Placing twin-yurts on a single wooden platform

[tisseyres-yurts]

We have started constructing the wooden base for our twin yurts (27m2 and 15m2) which a carpenter is making out of good quality 22cm wide wooden strips cut into 1.5m x 2m sections which will all link together and sit ontop of cement blocks. The final structure is 77m2, measuring 7m x 11m.

We want to place the yurts on top of this structure but need to come up with a way of waterproofing the yurts where they meet the floor.

The floor has 5mm gaps in between the 22cm wide planks which will allow for drainage outside the yurts.

We are thinking of adding a lip all the way round the yurts, perhaps waterproofed with silicon or are wondering whether we should cut a circular drainage hole into which the yurts would be pulled and fastened so the rain can drain away.

Does anyone have any experience of placing yurts on one single wooden platform? We plan on only having the yurts up Spring to Autumn.

Thanks in advance,

Ed, South of France

[Bob Rowlands]

Here are some ideas.

One way if you have the cash. Frame a seperate

yurt platform

atop the deck. Frame with 2x4s on edge. Insulate with sheet foam fitted tight between the 2x4 joists. Lay foam atop spacers. Cover with 2x6 decking. Your yurts will be elevated 5" off the deck with cover drape of 5" at the edge. The main deck is self draining.

Another way without

insulation

. Build a second 2x6 yurt floor atop the new platform. Lay the 2x6 flat, and install perpendicular to the main deck. That will stop the majority of air leaks through the floor as well. 1.5" of elevation will stop water into the yurt.

A cheap way. Rout a 1" wide by 1/2" deep moat around the perimeter. Anchor the wall lattice just inside the moat. Water drains in the slots at the moat. Add 1" dia. drain holes.

Apply one good thick prime coat to all boards before framing.

Good luck.

[Bob Rowlands]

Another cheap way using roll flashing and a router. Pencil the wall diameter on the 2x6 deck. Rout a 1/4" wide slot, 1/2" deep into the deck on that line. The easy way to do this is to attach a long strip to the bottom of the router and anchor it to the focus of the circle. Just swing the router and you'll have a perfectly round slot.

Paint the slot. Install roll flashing vertically in the slot, and toe screw from the outside in through the slot, into the interior yurt floor. Install the screws on an angle, like toe nailing. Drill a pilot hole first, and use plated screws. Install wall lattice so it butts into the flashing on the inside. The cover drapes over the outside face of the flashing.

[tisseyres-yurts]

Thanks Bob.

Much appreciated!

[Bob Rowlands]

Yet another way to install the roll flashing vertically in the deck floor, without using a router, is to simply use your skilsaw to cut the penciled wall diameter line. The saw kerf will be wide enough to insert the roll flashing. Set the blade for 5/8ths depth. Tuck the flashing into the saw kerf, and screw/anchor as above. If you wanted to get real fancy, you could pump silicone caulk into the saw kerf prior to installing the flashing. That would give a water tight joint. Installing the flashing in this manner would go much easier with two guys, and two cordless drill. One drill setup for drilling the screw pilot hole, and the other to drive the screw home.

I'm frugal myself. For economy reasons I'd likely try this last method first. If it doesn't work that well, try the elevated platform approach.

Good luck.

[Bob Rowlands]

Make that, "wall circumference line", not "wall diameter line".