Yurt Security

[Slated79]

Hi all! I am new to the forum and so happy that I came across it! I have been interested in alternative living accommodation for some time. I find the whole concept extremely compelling. Tiny houses, container homes, living off grid etc... But I have only just recently become aware of Yurts as a viable housing option. I've been reading a number of posts on here since registering and understand that the a Yurt would be fine for the climate here in Ireland. I own a small plot of land so I have on which to build if I so wish, planning permission pending. (I'd have to research the law regarding Yurts. Would they be technically classed as a tent?) My only concern would be security. How secure are Yurts against thieves? My initial instinct would be to say not very. But I have no experience of them whatsoever, which is why I thought I would ask the question here,of those with first hand experience. I'm guessing that the majority of the forum members here are based in North America. But if there are any members based in Ireland or the UK, I'd love to pick your brains on the practicalities (or lack there of) of Yurt living in this part of the world.

[Jafo]

Some of this will depend on the type of yurt you get. An engineered yurt that is attached to the foundation (so you can't just pick it up off the ground) will generally be quite secure. It isn't like they can just cut the fabric and gain entrance, unless they are also going to then saw through the lattice WITHOUT collapsing the entire structure on top of them. I think this is much more difficult than breaking into a standard structure which simply requires a brick through a window.

[Wintergreen282]

Agree with Jafo. I also think a couple well placed security cameras - real or fake makes folks think twice. Solar, internet connected, cameras are quite inexpensive these days. Of course anything can be defeated. Much depends on your area and neighbors. And perhaps what good things you have to steal.

[Ivan]

We have a game camera set up, but probably the best reason, is that we are not a drive up, folks have to see the trail, than have walk a couple of hundred meters to find it.. At that point we don't bother locking it,, nothing to steal anyways.

[Colorado Yurt Company]

Whether it's human or critter, we hear from our customers that they might cut through the fabric wall- but are usually deterred by the lattice.

[Slated79]

Originally Posted by Slated79

Hi all! I am new to the forum and so happy that I came across it! I have been interested in alternative living accommodation for some time. I find the whole concept extremely compelling. Tiny houses, container homes, living off grid etc... But I have only just recently become aware of Yurts as a viable housing option. I've been reading a number of posts on here since registering and understand that the a Yurt would be fine for the climate here in Ireland. I own a small plot of land so I have on which to build if I so wish, planning permission pending. (I'd have to research the law regarding Yurts. Would they be technically classed as a tent?) My only concern would be security. How secure are Yurts against thieves? My initial instinct would be to say not very. But I have no experience of them whatsoever, which is why I thought I would ask the question here,of those with first hand experience. I'm guessing that the majority of the forum members here are based in North America. But if there are any members based in Ireland or the UK, I'd love to pick your brains on the practicalities (or lack there of) of Yurt living in this part of the world.

Thanks for the info everybody. All valid and helpful points. I have been doing a cursory search online for distributors in my part of the world using www.for-sale.ie, but to little avail. All I am finding is classified ads for

camping yurts

for sale, like the one in the photo below. All very nice, but not suitable for living in on a long term basis. I see from the adverts on the forum that there are a number of North American based Yurt manufacturing companies. Would anybody happen to know if any of them distribute in Europe? Or could somebody point me in the direction of a manufacturer over on this side of the pond? Or has anybody any experience of importing one North America to Europe? If so, can you offer any advice? Cost of shipping etc.

Also, when it comes to constructing a yurt, is it best to seek specialist assistance? Or could a few friends with average DIY skills cope well enough?

[Jafo]

I do believe most of the major manufacturers ship overseas, but you can always contact them here or at their sites for more information. Most of them are pretty easy going and will give you all the info you need without any sales pressure.

You may need a carpenter for the foundation or at least someone who knows how to build a basic deck and follow a simple blueprint that the yurt manufacturer sends you. The rest of the yurt can go up with average DIY skills. Note that the bigger the yurt, the heavier things are such as the roof fabric and

center ring

. On my 30' yurt, the roof fabric was over 230 lbs as I recall. We needed scaffolding to work with it safely.

[Colorado Yurt Company]

We routinely ship overseas. We've got longstanding relationships with overseas freight companies, and can give you a quote for what that would cost. Usually, we ship to the nearest port- and you would arrange the final leg to your site.
Agree with Jafo on the skills needed. Most of our customers pitch their own yurts with the help of a group of friends. Reading instructions and taking time to measure carefully are important.
Email: [email protected] if you want a quote.
Thanks!

[Slated79]

Thanks for all the info everybody. Much appreciated.

[Great-Dane]

Good afternoon Slated79. We are a german couple, living in Portugal and have been through the thinking process of house vs. alternative. Finally deciding for a yurt we couldn't find anything alike the US made yurts here in europe. So actually exactly today our yurt gets packed into a container to make it#s way to europe. By the way I can't praise the guys from shelterdesigns enough. Being german we had some expectations, but those guys surpassed them. But you have to calculate some additional costs before hand, i.e. shipping from the US to europe at least 4-5000 US, import tax and VAT another 5-6000 US, you need a solid fundament (2-3000 US) and at best a matching SIP floor (5000 US). These are just the bigger numbers involved. So with some framing inside the yurt, furnitures, fire place, chimney,sanitary stuff....you better calculate with the price of the yurt by two. Still what a great style of living ! In regards of security I couldn't care less, we haven't locked our doors for years as we have 2 massiv Bourboels looking after us. regards Great-Dane