Do I really need a platform?

[Invalensname]

Hello,
I just purchased some land outside of the Dallas tx area.
I’m thinking about a small yurt for semi permanent setup. (I really want to be able to drive out to the land on Friday night after work and walk right into my shelter. And not have to deal with pitching a tent in the dark)
The yurt would be just for me in an off grid setting. No electric or water.

So right now I’m thinking about a 14 footer from Rainer. The website recommends that it be setup on a platform. (However they do offer a floor liner).

So, considering it is just me without access to electricity or water, and the fact that I have NO construction skills whatsoever, I am sceptical that I would be able to build a deck or pour a slab.

So the question is: do I really HAVE to have a deck or slab??

I don’t imagine the mongols toted around decking materials.

Also if there are any yurt owners in Texas or the south west, how are yurts in 100 degree heat? Does opening the

dome

provide enough convection to keep it tolerable?

Thanks in advance for any advice.

[hierony]

Welcome to the forums!

I would suggest calling

Rainier Yurts

with your question. From my limited knowledge of modern yurts they generally require a platform to fix their rafter support posts in place.

[Jafo]

With wind, I can't imagine not attaching a yurt to SOMETHING. If it were me, I would look for a local handyman and ask him how much to build a real basic deck on blocks, with cheap sub-floor type lumber and strand board. It doesn't have to be pretty, just functional. You can always throw a rug over it.

[YurterRT]

I am in Bowie County, Texas. I poured my own concrete platform in pie sections forms, after leveling and laying a

moisture

barrier. I additionally set 16 treated posts 3 feet deep in concrete in the circle before pouring (by my own hand too dang it) a six inch slab. It has worked beautifully in my 22' home made yurt.
Just one way of doing it. It has held up in over 40 mph winds so I trust it.

[Jafo]

Originally Posted by YurterRT

I am in Bowie County, Texas. I poured my own concrete platform in pie sections forms, after leveling and laying a

moisture

barrier. I additionally set 16 treated posts 3 feet deep in concrete in the circle before pouring (by my own hand too dang it) a six inch slab. It has worked beautifully in my 22' home made yurt.
Just one way of doing it. It has held up in over 40 mph winds so I trust it.

Could you ballpark how much that cost you?

[YurterRT]

I bought it as I went and could mix, pour, & spread working in the evenings after work and on weekends that I could. Didn't keep a running total of the # of bags/total cost of concrete purchases.

[Bob Rowlands]

My advice. Get your yurt. Erect it on a tarp. Fold the tarp up on the outside of the wall, under the cover. Cinch the cover and tarp against the wall lattice with a rope band that encircles the bottom of the exterior yurt wall. Tighten the rope on screw eyes placed in the door frame.

Live in that yurt awhile until you have an idea of what life in a small yurt is like. At some point down the road you'll have a clear picture of what you want to do in the future.

[Jafo]

Originally Posted by YurterRT

I bought it as I went and could mix, pour, & spread working in the evenings after work and on weekends that I could. Didn't keep a running total of the # of bags/total cost of concrete purchases.

Under $1,000 you think? Just a ballpark is fine.

[Bob Rowlands]

I gotta butt in here and warn newbies to not consider building a slab for their yurt with quikrete by the bag. Premix is most definitely the norm for a slab that size. Flatwork comes out a MUCH better job with a monopour. Bagged concrete and scratch made concrete certainly has it's place, but slabs ain't it.

[YurterRT]

Jafo, it was less than $800 as best I can ball park on the concrete by the bag price.
It was the perfect solution for me as it was too remote to get a hired pour done. I could work at my leisure where I managed the time to do so. It was actually a fun work out and indeed worked like a charm.
When and where there is a will there is a way!!!!!!