A suggestion for reflecting summer time sun out of the Dome...

[cmwingfield]

Here is a suggestion for those trying to block the summertime sun from streaming into your yurt through the

dome

. I've done this for the past three summers, and it works very well. First, take the largest hoola hoop you can buy, run a thin bead of silicon caulk around the hoola hoop and with the help of a friend unfold one of those survival blankets that are all shiny on one side and stretch it out over the hoola hoop so that it sits down on the bead of silicon. Put the contraption where the wind can't get at it until it gets dry. Since I have the velcro attached

dome

screen, I just loosen the velcro halfway around and then slide the hoola hoop/survival blanket shiny side up on top of the screen. Adjust with a short stick the excess so as to fill up the space and then reattach the velcro. It sits up there very nicely and in the fall I just take it down and store to so I can get the winter sun into the yurt to help warm me up. As an aside, I purchased a twelve foot step ladder when I first pitched the yurt and it has helped me immensely. They are pricey, but well worth the money over time. I hope this helps someone!

[Jafo]

I always thought it would be great if someone came up with a solution that was shaped sort of like an Oriental fan but that would open up to a complete circle. This way you could expand it and retract it when you want.

Great suggestion on the hula-hoop though!

[HawaiiYurts]

Hula hoop with caulking on half of one of those fan looking car window sun reflectors?? Hmmm...! I like the bronzed dome, that solves it and still allows you a clear view out of the dome.

[cmwingfield]

Where I live, to be able to utilize the sun for warmth in the winter is very valuable. The bronze dome blocks some of that free warmth, whereas the clear dome lets in the rays. The opposite is the fact in the summer where it gets very hot so I need to block out as much heat as possible. For me, the bronze dome is effective for half a year, then It costs me money for the next half year. A clear dome that I can add and subtract reflective materials as needed works better and saves me money.