Best Low Cost Tiny House Alternative? - The Mongolian Yurt
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 24 ต.ค. 2016
- We met up with Rivkah from Groovy Yurts (www.groovyyurts.com) to learn about the traditional hand-painted yurts (gers) they import directly from Mongolia, and we also helped her team set one up at the Tiny House Festival this summer. It was more work than we thought it would be but it was totally worth it when we finally stepped inside the beautiful structure.
Mat and I both love the round shape of a yurt, and the natural light that pours in from the skylight dome in the center. We also really appreciate that these yurts are made from 100% natural & renewable resources.
The wall lattice (khana), the roof ring (toono), and the rafters (uni) are built from sustainably harvested wood (Groovy Yurts plants 35 trees for every yurt sold). The cotton liner and outside cover are made from cotton (less sustainable but still natural and renewable), the insulation is made from sheep's wool felt, the ropes that tie the yurt together are made from braided horse hair, and the lattice joints are held together with pieces of camel hide.
It took us no time at all to set up the walls of the yurt into a perfect circle. The tricky part was making sure the centre ring was actually centred so that the rafters could fit into the notches at the top of the lattice walls, and into the notches in the centre ring.
In less than a few hours, we helped set up a house that was cozy and warm, all natural, and that provided ample natural daylight. We couldn't get over how easy it was to make a yurt compared to building a tiny house or a conventional home. And it was so much cheaper, too!
Obviously the materials that a yurt are made of will not last as long as a conventional home, but they can still last a very long time if they're properly cared for. Rivkah was telling us that in Mongolia, they expect a yurt to last 100 years, with repairs and maintenance of course.
In some of North America's wetter climates, yurts of any kind (natural and synthetic) can experience moisture issues if they are not regularly occupied and heated to keep them dry. To combat this moisture issue, Groovy Yurts offers the option of including an additional waterproof layer between the canvas and the insulation to avoid moisture seeping into the structure.
Mongolian yurts are hand-painted and are usually red or orange inside to symbolize the sun shining over the Mongolian steppe. They are traditionally heated with a wood stove that is also used for cooking.
Since Mongolian people have a deep respect for the earth, they prefer not to tie their homes down to the earth. Instead, they will use a rope and attach it to something heavy, like their wood stove or a heavy rock to prevent it from being damaged by high winds.
Yurts (also known as Gers) are impressively simple yet efficient little structures with a lot of character. We hope you have fun learning more about them in this video.
For more information about Groovy Yurts, visit their website here:
www.groovyyurts.com/en/
Thanks for watching!
Mat & Danielle
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STAY IN TOUCH!
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Blog: www.exploringalternatives.ca
Facebook: /exploringalternativesblog
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COMMENTS
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We want our channel and our comments section to be an inclusive space where everyone feels welcome to watch and to contribute. For this reason, comments that are inappropriate or hateful will be reported and/or deleted.
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VIDEO CREDITS
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Music & Song Credits:
All music in this video was composed, performed, and recorded by Mat of Exploring Alternatives.
Editing Credits:
Mat and Danielle of Exploring Alternatives
Filming Credits:
Mat of Exploring Alternatives
Hi im 11 years old a im Mongolian girl and thank you for showing our culture on internet. Our country is near China
Your country isnt near China. China is near your country
I'm mongolian and i was deeply impressed by her knowledge of my culture. And thank you for the heartwarming video. I loved it ❤️
A weird, but practical question - where's the bathroom in these things?
@@Honeysmile13 outhouse
I just wish they would use Ger instead of Yurt.
@@yakupcemil6066 there are no turkish culture, DNA test shows you turkeys are Greece mixed with Armenian.
@@yakupcemil6066 Early Turkic tribes are subgroup of rouran khanate which was mongolic, then turkic tribes rise against the rouran and gained power, but modern turkey genetically almost completely different to old Turkic tribe. You should make peace with Greece and Armenia leave Islam and return to your true self , instead of claiming mongol culture everywhere!
I lived in a 20' diameter yurt for two years outside of Durango, Colorado. I found a land owner that had 16,000 acres and we plopped it down an an elevation of about 8000 feet. We used fiberglass insulation just because it was 1982-3 and organic insulation was hard to find. I cherished the lifestyle and would have remained longer but they wanted to develop the ground I was on. If I had the opportunity to do it again, I would pounce on it. Thank you for posting!
How did you organize shower?
The yurt is straight connected with wild thing. Sorry for my language
My husband and I have been wanting to move to Durango, CO and I have been looking into a yurt! I have some questions if that's okay?
How about the sanitation?
Finally a video with the intricate, traditional yurts I grew up in! The cheap American versions have become so popular, it's nice to see some people still have the beautiful classic ones.
LOVE all the cultural knowledge that came with this interview, i don't think i've ever heard about the history or yurts before
this had nothing to do with the history...
i really appreciate how she takes every opprotunity to share the traditional aspects of yurts
Hi the yurts your talking about is actully ГИР OR GER
I love yurts! I've always wanted to live in one.
I've always loved Yurts, but I was more familiar with the westernized version a la Pacific Yurts. This touched my soul in a whole different way.
She is so knowledgeable about the Mongolian yurt. Well done!
I love this yurt and its decoration! It's so simple yet very elegant.
Thanks for sharing that. Yes we have a wonderful traditional culture and lifestyle. Named " GER"
So beautiful!Yurt and Tipi living are awesome and comfortable as I have several friends who have chosen this lifestyle and it is very easy to live in without feeling like you have sacrificed anything !
It is very beautiful. I love the bright colors!
"Yurt" is a Turkish word that is still being used for dormitories. Also
we call our country as our "yurt". These traditional turkish tents are
still being used on higher altitudes here in our country. In summer we
climb to higher altitudes for fresh and cool air and also to feed our
animals. Soo we still do use exactly same tents here. People living
their whole life in these tents are called "Yörük" people. The word
comes from "yürümek" verb. Which means "to walk" in Turkish. These
people (my ancestors used to as well) stay in these tents whole their
lifes travelling to lands of grass for their animals and trading. You
can easily come accross with such huge families if you are travelling
around Toros Mountains region. One important thing is that we prefer
goat wool rather than sheep. That is because goat wool is better for
climate controlling. It keeps warmer in winter and cooler in summer and
much more retardant to fire and water. That is surely a fact.
Unfortunately it is not easy to find such spinned and woven goat wool
these days. Like my grandma used to do and i loved to watch. Fabricated
stuff do not work as well as experienced. You must go up the mountains
or wait for them come down once in a summer. Any one who is willing to
reach the sources for real can reach me here. Best regards. | "Yurtta
sulh cihanda sulh" "Peace at home peace in the world" Mustafa Kemal Atatürk |
Almanca yazacaktim ,anlamazlar diye senin Cümlelerini kopyaladim tekrardan , cünkü cok iyi anlatmissin ....bendede zaten o kadar ingilizce yok :)
How usually the shower is organized?
Well done
Fake news
Such a grand endeavor you have taken on!
Very good for the earth and her people.
"Your palace can last forever, but my yurt can go anywhere"
[Genghis Khan]
Ernest Jay that a direct quote??
@@aarong.4062 it sounds like a threat 😂
Conn Igdullen's Historic novel right? or Genghis Khan's autobiography?
@@aarong.4062 It is
Loved all the extra traditional yurt in for that she talked about in this video!
Thanks guys! Yeah we learned lots talking to her too. Yurts are such simple but amazing little buildings. Thanks for checking out the video :)
Rivka is absolutely beautiful, wow! and the yurts interesting too.
Wonderful video showing how to assist people and introduce some of their culture. Beautiful structures. Thank you.
Absolutely beautiful! Awesome design. I love it!
Love the view, what I've seen of Mongolia its barren and cold. Inside bright and colorful an warm, who wants to look outside.
The best short doc piece I've seen on yurts and their origins. Thanks :)
Totally making a difference! Thanks for sharing!❤️
That was really cool! I didn't realize that they were so colorful. Thanks for sharing.
I've heard the term "beautiful people" over the years, but rarely met anyone who lived up to the label. These people seem to fit it perfectly. Thanks Matt & Danielle for the fantastic video!
Really enjoy this Yurt story! Groovy Yurts rock! Thank you!
Ross
The Santa Fe Man
I love that they stick to the Mongolian tradition.
I find these structures to be very fascinating. The ones you showed are quite beautiful as well.
Awesome business model with a win-win for the workers and new yurt owners! Bravo, what a great youtube post!
Thanks for another great video.
This one was so nice for so many different reasons. The lovely lady presenter did a great job explaining the structure, the culture, and the backstory.
One of these yurts would make a great little weekend retreat or vacation home in the mountains.
Keep On Truckin'
That was an amazing video with beautiful artistry keep up the goal and challenge and thank you for supporting other people like the Mongolians . Stephanie
Amazing, one must dream of the free steppes when sleeping in yurt like this.
I have built four Festival yurts from scratch myself, not to quite this standard but the basic structure was the same, and I can say I very much appreciate the craftsmanship that has gone into these yurts. Top notch.
To be perfectly honest, I have always wanted to build a three story, Grand Yurt that is a permanent structure :-)
This house looks sooo cozy
This is still one of my fave videos 👍🏼
I just wanted to say thank you for the informative video and all your support for the village. It means a lot :)
I have lived in a yurt on work sites (1970s). Its wall was a sheet of clear polyethylene but it was comfy in winter with the little wood stove.
This is beautiful it looks super comfy and cute. 👍
That is so cool wish I had one up in the ozark mountains
Привет из Бурятии. Наши предки жили в таких юртах👍
I am in yurt made by Texas Yurts. It has 8 windows, non traditional materials. I am building a bathroom as a separate structure that shares the same deck. I looked at tiny houses and said "too small". I love the spaciousness of what I have. Very open.
Great video. Thank you!
I love this!
Wonderful!
Thanks for checking it out :) :)
Thank you so much for your fantastic channel and all the good you do
Thanks Lisa, have a great day! :)
It's really beautiful ❤️
It would be great to see more videos like that. So people can see like other people lives from other countries. Traditional house living
Спасибо за видео, очень понравилось, удачи вам!!!
Love your channel! Thanks so much!
WOW, if I had abit of land I would love one. great job.
Beautiful!!!
Very interesting and fascinating, definitely have to sleep in a Yurt on one of my next travels!
so beautiful.
I want one of these yurts so soo much. (= They are absolutely beautiful and unique, I also lovee this company's outlook and how they help other people and mother earth. Lovely. ♡
I know, I fell in love with the true Mongolian Yurts as well…but will have to save up money for it and land.
My family think I am crazy for wanting to live in something like this but what choice do I have…
I don’t want to do more harm to the environment as we humans have already done, plus I am trying to downsize…not get more ‘stuff’.
Besides, the outhouse can be just as unique as the main yurt. Just get a smaller yurt and use it as the outhouse, plus there will be plenty of room to divide it into sections and have a bathing area as well.
I have also been told that it is possible to connect several yurts together to create different ‘rooms’ which would be cool if you are wanting more privacy
You guys are awesome, always enjoy your videos!
Thanks so much Michael :) :)
Pretty neat! Sounds like groovy yurts has a pretty amazing mission. Great video :)
Thank you so much for the video
i LOVE this. i want this. i respect this
I really like this channel 👍
Amazing 🤗
This is amazing! I want a GROVEY YURT
gorgeous
simple, smart, practical and most important is fairly inexpensive!
You can make Wall Tent that's just as big and much more portable for cheaper. You just need a sewing machine, a bunch of bedsheets, and several quarts of Boiled Linseed Oil.
You just soak the sheets in the Oil one-by-one, hang each up to dry like an animal skin, then you sew them all together. You can strengthen the seams by getting some water-resistant Vinyl, cutting pairs of strips, and using leather rivets, the appropriate setting tool, and a silicone/rawhide mallet to secure the strips over the seams top-and-bottom. Throw some Scotch-Guard on beforehand, as well as some glue in order to create a more secure reinforcement.
That's the cover. You can place Space Blankets/Casualty Blankets inside to reflect the heat from the stove back into the center of the shelter.
Would these tents be as strong as a yurt?
Scowler linseed oil? Ok, I've been wondering an alternative, does this make the linseed soaked exterior water/weather proof. I'm building soon, and considers my using bamboo for my lattice and hemp rope or poly paracord in the Latrice holes keep together. And moving blankets for the insulation. Thanks for info!!!
that is so nice.
Thumbs up....ENJOY....THE SIMPLE LIFE
LOVE IT !
Cool back story 👍😆.
Its beautiful,would love one
It's beautiful
great story and company
Yay :) thank you!
I just bought 40 acres in eastern AZ. Planning on living on a a Mongolian yurt on it! So far I found the perfect company to work with!
how did it go
I am very impressed with the beauty of the Yurt, the Mongolian Culture/Beliefs, & with Daniels?? knowledge of the people and home. What gorgeous colors in this home. I am a retired home builder/remodeler, and I am getting more and more interested in buying a Yurt to live in. I'm in S Arizona now, used to live on the East Coast in New Hampshire, trying to decide where is best to set up... Hmmmm
Loved it! I love your videos
Love it!!! Thumbs up !!!
Thanks for watching :) :)
I can't wait to get my Fender Stratocaster and Vox amp in one of them.
Groovy Yurts spokeswoman is super groovy.
Great vibe keep it up!
Really informative, enjoyable, and beautifully shot. Can't wait to see what will come next. New Sub :D
Amazing
Wow it’beatiful
Love it
Nice to see something different but would be cool to see one being lived in somewhere like canada
nice vid, thx
Structure is very cool, and love the aesthetic . I feel like more advanced fabrics, and waterproofing could be used.
good job! баярлалаа
Excellent video thank you =D
thanks for your video. i have been looking into these for awhile now. and i loved your video. love the traditional colors and will try to buy from these people if we ever get to buy the one we want. also, do they offer multiple sizes or just a standard size? i have a Great Dane and Chihuahua's, so, would need extra room for them
That was interesting and she was a very well informed...Yurt Speaker? Despite her apparent passion for yurts, I was left with too many questions to call that a good interview...How much does it weigh? Is it really portable? What was that wood floor, looks permanent? How much does a yurt cost? In an 8 wall yurt, what counts as a wall? Are there options for more modern materials? Are many people living in yurts in North America? What would the ideal Climate be? What is that top window made from? etc etc.
Don't feel the interviewer did anything other than relay a short infomercial :/
awesome
Dirty hippies.... god I love you guys!!! Keep rockin lol
EPIC!!!!!
You guys have been doing a wonderful job with this type of video series, very kirsten dirksen like, but what have YOU been up to lately? Still in the van? Do you have a home base now? Is TH-cam full time for you now? Still house sitting? etc. How about doing a monthly Q&A? I'm sure your viewers have a lot of questions for you. I know I do. Just a suggestion. Thanks :-)
Thanks, I'm happy you're enjoying all the videos! We have been thinking of doing more videos with us in them so you should be seeing a bit more pop in here and there. We just got out of the van cause it's really cold and actually started snowing here!! We still don't have a home base and just doing different house sitting gigs until we get back in the van in the spring.....can't wait!! We also did think of doing a Q&A but we're super busy for now so we'll have to wait for that. Thanks for your interest and hope you stay tuned :)
Cool
waaaaaaw, very beautiful, the ARABIAN style
e7sasekTube what means Arabian style
Very nice :)
Cool bro
THATS fucking AWESOME!!!!! GOOD WORK!!!!!! 👏🙌✌️✨
That just expanded my options. I want to live in a yurt now. :D thank you for posting this. Do you know how long it takes to assemble a yurt?
This is impresivw