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Flash Sale! Gently used 50ft yurt available now! Call Luke at 907-299-3221 for details.
frequently asked questions
ordering
What are the main steps to ordering a Nomad Shelter yurt?
• Head over to our BUILD CALCULATOR on the pricing page, where you can get a quote for your yurt design and receive an email response with payment instructions. A majority of our customers choose to pay through wire transfer or direct transfer from an AlaskaUSA account. A 50% initial deposit will secure your place in our production queue. Our yurts have a production time that varies seasonally between 6 and 16 weeks.
• We will contact you to verify your initial deposit, confirm your design, and put your order in our system.
• Over the next two weeks, we will complete a Sales Agreement, give you an estimated completion date, and finalize your design and layout, This includes window and door frame widths and placement and any other aspects of your build. After 14 days from your finalized design, there will be an additional charge for any changes.
• The next payment is a 25% production deposit due during production of your yurt. You will receive a statement reflecting this deposit, and we will also address shipping and handling logistics by this point. Shipping costs fluctuate based on a number of factors, but we should be able to give you a rough estimate of delivery to your location so you can budget accordingly. Handling and shipping crate fees will be included in your final invoice.
• Final payment of the remaining 25% and any additional charges will be due upon completion of your yurt. Our team will negotiate the best shipping option through third-party services and you will pay the shipper directly. Then we can get your yurt on it's way!
• Don't forget to check out our Resources for the Setup Manual, floor and platform plans, hard window installation guides and other tools for getting your yurt set up just how you want it. We are happy to refer services as needed.
The rest of this FAQ is intended to address those kinds of questions, and you can always get in touch with us with any specific concerns. Setting up your perfect yurt can be a fairly involved process, but we truly believe that the benefits of living and working in the round and the satisfaction of creating your own unique space are totally worth it!
When will I get my yurt?
Our yurts have a production time that varies seasonally between 6 and 16 weeks. Contact us to inquire about our current production schedule.​
Can I make changes to my order?
You can make some modifications to your design within 14 days of your initial deposit. After that, there is a re-design fee that depends on the requested changes.
What about shipping?
We ship our yurts world-wide. Handling and loading costs from our facilities are now included in our base prices. We provide local delivery throughout the Kenai Peninsula road system, and can quote you that cost during production of your yurt.
For out of state orders, or any commercial freight deliveries, there is a shipping crate cost we will include on your invoice. Our shipping team will then negotiate the best price for you between various third-party services we work with and you will pay the shipping company directly.
We are also able to store your yurt safely at our facilities at a cost, if you need more time to prepare your site, work within weather windows at your location, or other considerations.
Ordering
design and installation
How easily can a yurt be set up?
Our smaller sizes (20 feet and under) can be erected in an afternoon with 2-3 people and minimal tools. Larger yurts require scaffolding to support the weight of the compression ring while the rafters are inserted, and may take up to a few days. Whatever size yurt, these structures are designed to be quickly set up and taken down with the proper equipment and safety measures. We can refer setup services as needed, or we can supply plans and information to a contractor of your choice. Check out our DOWNLOADS page for guides and instructional resources.
What comes included in a standard yurt package?
Nomad Shelter yurts are essentially ready to set up yurt kits, which include all necessary components and hardware. Any custom options and your choice of insulation packages will be included in your order. There are a few other aspects of your yurt build we do not include in our prices, such as the yurt platform and stove/pipe. A list of materials, platform diagram, and pipe/stack dimensions are provided, as well as a Setup Manual and phone support.
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We also find it is more economical for the customer to source their own doors and hard windows locally. We will ensure your door and hard window frames are sized to fit the door and windows of your choice. We are also able to ship your yurt with doors at a cost, if necessary.
Where can I set up a yurt?
It's important that you check your local zoning laws before purchasing a yurt. Yurts are generally considered semi-permanent structures, and the regulations for their use depends on your location. Many of our customers set their yurts up in rural areas with no issue. Design factors such as insulation and foundation choice can have an impact on the permissibility in your area. Feel free to reach out to us with questions about your situation, and we'll do our best to point you in the right direction.
Where can I find floor plans and layout ideas?
There are many creative options for building out the interiors of our yurts to suit your particular needs. Our GALLERY page shows what some of our customers have done, and if you're looking for blueprints or more layout ideas, we recommend searching Pinterest. Here is a link to get you started:
PINTEREST SEARCH: YURT FLOOR PLAN LAYOUT
If you have any particular questions on your design, feel free to get in touch!
What about the floor and foundation?
The foundation and yurt platform are important considerations for your yurt build. We do not provide the floor or platform, but are happy to offer floor plans for all our sizes and can refer you to some great companies we work with that do full setups and other custom work. You can also reach out to your local contractor for these aspects of your yurt construction. Tongue and groove 1 1/8" plywood works well for the yurt floor, and can be treated with finish or aesthetic flooring options of your choice.
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The yurt platform (sub-floor), not just deck, should be factored into your overall budget, as it can range from a few hundred dollars to a few thousand dollars depending on the size of your yurt, materials, and builder(s). Floor insulation is recommended, and the circular platform should be raised a few inches above any surrounding decking to allow the yurt cover to hang below floor level. Smaller sized yurts can sit on skids and girders for a quick setup without breaking ground. Many types of posts or piles work just fine for a more permanent foundation. We recommend Techno metal posts for convenience of installation.
What is involved with a hard window frame installation?
One of our upgrade options is Douglas fir hard window frames for your yurt. These are beautiful design features, but do involve a bit more work on your end. We craft frames for the following window widths: 24", 30", 32", 36", 40", 48", 60", and 64". You can also add additional interior framing to fit custom window sizes. Our vertical jambs are all 6.5" deep, so you can use 2x4" or 2x6" wood to frame out around your window.
The maximum number and size of window frames will depend on your yurt diameter. We do not supply the windows. The exterior Duro-Last yurt cover and insulation stops at each window just like the the door frames, so you will need to frame out the window sill and header, and add your choice of siding and insulation. This will allow your window to fit snug inside our handcrafted Douglas fir frames. We offer full phone support for your yurt installation and a Setup Manual detailing this process. CLICK HERE for our Hard Window Installation Guide.
Installation
Heating
heating
What is the R value of your insulation?
We offer two insulation packages: 3 season and 4 season. The 3 season insulation has one layer of Reflectix double foil-backed bubble wrap lined with polyester mildew and fire resistant fabric. This reflective insulation is effective for warmer seasons and climates, but does not retain heat as well as our heavier insulation. Our 4 season package adds a layer of 1" polyester batting, which bring the R value up to approximately R10-R12. This option is used by many of our customers for comfortable year round living in Alaska. If more insulation is required, we suggest sliding foam panels in between our insulation and the exterior yurt cover, which can bring the R value up to approximately R20.
How can a yurt be heated?
A yurt can be heated with a wood stove or drip oil, by using a stove stack that runs through the skylight. All our SKYLIGHTS are designed to safely fit standard stove pipe diameters. You can either place the stove in the center of the yurt or add elbows to run the stove stack along the rafters (with proper clearance) for stove placement closer to the wall. We do not suggest running the stack out through the wall.
The yurt can also be heated with a Toyo Stove, monitor heater, or propane heater with vents running to the outside. We have custom options available for welding vent pipe fixtures into your yurt wall. Fuel lines can be stubbed up through the floor.
How can a yurt be cooled?
In warmer conditions, air flow and temperature regulation is important for your yurt. Our cover material is designed for UV resistance, and every skylight comes equipped with a hinged ventilation panel. The standard polyvinyl window panels can also be unzipped for air flow, leaving the mesh bug screen intact. AC units can be installed below hard window frames.
Other Utilities
other utilities
Can a yurt be plumbed?
Yes, a yurt can be plumbed by running pipes underneath the yurt with an insulated floor, and having the stub fixtures coming upwards through the floor. People often choose to build bathrooms into their yurt, which is quite feasible with downdraft ventilation through the floor. Some customers make a separate room extension behind the yurt for plumbing needs.
Can a yurt have electrical?
Yes, there are many ways to integrate electrical into your yurt. Conduit can be run around the perimeter inside or behind the lattice wall with 2"x4" posts and fixtures. If you choose to add a finished floor over your platform, you can run electrical in the space between and have floor outlets. If you choose to build any freestanding walls inside your yurt, electrical can be run through the walls and stub out through the floor. Alternatively, you can run a power cable into the yurt up under the bottom of the cover from a main electrical source. Solar systems are also a great option for your yurt.
Yurt Life
yurt life
How do yurts handle wind and snow?
Nomad Shelter yurts are specifically designed for extreme Alaskan conditions, with the highest dimensional strength and most robust materials and engineering in the industry. Our yurts are structurally engineered to meet winds up to 100 mph, and some of our customers have reported wind speeds exceeding that- with their Nomad Shelter yurt standing strong!
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Our yurts are also designed to withstand large amounts of snow. They are rated for up to 60 lbs per square foot, and we have seen our yurts completely buried by a winter's worth of snow. The texture of the Duro-last cover material also allows snow to easily slide off the roof, or pile-ups can be shaken off from the inside with a broom handle.
What about bears or other security concerns?
The wall of a yurt may seem less secure than that of a traditional building, however they do not present as many risks as you might think. The outer Duro-last cover is a 50-60 mil puncture and tear resistant membrane, and our lattice wall is specifically engineered for strength and tighter spacing. Bears and other home invaders will most often attempt to come through doors and windows anyways, in which case a yurt is no different than any other structure. Safe food storage practices, locking up before you go, and other standard precautions will help keep your yurt as secure as possible. Home security systems can also be installed. In the event of any tears or damage to your yurt, we offer a 15 year warranty on our products and have suggestions and support for small DIY repairs.
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