra to the walls.

That's a good idea.. At least with the crawl space, you can add the

insulation

later if you have to.

[Jafo]

Hopefully you are subscribed to this thread. I was wondering how the permitting process has gone? Any luck?

[Acudoc]

I am new to the thread. We are building our Yurt this year as well. If you are close to us, I am happy to bring the kids and help you set up the Yurt.
I decided to go with Shelter Design as they include many of the options as standard that Pacific charges for including diverters, tall wall etc. The base price is also less.
I am also interested in how your permitting goes.
Send me some contact info if you are interested.
I am at Northern edge of Catskills .

[Jafo]

Acudoc,

Congrats on the yurt. Would love to see some pics when you are done. I used to live down near New Paltz. Love the Catskills!

[blondie]

May I jump in here and say that you need to find a way to insulate both the walls, ceiling and floor, if you are going to live way up there with children. I am going to use some bubble wrap, some with blisters an inch or so across and an inch deep. I thought two back to back layers sealed with plastic tarping and two into wide tape. They also suggest two layers of reflective foil. One just inside the inner lining to reflect heat back into the yurt and a second just inside the outer covering to reflect the cold back outside. I bought a box of foil trauma blankets to tape together. Using rigid foam insulation in the roof is great. It can also be used in the walls by making seams every three ft or so to allow it to curve. Using it to insulate the floor is fabulous. You would have to use several inches thick to get the best coverage.

I have looked at carpet padding AND carpet to use as insulation for the walls and roof.

I understand the area that looses the most heat is the area where the roof meets the wall. I suggest a two foot wide strip of insulation that you can secure with tape and will take gathering and folding to match the curve of the ceiling and the flare of the wall.

Blondie

[Jafo]

I agree with a lot of this. The only thing I would say about the foil is, the side facing out reflects the HEAT away, not the cold. Cold is the absence of heat, not an energy form. A good analogy would be that a rain coat reflects water, it does not reflect dry.

The foil facing out will help keep the yurt cooler in the summer.

[blondie]

Yep, I agree. In my sitation I will require two layers. I will be in an area that is cold in the winter and HOT in the summer.