Groovy Yurts customer Mary Lynn of the North of 54 blog shares her experiences buying, maintaining and updating her yurt (ger) from Groovy Yurts. We invite you to read on.

 

Eight years ago, give a take a few months, we purchased our yurt. Over time we replaced the horse hair ropes on the exterior, and at another time the top cover (urgh). We also attempted to remove the goo that had built up on the exterior by the proximity of the Aspen forest and its seasonal distribution of seeds by using a pressure washer. It helped, but slowly the exterior canvas began to show its age and some wear where the ropes attached to the top cover (urgh) had rubbed. We had no leakage, but this year we decided to give our yurt a facelift and take advantage of Groovy Yurts’ 30% discount on the exterior canvas (brezent) for those who had already purchased a yurt.

Last time, to our amazement, Mr. Groovy Yurts (Yves Ballenegger) brought his huge truck down our driveway which is 1/4 mile long and resembles a 2 track overgrown logging trail into the bush. This time (new and bigger truck) we met him and his helper Pedro (spelling?) at the end of the driveway in our pickup. We were pleased to see Yves and even more pleased to here him say, “Would you like us to help you put it up?”

So, first they (Richard helped, I chronicled) removed the ropes and the decorative skirt (hayavtch).

Then the outer layer came down. At this point a discussion was needed regarding the added layer of house wrap that goes under the canvas in wetter climates. Our climate is definitely proving to be wet, and wetter, and wetter. Although it was in pretty good shape and could have been repaired with tape, it was sure a handy time to replace it, which we decided to do.

Then Yves said, “Does it bother you that the door leans outward a little bit?”

“Well, it bothers me a bit, and my son has noticed it too,” I said.

It turns out you can fix that. I was amazed to watch them remove a few of the roof rafters (huns) by the door and simply push the wall up straight. Then Yves cut a couple inches off those rafters so they wouldn’t keep pushing that wall out and put them back! Magic, a perfectly vertical door!

Some of the felt had sagged a bit so it was pulled up and also tucked into the door, then the new house wrap went on.

And then on went the new exterior canvas and the new horse hair ropes. All completed in less than 2 hours. We are ever so grateful to Yves, Pedro and Groovy Yurts for doing this work for us. Had we done this project it would not have been done as well and would have been fairly stressful for us, since both of us are on the second half of our 70’s.

One last project I did was to wash the decorative skirt (hayavtch) in my washer, then scrub it with bleach and detergent to brighten it up – mostly grass stains from mowing. It looks much better but maybe next year we’ll get a new one.

We use our yurt for a guesthouse, winter and summer, a music room, a party room and a place to chill. I highly recommend yurts for this and even for living in. They are not only beautiful, but the history behind the Groovy Yurts’ company, the people in Mongolia that they employ, the philosophy and respect for Mother Earth that almost oozes from its pores… Well you can’t help but feel the energy.

Why do people buy a yurt for practicing yoga?

Is it because of the energy, symbolism, and round shape?

Or, perhaps, because of the ‘womb protection’ feeling?

Maybe because it is a way to create a separate, quiet space in the backyard, that can be transformed into extra space for kids or guests?

Or is it simply just that yoga in a yurt is easy to implement?

Yurts & Yoga: A Supreme Combination

We’ve definitely heard all those reasons and we’re certain there are many more draws that we haven’t heard.

Generally, those wishing to practice yoga in a yurt opt for a standard diameter yurt, which is 4 to 6 walls (16 to 22-foot diameter).

For reference, the author of these blogs, Yves, is 6’5’’ (195cm) and has no problem practicing in a 5-wall or even a 4-wall yurt.  The smaller yurts are quite low along the walls, so one might find themselves having to stand closer to the centre where it’s higher.

If a customer wishes to create a yoga studio in a yurt, they might be happiest with a Super Ger, as it has  raised walls and a steeper roof pitch. This is a 26’ or 30’ (8 or 9 metre) yurt.

We’ve had up to 20 people practicing yoga in a 26’ yurt and many more would fit for a meditation.

Namaste!

Spring alert! The warm weather is here, and everyone is coming out of yurt hibernation!

Now is the time to freshen things up a bit. Let’s get going with 10 helpful tips for springtime yurt care.

Resetting Your Yurt or Ger

Mongolian gers are usually reset 3-4 times per year by nomads in the steppes.

The ger likes it. It is the perfect occasion to thoroughly ventilate the layers, fix any holes in the covers, and/or straighten the entire structure.

Some Mongolians say their gers last 100 years.

This may be true, but more than likely there are not many parts left from the original yurt structure a century prior.

It is normal to change parts over time, and it is easy – especially if you do not have a 12-wall, 40’, mezzanine with plumbing Super Yurt. This will cost WAY less than changing the roof on your house.

Spring Overhaul to Refresh your Ger & Keep It in Great Usable Shape

Here are some pointers for your spring overhaul:

• If taking the yurt completely down is not the best option for you, you can just remove the covers and felts. In the case that it has moved or twisted in the winds, take this opportunity to re-center the structure if necessary.
• The cotton-based canvas will not last forever, but it is a cheap, comfortable, and healthy option compared to a vinyl cover. We generally do not have to change canvases until after 3 years, and still, it is not uncommon to see others that last 10 years, such as in the Yukon. Groovy Yurts come with 10 years ‘at cost’ warranty on our canvases (30% off the listed price).
• If your canvas has become dirty or green, it can be cleaned by being brushed or power washed. Yurt canvas can also be re-treated with a water repellent, but the cost (and effects) of such products may surpass that of a replacement canvas after a few years…
• Did your felts slide over time? You can just add ropes to hold them in place or by using the red (or Peter’s white!) house tape as shown in this picture.
• Check the inner liner for any water stains. If stains are located, try to identify where the water infiltrated, generally by fixing the house wrap. Some house wraps, specifically the Novawrap, become worn as the wind causes the canvas to rub, thus causing them to lose their protective coat in places. Keeping your yurt dry from water coming in is very important.
• The toono, doors, windows, and the base of the yurt are other places where water can infiltrate. Seal the top and sides of your doors and windows, and check caulking. Replace if necessary.
• Once you have fixed any potential leaks, you can remove stains on the inner liner by spraying a vinegar and water solution, Borax and water solution, or putting it in a washing machine
• If you are interested in adding a window to your ger, now might be a good time!
• It is important to check your toono for cracks and possibly reinforce it with a couple screws if you see two layers starting to separate.
• Adding a good layer of varnish on all exterior wood pieces is highly recommended.
• Make sure your ropes are strong and tightened properly. Since the horsehair ropes do age quicker, you have a few options for upkeep. You can switch these out with straps, braid your own, or get new ones from your yurt supplier! We keep selling them with our yurts, as they provide a valuable income to the Mongolian herders.

Groovy Yurt customers have access to set-up videos and the infamous “How to Care for My Yurt” PDF.

We’re Here to Help with Your Yurt / Ger Questions & Concerns

Do not hesitate to get in touch with us for any questions!

We like to believe the yurt has a spirit.

Your yurt will be thankful that you have taken care of its body and you will learn more about how the incredible dwelling works and reacts to you and its environment.

Being made of mostly natural material in a country that is often very dry, Mongolian yurts must be protected from humidity. This is accomplished by a careful selection of material, wood, felts, paints, sealants, ropes and canvases.

Developing alternative parts and manufacturing processes without eliminating traditions is another important practice that we engage in. It’s often a slow process, but is essential for the improvement of our yurts, especially across varying climates. This is our job, which we love and are passionate about.

Best Location for Your Yurt

Choosing the right location for your yurt is another very important aspect of our role.

Installing your yurt in the midst of a rain forest and forgetting about it for a year is not advisable, as this will likely result in the structure being reduced to a pile of wood and well on its way to becoming part of the soil that it was erected on.

In general, it is best to install your yurt in a ventilated area, preferably away from a tree base or near a bush. Additionally, having the sun shine on your yurt every once in a while, is a good thing.

A yurt/ger should be considered a living structure and will flourish if it is used and taken care of. Therefore, people who live in their yurts or use them very regularly will get the most out of their new dwelling.

Yurts are all set up to be heated and ventilated, and with only the occasional tensioning of ropes, the occupants can maintain these systems.

The yurts also love to be reset occasionally or taken down and stored in a dry place, if there are no plans to use it for 6+ months.

Our customers have been successfully using Mongolian yurts in the humid islands of British Columbia and in Iceland, where the elements can be rather extreme. The beauty of the concept is its simplicity and adaptability to almost any climate. Some tweaking might be necessary.

Yurts are Breathing!

One of the best qualities of the Mongolian yurt is that it breathes.

This is largely due to the canvas used, which is also water resistant, but not waterproof.

We therefore recommend adding a layer of house wrap in humid regions. This can either be acquired through purchase or can be made yourself, with the help of our instructions. It should be installed between the outer canvas and the felt insulation, and will ensure that humidity is taken care of, while maintaining its breathability.

So far, this has been the best compromise we’ve found and therefore we’ve been using it for over 10 years.

In the eastern part of Mongolia, where humidity is higher and house wrap or water repellant are nowhere to be found, yurts are sometimes installed under a roof during the rainy season.

However, this house wrap does have its down sides: it slightly reduces the breathability and must be completely intact to not let any water in. Not all house wraps are equal. Some breathe better. Some hold no water. Some wear out over time under the rubbing of the canvas in the wind.

Having some humidity spots here and there is not unusual and can be easily fixed. Having very large wet areas in the ceiling or walls is not a good sign and should be addressed.

Year-Round Yurt Living – Common Issues

With an increasing amount of people living in Mongolian yurts year-round, we started to notice condensation issues, mostly in cold winter climates.

Common sources of humidity from yurt dwellers are cooking, drying of clothes or wood, tracking in snow from boots, propane stoves, etc. The moisture evaporates, penetrates the insulation, hits the cold house wrap, condensates and accumulates in the felts to the point of dripping back down.

It is very important to monitor the level of humidity produced in the yurt – and ventilate accordingly, preferably through the toono, to give a chance for this moisture to evacuate.

This is necessary even if one has a tendency of closing everything to prevent heat from escaping.

Wood stoves are best to dry a yurt from inside out, but it is still important to remove the snow off the roof. Melted snow can accumulate under the canvas, freeze on the house wrap and further reduce breathability.

Additionally, ice can start to build up at the edge of the roof, creating beautiful ‘yurtcicles.’ This ice accumulation is not necessarily good for the canvas and can prevent effective water drainage from the roof. One way to get rid of overnight ice accumulation is to increase the temperature of the fire in the stove, while tapping the ceiling from inside the yurt.

Adapting to Your Yurt

A yurt will react differently depending on where and how it is used.

You will adapt to your yurt and, likewise, the yurt will adapt to your needs.

The structure is so simple that there’s always a solution. We have accumulated a fair bit of experience over the years and are always ‘at yurt service’ to discuss adjustments and solutions.

Happy yurting – winter, summer and all year round!

 

With yurts becoming increasingly popular around the world, they are beginning to attract the attention of major film and advertising producers. These are always fun, but often tricky, opportunities…

Started with Yurts in the Yukon & Iceland

It began a few years back while we were delivering yurts in the Yukon.

A very well-known movie company called us to source a few yurts for a Ben Stiller production. The issue: they needed them 1 week later in New York City!

After much deliberation, we managed to get the yurts on site and in time to be shipped out once more to Iceland for the set. The yurt scene for ‘The Secret Life of Walter Mitty’ was eventually cut from the blockbuster, but this is how the first Mongolian yurts ended up on this crazy island in the North Sea.

Yurts in The Big Apple

Our next big feature found us sending yurts to New York City once again.

This time, a TV studio was asking for a 12’ ger and the delivery was nothing short of eventful.

We made it on time but not without a pit stop in the Adirondacks after completely totaling our car in an icy highway ditch; the Hollywood lifestyle is hardcore. I guess that’s show biz, never a dull moment.

The yurt was eventually transformed by the TV studio into an African hut (seriously?) for a series whose name has since been forgotten. On the stage, we transformed the back of the yurt to accommodate a large camera. Yet another modification for the Mongolian yurt! The possibilities seem to be (almost) endless.

Indie Yurts in Alberta

The third venture occurred in our home country for an Indie film being shot in Alberta called, ‘Burn Your Maps.’

This movie set saw half of our stock of traditional Mongolian yurts, furniture and clothing in an effort to recreate a scene on the Mongolian countryside. If this interests you, the film trailer can be viewed on Youtube:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q35bysShewQ.

New Mexico, Quebec, California & Beyond

A couple other noteworthy film projects are the special agents occupying about 10 of our yurts in New Mexico for the filming of a TV series, ‘The Brave’ – and an unreleased film shot in Quebec that required 4 yurts and a lot of Mongolian furniture and clothing.

Additionally, we have been lucky to participate in another half a dozen sets, predominantly located within Toronto and California.

As new B-listers in the Hollywood scene, everyone knows that it is essential to become involved with TV commercials. So, we made this happen.

Our yurts can been found in TV ads such as ‘Jack in the Box’ and the recently world-famous Avocados from Mexico, which aired during the 2020 Super Bowl.

What’s Next For Groovy Yurts on the Big & Little Screens?

Of course, we’re always so so thankful for these crazy opportunities that push us to find innovative solutions in often very limited amounts of time.

This is definitely a whole other world to us!

Where will the yurts take us next?

Stay tuned!