Behind the Design: Insulated Yurts for Extreme Climates

There are plenty of reasons to fall in love with a yurt for personal or professional use.

Yurts are durable, portable, environmentally friendly, and can be designed for energy efficiency. It can bring you closer to nature, but not so close that you’re missing out on a comfy bed behind a locked door. They are more long-lasting and functional than any camping tent but don’t have any of the pitfalls of a permanent structure. This makes yurts a fantastic investment for anyone who works close to nature or loves the outdoors.

Although yurts are not often considered as a go-to option for extreme climates, the right insulation and environmental controls can make your yurt dependable even in the hottest or coldest locations. It all comes down to having quality yurt construction and the right type of yurt insulation.

WeatherPort® yurts, from Alaska Structures®, are equipped with specially designed insulation systems that cut down on energy usage and a high-strength steel frame to maintain a safe and comfortable working and/or living environment. These yurts have been used everywhere from the blistering Sahara Desert to icy Northern Siberia and polar regions.

How Yurt Insulation Works in Extreme Climates

When dealing with extreme temperatures in remote locations, having a shelter from the suffocating heat or bitter cold is a life-saving necessity. WeatherPort’s specially designed insulation systems are engineered to achieve any R-Value needed.

The EnerLayer® system uses advanced thermal materials to develop a highly effective insulation system that can reach any desired R-value. This seamlessly integrates into all WeatherPort Structures, yurts included.

Our state-of-the-art EnerLayer® insulation and liner systems are high quality solutions for creating a radiant barrier and outperform cheap and flimsy reflective foil insulation often used for DIY projects. The radiant barriers help retain cool air indoors in the heat, and warm air indoors when in the cold.

Rather than absorbing heat like other types of insulation, they reflect it. Heat from the outside gets reflected away, and interior heat is reflected back into the structure instead of escaping. This makes it much easier to maintain a consistent temperature while minimizing energy consumption and costs.

Energy Efficiency with WeatherPort Yurts

WeatherPort yurts are available in many sizes, including: 12’ wide yurt, 18’ wide yurt, 20’ wide yurt, 24’ wide yurt, to an impressive 30’ wide yurt. For the purposes of discussing insulation efficiency, we’ll look at a 650 square foot WeatherPort structure.

A WeatherPort structure, measuring 650 square feet, when equipped with the EnerLayer™ insulation system, and paired with an Alaska ECU™ (5-ton, environmental control unit), provides massive savings:

• Up to 1,310 gallons of fuel saved per year per 650 square foot structure.
• 35% reduction in heat required to maintain a 70°F interior temperature at -25° ambient temperature outside.
• 22% reduction in air conditioning required to maintain a 70°F interior temperature with an ambient temperature of +125°F.
• 33% reduction in air conditioning use when coupled with a solar fly system from WeatherPort.

When R-Value Does and Doesn’t Matter

R-value is the measure of resistance to heat flow through a specific thickness of material. The greater the R-value, the greater the ability of a material to resist heat from passing through. The specific type of heat loss that the R-value insulation gives is called convection. It does not account for conduction, radiation, or air infiltration.  

A high R-value is important, but it is not the final word. That’s why the engineering and design of our yurts is just as important as the effectiveness of our insulation options.

Custom Designed Yurts

In addition to selecting a yurt size, as well understanding the standard ruggedness and engineering that allows a WeatherPort Yurt to withstand 80 PSF snow loads and withstand 120 MPH winds, there are a number of customization options to design a yurt that meets your specific requirements.

• Insulation Systems

  WeatherPort offers a large assortment of insulation systems, including the EnerLayer™ system (discussed above). Our proprietary insulation systems dramatically decrease your heating and cooling costs while meeting any needed R-value.
  

• Lighting and Electrical

  • Plug-and-play lighting and electrical systems can be installed without the expensive cost of a licensed electrician. They are specifically designed to work with and easily install into our Yurt systems.
  • Skylight. Install a 42” dome skylight to enjoy natural light inside of your yurt. Choose the optional venting feature to allow hot air to escape while cooler air enters.
    

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• Lofts

  • Install a second story loft into your yurt, accessible via a hinged ladder that you can swing away to free up space.

• Windows

  • Choose from a wide selection of window types – including clear vinyl windows to glass sliding windows. Our window systems are easy to install and quickly transform the interior of your yurt into a bright and open space.

    Unlike wood-lattice yurts that obstruct window views, our yurts employ a high-strength steel frame system, giving you the ability to enjoy the amazing views from the comfort inside your WeatherPort yurt.

• Doors

  • Whether you want a double glass door (available on 24’ and 30’ wide yurts only) or a single door with an attached storm or screen door, we offer a wide selection of door options.

• Colors

  • Unleash your creative abilities by designing the color and pattern of your WeatherPort yurt from our wide array of colors. Create a yurt that blends in with the natural surrounding beauty or stands out. We also offer custom printing of logos and designs.

    Add your family or business name, campground logo, or yurt number so guests can easily identify the yurt they will be staying in.

Yurt FAQs: Insulation and Durability

How long do yurts last?

A yurt’s life span depends on the quality of construction and materials, the level of care and maintenance, and the location’s climate. WeatherPort^® Yurts are engineered for durability and longevity for decades of use and are virtually maintenance-free once set up.

How do you heat and cool a yurt?

Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems can be added to most yurts, including WeatherPort^® Yurts, to create a comfortable living space for year-round enjoyment. WeatherPort^® Yurts also come with venting domes that allow hot air to escape out the top and cooler air to enter through the windows and doors.

Pay attention to window and door placement when designing your yurt, as this can affect natural cooling and heating. For example, place windows in sunny locations for a warmer interior and in shaded locations for a cooler temperature, and locate the door away from prevailing winds.

What is a yurt made of?

Traditional yurts are made from wooden lattice frames covered with felt for insulation and waterproof canvas. While most modern yurts continue to be made out of wood, WeatherPort^® Yurts feature frames made of high-strength steel and are covered with long-lasting tensioned fabric membranes. 

Can yurts withstand high winds?

Yes! WeatherPort^® Yurts are engineered to meet the specific wind and snow loads of your location, providing dependable performance even in harsh or exposed environments.

WeatherPort® is a brand of high-quality fabric buildings from Alaska Structures®. For locations with building codes that require higher wind and snow loads, to request additional information about WeatherPort yurts, or to schedule a free consultation with one of our friendly yurt specialists, call us at 970-399-5909, use our online contact form, or send us an email outlining your yurt needs to: info@weatherport.com.