Yurt Living: Window Shopping

Seems yurt manufacturers have been surveying customer comments. Good thing, as that’s how progressive changes occurred at the Colorado Yurt Company. They recently added a new design because customers relayed their preference to open their windows from inside.

This is good news for yurt dwellers without an exterior walking deck and with a raised platform. For those, it’s go outside with your ladder.

Fully Operable Windows is the new description in Colorado. It opens like a traditional home window with a crank. Each window is big enough to meet code requirements for egress. Made with a thermal pane and Low-E glass in a Doug fir frame. E-glass means low emissivity glass, a new technology for energy efficiency.

Pictured right is a low-e glass window from Yurtco Manufacturing in Canada. They may have come up with the invention first, I’m not certain. See the no-lattice clear view.

To satisfy existing Colorado Yurt customers who wish to upgrade, their windows can be retrofitted into the wall. An installation video comes with the order. How nice.

With most yurt manufacturers, three windows are in the basic price. Those windows typically include screens, storm windows, and zippered privacy flaps.

The privacy flaps shut tight with a zipper on each side. At the bottom of each flap is a nylon rod that makes it easy to roll up. When they are rolled up, the window flaps are held in place with fast release buckles.

All window flaps can convert to window awnings. Ordering includes two hinged, adjustable, steel poles with guy ropes and tighteners. I have awnings that work well for me in the tropics, but I’m also in the no deck with raised platform category. When it gets cool at night, bundling up is easier than going outdoors with the ladder. My point is to review options with weather changes in mind.

These are great ready-made options, but don’t forget customization is a window choice as well. I’m quite impressed with the pictured custom windows posted by Stanley McGaughey at Tug Hollow in New York. Notice that those yurts are solid-framed.