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Installing glass windows

SoGaia

New member
Hello fellow yurt people. I’ve been living in my funky old 3rd hand yurt for a year and a half and I’m finally ready to get glass windows installed. Does anyone here have experience with that? I’ve watched all the you tube videos. One thing that isn’t discussed is whether or not or how to match the curvature of the wall. I’m installing 47 inch windows, which will match the size of the current torn up windows. Most of the zippers are trashed too. They kind of need to fit that footprint.

It seems like it wouldn’t hurt the lattice to bring it up to flat framing, except I don’t have a clear picture in my mind of what happens at the very top. The exact curvature seems like it might be really important for the rafters’ positioning.

I’d appreciate insights from folks with more experience and knowledge than me. Thanks.
 
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I talked with someone at Colorado yurts yesterday and they pretty much agreed that the header and footer have to be curved. I figured. Looks like I’m gonna need a bandsaw.

Been dreaming of this day since I moved in a year and a half ago. Windows that I can open and close easily. Windows that I can see out of, that let in light. Maybe I’ll even post pictures.
 
SoGaia, I'm a carpenter. You can easily cut those curved 2X plates with a 120 volt 7 1/4" blade skilsaw. 120 volt saws have WAY the heck more power than any battery saws. If the blade won't make it through the cut on a 2X, just set it to half depth, make the cut. Set it to full depth and follow the first kerf. if there's a problem just cut thirds or 1/2" deep/ That will get it for sure. Easy peasy. Done that many times on cuts that have a radius way tighter than any yurt wall.


OK, to lay out the 2X plate, find a flat spot. Have someone hold the tape on a point on that flat area. Or drive a big tent peg in the ground. Make that the focal point of the yurt so you can swing your yurts radius on your 2X plate stock.

Hook the tab on the tape on the focal point. Or preferably, have someone hold the tape on the focal point. Pull the tape out to the radius of your yurt, and swing the arc on your 2X plate stock. Get the 2X aligned so both ends so you have a smooth curve with no unequal runout on the board. The two ends should be mirror image of eachother.

To mark, simply hold your pencil against the tape at the radius, swing and mark the arc on the 2X. Cut with Skilsaw. NOT a battery saw. Easy peasy. Done this MANY times over the decades.
 
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Bob, that’s exactly the kind of advice I was looking for! Thank you. That last part about measuring the curve, particularly. I’ve been trying to invent that wheel for days. I knew there must be an easier way than what I was trying to do. It seems so obvious now that you said it. THANK YOU!
 
You're welcome. Glad that helped.

Another use of that same trick for erecting my 12'6" D. camping yurt. I use the 'swing arc off focal point' trick to roughly establish where to place the wall lattice.

I drive a tent peg in the ground at the focal point. I tie two loops in a length of the ring cover guyline so that the outside of the opposing loops is just over a full handspan apart. That's about 6'3", the radius of my camping yurt.

I loop the peg, walk off a couple steps and insert a rafter about a half foot into the other loop. Stretch the guyline out taut. Walk backwards and while holding the rafter end on the ground, swing the lattice location.

That is a dynamite way to get the wall in rough position which is a very big deal when erecting the yurt. Locating the lattice 'on diameter' helps keep the rafters from falling out of the ring. And bopping me on the head. Been there done that more than once. lol
 
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Ralex, I was referring to never never having installed a conventional window in a 2x wall erected in a yurt.

Copy and paste:, I've done that several times here.

But yeah for a fact I AM 'E' challenged. lol
 
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