General Yurt Questions
Who installs my yurt?
Most Majestic Canvas Studio customers enjoy the satisfaction of setting up their yurt
themselves with a group of friends and family. You will receive an easy to follow instruction
manual and video when you place your order. It takes you step by step through the setup
process and lists lots of helpful tips. Phone support is also available Monday through Friday
should you have questions. If you are within 400 miles of our office in Glastonbury,
Somerset we have an installation crew that can fully install or help you install your yurt
How long does it take to set up a yurt?
It depends on the size of the yurt and options you’ve selected. Generally speaking, once you
have your platform finished, the actual yurt installation takes from less than a day.
How long do yurts last?
The wooden framework of the yurt will last indefinitely. The fabric cover of the yurt will
generally last eight to fifteen years depending on the severity of UV rays in your climate and
the exposure of your yurt to these UV rays. Extreme moisture and humidity are also
environmental elements that may need special consideration. However you will receive 24
months of warranty from us for canvas and framework.
How do I care for my yurt once it is up?
You may want to occasionally wash the walls and roof with a very mild soap and a garden
hose. We recommend a mild detergent such as Ivory Flakes which can be found in your local
grocery store. Never pressure wash the fabric cover of your yurt as this will cause irreparable
damage. Especially in harsh climates, it is a good idea to recoat the outside surface of the
doors every few years with a wood stain or polyurethane for protection against the weather.
Are yurts eco-friendly?
Fabric yurts leave a very light footprint on the earth making them extremely environmentally
friendly. The simple design of the yurt also requires far fewer of the earth’s resources than a
traditional stick built home. Yurts are a very eco-friendly alternative for those resolved to
living a more sustainable and simple lifestyle.
Can yurts be connected together or with other structures?
Some customers choose to locate a bedroom, bathroom or office in a second yurt or other
wooden structure. Attaching these to the main yurt can be as simple as building a breezeway
between the two. This may also be accomplished by building a hallway between door frames
of both structures.
Utilities
What about a bathroom and a kitchen in my yurt?
Many customers choose to partition off a section of their yurt for a bathroom. This can be
done by studding up a wall like you would in a traditional house. The kitchen can be located
on the opposite side of this stud wall, so the water source can be shared and there is a flat
surface for hanging cabinets. Venting is in most cases directed through the yurt wall.
Plumbing lines are generally brought up through the floor. Special care (the capacity to drain
the line, wrapping it with heat tape or using a constant heat source with a thermostat) must be
taken in freezing climates to protect the above ground plumbing components. Some
customers utilize a composting toilet. Occasionally yurt owners will choose to put their
bathroom in a second attached or detached yurt or even in a separate wood frame structure.
Can I install electricity?
If you have access to electricity on your property, the electrical lines can be run to any
location under your yurt and brought up through the floor. Outlets and light switches may
then be placed wherever convenient. If you do not have access to electricity we recommend
going solar!
How do I heat my yurt?
Heating a yurt is most often accomplished with a wood or gas stove vented through the yurt
wall. It is important to know the square footage of the area you will be heating when you go
to purchase your stove. Radiant in-floor heating is also becoming popular and is an efficient,
even way to heat the yurt in a fairly mild climate or with a supplemental heat source such as
electric baseboards or ceramic heaters.
Interiors
Can interior walls be built in my yurt?
Yes, walls can be built to section off areas within your yurt. They are framed up after the yurt
is erected just like walls in a traditional house. The internal walls should not attach to the yurt
walls as this may effect the structural integrity of the yurt. Bathrooms and bedrooms are the
areas for which walls are most often built.
Platforms
What kind of platform or deck does my yurt require?
Your yurt is designed to be built on a circular, raised platform that is the same diameter as
your yurt. The walls of the yurt connect to the floor of the platform with L brackets, eyebolts
or metal pegs. This platform may stand alone or may be placed on top of an oversized deck
giving you room on the outside for sitting areas and making it easier to roll up the window
flaps. This platform allows you the flexibility of placing your yurt on uneven terrain since the
surface of the deck can be levelled by adjusting the height of the posts underneath. If your
landscape is fairly level, a concrete circular platform is also an option. You are responsible
for building the platform.
Will my yurt come with a floor?
You are responsible for the flooring in your yurt. Tongue and groove wood flooring is most
often used, however other flooring materials such as tile or linoleum can be installed if a
subfloor is laid first. If keeping the cost down is a concern, a simple plywood floor is a good
option.
Shipping
How much will it cost to ship my yurt?
Yurt shipping costs depend on many factors including your shipping location, size of your
yurt and options selected. Please contact us for more info.
How long will it take to get my yurt?
Majestic Canvas Studio are custom built. Your yurt will usually be shipped from our shop 3-6
weeks after you place your order.