family of 4

[newt]

We are thinking of a yurt to live in until we are able to build a small timberframe house. This could take as long as 2 years. What size yurt should we think about? 24, 27, or 30. We are a family of 4 with 2 dogs and a cat. Kids are 8 and 6. Not much time is spent inside since we live on a farm and have ample outdoor space. Any and all suggestions are welcome and appreciated. We are currently in 29 ft rv plugged into in laws house.

[hierony]

You're still in PA, right? How much were you looking to spend? What are your priorities for space needs/uses? Were you looking to get unplugged from the inlaws house?

I'd be tempted to continue using the RV for some things (bathroom? kitchen?) but maybe tear out/reconfigure some bits to make more space or more to your liking. Use it for kids rooms and get a 16-20' yurt traditional-style yurt (felt

insulation

, easy setup/takedown, simple platform possibilities) to use as your bedroom/additional space. It would keep costs down ($5-10k?), be easier to heat than something bigger, and give you some more room.

[Jafo]

I would continue using the RV myself, unless you have plans on using the yurt after you build your home. Yurts are not cheap, unless you take on the arduous task of building it yourself.

[newt]

Decision made on a 5 yr plan....moving forward with the yurt....30ft. We will add timber frame later at a slower pace but hope to be in the yurt by start of summmer.

Thanks for.the advice. We are excited.

[Jafo]

Good luck and post some pictures!

[Jake]

Where do you live? For full time non nomadic living I would seriously consider a 'stone yurt', or wood paneled one. I mentioned on another thread of a book by Rob Roy titled Stoneview, its on Amazon, an octagon with central

dome

, theirs has cordwood walls, I was thinking of wood panels, thick walls insulated, on a slab. A yurt cant be beat for a nomadic life style, but for long time settled living there are alternatives to look at.

[Bob Rowlands]

A panelized yurt wall is a good idea. It could contain conventional window and

insulation

. Very affordable to build. Could also be portable if screwed together. Stack the panels and the balance of the yurt and truck on down the road. Very doable.

[Jake]

That's my thought, any number of variations depending on use. I'd still use the tono and bagrams.