"Real" operable yurt windows

[paigemc]

Hi all! We are in the planning stages of our 30' yurt home to be located in east central Alabama. We are looking at Blue Ridge and Colorado Yurt because of proximity. I'm having trouble making a decision on the windows. It seems like it would be better to have real windows but they are quite pricey when purchased as a part of the kit. Is there any chance this is a "diy" project that we could tackle on our own. If so.....any suggestions on how this works would be welcome.

Do we order with regular windows then add real ones later? Order with no windows and install our own as we go?

Maybe real windows aren't as important as I am making it out to be?

Thanks for any and all input!!

[Colorado Yurt Company]

You can do it yourself, as long as you understand the concept. The panel the window sits in will replace part of your lattice wall. So, it's going to have to be floor to ceiling support around the window.

Definitely can add windows after the yurt is up. I would suggest getting a yurt with standard windows, and replacing them with "real" windows as you can.

[Jafo]

Here is a good video from

Colorado Yurts

about installing windows BTW:

Window Installation Colorado Yurt Company - YouTube

[Colorado Yurt Company]

Thanks, Jeff for pointing out our video.

[paigemc]

Funny enough it was watching that video the other day that made me think maybe we could tackle the project on our own. ) My husband and I are pretty handy when it comes to building. There's just not a lot of information out there about people doing it themselves in lieu of buying the windows/kits from the yurt companies.

Thanks guys! I'll come back and post pics of our success(or failure) as we tackle the project!

[Jafo]

You're welcome!. Thanks for posting it on Youtube! It is definitely helpful.

[Jafo]

Are there ever any issues of water leakage from these window retrofits?

[Colorado Yurt Company]

Not that we've ever heard of.

[ljamies1]

I agree. its actually quite simple to install your own window when/ if you choose. On my 12 yurt I have two real 32in.x72in glass windows ($150 each). I have noticed a few benefits.
- they make insulating the yurt much easier yet still provide lighting. With vinyl windows my friend ended up having to cover them up through the winter.
- the frame for the windows improves the structural permanence drastically.
- cuts your

insulation

and wall fabric into smaller pieces, making them much easier to manage and transport.

[addicted56]

I am very much appreciating this very timely post. Like you I could not stomach the price of the windows. The open feel of the yurt is very important but insulating it here in Savannah GA for the next three years, and then in Oregon after that are also extremely important. About 6600 for the Colorado windows and 3500 for the pacific windows that I do not like.

Going to a restore or purchasing used windows and framing in can be up to 90% cheaper from what I have seen.

My understanding is that the vinyl windows are great at keeping out the elements but do virtually nothing for heat transfer.

Thank you for posting that video. Very helpful.