Looking for pony wall plans and examples

[mbear]

Hi - I am working on designs for a platform for a 16 foot yurt with 8 foot walls. I would like the walls to be taller so that I can put in a sleeping loft. Do you think that pony wall is necessary given that the walls are already 8 feet? If I do opt for the pony wall, I would love to look at blueprints/plan/sketches to give me a better sense of how to build it. If anyone has any to share or thoughts and tips, I'd be appreciative.

[Robbiebob24]

I am wondering the same thing.. Ive ordered a pacific yurt with 7' walls and would like to bump up the height.. did you build a pony wall? if so how did it go? Pictures?

thanks

[Bob Rowlands]

Never heard of a pony wall in a yurt.

[TSRalex]

Originally Posted by Bob Rowlands

Never heard of a pony wall in a yurt.

IMHO it´s only an (mostly functional) element of room design - why not in an bigger Yurt?

Sometimes it needs a little bit of fantasy to reach fresh solutions.

[Bob Rowlands]

I still don't know what a pony wall does in a yurt. If anyone has an answer to this, I'm all ears.

[TSRalex]

Originally Posted by Bob Rowlands

I still don't know what a pony wall does in a yurt. If anyone has an answer to this, I'm all ears.

It could help to divide the big space into some smaller areas with different functions. I can imagine, that people have other access to coziness as I have....

[Bob Rowlands]

By definition a pony wall is a load bearing wall. Classic example is a wall typically used on top of a stepped concrete foundation, to bring the top plate up to mud plate height. In fact I framed two of them in the lower level of my foundation. 'Pony wall' as the op used it completely evades me. I just don't see how that fits into any yurt structure.

A short wall, knee wall, half wall is non load bearing. Examples are: used up the side of a stairs, or room divider, see through wall from kitchen level to family room in a tri level, backer wall for base cabinets exposed to a living area, that has typically has drywall cover and outlets in it. All that is non structural. Pony wall is structural. See what I'm saying?

So mbear-or anyone else- any additinal comments about pony wall design in yurt plan, fill me in on what you are referring to. Thanks.

[Robbiebob24]

on the pony wall...
I am looking to raise the height of the yurt walls. That is why I want to build a load bearing wall that sits on top of the base platform that would raise it up 18"-24". Doing so would add needed height for a more comfortable loft.
I already purchased the largest Yurt I can 30'.
I am just wondering about stability for the yurt as a whole if it is raised up like that.
From what I understand most yurts are set on the platform base with just an inch of 1/4 in plywood sheet to keep it on the platform before adding any bracketing.

[TSRalex]

Originally Posted by Bob Rowlands

By definition a pony wall is a load bearing wall.

I´m quoting the definition from Wikipedia below.....

Originally Posted by Bob Rowlands

A short wall, knee wall, half wall is non load bearing. Examples are: used up the side of a stairs, or room divider, see through wall from kitchen level to family room in a tri level, backer wall for base cabinets exposed to a living area, that has typically has drywall cover and outlets in it. All that is non structural.

Exactly room dividers was in my imagination.

Originally Posted by Bob Rowlands

Pony wall is structural. See what I'm saying?

Yes I see it, but disagree in such narrow thinking.

And with the definition of Wiki, I believe I´m right with an wider approach:

A pony wall is a short wall.

In different circumstances, it may refer to:

- a half wall that only extends partway from floor to ceiling, without supporting anything.
- a stem wall, a concrete wall that extends from the foundation slab to the cripple wall or floor joists.
- a cripple wall, a framed wall that extends from the stem wall or foundation slab to the floor joists.
- a knee wall, which extends from the floor to a countertop, rafter, or handrail.

Originally Posted by Robbiebob24

That is why I want to build a load bearing wall that sits on top of the base platform that would raise it up 18"-24".

OK - I think I understand that you want a ring-shaped strip foundation on which you want to put lattice wall and rafter supporter, right?

In my eyes the term "Pony-Wall" for was confusing, as that is defined by Bob AND Wiki as "a short wall"....

Originally Posted by Robbiebob24

I am just wondering about stability for the yurt as a whole if it is raised up like that.

I can´t see a problem of stability from the general Yurt-building view, but as higher the side wall, as more instability against stronger winds is given.

[Jafo]

I am probably the only one sitting here thinking a pony wall is a kind of wall you tie ponies up to..