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| Kyrgyz Yurt detail |
Do Red Kite Yurts make the best Yurts in the UK?
Each Yurt Master has his own style, as is with any craft. Some Masters and have adopted the bright Mongolian straight poled Yurts. Others the Kazakh style. Red Kite Yurts construct Yurts according to the Kyrgyz style which is recognisable by the domed roof, bent wall poles and absence of central crown supports. This is the result of personal choice and we feel it is the right choice.
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| A Red Kite Yurts frame showing domed roof |
Ten years of research and experimentation, visits to Kyrgystan to learn from traditional Yurt Masters and adapting ancient designs to reflect the needs of the modern British Yurt market lie behind the construction of every Yurt that leaves the Red Kite Yurts workshop.The demands of the local climate have led Red Kite Yurts to a product that meets and excedes the demands of our Island, oft battered by Atlantic storms, soaked with rain and frozen with winter snow.
Across Central Aisa the weather, though bitterly cold in winter, is arid and dry. The traditioanl felts that cover Yurts in this region that stretches from Eastern China to Turkey do not stand up to the weather in the UK. Similarly the fast growing willow used across much of this expansive region for Yurt frames is simply not robust enough to deal with our climate. Importers of Yurts to the UK can boast low purchase prices, but can not boast about the longevity of their Yurts which are dark inside and and become damp as the multiple layers of fabric and felt disintegrate, unable to air dry.
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| Ash wall poles in a former at the Red Kite Yurts workshop |
Red Kite Yurts have adopted materials that are local, fit for use in the UK and our Yurts have stood the test of time. A Yurt canvas from Red Kite Yurts will last for up to ten years if proofed and the frame will last a lifetime.
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| Wall trellis detail (9 eyes) |
- Our canvas covers are sewn in house and made of a high grade poly-cotton canvas. The polyester content ensures that there is minimal shrinkage. It dramatically prolongs the life of the cover and helps in keeping it clean. It is light and airy, allowing daylight to easily penetrate. It is waterproof (to 99.9%), fully breathable and is treated against mildew as well as being fireproof.
- After experimenting with a number of British hardwoods we have chosen Ash as the timber of choice for our frames. It straight grain reduces wastage through breakages during the steam bending process. It is pliable when green, but once naturally cured becomes incredibly tough and long-lasting. All our frames are treated with linseed oil to preserve them and to repell moisture.
- We have recently increased the number of 'eyes' in our Yurt frames from seven to nine, adding extra rigidity to the structure with the increased number of both wall laths and, as a result, roof poles.The eyes are counted the points where the wall laths cross. In the picture on teh right you can count the eyes in a zig-zag pattern from the roof pole at the top to the bottom of the trellis section.
- We use nylon cord for most of the attachments in our Yurts. Although clearly not traditional there are few alternatives that are more fit for purpose. Nylon cord is very tough, very flexible and can easily be replaced if required. We see it as the modern equivilent of the traditional Yak hide used across Central Asia.
Red Kite Yurts crown detail
Apart from our standard wooden doors there are no metal fasteners in the Yurt frame. The two pieces in the steam bent crown are fastened with glue and doweled as can be seen on the right.
So, do we make the best Yurts in the UK? Come along to our workshop in Callander and make up your own mind. We would love to see you.
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