Choosing the proper yurt insulation package for your climate and use, as well as the proper heating and cooling methods, is key to comfortable yurt living. How well your yurt is insulated is a key factor in deciding the best methods to heat or cool your yurt. Fortunately, at Shelter Designs we’re here to help guide you through this process!
Table of Contents
- Yurt Insulation Packages
- Arctic Insulation
- Adding Extra Insulation – Risks & Considerations
- Optimizing Yurt Energy Efficiency
- Heating and Cooling Recommendations
- Stove Types & Brands
- Key Takeaways
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Yurt Insulation Packages
We offer two different levels of wall and roof insulation:
- Baseline Insulation – A reflective insulation layer, recommended for occasional use in moderate climates.
- Arctic Insulation – A Shelter Designs exclusive, designed for four-season use in moderate to extreme climates. With our upgraded Arctic Insulation, you’ll use approximately 30–40% less energy to heat your yurt compared to the Baseline Insulation package.
Artic Insulation
The Arctic Insulation system features two layers:
- A radiant reflective layer facing into the yurt
- Backed with ½″ of closed-cell polyethylene foam
This combination has kept countless Shelter Designs customers comfortable in extreme climates. The foam layer reduces conductive heat loss, creating a consistently warm and efficient indoor environment while using less energy.
Adding Extra Insulation — Risks & Considerations
Many people ask about adding additional insulation, such as fiberglass, rockwool, or foam board. We do not recommend this approach because:
- It can lead to condensation problems, which may cause mold.
- Our supplied insulation acts as a vapor barrier—moisture from cooking, breathing, or drying wet gear must be actively vented or removed with a dehumidifier.
- If additional insulation is not fully sealed (e.g., caulking seams, spray foaming outlets), moisture-laden air may reach the frame, condense, and trigger mold on hidden wood members.
Other Drawbacks
- More insulation means covering up the frame, hiding the natural beauty of rafters, snow legs, and lattice walls.
- Our fabric exteriors are designed to fit the supplied insulation precisely, leaving little room to add extra layers.
Ultimately, adding insulation is your choice, but it’s important to understand the risks.
Optimizing Your Yurt Energy
Even with the right insulation, a few strategies can help improve comfort and reduce energy needs:
- Yurt size: Smaller yurts, or multiple smaller yurts combined, are more energy efficient, as they require less volume to heat and cool.
- Ceiling fans: Reverse the fan direction seasonally.
- Winter → Push hot air down into the living space
- Summer → Pull hot air up and vent it out the dome
Heating and Cooling Recommendations
- Primary & Secondary Systems
- If your main heat source is a wood stove, consider adding a secondary heat option, like a thermostatically controlled gas or pellet stove.
- Mini split ductless heat pumps
- Increasingly popular with our customers
- Provide efficient heating and cooling
- Wall-mounted, electric, and highly efficient
- General rule: Select heating/cooling units rated for twice the square footage of your yurt for best results.
Stove Types & Brands
While we don’t officially endorse specific brands, our customers have shared positive experiences with:
- Quadra-Fire gas stoves
- Blaze King wood stoves
- Mitsubishi mini split systems
Key Takeaways
- Moderate climates / seasonal use → Baseline Insulation is often sufficient.
- Cold or four-season climates → Arctic Insulation is highly recommended for energy savings and comfort.
- Avoid extra insulation layers → These can create condensation and mold issues.
- Optimize efficiency → Use ceiling fans, size your yurt wisely, and pair insulation with properly rated heating and cooling systems.
Looking for yurts for sale? Shelter Designs yurts is your premier yurt manufacturer for hand-crafted and sustainable yurts, varying in size from small eco-yurts to large 40′ yurt kits. We are always happy to assist you through all yurt related decisions, so give us a call at (406)721-9878 or email us at info@shelterdesigns with any and all yurt related questions!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Which insulation package is best for four-season use?
Our Arctic Insulation Package is recommended for year-round comfort, especially in cold or extreme climates.
Can I add fiberglass or foam board insulation to my yurt?
We don’t recommend it. Extra layers can cause condensation and mold, and they interfere with the fit of our exterior fabrics.
How much energy can Arctic Insulation save?
Customers typically use 30–40% less energy for heating compared to the Baseline reflective insulation package.
What heating systems work best in a yurt?
Many customers use wood stoves paired with a secondary system like a pellet stove or mini split ductless heat pump.
Do ceiling fans make a difference in a yurt?
Absolutely. By reversing the fan direction seasonally, you can push warm air down in winter and vent hot air out in summer.
