Options such as insulation, additional windows are available and listed on our pricing form,
Yurta is an inherently hackable and adaptable system. Please contact us if you want to do something a little different.
Expert insights into the design, installation, and maintenance of high-performance yurts.
What is a yurt, and how is a Yurta different? A traditional yurt is an ingenious circular dwelling featuring a conical roof and lattice wall. A Yurta is a contemporary Canadian adaptation designed specifically for modern 4-season use. It blends ancient architectural wisdom with furniture-grade materials and a tool-free framework, bridging the gap between a tent and a permanent cabin.
Can a Yurta be used as a cottage bunkie or guest house? Yes, a Yurta is the ultimate low-stress alternative to a traditional wooden cottage bunkie. Unlike wooden prefab kits that require concrete foundations, heavy hauling, and days of noisy building, a Yurta sets up in hours on a simple platform. It provides a luxurious, highly insulated 4-season guest suite without disrupting your peaceful cottage environmen
Because it is often classified as a temporary seasonal fabric shelter, it can frequently be installed in locations where a rigid wooden bunkie might face permit restrictions or property tax increases. And because it is minimal and preassembled, it is easy to carry into sites where building traditionally might be prohibitive.
Is a yurt suited to a Canadian winter, snow loads and wind loads? Yes. Yurta yurts are designed and made for extreme Canadian climates. Every structure can handle three feet of snow load and 100 km/h winds without breaking a sweat. This extreme resilience comes from our heavy-duty clear white ash framework and a unique tension-cable system.
Our unique dual-action insulation is a superb lightweight insulation that allows effective heating of the yurt to -30C and beyond. Read more about the Yurta Standards we maintain that allow it to perform in the harshest climates.
The minimal Yurta frame: Is it really strong? hile the White Ash lattice may appear thin, its strength lies in its combination of high density and Modulus of Elasticity. Unlike thick, rigid softwoods used in many imported and modern yurts, White Ash acts as a structural spring that absorbs wind and snow stress rather than snapping under load. Coupled with a fundamental structural design that leverages the genius of traditional yurts, the Yurta design allows for a high strength-to-weight ratio that defines the Yurta’s minimal footprint.
Do I need a building permit for a yurt in Ontario? In many municipalities, no, because a Yurta is classified as a temporary or demountable fabric shelter. Unlike modern yurts, Yurta is a true tent. Because the Yurta deploys without a permanent foundation, features soft windows and deploys as one element, it typically does not require a standard building permit. However, local bylaws vary, and we recommend framing inquiries to your municipality around “seasonal fabric shelters.”
There may be many things weighed by municipalities such as the type of structure erected, the deck installed, whether the floor is insulated, whether the floor touches the deck, or the intended use of the shelter.
Contemporary building codes were intended to govern hard buildings. While modern. yurts blur the line between house and tent, Yurta is a true tent and when used as such, in our experience, it has typically not required a permit. Yurta’s scale allows it to be deployed without disturbing the soil. The structure opens like an umbrella and deploys without turning a screw or hammering a nail and the walls feature soft but functional all-season tent windows. It is a heavy-duty tent. But it’s a tent nonetheless.
How long does setup take? Yes, almost every Yurta is successfully installed by its owner. On a prepared platform, the assembly times are:
Yurta 17 Setup Time: 2 to 4 hours (with 2 people), Deploys with a single cable and two pins.
Yurta 21 Setup Time: 5 to 7 hours (with 2+ people). Deploys with zero nails or screws and a stepladder using a proprietary tension-cable framework.
Unlike traditional and modern yurts that require extensive assembly, our frames are pre-assembled in our Ontario shop and deploy with a simple “umbrella” logic.
Do I need a deck for my yurt? You do not specifically need a raised deck, but a stable, level round floor is essential for structural integrity. Whether you choose a permanent wooden platform, a gravel pad, or a portable floor system depends on your site’s terrain and your local zoning requirements.
Our Philosophy: We encourage you to “touch the earth as lightly as possible.” Low-impact, non-permanent flooring solutions that preserve the minimal footprint of the structure.
Yurta is designed to be highly adaptable. You can build a circular deck or an insulated floor in a variety of ways to suit the Ontario climate. We’re happy to share everything we know with you. Pro Tip: Ensuring your floor is exactly the diameter of the yurt is the best way to ensure performance of your outer cover. In a Yurta, your floor can be less than perfectly round; our design allows you to still get a near-perfect seal between outside and inside.
Can yurts be connected? Yes, our yurts are designed to connect at the structural level. They can be linked together to create multi-room living spaces or even connected to a permanent “hard” building. This modularity allows your shelter system to grow as your needs evolve without requiring specialized custom parts. There are considerations that we’re happy to explore with you.
What is the typical lifespan of a yurt, and how long does the fabric cover last? A well-maintained yurt frame, compression ring, and dome are designed to last a lifetime. The fabric outer cover typically has a lifespan of approximately 10 years, which can be extended by re-coating the acrylic on-site for a minimal cost.
Should I remove yurt insulation during the summer? No, you should keep your wool insulation installed year-round. Our 100% sheep wool insulation features a reflective backing that reflects solar heat outward in the summer, while the thermal mass of the wool helps maintain a cool interior through efficient convection.
Click here to read more about the material science behind wool felt insulation: https://yurta.ca/yurta-the-fine-print/
Why does the chimney vent through the roof? No, you should keep your wool insulation installed year-round. Our 100% sheep wool insulation features a reflective backing that reflects solar heat outward in the summer, while the thermal mass of the wool helps maintain a cool interior through efficient convection.
Are your yurts truly made in Canada? Yes. Since 2004, every Yurta has been manufactured in Ontario, Canada. We support dozens of local craft workers and precision hardware makers to ensure that every component—from the White Ash frame to the custom-molded dome—meets our rigorous standards for local accountability and quality. Every part of our yurt is designed by us or purpose-built for use.
7 questions answered
What are the most common uses for a Yurta? The Yurta is a high-performance short or long-term shelter.
Common applications include premium glamping accommodations, backyard home offices, art studios, off-grid eco-retreats, and low-impact cottage guest bunkies.
Its balance of strength, footprint and functionality to make it ideally suited to most any climate, site or use from the Arctic circle to the Australian continent.
What sizes of yurts do you manufacture? We hand-craft two sizes: the Yurta 17 (17-foot diameter / approx. 226 sq. ft.) and the Yurta 21 (21-foot diameter / approx. 346 sq. ft.).
Can I visit one? Yes, you can meet with and visit our 17’ yurt north of Oshawa Ontario. You can also meet us and visit a 21’ and a 17’ yurt at our site near Almonte Ontario. There’s nothing like the real thing.
Please contact us to make an appointment for a visit.
Do you rent them out? We don’t offer Yurta tents rentals ourselves. But our clients do rent out their Yurta spaces. See about renting a Yurta from one of our clients here.
What and how do you source materials? We work only with natural and non-toxic materials. Many poisons have too easily pervaded the material world in which we live, the foods we eat, and the things we put on our skin. We strive to make the most natural and non-toxic shelter humanly possible. Our yurts are famously vinyl-free (PVC) which is a commonly-used but known toxic material in our own industry.
Can it have running water and electricity? Yes, both electrical lines and water systems can easily be integrated into a Yurta. If you have electricity on site, it is easy to bring it into the yurt in many ways without any complex intervention or conduits.
Remember that proper, reliable water systems require insulated infrastructure beneath your platform to prevent water-line freezing work in cold climates like Canada. Every piece of infrastructure added to the yurt takes it a step away from its “tent” roots. And another step further away from what probably brought you to this page in the first place.
Consider the functional needs for your particular site and project.
Can we customize our Yurta? Options such as insulation, additional windows are available and listed on our pricing form,
Yurta is an inherently hackable and adaptable system. Please contact us if you want to do something a little different.
Why are Yurta yurts vinyl-free (PVC-free)?
To prevent hidden mold and toxic off-gassing. Most modern yurts are wrapped in inexpensive, impermeable vinyl covers which trap moisture inside. Because our Canadian-made yurts use breathable, non-toxic acrylic-coated polyester combined with a 100% natural wool insulation layer, moisture naturally evaporates out of the shelter, ensuring a healthy, mold-free living environment.
4 questions answered
What is the ordering process? Yurts are made to order. If Yurta is right for you, we take a 30% deposit at the time of order and the balance when you pick up your yurt. Please contact us for accurate production timelines, which vary throughout the year but are typically 4-8 weeks.
Note: We do occasionally carry limited stock, but wait times are not uncommon for custom orders. As a craft maker, our production capacity is limited. “Bulk orders” are possible with some planning. Yurta 21 availability is strictly limited, please contact us for more information on its availability.
Do you ship your yurts internationally? From the Arctic Circle to Australia, we have shipped Yurta around the world. Shipping requires crating your yurt to protect it in transit. Yurts ship as part of a free trade agreement between Canada the US and other countries. Additional fees may be payable in some cases for customs clearing or duties.
Can the yurt be shipped to my door? Yurta can sometimes be shipped directly to your door, but the oversized crates can sometimes mean that local shippers will not deliver to a residence using the tailgate on the truck. In this case, you may be required to pick up the shipment at a local depot. Please review the current crate sizes here – they are large! (link to specs in yurts)
The 21’ Yurta cannot be shipped to your door. The crates are simply too large, and require a receiving dock and machinery to unload. Shipping directly to a local depot, or a local cooperative commercial dock is also less costly when shipping your yurt, regardless of size.
Can we pick it up? Yes! There is no fee and we’ll help you pack your Yurta neatly into a pickup truck.
Our Yurta 17.6 model is minimal enough to pack into a Pontiac Vibe or Toyota Matrix. Still, bring a pickup truck or cargo van.
4 questions answered
Do you provide installation services? Have no fear: almost every Yurta in existence has been installed by its owner.
Yurta is designed to be easy to install and move. In addition to a setup video and owner’s manual, we are available for setup assistance to all clients over the phone, video call, or text. We do very limited installations – with planning – in southern and eastern Ontario. If installation service is very important to you, please contact us directly.
Can I buy a round floor from you? Yes! It’s on our order form here. But we only make a limited number every year. We also give you plans to build your own and there are lots of ways to do it.
How long does it take to setup a Yurta and can I do it myself? Yurta 17 Setup Time: 2 to 4 hours (with 2 people)
Yurta 21 Setup Time: 4 to 6 hours (with 2 people)
Tools Required: Zero nails or screws; utilizes a proprietary tension-cable framework.
Most of our clients install their own yurts! At pick up you’ll get an installation video, an owner’s manual and you’ll have our live support during installation.
What kind of flooring or platform is required? It is flexible enough to be installed in a variety of ways!
Using your Yurta short-term is easy because setup is quick and possible most anywhere, as-is. It can be installed and staked directly to the ground.
Using your Yurta in four seasons requires a round floor to create a seal and a micro-climate. We give you plans to build these floors and there are lots of ways to do it. Decks are often useful but not necessary for your setup. Read a bit more about yurt floors and platforms here. (link to A word about floors and decks)
3 questions answered
What’s the lifespan of the yurt? We build your Yurta with the intention that you will love it for a lifetime. Components must be considered separately. With care, we expect your frame, insulation, ring and dome to last a lifetime.
There are a lot of factors that go the aging of fabric. But, all things being equal, we’d expect you to get the better part of a decade from your Outer Cover out of the box, and more if you are ready to do some maintenance.
The frame, ring, dome and felt insulation should last a lifetime under normal use with proper care. The outer cover will require care over time, and eventually, will need to be replaced. With our best fabrics, we expect the outer shell to last the better part of a decade. If you want to extend the life of the fabric, it can be re-coated with acrylic onsite, by you, for about 100$ and a morning’s effort.
What typical maintenance should I expect? The most important maintenance activity is using the structure. Opening the dome and windows regularly, checking behind the cover from time to time and other natural folds in the outer shell. Keep it clean of the most intense organic fallout and inspect a handful of components yearly. A Yurta will always look and work better if it is well-used.
We are the only manufacturer who can provide the coating required to re-coat the acrylic-roofs and extend their lifespan.
Should I remove the felt insulation during the summer? Never! Our insulation is made of 100% sheep wool, needled to a reflective backing. This reflective backing does much to reflect the sun’s heat out of the yurt in the summer, while the thermal capacity of the wool helps create an envelope for efficient convection of hot air out of the dome.
Do you provide support or a warranty? Yes! Your Yurta is covered by a 2-year parts and labour warranty. We do not have a dedicated support team but we are always here to answer questions and provide guidance to every customer for whom we’ve ever made a Yurta. The love we have for our yurts never dies.
Can you repair individual parts? Yes, certain parts like the covers and felt can be repaired at our shot. Other parts, such as small parts or structural elements can be replaced. We are always happy to provide counsel for DIY repairs.
Can we purchase a new outer cover for our Yurta? Yes, we can replace the outer cover, the felt and any part of the yurt.Most other parts are easily replaced. Many repairs can be done by the owner onsite, for which we can provide guidance. We can also provide repair services at our shop, or replacement parts outside of warranty at cost to our original clients, for life.
Do you make replacement covers for other yurts? Unfortunately, we cannot make a cover for anything but a Yurta. Our covers are designed to work with the Yurta system only. We could not be sure to make you a cover that fits or works perfectly.
Our team is here to help you find the perfect Yurta for your adventure.
Explore videos to learn more about our yurts.