FAQ's

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Yurt?

Yurt is the name used to refer to a felt tent. A yurt is really more than a tent. In Asia and other parts of the world people live in yurts year round and tend to prefer them to other forms of housing. Yurts are known to be warm in the cold, yet cool in summer.

The structure can collapse small enough to fit on one draft animal (or in a pick up truck) and can be set up again in a short amount of time.

Lattice walls are formed by crossed wood pieces, much like a baby gate. In the yurts that we make, these wood pieces are joined together with nuts and ornamental bolts at the crossings. The lattice wall can be collapsed to take up very little room for

transporting. A door frame is made from dimensional lumber, and our standard door is hand made from beautiful solid wood. The lattice wall is attached to each side of the door frame. Roof rafters form the roof skeleton. One end of the rafter hooks into the crown at the top of the yurt, and the other end hooks onto the cable (aircraft cable) that is strung along the top of the lattice to create a very sound structure.

How do I heat my yurt?

Almost any form of heating works well in yurts. The most common heating sources are propane heaters, electric heaters, and wood stoves. With any type of heating and cooling, please keep safety in mind and follow all proper protocols for safe installation and use.

Can I add plumbing and electricity?

Both plumbing and electric can be brought up through the floor of the yurt. If an interior wall is added for a bathroom or bedroom, the pipes and wires can run though the walls just as in typical construction models.

To install electric outlets throughout your yurt, you can mount them on the floor or on short posts. It is recommended to have a professional do this installation. Many people who live in modern yurts also install solar panels, wind mills, or other forms of alternative energy.

How do I put up my new yurt?

Yurts are easy to put up, so usually new yurt owners gather together a few friends and have a yurt raising party! Smaller yurts take half a day to put up, the large ones a whole day. Detailed assembly instructions come with your Spirit Mountain Yurt.

If you are uncomfortable with this project, you can hire a small crew to do the work.

How long will my yurt last?

The framework of a yurt will outlive most buyers if it is not directly exposed to the elements. The life span of the yurt cover itself depends upon the cover material that you choose when you design your yurt. Our standard fabrics are guaranteed for eight years; you can also order your yurt with cover materials that are guaranteed for 15 years. This upgrade involves an extra cost. The materials we use actually last longer than the guarantees. Both our suppliers and ourselves tend to be conservative in this regard.

Can I order extra windows?

Of course! You can design your yurt any way that you would like. That is the beauty of having a yurt custom made for you. We make both windows with screens and storm flaps, and also picture windows of many sizes and shapes. We will be happy to consult with you in designing your yurt.

How do I make a floor for my yurt?

Most modern people like to build a wooden platform to put their yurt on. A circular platform is built the same size as your yurt, and often people will add exterior decks to this design. Sometimes people set yurts right on a flat piece of ground, with a drain trench dug around the perimeter so that all water will flow away from the yurt interior.

Can I add interior walls?

Interior walls are often added to create separate spaces for bathrooms and bedrooms. They are built using 2 x 4 framing and slightly modified standard construction methods.

Can I add a kitchen and bathroom?

Yes! Most people who live in yurts design their space with both a kitchen and a bathroom. Often an interior wall will be built to create a private bathroom space and the kitchen is designed to be on the other side of this new wall so that plumbing pipes can be installed most efficiently and water is easily available in both rooms. When yurts are built in locations where there is no sewer system, often people will use composting toilets and alternative greywater systems. Some good sources are Composting Toilets and Greywater Systems.

How about building a loft?

In the larger yurts, 24 foot and 30 foot, the crown at the top of the yurt is high enough to build a loft in your yurt and have a small upstairs. This is a great way to create more space, and also the floor that is built is often insulated to add more insulative value to your yurt home!

Can I connect more than one yurt?

Yes, many yurts can be connected. Please contact us with your ideas. We can help you with a design that fills your need to have separate rooms.

How do I take care of my yurt?

Yurts are very easy to take care of. It is a good idea to hose off dirt that accumulates over time, as dirt and grime will take away from the life of cover materials.

How are yurts shipped and what is the cost involved?

Yurts can either be picked up at our shop or shipped to you by freight truck. Please contact us for details. The weight and size of the yurt that you are ordering and also your location will determine costs.

How long will it take for my custom yurt to be finished?

This depends upon how busy we are at the time you place your order. We like to be able to finish custom yurts within four to six weeks of order date. When you are ready to order, contact us and we can give you a specific date of completion.

Do we have a contract?

When we receive the down payment on your yurt, we will send you a receipt, along with specifications on yurt design so that we can both review the design and be sure that instructions are clear. This is your contract.

Spirit Mountain Yurts home 551 W. Cordova Road #422, Santa Fe, NM 87505 (505) 757-2547
Quality Custom Yurts Providing yurts across America as well as Canada, Costa Rica, Israel, Japan & India. How We Started Making Yurts History of Yurts Standard Yurt Design Pricing/Standard Features/Options Fortress Yurt Design Yurt Owner Information Successful Yurt Living: Be Prepared for Big Winds Yurt Living in Deep Snow How to Stay Warm & Cozy in Your Yurt in Cold Climates Contact Us	Frequently Asked Questions What is a Yurt? Yurt is the name used to refer to a felt tent. A yurt is really more than a tent. In Asia and other parts of the world people live in yurts year round and tend to prefer them to other forms of housing. Yurts are known to be warm in the cold, yet cool in summer. The structure can collapse small enough to fit on one draft animal (or in a pick up truck) and can be set up again in a short amount of time. Lattice walls are formed by crossed wood pieces, much like a baby gate. In the yurts that we make, these wood pieces are joined together with nuts and ornamental bolts at the crossings. The lattice wall can be collapsed to take up very little room for transporting. A door frame is made from dimensional lumber, and our standard door is hand made from beautiful solid wood. The lattice wall is attached to each side of the door frame. Roof rafters form the roof skeleton. One end of the rafter hooks into the crown at the top of the yurt, and the other end hooks onto the cable (aircraft cable) that is strung along the top of the lattice to create a very sound structure. How do I heat my yurt? Almost any form of heating works well in yurts. The most common heating sources are propane heaters, electric heaters, and wood stoves. With any type of heating and cooling, please keep safety in mind and follow all proper protocols for safe installation and use. Can I add plumbing and electricity? Both plumbing and electric can be brought up through the floor of the yurt. If an interior wall is added for a bathroom or bedroom, the pipes and wires can run though the walls just as in typical construction models. To install electric outlets throughout your yurt, you can mount them on the floor or on short posts. It is recommended to have a professional do this installation. Many people who live in modern yurts also install solar panels, wind mills, or other forms of alternative energy. How do I put up my new yurt? Yurts are easy to put up, so usually new yurt owners gather together a few friends and have a yurt raising party! Smaller yurts take half a day to put up, the large ones a whole day. Detailed assembly instructions come with your Spirit Mountain Yurt. If you are uncomfortable with this project, you can hire a small crew to do the work. How long will my yurt last? The framework of a yurt will outlive most buyers if it is not directly exposed to the elements. The life span of the yurt cover itself depends upon the cover material that you choose when you design your yurt. Our standard fabrics are guaranteed for eight years; you can also order your yurt with cover materials that are guaranteed for 15 years. This upgrade involves an extra cost. The materials we use actually last longer than the guarantees. Both our suppliers and ourselves tend to be conservative in this regard. Can I order extra windows? Of course! You can design your yurt any way that you would like. That is the beauty of having a yurt custom made for you. We make both windows with screens and storm flaps, and also picture windows of many sizes and shapes. We will be happy to consult with you in designing your yurt. How do I make a floor for my yurt? Most modern people like to build a wooden platform to put their yurt on. A circular platform is built the same size as your yurt, and often people will add exterior decks to this design. Sometimes people set yurts right on a flat piece of ground, with a drain trench dug around the perimeter so that all water will flow away from the yurt interior. Can I add interior walls? Interior walls are often added to create separate spaces for bathrooms and bedrooms. They are built using 2 x 4 framing and slightly modified standard construction methods. Can I add a kitchen and bathroom? Yes! Most people who live in yurts design their space with both a kitchen and a bathroom. Often an interior wall will be built to create a private bathroom space and the kitchen is designed to be on the other side of this new wall so that plumbing pipes can be installed most efficiently and water is easily available in both rooms. When yurts are built in locations where there is no sewer system, often people will use composting toilets and alternative greywater systems. Some good sources are Composting Toilets and Greywater Systems. How about building a loft? In the larger yurts, 24 foot and 30 foot, the crown at the top of the yurt is high enough to build a loft in your yurt and have a small upstairs. This is a great way to create more space, and also the floor that is built is often insulated to add more insulative value to your yurt home! Can I connect more than one yurt? Yes, many yurts can be connected. Please contact us with your ideas. We can help you with a design that fills your need to have separate rooms. How do I take care of my yurt? Yurts are very easy to take care of. It is a good idea to hose off dirt that accumulates over time, as dirt and grime will take away from the life of cover materials. How are yurts shipped and what is the cost involved? Yurts can either be picked up at our shop or shipped to you by freight truck. Please contact us for details. The weight and size of the yurt that you are ordering and also your location will determine costs. How long will it take for my custom yurt to be finished? This depends upon how busy we are at the time you place your order. We like to be able to finish custom yurts within four to six weeks of order date. When you are ready to order, contact us and we can give you a specific date of completion. Do we have a contract? When we receive the down payment on your yurt, we will send you a receipt, along with specifications on yurt design so that we can both review the design and be sure that instructions are clear. This is your contract.