Practical Yurts

Book excerpt: When Steven W. Hatch found himself in a housing crisis, pressed for time and money, he discovered that building a yurt was his best option. In Practical Yurts, Hatch thoroughly documents his project, beginning by explaining how a simple, round tent could fit the needs of a retired aerospace industry professional. Beyond the practicalities of easy construction and low initial output and ongoing ownership costs, he was drawn to the "feeling" inside a yurt. Another deciding factor was learning that yurts are controlled by the building codes for alternative, membrane-covered frame structures, so he could save a big chunk of money and still meet his county's building code with a yurt, using radiant barrier insulation. Chock full of similarly useful information, photographs, and details about the planning, preparation, and building process, much of Hatch's book applies to any do-it-yourself, money-saving homebuilding project. But for Hatch, nothing could beat his yurt and the peacefulness of simple living it provides. An invaluable resource for people looking to reduce their environmental footprint, lower their living costs, or build a great hunting cabin, Practical Yurts is presented in the personable tone of a friend who wants to share what he learned to help you avoid aggravation and make your building project a success.