How Our Yurts Are Made
Handcrafted Yurt Frames
At Yurtmakers, every yurt frame is handcrafted using locally sourced ash timber. Ash is an ideal timber for traditional yurt making: it is lightweight yet exceptionally strong, grows straight, bends beautifully, and flexes naturally to cope with the stresses of use, transport, and changing weather conditions.
We carefully select suitable trees from local woodlands, often grown through natural regeneration. These trees are felled as part of a thoughtful woodland management process that supports long-term sustainability and the health of the surrounding ecosystem.
Once felled, the timber is sawn into planks and shaped using a spindle moulder to form the gently curved wall and roof battens characteristic of a traditional yurt. While the timber is still green, each piece is steam-bent to create the yurt’s elegant circular walls and domed roof.
The crown wheel is constructed from thin laminated planks, carefully glued together for strength, before being fitted with refined cross-bracing. The rafter sockets are then burned through using a traditional branding technique, ensuring accuracy and durability.
Our doorframes are made from seasoned oak using traditional joinery methods, providing excellent strength and contributing to the overall stability of the yurt frame. Doors are available in a range of options, including single or double doors, in hardwood or pine.
Finally, all timber components are treated with natural oils that penetrate deeply to enhance durability while bringing out the beautiful grain and character of the wood.
Yurt Covers & Canvas Construction
Once the frame is complete, we carefully measure and create the yurt cover. While traditional felt coverings suit the dry climates of Central Asia, they are not ideal for the damp British climate. Instead, we use high-quality modern treated canvas for long-lasting protection.
We love the romance of a true canvas tent—the evocative scent of childhood camping and the fact that canvas is far more breathable than synthetic modern tents. Our canvas is a durable polyester-cotton blend, offering excellent strength, longevity, and comfort.
All of our canvas is treated in the UK to British Standards and is classified as FWR (Fire, Water and Rot resistant), meeting the following standards: Fire retardancy (BS 7837:1996), Water resistance (BS 3408:1992, 3.3.7), and Rot resistance (BS 2087:1992, 4.5.3).
Each yurt cover consists of a custom-sewn, single-piece roof that fits snugly over the rafters and secures to the doorframe with a drawstring. The wall sections hang from the roof and fasten neatly to the doorframe using turnbuttons, with a durable PVC skirt included as standard.
The crown cap is a removable, star-shaped section that laces down to the ground and includes a clear skylight, allowing natural daylight to flood the interior from above.
Yurt Accessories & Optional Extras
Unlike many yurt companies, we have first-hand experience of living in yurts. We understand that the yurt experience extends far beyond the initial purchase.
We offer a range of thoughtfully designed accessories, including wood-burning stoves handmade by a small UK craft workshop, insulation to keep your yurt warm and comfortable throughout winter, and bespoke wooden platforms built onsite for more permanent yurt installations.
Every yurt we make is tailored to its owner, so we always recommend getting in touch to discuss your individual requirements.
Yurt Care & Maintenance
When asked about yurt maintenance, we often compare it to keeping a boat in the water: leave it to the elements and it will probably survive, but it certainly won’t thrive.
Our yurts are made from natural, organic materials. While they are carefully treated for outdoor durability, regular care will keep them looking and performing at their best. We recommend using your yurt when it is erected—airing it regularly and lighting the stove— and dismantling and storing it when not in use.
Pitching and dismantling a yurt is surprisingly straightforward. When we sell a yurt, we take great care to ensure every customer is confident and familiar with the full setup, use, and maintenance process.
- Our own personal experience of this ancient nomadic lifestyle has inspired our business. We make good quality yurts in all sizes but we specialise in large event yurts for sale and hire.
